To keep your baby safe and relaxed during sleeptime, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises them to lie on their back on a firm and tightly fitted mattress covered only by fitted sheet to avoid overheating; to further ensure comfort and safety for baby sleep sacks may come in handy as extra padding or blankets might otherwise prevent.
What Are Baby Sleep Sacks? Baby sleep sacks provide all of the warmth of traditional blankets without risk of it overpowering or tangling around their bodies, providing comforting warmth without risk of it escaping over their head or becoming tangled up around their bodies. Wearable blankets such as these offer comfort without risk for overhearing, making swaddling unnecessary when transitioning out from it or no longer needing it altogether; with access to hands for self-regulation due to reduced moro reflex, sleep sacks allow little ones use hands as self-regulation mechanisms as they learn self-regulate via using them against self-regulators’s, while helping wiggly babies from getting their legs stuck between crib slats (it seems as though these tiny creatures always end up getting squashed into corners when there’s plenty of space!).
What should you look for when purchasing a sleep sack for baby? According to Rachel Mitchell, Certified Sleep Specialist and founder of My Sweet Sleeper, fabric weight and breathability should be given the utmost consideration when choosing one for their infant or toddler. 100% organic cotton fabric is ideal for all seasons; however bamboo, wool and TENCEL may provide even greater versatility for sensitive baby skin. When shopping around you’ll likely come across something called the TOG rating which helps identify how warm or cool a bed needs to be in terms of temperature regulation. TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) is a measure used to quantify how warm textiles provide insulation; higher ratings mean greater warmth retention. Sleep sacks typically fall between 0.5-2 and would make great choices for summer sleeping situations while TOGs of up to 3+ could provide optimal warmth retention when camping or living in cold climates.
Sizing can vary significantly by brand; be sure to review measurements closely in order to select an outfit with enough room for her movements without restricting her too much. Ultimately, she should still feel free enough to kick and move freely while remaining somewhat restricted by their garment.
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No matter which style you opt for, always inspect the inside (especially after laundering) to make sure there are no loose threads that could get caught between baby’s toes and cause discomfort or injury.
How long should babies use sleep sacks?
Given that the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t advise exposing your newborn or infant to loose blankets until after one year old, you should use wearable blankets at least for this duration. After that point it really depends on you and your toddler; many brands make styles suitable for toddlerhood if necessary (we certainly rely on these style to keep our tot-sized jail breakers within their crib for just an extra few minutes of uninterrupted rest.) (Don’t judge; every bit counts!)
Related: Here are the top sleep sacks for toddlers
We’ve put together some of the coziest baby sleep sacks on the market that receive high marks from both our sleep expert and mamas alike. From lightweight cotton sleep bags to quilted quilted sleep sacks for cold winter nights, you may just find one perfect to help everyone get more rest. There’s nothing better!
Kyte Baby Sleep Bag at $45.00 will offer some of the best features and performance of all baby sleeping sacks available on the market today.
Kyte Baby bamboo sleep sacks are beloved among both Motherly staff and experts, providing superior comfort during nap time and making nighttime diaper changes smooth and fuss-free. Their versatile designs come with either three TOG ratings (traditional bag) or two styles (walker), making one suitable for each season and season of use! We especially love their easy pull dual zipper design which makes getting in and out as smooth and fuss free as possible, along with their handy size charts which help users choose based on height/weight! Plus they come in gorgeous muted hues which pair beautifully with cozy footies!
Sleep Sacks by ErgoPouch(r). Starting at $39.95 each.
ErgoPouch provides one-stop sleep sack solutions from Australian-based makers of natural fibers and GOTS certified organic cotton that make selection easy: 3-12 month size sleep sacks are made in both styles: Sleeveless (for shorter-legged babies) or long sleeved options, each designed with two-way zipper access that makes diaper changes effortless in the middle of the night.
Halo Sleepsack Wearable Cotton Blanket for $29.99.99.
SleepSack Wearable Cotton Blanket
Halo has become synonymous with wearable blankets since their introduction on the market in 1991 by an engineer-father whose first baby died due to SIDS. Their wearable blankets were developed through innovation. He made it his life’s mission to ensure no other families went through what his did – which resulted in Halo SleepSack becoming one of our go-to picks at under $30! Hospitals still prefer it today! And to date it remains number 1 choice among patients! These 100% cotton nightgowns boast a 0.5 TOG rating for maximum breathability and cozy warmth, perfect for warm or cool nights alike. An inverted zipper allows easy diaper changes at nighttime while their roomy bottom makes these nightgowns recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as “Hip Healthy”.
