Swaddles vs. Sleep Sacks: What Should Your Baby Wear?
Quick Answer:
Swaddles are generally intended for young babies who are not yet showing signs of rolling. Once your baby begins trying to roll, stop using an arms-in swaddle and switch to an arms-out sleep sack or wearable blanket. The right sleep sack also depends on the room temperature, the baby's clothing underneath, and the product's TOG rating.
Choosing the right sleepwear can help keep your baby comfortable throughout the night. Swaddles and sleep sacks are both popular options, but the best choice depends on your baby's age and development.
During the first few months, many newborns sleep better when they are gently swaddled. Swaddling can help calm the startle reflex and create a cozy, secure feeling. For young babies who are not showing signs of rolling, arms-in swaddles that gently cover the baby's arms can be a helpful option.
Look for swaddles made from soft, breathable materials that are snug around the upper body but allow plenty of room for healthy hip movement. Always place your baby on their back to sleep and stop using an arms-in swaddle as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll.
As babies become more active and start developing the ability to roll, it is generally time to move away from traditional arms-in swaddling. An arms-out sleep sack or wearable blanket allows your baby's arms and shoulders to move freely while keeping them comfortably covered.
Sleep sacks are available in different materials and warmth levels, making them useful throughout the year. They also help keep babies warm without the need for loose blankets in the crib.
What Does TOG Mean?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade and measures how warm a sleep sack or other sleepwear is. The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the product is.
Choosing the right TOG is important because babies can overheat if they are dressed too warmly. Consider your baby's clothing underneath the sleep sack and the temperature of the nursery when choosing a TOG rating. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations and check your baby for signs of overheating.
Quick Tips for Choosing Baby Sleepwear
First few months: An arms-in swaddle may help newborns feel secure and reduce the startle reflex, as long as they are not showing signs of rolling.
When your baby starts trying to roll: Stop using arms-in swaddles and transition to an arms-out sleep sack.
Choose the right TOG: Select the warmth level based on the room temperature and what your baby is wearing underneath.
Look for breathable materials: Cotton and muslin are popular choices for comfortable baby sleepwear.
Avoid overheating: Check your baby regularly and avoid excessive layers.
Always follow safe sleep guidelines: Place your baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface with no loose blankets, pillows, or other soft items.
Introducing some good brands:
HALO
1. The HALO SleepSack SuperSoft Wearable Blanket is a cozy option for keeping your baby comfortable during sleep. Made from soft bamboo-derived viscose, it has a gentle feel against the skin and a 1.5 TOG rating, making it suitable for moderate room temperatures.
The wearable design helps keep babies covered throughout the night without the need for loose blankets. Available in the 0–24 months size, this Blue Fog SleepSack is a practical and comfortable choice for your baby's bedtime routine.
2. The HALO Sleepsack Swaddle is a versatile option for babies ages 0–6 months. Made from 100% cotton, it features a convenient 3-way adjustable design, allowing parents to choose the swaddling style that works best for their baby as they grow.
With a 1.5 TOG rating, it provides comfortable warmth without the need for loose blankets.
Momcozy
The Momcozy Sleep Sack is a cozy option for babies ages 0–24 months. With a 1.5 TOG rating and supportive plush filling, it provides warmth and comfort during sleep.
The two-way zipper makes diaper changes easier, while the snap-fit design allows the sleep sack to adjust as your baby grows.
EARTH PENGUIN Baby Sleep Sack
The EARTH PENGUIN Baby Sleep Sack is a cozy and practical option for babies, made with soft bamboo viscose for a gentle feel.
The 1.0 TOG rating makes it a lightweight choice for warmer sleep environments, while the 2-way zipper makes diaper changes quick and convenient. The 2-pack is also great for having an extra sleep sack ready when one is in the wash.
PurComfy
The PurComfy Supersoft Sleep Sack is a comfortable choice for babies who need a lightweight layer for sleep. Made with soft bamboo viscose, this 1.0 TOG wearable blanket is designed for warmer sleep environments.
The convenient 2-way zipper makes diaper changes easier while keeping your baby cozy and covered throughout the night. 0-24 Months.
Burt's Bees
The Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket is a comfortable, practical choice made with soft organic cotton. It comes in lightweight 0.5 TOG and medium-weight 1.5 TOG options, making it easy to choose the right warmth level for different room temperatures.
The wearable design helps keep your baby cozy throughout the night without loose blankets, while the unisex style makes it a versatile choice for any nursery.
Our Recommendation:
Based on our personal experience using HALO, Burt’s Bees, and EARTH PENGUIN sleep sacks, HALO is our top recommendation, especially for the higher-TOG options.
We personally use different versions of HALO sleep sacks with different TOG ratings, as well as Burt’s Bees and EARTH PENGUIN.
When using higher TOG ratings, we found that the material in Burt’s Bees sleep sacks can feel bulkier compared with HALO. Even with a higher TOG rating, HALO feels lightweight and comfortable.
We used Burt’s Bees mainly during the summer, and when using the higher-TOG versions, we kept them as a backup to our HALO sleep sacks.
We also used EARTH PENGUIN. However, personally, we did not like the feel of the bamboo viscose material as much. Bamboo viscose is generally a good material for pajamas and clothing. However, based on our experience, bamboo viscose sleep sacks can sometimes twist around a child’s body, which may make them uncomfortable.
Based on our personal experience, HALO would be our top recommendation, especially if you are looking for a higher-TOG sleep sack that still feels lightweight.