Parenthood comes with a whole lot of new information, and it’s no exaggeration to say that you have to become an expert on things rather quickly. One of things you learn is the term “TOG rating.” Sounds pretty scientific, right? Although it’s specific to the textile industry, it’s something you become very familiar with as soon as you begin buying things for your baby because it’s a way to measure the warmth of a garment or fabric. However, to determine what TOG your baby needs for their sleepwear, it’s a good idea to better understand its meaning. Let’s take a deep dive:
What does TOG stand for?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, which is a unit of measurement used to calculate insulation and warmth of products, such as sleepwear or bedding. Put simply, it’s a way to rate the warmth of a product! When purchasing a sleep bag like ours, you’ll see that it comes in 0.5 TOG, 1.0 TOG, and 2.5 TOG. In short, the higher the TOG, the warmer the sleep bag.
Why does TOG matter?
Unlike older humans, babies don’t have the ability to regulate their body temperature. Since they can’t adjust to temperature changes as well as we can, their bodies can lose heat nearly 4 times faster than an adult’s. This is particularly dangerous for premature babies and those with low birth weight because they don’t have much body fat. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, “when your baby is too cold, they use energy and oxygen to generate warmth. If their skin temperatures drop just 1 degree from the ideal 97.7°F (36.5°C), your baby's oxygen use can increase by 10%.”
By using the proper TOG, you can ensure that your baby stays at a comfortable temperature that helps them reserve that energy. If your baby is sick or premature, this is particularly important. And on the flip side, overheating poses its own dangers for your baby. Overheating can be a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and it’s another reason to be mindful of how you dress your baby for sleep. It’s natural for parents to fret over whether their babies are at the right temperature when sleeping, but using the TOG rating system helps take some of the guesswork out.
When to use 0.5 TOG
0.5 is the lowest TOG rating and should be used when your baby’s nursery is between 74℉ to 78℉. Although the higher end of the 70s isn’t exactly an ideal temperature for your baby to sleep, these conditions may occur during summer months without an air conditioner in a warm climate. You can use your best judgment to determine how to dress your baby underneath their 0.5 sleep bag. You may use a short sleeve bodysuit like this one underneath, or opt to leave your little one in just a diaper. The general rule of thumb is to never dress your baby in more than one layer of clothing than you would be comfortable in.
When to use 1.0 TOG
1.0 TOG should be used when your baby’s nursery is between 69℉ to 73℉. This falls within the ideal temperature for your baby’s nursery, and a sleep bag in 1.0 TOG is a great year-round option if you live in a warm climate or if your house is able to maintain a comfortable temperature. Because our 1.0 TOG sleep bags are both light and warm, it’s easy to work around the temperature range by adding the appropriate layers. You may opt to use a short sleeve bodysuit or a long sleeve bodysuit underneath, depending on the temperature of the room, or even footie pajamas to keep your baby’s toes extra toasty.
When to use 2.5 TOG
2.5 TOG is the highest value for our sleep bags, and should be used when your baby’s nursery is between 61℉ to 68℉. Our 2.5 TOG sleep bags are our thickest and are most appropriate for winter months. These, like 1.0 TOG, may also be a great year-round option if you live somewhere that stays cool even in the summer . Again, always remember to dress your baby appropriately underneath the sleep bag. This is equally as important as choosing the right TOG. If your baby is bundled up too warmly underneath a 2.5 sleep bag, they may still be at risk of overheating even if your nursery is in the mid 60s.
Signs you’re using the wrong TOG
If you’re unable to control the temperature of your baby’s nursery with a thermostat, you may be concerned about accidentally using the wrong TOG for your baby’s sleep bag. Although you can probably rely on your intuition and best judgment, it’s still prudent to check in on your baby and make sure they aren’t too cold or overheating.
A baby that is too cold may not cry in order to conserve their energy to stay warm. Though you can check their hands and feet to see if they feel cold, this is actually a poor way to tell if they’re too cold. Extremities are always the first parts of the body to feel cool to the touch, and your baby will also have cold hands because of their immature circulatory system. This is generally not a cause for concern. However, if you find that the back of your baby’s neck or their chest is cold to the touch, it’s time to either add more layers or switch to a higher TOG.
A baby who is overly warm will probably let you know by fussing or crying, but it’s important to also watch for other signs of overheating. The back of their neck may feel hot and their cheeks may be flushed. Due to the stress placed on the body when overheating, your baby may also have a rapid heart rate. If this is the case, you should give your child plenty of fluids and try to cool them as soon as possible by removing layers and taking them into a cooler room. To prevent it from happening again, dress your baby in a lighter TOG or remove underlayers for sleep. Using clothing that is highly breathable, such as bamboo or cotton, is an important factor in preventing overheating.
Now that you know exactly what TOG stands for and what the ratings mean, you can make informed decisions that will help your baby sleep soundly and comfortably, so you have one less thing to worry about!
