Babies are precious and, not to mention, delicate. It falls to the parents to make the best possible decisions for their baby. One of the most important stages in the early years of a child’s life is the amount and quality of sleep they get. As such, it is of utmost importance to make sure that their bedding and sleep schedules and routines are good. The bedding should be good quality and able to keep the child asleep while the routines should be constant every day. When they sleep is when they grow. The benefits of using Baby Sleeping Bags are starting to grab the attention of many parents today. To buy a baby sleeping bag or not and if yes, how to choose the right one? Is a conundrum that many parents face today. As such, let us take a look at some of the most important factors to consider.
Introduction To Baby Sleeping Bags
Some new parents may be wondering, ‘what are sleeping bags in the first place? Most of us have heard of adult sleeping bags that are often used in camping and other instances as well. A Baby Sleeping Bag is much the same, except that it is used every day. Sleeping bags are also known as baby sleep sacks. This is because they look like a sack and are designed to put sleeping babies in. They close with zips or press buttons depending on the model one is buying. They are made from varying materials to suit the weather conditions and have detachable sleeveless, separable leg holes or even hoodies for added comfort. This is the basics of what a Baby Sleeping Bag is. As we move on, let us look at it in more detail.
Common Types Of Sleeping Bags
There are various types of sleeping bags in the market today. The type known as a sleep sack usually has a rounded, sewn-in bottom. The baby can be put in sleeping bags from the top of these types. The other type is the rectangular Baby Sleeping Bag with a zipper. This opens completely so the parent can lay the baby on the sleeping bag and then zip it closed. Other common types are sleep bags with press buttons, these are not very common and are mostly only available in summer fabrics. Other than this, one can find baby sleeping bags with hoodie attachments, detachable sleeves, and today even zippable legs. Moreover, there are varying materials in which they are available such as wool, cotton, and more.
Baby Sleeping Bag Materials: How To Choose The Right One
As mentioned above, a Baby Sleeping Bag may come in a variety of materials and parents should know which is the right one for their child. Let us take a look:
- Cotton and Cotton blends – this is one of the softest and mildest materials you can find. Cotton sleeping bags are one of the most suitable materials for hot summer months. A cotton blend with a modacrylic blend lasts longer while polyester blends are typically cheap and will also dry quickly. While the spandex blend with cotton can be stretchy and useful as they grow.
- Fleece And wool – are the perfect choice for cold winter months. They are also easy to clean and care for. They can keep the baby warm as the temperatures reduce and most of our blankets are made with these materials.
- Linen And Muslin – these are thin and lightweight fabrics. They work well for the summer months and look good as well. A Baby Sleeping Bag made of this material is also easy to care for.
- Stuffed Fabric – For very cold winters and when you need to take your baby out, it essentially exposes them to the cold. For such time, one can find wool or even cotton polyester stuffed with down. These look puffy and adorable and are perfect for winter. They do require a bit of work in maintenance.
What Else Is Important?
Other than material, the Tog of the sleeping bags is highly important too. A TOG refers to the global thermal grade of the material or the Baby Sleeping Bag. A baby sleeping bag with a high TOG rating will be warmer as compared to one with a low TOG rating. When it comes to baby sleeping bags, one can find a sleeping bag starting from a TOG rating of .2 up to 3.5 TOG. The TOG rating you should choose for your Baby’s Sleeping Bag should depend on the temperature outside the home but especially the temperature in the baby’s room or the room that the baby will spend most of its time in.
Here Is A Small Guide To Togs And How To Choose According To The Tog Rating:
- 0.2 – A Baby Sleeping Bag with this rating will be suitable for temperatures of 27℃ or above. Meaning, that this is the right choice when you are shopping for baby sleeping bags in the summer or if you are located in an area with a warm climate.
- 0.5 – This is ideal for temperatures ranging from 24℃ up to 27℃. The perfect choice for spring or early summer. If the Baby Sleeping Bag is full-sleeved, it can also be used from 21℃ up to 24℃.
- 1.0 – This TOG rating is highly suitable for 21℃ to 24℃ if the sleeping bag is sleeveless or has half sleeves. In case the sleeping bag is full-sleeved it can also be used in the weather of 18℃ to 21℃. This is perfect to combat the cold while ensuring the baby is not overheated.
- 2.5 – A Baby Sleeping Bag with a 2.5 TOG rating is perfect for 15℃ to 18℃ weather. The baby can be dressed inside of the sleeping bag if the weather is on the colder side.
- 3.5 – This is the warmest TOG rating. It is perfect for cold winters ranging from 15℃ or less. If the weather is colder, then it is best to buy a larger size and ensure that the baby is dressed inside with a sleeveless onesie or more depending on the weather.
