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A baby sleeping bag is the best alternative to conventional baby blankets. Your baby will be kept warm, both in winter and in summer. In addition, sleeping bags are much safer for babies because the head is not covered and therefore air is always supplied.
In a sleeping bag, your baby has maximum freedom of movement and is always well protected. There are various models on the market that leave nothing to be desired. You can choose between summer and winter sleeping bags, choose sleeping bags with or without sleeves and decide on the material and size. There are even baby sleeping bags that grow with your baby and ones that can be worn in all seasons.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 Summary
- 3 The Best Baby Sleeping Bag: Our Picks
- 4 Buying and rating criteria for baby sleeping bags
- 5 Guide: Frequently asked questions about baby sleeping bags answered in detail
- 5.1 What is a baby sleeping bag and why do you need one?
- 5.2 What should be taken into account when it comes to wearing comfort?
- 5.3 How much does a baby sleeping bag cost?
- 5.4 What types of baby sleeping bags are there?
- 5.5 Are there sleeping bags for babies that grow with the child?
- 5.6 What alternatives are there to baby sleeping bags?
- 5.7 What do I wear under the sleeping bag?
- 6 Conclusion
Summary
- A baby sleeping bag is considered the optimal alternative to conventional blankets and pads. It offers maximum comfort and thermal protection and creates the necessary freedom of movement.
- Depending on your needs and tastes, you can choose between summer, winter, all-year sleeping bags, romper bags and sleeping bags with feet.
- When buying, you should consider criteria such as the right size, the right material, care instructions, the type of sleeves and the type of closure.
The Best Baby Sleeping Bag: Our Picks
Buying and rating criteria for baby sleeping bags
The selection of baby sleeping bags is large and with this variety it is often difficult to find the right one. The following criteria can help you make your baby sleeping bag purchase easier and compare the offers better. We have compiled the most important buying criteria for you here:
In the following, we will explain in more detail what the criteria are.
Size
In order to ensure safety during carrying and optimal comfort for the baby, the right size according to age and the right fit are decisive criteria for baby sleeping bags. The sleeping bag must neither be too big nor too small, otherwise the benefits of the sleeping bag will not be fulfilled and its use can be dangerous.
If the baby sleeping bag is too big, the baby may slip into it and, due to the large amount of space, the body heat may not be stored in the sleeping bag and the baby may cool down. If the baby sleeping bag is too small, the baby has too little space and can be constricted. Also make sure the neckline is the perfect size.
At least one adult finger should fit between the neck and the fabric. To find the right size for your baby sleeping bag, you can use this rule of thumb as a guide: Body length - head length + 10 to 15 cm The extra 10 cm serves as freedom of movement. This means that the baby can still move around well in the sleeping bag. More extra space is not good, because otherwise the heat regulation is disturbed.
After measuring, you can round up to the next size if there is a maximum difference of 2 cm. Otherwise, always round off. A baby should grow out of the baby sleeping bag, not into it. This is especially difficult with newborns, as babies grow very quickly and a lot in the first few months. That's why a baby sleeping bag that grows with the baby would be ideal for newborns. We have compiled the standardised sizes for baby sleeping bags for you in the following table. You can always use this as a guide to get the right size for your baby.
Sleeping bag size | body size | age | weight |
---|---|---|---|
44 | smaller than 50 cm | newborn | less than 2 kg |
50 / 56 | 50 - 56 cm | 0 to 2 months | 2 - 3 kg |
56 / 62 | 56 - 62 cm | 2 to 3 months | 3 - 5 kg |
68 / 74 | 68 - 74 cm | 4 to 9 months | 5 - 9 kg |
80 / 86 | 80 - 86 cm | 10 to 18 months | 9 - 13 kg |
Every baby is individual and may differ from the numbers in the chart. Therefore, always take a size in which your baby feels comfortable and has enough room to romp.
Material / care instructions
The most common materials for baby sleeping bags are cotton and terry cloth. They are characterised by the fact that they are particularly easy to care for, skin-friendly and durable. Depending on the season, a different material is recommended or you can choose a year-round sleeping bag.
For summer, a cotton sleeping bag without lining and without sleeves is ideal. Cotton sleeping bags are also easy to clean and can usually be washed and dried at up to 60 degrees. For warm winter sleeping bags, materials such as nicki or wool fleece, as well as terry cloth, are ideal. For warm, lined sleeping bags, care is often not so easy, as the sleeping bag can only be washed at low temperatures and cannot be dried. Please always follow the manufacturer's care instructions to enjoy your sleeping bag for as long as possible.
