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Choosing the Best Summer Sleeping Bag

Choosing the Best Summer Sleeping Bag

How to choose the best summer sleeping bag for your baby

Baby asleep in Woolbabe Summer Sleeping Bag - How to choose the best summer sleeping bag

Summer Sleeping Bag Guide

 

We recommend using a sleeping bag year round, including during the hot days and nights of summer. Sleeping bags used without any additional bedding help ensure your baby or toddler is sleeping safely and stays a comfortable temperature all night.

Sleeping bags are also a very strong sleep association, reminding your child that it's sleep time no matter where they are. This is very useful when you are on holiday or wanting your child to sleep when you are out and about over the summer. Size, fabric type, tog rating, warmth & sleepwear combinations, zip position and more are covered and linked to from this page about infant sleep bags.

We only stock brands we really rate as being good quality and value for money. Plus we make sure all our sleeping bags meet the relevant safety standards. Having said that, we do have some particular favourites and also some clear best-sellers with our customers.


What are the top 5 summer sleeping bags for babies?

Here at The Sleep Store, we're all about helping babies sleep better and we stock a wide range of sleeping bags for summer to help. A baby sleeping bag is a safe, easy-to-use alternative to traditional baby bedding and, over time, will become a strong sleep association for your baby. In summer, when temperatures are at their hottest we recommend babies wear a 1-layer lightweight Merino sleeping bag or a 0.1 - 0.5 tog baby sleeping bag to keep them cool & comfortable for day sleep and overnight. Natural fibres like Cotton, lightweight merino and muslin are best for their breathability and moisture-wicking abilities. Our top 5 recommended sleeping bags for summer are: 1. The Sleep Store 0.1 Tog Pointelle Side Zip Summer Sleeping Bag 2. The Sleep Store 0.2 Tog Organic Cotton Summer Bag 3. Ergopouch 0.3 Tog Organic Sheet Sleeping Bag 4. Woolbabe Summer Sleeping Bag 5. Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Sleeping Bag It's important to dress your baby to your nursery temperature and we recommend checking they are not overheating by placing your hand on their chest or at the back of their neck. Shop summer sleeping bags for babies and toddlers in NZ at https://www.thesleepstore.co.nz/sleeping-bags-suits/summer-sleeping-bags/ and AU at https://www.thesleepstore.com.au/sleeping-bags-suits/summer-sleeping-bags/

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2023-11-17

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The Sleep Store

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Our Summer Sleep Sack Collection

For room temperatures above 24 degrees, choose a lightweight bag or a bag with a TOG rating lower than 0.6.

Sleeping Bag Key information
  • 0.1 Tog Rated for room temperatures above 25°C
  • Is extremely breathable and lightweight

  • Our lightest sleeping bag, perfect for day sleeps in the height of summer
  • 100% Organic Cotton

  • Side zip with domes for easy nappy changes

 

 

Shop The 0.1 Tog Pointelle Summer Sleeping Bag

 

  • Covers the widest temperature range and can be used in room temperatures of 24 - 32 degrees

  • Is a Merino / Organic Cotton blend

  • Wicks moisture away from the skin and is ideal for sweaty babies

  • Is generously sized and available in sizes up to 6 years old

  • Comes highly recommended with an average 5/5* review

Shop Woolbabe Summer Sleeping Bag

  • For rooms approx. 25-30 degrees
  • Lightweight 0.2 Tog Rated
  • Made from super-soft GOTS-certified organic cotton
  • Good value for money - generously sized and available in sizes up to 3-6 years old

  • Ethically made in India.

 

Shop The Sleep Store 0.2 TOG Sleeping Bag

 

  • 0.2 or 0.3 Tog 100% Organic Cotton
  • Use from approx 24 - 30 degrees
  • Breathable, lightweight cotton - Jersey or Sheeting styles

  • Light & cool for the warmest of rooms
  • More fitted in style

 

 

 

Shop ergoPouch 0.2 or 0.3 Tog Lightweight Sleeping Bags

 

  • Can be used in rooms ranging from 18°C - 27°C
  • Breathable mesh panels for ventilation
  • Two way zipper for easy changing
  • Zip guard to protect your little one
  •  

 

 

 

 

Shop Purflo 0.5 Tog Sleeping Bag

 

  • Made from 2 layers of muslin
  • 1.0 Tog Rated
  • Is extremely breathable and lightweight

  • Great for babies who don't move around a lot

  • Come in a range of gorgeous designs

  • A looser fit to keep baby cool

 

 

Shop Little Unicorn Sleeping Bags

 


Our Mid-Weight Sleep Sack Collection

For room temperatures between 20-25 degrees, choose a mid-weight, 3-seasons or a bag with a TOG rating of 1.0.

