How to dress your baby for sleep? Swaddles and Sleeping bags are the recommended go to for babies buy why are swaddles and sleeping bags so important?
1.Safety – We want to follow Red Nose Safe Sleep Guidelines
2.Warmth – The correct tog rated sleeping bag will baby nice and warm throughout the night
3.Possitive Sleep association, as soon as your baby starts to see the sleeping bag come bedtime, it will cue for sleep and make them feel relaxed
4. Reduces mobility – Helps to prevent them from wriggling around the cot/standing up.
A safe sleeping bag should have a fitted neck and arm holes/sleeves, without a hood. A snug fit of a sleeping bag means that your child’s temperature is kept constant and safe.
Comfort your baby by creating a sleep association. A sleeping bag has that familiar smell of home and makes the relax come bedtime.
A sleeping bag can be used rom 4-5 months (once your baby has been unswaddled) through to transitioning to a big bed – 2.5-3 years.
If your baby is being cheeky (most are) and decides to unzip the sleeping bag then try these tips:
- Turn the sleeping bag inside out
- Pop a fitted t-shirt over the bag
- Put the sleeping bag back to front
How to pick the safest sleeping bag for your baby?
I recommend using a TOG rated sleeping bag. What does TOG mean? TOG stands for Thermal overall grade and is a unit measurement for insulation and warmth of sleepwear and bedding.
How do you choose the right TOG?
I recommend and follow guidelines from ErgoPouch –
- 0.2/0.3 TOG between 24 deg-26 deg
- 1.0 TOG between 21 deg-24 deg
- 2.5 TOG between 16 deg-22 deg
- 3.5 TOG between 14 deg-20 deg
I recommend a TOG rated sleeping bag as other brands often use polysester filler which means your baby or toddler may sweat. Cotton and bamboo is best to avoid sweating and provides optimal breathability for your little one.
My top 5 brands of sleeping bags –
- Love to Dream “swaddle up” transition bag (perfect for the first bag to transition to after swaddling)
- Ergopouch sleep suit bag
- Cocoon swaddle bag
- The GRO company (Tommee Tippee)
- Plum sleep bag
Bedtime can be challenging enough, especially when us as parents are tired. By having safe sleep clothing and bags on hand, as well as monitoring the room temperature you will feel confident your baby is dressed adequately for sleep.
Do you find bedtime a struggle? If so check out my packages and you can start to enjoy bedtime – sleep packages
Use a sleeping bag for all day and night time sleep.