Sleeves and closure
Baby sleeping bags keep warm both with and without sleeves. Models with sleeves are really only suitable for really cold winter nights or for walks outside as a carriage insert. Sleeping bags without sleeves allow the baby more freedom of movement air supply. So it is up to your own preference and the desired use of the sleeping bag whether sleeves are needed or not. The right closure of the baby sleeping bag can be very helpful.
Especially if the baby needs to be changed during the night or if it does get too warm in the sleeping bag. A zip on the side or front of the sleeping bag is the best choice. This way it is always within reach. It is very important that the zipper has a locking mechanism so that it cannot be opened by the baby's own movements. For night-time nappy-changing, it is practical if the foot section can be opened easily.
Guide: Frequently asked questions about baby sleeping bags answered in detail
What is a baby sleeping bag and why do you need one?
Excess heat should be dissipated through openings in the sleeping bag. In contrast, a sleeping bag helps to retain heat at low temperatures, prevents "trampling away" and thus protects against hypothermia. A sleeping bag is a safer alternative to blankets, as these can become wrapped around the baby's head due to too much movement, posing a risk of oxygen deprivation.
A baby sleeping bag is especially recommended in the first year of life, but can be used as long as the baby sleeps restlessly. It is important that a baby sleeping bag is only used until the toddler can walk independently. This is because the sleeping bag can be a tripping hazard during nighttime trips to the toilet or to the parents' bed.
What should be taken into account when it comes to wearing comfort?
When it comes to comfort, you should of course pay attention to the material as well as the size. Sleeping bags with a cosy and soft inner material and a soft but robust outer material are best. Also make sure that there are no thick seams or pressing buttons.
How much does a baby sleeping bag cost?
Type of sleeping bag | price range |
---|---|
Summer sleeping bag | 20 - 90 € |
Winter sleeping bag | 30 - 150 € |
All-season sleeping bag | 30 - 100 € |
Romper bag | 10 - 40 € |
Sleeping bag with feet | 30 - 70 € |
Always make sure you buy a durable product that you will be happy with for a long time.
What types of baby sleeping bags are there?
- Summer sleeping bag for babies
- Winter sleeping bag for babies
- Year-round sleeping bag for babies
- Sleeping bag for babies
- Sleeping bag with feet for babies
The main difference between summer and winter sleeping bags is the material. Summer sleeping bags for babies are usually made of thin and air-permeable material and are not thickly filled.
They also usually do not have sleeves, but simple straps. They are very easy to handle and are quickly ready for use again after washing. Winter sleeping bags are cosy, soft and warm and are particularly suitable for low temperatures. These sleeping bags are lined with warm materials, such as down, and thus keep the baby well warm.
As a rule, winter sleeping bags for babies are more expensive than summer sleeping bags because higher quality materials are used. The disadvantage is that lined sleeping bags take longer to dry. All-season sleeping bags can be worn in winter as well as in summer. These sleeping bags usually consist of several pieces that are very warm when worn together, but can be used separately at higher temperatures.
By purchasing this model, you can save yourself the trouble of buying two sleeping bags depending on the season. The romper bag is especially suitable for newborns. It is a kind of pouch that fits tightly to the chest with a wide elastic band. The arms and head are therefore not covered.
The romper bag gives a lot of freedom of movement and makes the baby feel safe and warm. However, it should not be used at low temperatures and is also only suitable for small babies. A sleeping bag with feet, similar to trousers, should be used for slightly older babies, as the sleeping bag allows them to crawl and kick.
It is essential to put on socks or stockings as the feet are not covered. In general, this sleeping bag is not ideal for low temperatures and children who can already walk, as there is a risk of tripping.
Are there sleeping bags for babies that grow with the child?
What alternatives are there to baby sleeping bags?
What do I wear under the sleeping bag?
However, since every baby feels temperatures differently, you have to find out individually whether your baby is wearing too much or too little. You can find out by doing a quick test on the back of the neck: If the neck is moist and warm, the baby is too warm. If the skin is cold, your baby may be cold.
Conclusion
A baby sleeping bag is a good investment if you want to keep your child safe and warm at night. In a baby sleeping bag, your baby has a lot of freedom of movement, but cannot kick the sleeping bag away and is therefore warmed throughout. Most baby sleeping bags have a zip so that changing nappies at night is child's play.
When buying a baby sleeping bag, some criteria should be taken into account in order to purchase a durable, qualitative and useful product. Sleeping bags that can be used all year round and grow with the baby are particularly practical. Most of the materials of the sleeping bags are well tolerated by the skin and easy to care for.
(Cover photo: unsplash / Kevin Keith)