Sleeping Bag Key information
  • Covers the widest temperature range and can be used in temperatures of up to 28 degrees

  • Is a Merino/cotton blend that wicks moisture away from the skin and is ideal for sweaty babies

  • Generously sized and available in sizes up to 3-6 years old.

  • Also available in "mini" and also hip dysplasia sizes

  • Comes highly recommended with an average 5/5* review

Shop Woolbabe 3-Seasons Sleeping Bags

  • Use in rooms approx 20-24 degrees
  • Good value for money

  • Made from soft, breathable GOTS certified organic cotton

  • Generously sized and available in sizes up to 2-4 years old

  • Easy to wash as part of a normal load and can be tumble dried

 

Shop 1.0 Tog The Sleep Store Sleeping Bag

ErgoPouch 1.0 Tog Sheeting Sleeping BAg
  • 100% Organic Cotton
  • Available in sheeting or jersey cotton styles
  • Breathable & lightweight

  • More fitted in size with stretchy panels and a high neck
  • Easy-care

 

 

Shop ergoPouch 1.0 Tog Sleeping Bags

  • Ideal for room temps of approx 16 - 25 degrees
  • 100% cotton outer with 100& merino inner

  • Buttery soft

  • Naturally temperature regulating

 

 

The Sleep Store Cotton / Merino Front Zip Sleeping Bag

The Sleep Store Midweight Merino Sleeping Bag
  • 1 layer of 100% merino double faced knit fabric

  • Breathable, superfine merino

  • Naturally temperature regulating

 

 

The Sleep Store Midweight Merino Sleeping Bag

Nature Baby Organic Cotton Sleeping Bag
  • Made from soft, organic cotton

  • Has a full side zip with domes for easy opening and airing

  • Fairtrade and free from harmful chemicals

 

 

Shop Nature Baby Organic Sleeping Bag


What weight or TOG rated sleeping bag do I need?

A TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) essentially measures how much a particular fabric insulates and is roughly equivalent to a layer of clothing or a light blanket. Many sleeping bags use the European TOG rating system to indicate how warm the sleeping bag is and what season they are suitable for. The higher the TOG, the warmer the sleeping bag.

Summer sleeping bags are usually 1.0 or under, depending on where you are and the temperature range in your child's bedroom. Generally speaking a 0.6 tog or lower is ideal for high summer with room temperatures of 25 degrees or above. A 1.0 tog bag is usually suitable in between seasons or room temperatures between 20 -24 degrees Celsius.

When room temperatures can vary between 16-20 degrees a 2.5 tog rated bag is a good solution. It's important to keep baby cool and avoid overheating, after all, they can't simply throw off their sleeping bag if they get too hot. We always recommend natural breathable fibres for clothing and pyjamas, and in particular, merino as it can help with temperature regulation.

A number of external factors determine the tog rating of the sleeping bag that should be used. These include the quantity of clothing the baby is wearing, the temperature of the infant’s bedroom, the baby’s health and the amount of bedding necessary to keep an individual infant warm – this may vary, as it does for adults.  

Many sleeping bags that we stock come with a free nursery thermometer to help you select which tog baby sleeping bag to use and what sleepwear to put your baby in.

Are 0.1 tog rated bags much cooler than 0.5 tog rated bags?
We don't think there is a noticeable difference between these two ratings, particularly when comparing tog rating across brands. It's always important to check your baby regularly to ensure they do not overheat.

The TOG rating chart below gives you an indication of what bag to use based on the expected summer temperature of your child's bedroom.

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

0.1 -0.5TOG rated

(such as The Sleep Store, ErgoPouch or Purflo)

or Merino Lightweight Summer Bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

T28+

1.0 TOG rated

(such as The Sleep Store, ErgoPouch or Gro Bag)

or Merino Midweight 3-Seasons Bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

2.5 TOG rated

(such as Purflo & ErgoPouch)

or Merino Duvet Weight bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

3.5 TOG rated

(such as The Sleep Store, Gro Bag or ErgoPouch)

or Merino Duvet Weight with Sleeves


Why are some sleeping bags tog rated and others are not?

Natural fibres, such as Merino are not rated TOG because they adjust according to temperature, and this is why they are so popular.

