Key takeaways: A wearable blanket (sleep sack) keeps babies warm without loose bedding. TOG is a measure of how warm the fabric is; higher numbers are warmer. There’s no official U.S. TOG standard for babies, so use brand charts as a rough guide and check your baby’s neck or chest. Avoid weighted sleep sacks.
Sleep sacks help keep babies warm without the risks of loose blankets.
Why Sleep Sacks?
The AAP advises against loose blankets in the sleep space. A wearable blanket is a safe way to keep your baby warm.
What Is TOG?
TOG (thermal overall grade) is a measure of how well a fabric holds heat. It’s used by many sleep sack brands, mostly in the U.K., Europe, and Australia. Common ratings:
- 0.5 TOG: light, for warm rooms.
- 1.0 TOG: medium, for average rooms.
- 2.5 TOG: warm, for cool rooms.
There’s no official U.S. safety standard tying TOG to room temperature, and charts vary by brand. Use them as a guide, not a rule.
How to Dress Your Baby
- Dress for the room temperature, not for outside.
- Avoid overheating, which is a SIDS risk factor.
- Check your baby: feel the back of the neck or chest. Sweaty or hot means too warm; cool hands and feet are normal.
- Keep the head uncovered. No hats indoors for sleep.
Choosing a Sleep Sack
- Fits well around the neck and arms so your baby can’t slip inside.
- Room for hips and legs to move freely.
- Arms out once your baby shows signs of rolling, if using a swaddle-style sack.
Avoid Weighted Sleep Sacks
The AAP recommends against weighted sleep sacks, swaddles, and blankets. They haven’t been shown to be safe, and some experts and agencies have raised concerns about them.
Swaddle vs. Sleep Sack
- Swaddling may help young babies sleep, but stop once your baby shows signs of trying to roll, often around 2 to 4 months.
- Then switch to an arms-free sleep sack.
The Bottom Line
Sleep sacks are a safe way to keep babies warm. Use TOG charts as a guide, check your baby’s neck or chest, and avoid weighted products.
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Sources
- Moon RY, Carlin RF, Hand I; Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057990.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Swaddling: is it safe? HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safe sleep for babies. https://www.cpsc.gov
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
