Restless sleep can have many causes—and as adults, we know that all too well: endless tossing and turning, feeling cold because the blanket slips off, and sweating because it suddenly feels too thick. Babies aren’t immune to this either, but they can’t change their situation on their own. That’s why it’s especially important for you, as a parent, to choose a suitable baby sleeping bag early on. It should keep your child warm day and night, protect against overheating, and help ensure peaceful sleep. In this article, we share three tips to help you find the right sleeping bag for your little one.

Why should my baby sleep in a sleeping bag?

Sleeping in a baby sleeping bag is recommended because it’s safer than using a blanket and pillow. A sleeping bag can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The benefits of a sleeping bag include:

• Your baby can’t sleeping bag at night kick away or become entangled.

• Your little explorer lies on their back in the sleeping bag and is less able to roll into other, higher-risk sleeping positions.

• Unlike a duvet, a sleeping bag retains warmth, which means your baby—when the size and TOG value are correct— cannot become hypothermic .

• Your child can breathe freely , because the sleeping bag does not cover the face.

If you’re looking for more information on the topic, we recommend the resources from the Federal Center for Health Education. There, you’ll also find tips on avoiding overheating.

What should I pay attention to when buying a baby sleeping bag?

For a complete sleep- Initial Equipment for your baby, it’s not just a comfortable crib, a baby bouncer, and a pacifier that matter. You should also inform yourself early—together with your partner—about baby sleeping bags. Ideally, get advice from a specialty store for baby clothes and accessories to find the right sleeping bag for your little one. The criteria you should consider when buying are explained here.

1. The correct size

The right size baby sleeping bag is essential so your little explorer can sleep peacefully on the one hand and stay safe on the other. When buying a sleeping bag, keep in mind that your baby shouldn’t outgrow it too quickly—and that it should fit properly right away.

• If the baby sleeping bag is too large , it poses a high risk of hypothermia and entanglement . That’s also why the neck opening should not be larger than your baby’s head circumference.

• If the baby sleeping bag is too small , your child cannot move enough during sleep, and heat could build up .

• As a general rule: Körperlänge - Kopflänge + 10 cm

2. A pleasant material

Your baby spends a lot of time in a sleeping bag, especially during their first year of life, because sleep is one of little explorers’ favorite activities. :) That’s why high-quality, skin-friendly material—one that helps your child neither sweat too much nor feel too cold —is essential. Baby sleeping bags made of organic cotton and certified with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 have a low allergy risk . In addition, they reliably absorb excess moisture, helping prevent your child from overheating.

Our LILLYDOO also carry an OEKO-TEX® certification. The MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® label certifies that our diapers have been tested for harmful substances and chemicals that may pose health concerns. They are especially gentle on delicate baby skin, contain no perfumes or lotions, and are also vegan.

3. The appropriate thermal resistance

If you haven’t looked into sleeping bags for your baby yet, you may feel puzzled when searching for a suitable one. That’s because many sleeping bags in Germany are labeled with a TOG value . The TOG system—standardized in the United Kingdom, but not in Germany—tells you about the thermal resistance of textiles . The higher the TOG value, the warmer the sleeping bag will be for your baby. You can find an overview of the values in our TOG table.

0,5 TOG

A TOG sleeping bag with a value of 0.5 TOG is especially suitable as a baby sleeping bag in summer, because it supports comfortable sleep at a room temperature of 24 °C . It is unlined and especially lightweight, so your child won’t sweat or overheat during high outdoor temperatures.

1,0 TOG

Sleeping bags with 1.0 TOG keep your child comfortable at a room temperature of 18 to 24 °C , without sweating or feeling cold. This baby sleeping bag is therefore ideal for the warm season with mild temperatures.

2,5 TOG

To help ensure your child stays comfortable at a room temperature of 15 to 21 °C —without getting too cold or overheating—you should opt for a padded sleeping bag with 2.5 TOG. It is suitable for year-round use, depending on the temperature of your baby’s bedroom.

3,5 TOG

For a winter sleeping bag, you can’t go wrong with a 3.5 TOG sleeping bag. Especially when the room temperature is under 18 °C , the warm, padded sleeping bag helps keep your little one cozy and supports restful sleep.

How long should my baby sleep in a sleeping bag?

You may already know that your baby should sleep in a sleep sack at the beginning of life. But you might also be wondering when the best time is to switch to a pillow and blanket. Don’t worry—you’re not alone in asking this question, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. However, it’s recommended that you keep your child in a sleeping bag for the first 12 to 18 months of life . After that, you can switch to a baby bed duvet, for example in sizes 60x120 cm or 70x140 cm.

How do I wash a baby sleeping bag properly?

As a loyal companion for your child, the sleeping bag is popular not only at night but also during the day. Sleeping bags with feet, in particular, allow your little explorer to roam around in comfortable sleepwear during the day. Stains of all kinds and unpleasant odors are inevitable. That’s why you should make sure to regularly the sleeping bag. wash . The Manufacturer’s care instructions provide detailed information about which cleaning methods the material can withstand and which measures you should avoid. We also have a few tips for you:

• Depending on the material, you can clean the baby sleeping bag in your washing machine using either a normal wash cycle or a delicate wash cycle . A temperature of 30 °C to 60 °C is suitable for most sleeping bags for children made of durable materials.

• You can put many sleeping bags in the dryer , and certain materials can be ironed .

• If your child’s sleeping bag isn’t dirty or doesn’t smell unpleasant, a simple clean is enough— every 7 to 10 days . If it gets dirty, you should wash the sleeping bag right away. A spare sleeping bag is worth having for that. :)

Whether you’re purchasing, using, or cleaning a baby sleeping bag, there are several things to keep in mind. To ensure your child is always safe while sleeping, it’s definitely worth consulting a specialist store. And over time, you’ll see that you’ll become a true expert on your baby’s sleeping bag. After all, you know your baby best and will surely make the right decision—even if it differs from our tips.