Sleeping bags with polyester or from fibres that consistently perform to a testing standard or set temperature range (such as cotton) tend to be tog rated. Merino is also amazing at wicking moisture away from the skin, meaning sweaty babies won't wake up due to cold, clammy fabric. Woolbabe bags have the widest temperature range - the 3-seasons bag can be used for rooms 18-28 degrees, and the duvet weight bag can be used from 14 to 22 degrees.


Why use Merino in summer - won't it be too hot?

Merino is a highly breathable natural fibre that regulates your baby's temperature. This means your baby will always be at the right temperature – never too cold, never too hot. It can also absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water without feeling damp, so baby remains warm despite nappy leaks, spills or sweating on hot summer nights, whereas cotton tends to become cold and clammy.

At The Sleep Store we believe in using wool, not only due to its temperature regulating properties but also because recent research suggests that babies sleep better in wool. Wool fibres form natural air pockets that act as insulators, keeping babies warm without sacrificing breathability. It also helps create a healthy sleeping environment because it's resistant to mould, mildew and bacteria and this also helps to stop odours developing.  


Which sleeping bag option can be used in spring and autumn as well as summer?

The Woolbabe 3-Seasons is the best option for use through these times of year. As the seasons change, you'll need to adapt the clothing that you combine with the Woolbabe 3-seasons to keep baby comfortable. If the room temperature is consistently high then we recommend investing in a dedicated summer weight sleeping bag.


How should I dress baby at night?

The warmth of the bag will vary enormously depending on what clothing you use inside the bag. You can easily add another layer of clothing to make the bag warmer, such as using an extra merino bodysuit.

Using a room thermometer (such as a gro egg) to accurately determine the temperature in your child's room is a good idea and will be a big help, particularly when it comes to choosing the clothing and sleeping bag combination for the temperature.

Many sleeping bags, including Woolbabe, now come with a clothing guide in addition to a free room thermometer to help you decide which clothing combination to use. Use your common sense too; the clothing guides are just a starting point and you will still need to monitor your child and adjust their clothing and sleeping bag combination so that they are a comfortable temperature and don't overheat.  


Sleeping Bag & Clothing Guide

The guide below will help you to choose a sleeping bag that is suitable for the temperature of the room baby will be sleeping in. Babies' warmth needs vary from child to child, just as they do for adults, so use this as a guide and adjust to suit your baby accordingly. Check your baby regularly to ensure they do not overheat or are waking up from being too cold.

The optimal room temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius. By adjusting the clothing that baby wears inside the sleeping bag you'll help to make baby more comfortable at different room temperatures. Try to keep baby's room temperature below 27 degrees so that they don't overheat. If the room temperature drops and baby is waking up from the cold choose a warmer weight sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags like the Woolbabe are fantastic at adjusting to a wider range of room temperatures because of the use of naturally temperature regulating wool.

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

0.2 TOG rated

(such as ErgoPouch, Purflo or The Sleep Store)

or Merino Lightweight Summer Bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

T28+

1.0 TOG rated

(such as ErgoPouch or The Sleep Store)

or Merino Midweight 3-Seasons Bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

2.5 TOG rated

(such as Purflo or ErgoPouch)

or Merino Duvet Weight bag

14-16 C

16-18 C

18-20 C

20-22 C

22-24 C

24-26 C

26-28 C

28+

3.5 TOG rated

(such as ErgoPouch)

or Merino Duvet Weight with Sleeves


Sleeping bag features explained

Merino/Cotton

Woolbabe sleeping bags use a unique fabric knitted especially for Woolbabe from 30% merino and 70% cotton. This feels like a cotton T-shirt but contains enough merino that it really helps regulate your baby's temperature. This fabric can help babies stay the right temperature, covers a wide room temperature range and stays comfortable even if it gets damp.

Weight & Size

Choose a sleeping bag for the size and weight your child is NOW. Sleeping bags need to be the right size to be a safe fit and we do not recommend buying a bag to 'grow into'. Sizing differs for each brand, so please check the table above or see each product page for details. In particular, the 2-4 year Woolbabes should not be used for children under 12kg and we recommend waiting until 2 years old as they are a big fit and are very long.

Age ranges can vary in size between manufacturer, however, use the following info as a guide: 0-6m or at least 4kg, 6-18m or at least 8.1kg, 18-36m or at least 11.4kg and 3-6 years or at least 55cm chest.

