Baby sleeping bags

Baby sleeping bags are very popular and used by most parents in the UK. These are sometimes referred to as grow bags/grow bags or baby sleeping bags. All of these are basically the same. They can be used from birth (provided your child weighs more than the weight indicated on the bag and their head cannot fit through the neck zip opening). This is very important, you may find that the startle reflex makes your baby wake up, keep swaddling. Many parents swaddle for a few months and then switch to a sleeping bag when the baby is ready for more space.

Pros of Sleeping Bags

Easy to use - simply place your child within the sleeping bag, secure correctly and place your little one in the cot, with just a fitted sheet underneath.

No need to use sheets or blankets - this eliminates the problem of your little one kicking off their covers and being cold during the night, and also the risk of becoming entangled in the blankets and not resting comfortably.

Promotes peaceful sleep - sleeping bags help babies feel secure and comfortable, and this will help them to settle and to achieve sleep rapidly.

Convenient for travelling - you can bring your child straight from here to their cot or bed without disturbing their rest.

Ideal temperature - sleeping bags help keep baby’s temperature at a more constant level while sleeping.

Things to consider

The right time and right type of sleeping bag to use - baby sleeping bags are measured by age, and it is important NOT to place a baby in an over-sized sleeping bag. If the sleeping bag is too big, the baby may be able to wriggle further into the bag and end up trapped inside. An ideal time to start using a baby sleep bag is when your baby weighs more than 8.8 lbs.

Which tog to use

You should have a couple of tog options in your baby's size, as this will ensure you are placing your baby in the correct sleeping bag for the temperature. The togs you need will depend upon your local climate as well as the season. Always check the temperature of the room your baby sleeps in, as this will help you to select the correct tog for the room. Always refer to the following guide:

24 degrees celsius or more – 0.5 tog
21 – 23 degrees Celsius – 1 tog
18 – 20 degrees Celsius – 2.5 tog
16 – 17 degrees Celsius – 2.5 tog plus one blanket

Safety tips

The safety of sleeping bags depends on them being used properly. Make sure to cautious enough to avoid the following:

Overheating – you should never use a quilt or duvet to cover a baby in a sleeping bag, because the baby would be put at risk of overheating
Badly fitting sleeping bags – it is important to ensure you buy the correct size of sleeping bag to prevent your baby from slipping down into the bag during the night
Hoods – some sleeping bags have hoods attached, these should be avoided because they are thought to increase the risk of SIDS.

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