Best Sleep Sacks, Sleep Bags and Wearable Blankets 2021
Want to know one of the number one questions people ask about around baby sleep? Sleep sacks, sleep bags, and wearable blankets. They all mean generally the same thing – a sleeveless zip up bag that your baby or toddler can wear as an alternative to a blanket for sleep. More than just cozy, sleep sacks are a safer alternative to loose blankets in your little one’s crib.
Swaddling can also be counterproductive. A baby will self-soothe if they are able to reach their hands. Sucking on their thumb or hand is comforting to them. If you swaddle them tightly, they can’t reach their hands. Pacifiers are problematic because they eventually fall out, causing the baby to cry because they want it back. The hand will work just fine.
Swaddling is an age-old technique for wrapping babies in a blanket in order to replicate the feeling of being in the womb. The practice keeps baby calm and helps her sleep more soundly by preventing a startle reflex that can wake her up.
And while our ancestors may have wrapped their little ones in thin cloth, today’s marketplace is filled with products that do much of the swaddling work for you.
The sleep company Halo was the first to officially use the term “sleep sack” when it debuted a product intended to both help babies snooze and also reduce the risk of getting tangled up in clothing or loose bedding during the night. Today, the term has become synonymous with wearable blankets.
The idea is the same: Provide security, comfort and a snug feeling for little ones to help them rest easy on their own, just as a tight swaddle with a blanket would.
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What age do babies wear sleep sacks?
Once your child is 12 months old, using a sleep sack is still a perfectly good solution to keep their feet warm at night. It’s also the age where you can introduce a blanket into the crib.
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend the use of blankets for babies because of the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so sleep sacks are a safer alternative to keep your little one cozy and warm. They are helpful in keeping the baby warm and secure during the night.
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When used properly, sleep sacks are not only safe for babies, but they can also make sleeping safer. These wearable blankets are intended to keep little ones warm while lowering the risk of SIDS. This risk is highest during the first year of life, but especially in the first few months before babies start rolling over.
Do babies need to sleep in sleep sacks?
Once babies start learning to roll over, they should transition to a wearable blanket with their arms free. Swaddling is better for infants that cannot yet roll, while a sleep sack can be used for little ones from birth through toddlerhood.
What does TOG mean for sleep sacks?
First things first, let’s talk about TOG. What does it mean, and why does it matter?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, and it is a measurement of a blanket’s thermal effectiveness – aka how well it keeps your baby warm. The higher the TOG, the warmer the sleeping sack: essentially the TOG rating is an approximation of how many blankets the sleeping sack is equivalent to. So, if you’re looking for sleeping sacks for summer and spring you want to look for a TOG rating of 1.2 or lower. For autumn and winter, you want a TOG rating of 2 to 2.5.
Babies aren’t good at regulating their body temperature, and overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Choosing the right sleep sack will ensure they stay comfortable and safe while they sleep.
One helpful tip is never to dress a baby in more than one additional layer than an adult would find comfortable.
What are the Best Sleep Sacks for Babies?
When choosing a sleep sack, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
How long baby can use it for:
Make sure to look at the product’s age range. Some sleep sacks, including those that pin baby’s arms down, are only intended for use until baby can roll over. Other sleep sacks are versatile enough to grow with baby (allowing for baby’s arms to be out, for example).
Material:
Sleep sacks are available in a slew of different styles and materials, so make sure you choose one that’s best for the season you’re in. Many, of course, are also good year-round picks that work in many different sleep environments.
Size:
Again, some wearable blankets can adjust to your growing baby’s needs, while others come in a set size. You want to make sure the sleep sack fits baby comfortably so that she’s not too squished inside of the blanket.
Below, the best sleep sacks for different stages and sleep environments — all will keep your little one cozy and secure.
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JOINBest Sleep Sack for 0- to 3-Month-Old Babies
Halo SleepSack Swaddle
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Trusted brand Halo is loved by parents and experts everywhere for their sleepwear, and this transitional item is ideal for the first few months of your child’s life, though it also has uses beyond that. Your little one can wear this product in three different ways, depending on her age and whether or not she’s demonstrated the ability to roll over: both arms in (for the youngest babies, to mimic a swaddle blanket), one arm in (if baby is in the process of transitioning out of a swaddle, usually around 3 or 4 months); or both arms out (once she’s able to roll over) before switching to a sleep sack for good. And some days, having all of those different options in one product is just what any tired parent needs.
Keep in Mind
This sack is versatile with three-way use; however, it is thinner than some other sacks.
TOG Rating: 1.0
This sleep sack offers just the right comfort for moderate seasons or climates and can be layered with warmer sleepwear for cooler temperatures.
Best Sleep Sack
Halo SleepSack
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
What is a Halo sleep sack?
Easy to get on and off, affordable, washes and wears well and made from soft, comfy cotton—there’s so much to love about this HALO sleep sack. It’s the perfect choice to replace loose blankets in the crib while still giving your little one the feeling of security. There are lots of colors and sizes to choose from and an inverted zipper that opens and closes from the bottom for easy diaper changes.
