Baby sleeping bags, also known as sleeping sacks, have been used in European countries for more then 25 years, and have enjoyed a new popularity in recent years worldwide. Unlike traditional crib blankets, sleeping bags for babies are designed to offer a more security and comfort that is not always the case with loose-fitting crib blankets. Babies are active, move around and kick their little legs even when sleeping. Traditional blankets often become tangled up around their bodies or displaced to the other side of the crib, and with a baby sleeping bag's design, this will not occur.
A baby sleeping bag or sleeping sack is just that, it is a garment-like blanket that the baby actually wears over their clothing or sleepwear, during their hours of sleep. Baby sleeping bags are sealed along the edges to form a sack, and there are holes at the top for the baby's head and arms to fit through. In other words, it is a wearable blanket. The sack feature allows the baby enough kicking room so that they do not feel confined, while maintaining comfort and warmth that is needed during nap-time and bedtime.
What to Look for
There are many companies that are manufacturing baby sleeping bags, but there are definitely some standard features and qualities you will want to be on the look out for while you are planning your purchase. Of course, you will want to choose a baby sleeping bag that is properly sized for your baby. Most sleeping sacks are sized according to the age, weight and length of your baby, which will help you choose one roomy enough for your baby. Still, it will be necessary to make sure that your baby's head cannot easily fit through the neck opening, and on the flip side that the neck opening is not overly constricting around your baby's neck.
Baby sleeping bags are issued TOG ratings. A TOG is a measurement warmth rating, and the higher the TOG the warmer the sleeping bag. This will help you choose baby sleeping bags that will be warm enough for cooler months and less warm for hotter months. For example, a TOG rating of 3.0 is perfect for cooler temperature areas and nurseries, while a rating of 0.5 is more lightweight and good for hot temperature areas and nurseries.
You will definitely want to make sure the baby sleeping bag is machine washable and dryer safe. Baby sleeping bags should be sleeveless to allow for adequate air circulation and prevent the baby from overheating. Most sleeping sacks are designed with a zipper down the front, making it easy to slip your baby in and out of the sack. However, for more ease of use, some sleeping sacks implement the upside down zipper, which comes in handy for diaper changes. Last, you definitely want to make sure the baby sleeping bag is roomy enough for your baby to kick and extend their legs without making them feel constricted.
Common Pitfalls
A baby sleeping bag may not be something that is needed until the baby is older than four months, because prior to that age, the baby may be way too small to safely use the sleeping bag. Swaddling your baby in a blanket can also effectively do what a sleeping bag does, in which case it will lessen the expense of having to buy an unnecessary item. Problems can occur when you use a sleeping bag that is too heavy for the temperature of the baby's nursery. This can cause the baby to be uncomfortable and overheated. Also, some babies do not like the feel of being confined and constricted by the sleeping bag, and this can cause the baby to be fussy and irritable at hours of sleep.
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