Here are some cozy and safe baby sleep tips to ensure your little one sleeps soundly! We’ll discuss the ideal room temperatures and the best outfits for bedtime.

1. What’s the perfect room temperature for a baby’s sleep?

Luckily, while you can’t always control the room temperature, we can definitely show you how to dress your baby for a cozy night’s sleep!

Pro Tip: Don’t always believe the monitor readings, as they are a bit hit-and-miss. The GroEgg is a much more reliable option, but it’s not essential for a good night’s sleep!

2. What’s the best way to dress your baby for sleep?

We love swaddles and sleeping bags! They really make things easy for us, parents. By dressing your baby safely you can rest easy knowing they’ll stay comfortable all through the night.

Start by thinking about what you will be wearing to bed. Your baby will be comfy in something similar. You can add one extra layer for newborns to keep them snug and warm!

Here’s a quick temperature guide for dressing your baby:

3. Sleeping bags vs. blankets: Which is better for your baby?

Sleeping bags offer several benefits for your baby’s sleep:

• Consistent body temperature: Sleeping bags help keep a constant body temperature all night by wrapping your baby in a cozy pocket. During winter, higher tog sleeping bags provide that added warmth from both above and below, which is crucial during the early morning hours when a baby’s body temperature can drop suddenly.
• Ease of use: Baby sleeping bags are easy to use. Your baby can roll and kick freely without restriction.
• No swaddling skills required: With a swaddle bag, there’s no need to learn difficult swaddling techniques. Even the most determined little ones won’t wriggle free.
• Safe sleep: There’s no need for extra blankets, following the safe sleep practices recommended by experts.
• Extended use and flexibility: They last up to 36 months and include leg openings that allow toddlers enough room to move around.

4. What on earth is a TOG!?

A TOG is short for “Thermal Overall Grade,” which is a fancy way of measuring how warm it will keep your baby. The higher the TOG, the warmer the material. It’s a great guide to help you pick just the right warmth level for different room temperatures.

5. What TOG rating should you choose?

To ensure your baby is dressed comfortably for sleep in different temperatures, have a look at this guide:

• 0.1/0.2/0.5 Tog: This is a very light and breathable material. It is best for rooms without air conditioning or for nurseries that get a lot of summer sun. In summer, it is ideal for your little one to sleep in just a nappy and a 0.2/0.5 Tog sleeping bag, and it will keep them just warm enough when the temperature drops early in the mornings.
• 1 Tog: It holds in some heat and breathes a little. This is a great sleeping bag if you can keep your little one’s room at a constant temperature all day and night.
• 2.5 Tog: Suited for colder homes or if you have a little one that struggles to get warm enough.
• 3.5 Tog: If you struggle to get your babies’ room to 16-18℃, this one is for you!

6. How can you tell if your baby is too hot? 

For safe sleep, it’s important to be cautious about overheating, but try not to stress too much about it! If you’re doing everything you can and your baby is sleeping well, then you’re doing a fantastic job!

Here’s a great guide from the NHS:

If your baby wakes up during the night, it might be a sign they’re not comfortable. Feel the back of their neck or tummy—if it’s warm, they’re good. If their skin is damp, they might be a bit too warm. 

Don’t worry if their hands or feet feel cool; that’s pretty normal and actually helps them keep a steady temperature. Skip the hats or hoods in bed, as they can make your baby too hot. It’s actually better for them to be on the cooler side, they’ll let you know if they’re too cold!

As for figuring out if they’re too cold, don’t just check their hands or feet—those can be misleading. Instead, touch their tummy while they’re sleeping. If it feels slightly warm, they’re just right! (Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), 2021).

7. Should you choose different sleeping bags for different ages?

Yes, we recommend choosing different sleeping bags based on your baby’s age. As babies grow, they move around a lot more, and their need for warmth changes.

For Newborns we LOVE these:

This is why we recommend these great options for newborns:

• They are great options if you don’t like swaddling.
• They’re easy to get on and off.
• They make midnight nappy changes easy.
• They’re great in the transition phase once your baby starts rolling. 
• You can easily add an ergoPouch Layers underneath to add another Tog if needed.

For our babies 4-12 months we love:

These are great options for 4-12 months babies because:

• They have lots of free space so babies can kick and roll around. Safe for hips. Easy to get on and off!
• The sleep suit bag is lovely if your baby likes having their legs free, and it’s easy to move from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit.

For babies 12-36 months we love:

Why we recommend using these options:

• They give walking babies free range.
• They can be used in and outside the cot.
• You can cover the feet with grip socks so they won’t slip or you can roll up the legs in warmer weather.

If you’re struggling with nap times or bedtime routines, reach out to our team at Brave Little Baby. We provide personalized sleep training coaching and expert advice, customized to meet your family’s unique needs.