Keep in Mind
Looking for a warmer option when the temperature drops? There’s a cozy microfleece option. Other things to love are that it’s recognized as “Hip Healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute due to the roomy sack design, and the inverted zipper makes for easy diaper changes.
TOG Rating: 1.0
This sleep sack offers just the right comfort for moderate seasons or climates and can be layered with warmer sleepwear for cooler temperatures.
Best Weighted Sleep Sack
Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
Weighted blankets have long been used by occupational therapists for children and adults with sensory issues to aide with sleep and relaxation, but it’s only in the past year or two that the trend has spread to the larger sleep industry—so it’s no surprise there’s now an option for babies too. The Nested Bean has a lightly weighted area on baby’s chest to mimic the feeling of your own resting hand and reassuring touch. It can help your little one feel a bit more safe and secure and, according to some parents, even result in longer sleep stretches.
Keep in Mind
The weighted bag is filled with non-toxic beads and won’t prevent your baby from moving around or even rolling over. (It’s also perfectly fine for the washing machine.)
TOG Rating: 2.5
It is the perfect option for cooler nights or winter months.
Best Organic Sleep Sack
Burt’s Bees Baby Beekeeper Organic Wearable Blanket
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
If organic cotton is important to you, then this wearable blanket from Burt’s Bees Baby makes a great choice. The fabric is soft and lightweight, yet still warm, and there’s plenty of room in the lower half for your little one to kick and move their legs around freely.
Keep in Mind
This sleep sack is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton.
TOG Rating: 1.5
Pillow soft, this quilted beekeeper is for the cooler months.
Best Eco-Friendly Sleep Sack
Kyte Baby Bamboo Rayon Sleep Bag
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
These breathable sleep sacks are made with a baby’s sensitive skin in mind, including babies with eczema. We promise you there is no fabric more luxurious than the silky-smooth bamboo rayon used to make Kyte Baby sleep sacks. Bamboo fibers create a fabric that is gentle, breathable, and hypoallergenic making it great for babies with sensitive skin. And not only that, but bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources on earth, so this one is an eco-friendly choice too.
Keep in Mind
Beyond the fabric, one other thing to love about Kyte Baby is the vibrant rainbow colors their sleep sacks come in.
TOG Rating:
Available in both TOG rating 0.5 and 1.0.
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GET NOWBest Sleep Sack for Summer
Aden + Anais Classic Sleeping Bag, 100% Cotton Muslin Wearable Baby Blanket
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
For a lightweight sleep sack just right for warmer climates—check the Aden + Anais muslin. If you use these swaddles, these are as soft and light as those, just in the form of a sleep sack.
TOG Rating: 1.0
Perfect for warmer room temperatures
Best Sleep Sack for Winter
Baby Deedee Sleep Sack
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
If you live in a place where the winters get chilly (or you’re just trying to cut down on those heating bills), then you’re going to need an extra-warm sleep sack to keep your little one toasty warm. Made with down-like material and a TOG of 2.6, the gunaPOD Sack is like a tiny (but safe) luxury comforter made with your baby in mind. Its only downfall is it doesn’t come in adult sizes.
Keep in Mind
We love the many zipper options on this sleep sack. You can zip open just the bottom, open it completely around all sides or use the traditional middle zipper option.
TOG Rating: 2.5
Baby DeeDee comes with a range of three different Sleep Nest Sleeping Bags for winter, with a TOG of either 2.5 or 3.5.
Best Multipurpose Sleep Sack
Woolino 4 Season Ultimate Baby Sleep Bag
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
Wool is the ideal four-season material. It’s warm in winter, cool in summer and naturally regulates your body temperature. This sleep sack, made from Merino wool, will keep your little one at just the right temperature all year round. It’s machine washable and comes in an adjustable universal size that works for kids from two months to two years.
Keep in Mind
Definitely the most expensive sleep sack on our list, we realize the Woolino is a bit of an investment, but we think it’s worth it since it can be used all year long. Another thing to love about this sleep sack is the closable seat-belt slot that makes for easy transfer from the car (or stroller) to the crib. This one is on the pricier end, but it may be worth the splurge as it’s good to use year-round, and it will fit your baby from 2 months up to 2 years!
TOG Rating:
Woolino sleep sacks are made to work for all seasons and don’t have a fixed TOG, though they are recommended for room temperatures ranging from 63 to 77 degrees F.
Best Affordable Sleep Sack
Simple Joys by Carter’s Baby 3-Pack Cotton Sleeveless Sleep Bag Wearable Blanket
Available at Amazon starting at $27
Also available at:
Why We Love It
A bestseller at a budget-friendly price? It’s no wonder parents gravitate toward this arms-out sleep sack from Carter’s. The ankle-to-neck zipper will make your job even easier, and who can resist the whimsical patterns? Even better: You’ll get a set of three sleep sacks for less than what many competitors charge for just one.
Keep in Mind
While it’s affordable, it’s not as warm as other sacks.
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JOINIf you have a sleep sack that you love, use that one! Please know that if you’re doing great without a Sleep Sack®, you don’t have to use one to have a great little sleeper. Do what works for your family!
If you’ve tried a sleep sack but sleep is still a mess, please know that help is available. I can help you have your baby sleeping in just 14 nights.