Aden + Anais Cotton Muslin Sleeping Bag at $39.95.00 will keep your child warm on cold winter nights.
Cotton Muslin Sleeping Bag
Credit Aden + Anais with pioneering the best fabric ever known to baby: muslin! For nearly two decades parents have raved about its softness and breathability in its exquisite muslin swaddles; now the same praise can be directed toward its signature luxe cotton muslin sleeping bags offering plenty of temperature regulation, warmth while remaining lightweight; there are stylish patterns available as well!
Woolino 4 Season Sleeping Bag at $99.99.99.
4 Season Baby Sleep Bag is simply amazing and even though it might appear expensive on our list it actually comes out much more economical in cost per dollar spent than any of its peers! For starters this sleep sack was designed specifically to last from birth up to two years of age (we conducted tests!). Plus it comes in five vibrant color choices! (Trust us; we tested!) Your little one won’t outgrow this sleep sack before transitioning to regular blankets; made with silky soft Merino wool lining and organic cotton outer, it makes this sleep sack the ultimate cost-cutter over time! Additionally, its car seat adaptability means your little one will stay warm and snug during their travels at night with you while in their cozy sleep sack – plus, there are tons of awesome prints!
Burt’s Bees Baby Wearable Blanket for $24.95!
Burt’s Bees Wearable Blankets boast nearly 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon! These popular sleep sacks are constructed of soft high-grade 100% organic cotton for optimal skin comfort, making layering easy based on temperatures. And at just $25 bucks each they represent one of the greatest values out there – available both with 0.5 TOG ratings as well as three size options and beautiful prints!
Amazon offer’s the DeeDee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack at $42.99; shop it today on BURT’S BEES BABY
Baby DeeDee’s Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack can offer ultimate warmth for cold evenings. (Honestly, we want one too.) Featuring 100% cotton exterior and soft interior for maximum comfort all night long; its quilted style resembles more closely that of a sleeping bag than blanket; with shoulder snaps to help slide sleeping or standing children easily into their cozy nest and a chunky zipper which won’t snag easily while being durable enough to withstand camping adventures; plus its 2.5 TOG rating makes this option great for camping too! Other features loved by parents include shoulder snaps which makes transition easier while camping; plus shoulder snaps make for easy transition. Parents love its 2.5 TOG rating when camping is required as well; plus its chunky zipper is durable enough never snagging or jamming!
Simple Joys by Carter’s Unisex Baby Sleep Sacks for $29.30.
Carter’s is unrivaled when it comes to simple yet budget-conscious essentials for baby sleep sacks. Their set of three costs less than one single from most brands while being lightweight enough for even tiny infants (it sizes up to 6-9 months!). However, Carter’s run small so expect them to grow quickly!
MiliMili Wearable Blanket for $48
MiliMili’s Kona Banana print wearable blanket stands out among their many colorful sleep sacks as our ultimate favorite! Soft yet comfy bamboo jersey fabric ensures maximum comfort against sensitive skin; double zipper opening at both top and bottom allows easy zipping up at bedtime or after diaper changes! Available in light weights for infants all the way through 36 months (plus it’s run by two mamas who make everything here in LA!) MiliMili is truly one of our fave brands that make everything in LA too!)
Baby Merlin Sleepsuit for $39.95.
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
For babies who have outgrown swaddling but are still not quite ready to transition into traditional sleeping sacks, the Magic Merlin sleepsuit may provide the solution they need for this transitional stage. Created by an accomplished pediatric physical therapist and mom of four – with almost 28,000 5-star reviews from delighted parents – its name truly lives up to expectations: this snug but flexible suit allows your little one to move their hands and feet freely but provides greater security through tight arms/legs/belly fits than loose styles do; made with multiple soft cotton layers it features double zipper for quick on/off capability while two sizes make this suit suitable up until nine months (when babies can roll over).
Note for safety’s sake, only use this bed with babies who sleep exclusively on their backs.