Babies are learning so much in their first year of life, and not just with their minds, but with their bodies as well. They can not regulate their body temperature by putting on a sweater or taking off a blanket. They need their parents help to either keep cool or warm and it can be very confusing and stressful trying to keep another person at the perfect temperature when you don’t know how they are feeling. There are ways to find out just how warm sleepwear will keep your baby.
Many sleep sacks and wearable blankets have TOG ratings. Understanding TOG ratings will come in handy when deciding what to dress your baby in for sleep.
In this article we will discuss how to interpret sleep sack TOG ratings for different brands and styles of sleepwear, as well as understanding how they add up. Read on to learn more and give your self some peace of mind while your little one sleeps comfortably.
What is a TOG Rating?
The word TOG is an acronym for “Thermal Overall Grade”, that is used in the textile industry to calculate the thermal insulation of a product. The higher the TOG rating the better the thermal insulation it provides.
TOG ratings are used for a variety of products and they come in very handy when determining what sleep garment to buy for your baby.
How Do I Choose The Right TOG Rating?
Choosing the right TOG rating for your baby’s sleep sack or wearable blanket will be determined by a few factors.
What temperature is your baby’s room at night?
The TOG rating will be the same across different brands, however each company might have different guides on what TOG rating to select based on the temperature in your baby’s room.
- 0.2 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 75°F and 81°F
- 1.0 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 68°F to 75°F
- 2.5 TOG – ideal for room temperatures between 61°F to 68°F
- 3.5 TOG – ideal for room temperatures below 61°F
What layers will your baby wear under his sleep sack or wearable blanket?
It can be difficult to know exactly what the right combination of sleepwear and sleep sack that will work for your baby. The best thing you can do is dress your baby in layers. A high TOG rated sleep sack may not be enough for your baby on a cold night and those little legs and arms might still get cold. Likewise, on warmer nights, babies can still get cold so its important to dress your baby in layers. This will allow you to remove a layer easily in case your baby gets too warm.
What is the best TOG rating for Winter or Summer?
You can still use a sleep sack in heat of summer. Maybe you are the type who still wants a thin blanket or sheet over you, even when its a warm night. Your baby is the same way. Having something wrapped around you provides comfort and helps even your body temperature. The lower TOG ratings 0.5 and 0.2 are like a thin sheet and are great for summer.
The higher TOG ratings like 2.5 or higher are like wearable comforters. They are thick and heavily insulated and will keep your baby toasty warm in the winter time.
Go In to Check the Temperature
It might be tempting to rely on the thermostat on the baby monitor, but there is no substitute for checking on your baby and feeling the temperature of the room for your self. If you can, maybe place the back of your hand on your baby’s forehead, if you can do so without waking her, to make sure she isn’t warm or sweaty.
Our Favorites for Each Season
There are a lot of different options out there for light to very heavy sleep sacks. These are our top picks for each season.
Spring
For Spring, consider a TOG rated Sleep Sack of 1
HALO 100% Cotton Muslin Sleepsack Wearable Blanket
Summer
For Summer, consider a TOG rated Sleep Sack of 0.5 to 1
Love To Dream Swaddle UP Transition Suit 1.0 TOG, Self Soothing Sleeves
Fall
For Fall, consider a TOG rated Sleep Sack of 1 to 2
Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Fleece Baby Sleeping Bag
Winter
For Winter, consider a TOG rated Sleep Sack of 2.5 to 3.5
Baby Sleep Bag with Feet Winter, Wearable Blanket with Legs and Sleeves
Final Thoughts
We’ve discussed a lot in this article about how to choose the right TOG rating for your baby’s sleepwear. Your little one is not just learning with her mind but her body is learning as well about how to keep herself warm and cool at night. There is so much to learn when raising your first baby, so here are a few key things to remember to take a little stress off your mind while your new little baby sleeps:
- Dress in layers
- Check nursery temperature in person
- Choose the right TOG rated sleep sack or wearable blanket for the season. Even on warm summer nights a low rated TOG sleep sack can help keep your baby at a safe and comfortable temperature.
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