 

Woolbabe

The Sleep Store

ErgoPouch

Nature Baby

Purflo

Little Unicorn

Tommee Tippee Grobag

Baby Loves Sleep

Age Range

3-24 Months

3-24 Months

2-12 Months

0-24 Months

3-9 Months

6-12 Months

6-18 Months

3-6 Months

Length

100 cm

100 cm

82 cm

90 cm

76 cm

76 cm

94 cm

65 cm

Width

44 cm

44 cm

43 cm

51 cm

Chest Width

34 cm

34 cm

32 cm

27 cm

Back of Neck

10 cm

10 cm

10 cm

10 cm

Warmth Rating

Sleeping bags generally come in 3 weights - Summer (or 0.2 - 0.6 tog), Midweight (3-seasons, 1.0 tog) and Winter weight (duvet, winter, 2.5 & 3.5 tog). For most homes, you will need more than one weight of sleeping bag to ensure your child sleeps comfortably throughout the year.

The only bag which gets close to being a 'year-round' bag is the 3-seasons Woolbabe, which we have personally used in rooms 18-28 degrees. However, if your child's room is regularly in the high 20's we recommend investing in a summer sleeping bag.

Fabric & Layers

Summer sleeping bags are either one or two layers of fabric.

They can be made from either jersey fabric (stretchy like a T-shirt) or woven cotton (like sheets, sometimes, referred to as sheeting fabric).

Our summer bag range includes 100% cotton - in a variety of weaves and Woolbabe's unique merino and organic cotton blend.

Buggy Slot

Some of our summer sleeping bags have a 'buggy slot', which means you can use the bag in a buggy with 5 point harness. These bags are all clearly labelled in the product description page. You can, of course, use buggy slot bags in your cot as normal.

Front-zip travel bags have a double-ended zip on the front and buggy slot in the back. Side-zip travel bags have slots in both the front and back of the bag.

Eczema-friendly Options

Our own-brand 100% organic cotton range is a standout option here if you are looking for a generously sized option that's soft against the skin.

ErgoPouch is also a consideration for a more snug-fitting bag.


Is a Front Zip Sleeping Bag Better than a Side Zip or Diagonal Zip?

We often get asked whether the front or side zip bag is 'better'....it's really hard to say, as our customers have different views on this!

We find a bag with a front zipper is much easier to use - simply pop your baby in and zip down the front (zips end at the bottom). Bags with front zips don't have the hassle of babies popping open the shoulder domes, generally have smaller armholes which are a closer fit and have no risk of the domes failing after lots of use. It's still easy to change a nappy with a front zip, as they are plenty long enough and the bags open wide enough to access the nappy.

Shoulder domes and side zip enable you to open the bag out flat. This can be easier for babies under 6 months who still need frequent night nappy changes. With babies who sleep through the night, the easier nappy change isn't really a factor.

Some bags have domes on both shoulders (eg Woolbabe) and when combined with a long side-zip can fold out flat for faster drying after washing, while others have 2 domes on one shoulder only.


EXPERT SLEEP ADVICE

Watch our Videos

Swaddles & transitioning
Winter Sleeping Bags

Compare Sleeping Bag Brands & Styles

The Sleep Store carries a wide range of sleeping bags, the best we can find! This can be confusing if you are new to sleeping bags. We aim to give you a range of fabrics, styles, composition and of course the all-important budget!

While a couple of brands are better known, all our bags have a point of difference and all meet our standards for quality and durability that may make them the perfect option for your baby! Don't assume you need the most-well known or expensive brand as that's what you have heard of or all your parent's group have!


Where to next?

Transitioning to a baby sleeping bag from a swaddle

When should you stop swaddling your baby and transition to a baby sleeping bag? This is one of the questions that the customer service team answers on such a regular basis that Louise put together this video to help. She also covers the transitional swaddles that we recommend at The Sleep Store. The swaddles that feature can be purchased here: NZ Shop here: http://bit.ly/39lSb0s AUS shop here: http://bit.ly/2u56ZAF Available to be shipped to NZ and Australia. More information on how to wean your baby off swaddling NZ read here: http://bit.ly/2suo5ao AUS read here: http://bit.ly/352yO9m

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2019-12-30

PT5M05S

The Sleep Store

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Top Tips on how to avoid your baby overheating when sleeping

This is probably one of the major concerns of every parent. Here are some top tips from our three Sleep Store sleep coaches about how to avoid overheating with your baby. How do you keep your baby cool in hot weather? It's important to consider the room temperature and what you dress your baby in for bedtime. Featuring, Lousie, Andrina and Maria. For more information read our expert article: NZ: http://bit.ly/2tkiLq4 AUS: http://bit.ly/2u0tIxu

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2019-12-31

PT1M37S

The Sleep Store

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