Dressing a baby for sleep can feel confusing– we don’t want them too hot but we don’t want them too cold either! Finding that “Goldilocks” temperature especially in a varying climate can feel difficult!
Luckily, Kyte Baby sleep bags make it easier for you to determine how to dress your baby for sleep whether it’s warm or cold.
Remember, you always dress baby based on their room temperature, not the temperature outside.
If you’re unfamiliar with TOG and what that is, we have a blog for you to check out; but in short, TOG is a warmth rating for a garment-- basically how much heat it holds. In other words, the TOG rating is the ability of a fabric to keep your baby warm.
So a thicker TOG (like the 2.5 TOG) will hold in more heat, thus keeping your little one warmer during cold/winter weather.
A thinner TOG (like the 0.5 TOG) will hold in LESS heat, thus keeping your little one cooler during hot/summer weather.
A 0.5 TOG sleep bag is made with two layers of bamboo fabric, the equivalent of two swaddling blankets.
Using lightweight layers is key for dressing in warmer weather. It’s always safer to add layers as needed instead of dressing them too heavy to start out.
Temperature regulating bamboo + a fan or air conditioner running is all your little one needs when those temperatures start creeping up!
Remember that 0.5 TOG sleep bags are rated for an ambient room temperature of 74-78 degrees F (23-26 degrees C). This is what the room temperature is in the room your child is sleeping, not the whole house. Here’s a sizing chart you can check out for more information.
The best way to check for whether your child is sleeping in a comfortable room temperature and that they’re dressed appropriately is to 1) grab a temperature gauge for their room and 2) check their back/chest to see if they feel chilled or sweaty/clammy. Their hands and feet will feel cooler than the rest of their body because there’s less blood flow to those areas.
Keep in mind that you may need to use a 0.5 TOG during the day when it’s naturally warmer and a 1.0 TOG or 2.5 TOG at night! This is perfectly normal and because all of the sleep bags are designed the same, will be a seamless transition between TOGs.
So how do you get the most out of the TOG you currently have? A few tips and considerations:
- Try not to overdress them. Bamboo is meant to help regulate their temperature and their pajamas will add layers that add to the warmth rating of the sleep bag. If you want to keep the TOG rating low, make sure you dress in a onesie/body suit!
- Ensure you’re checking the room temperature at different times of the day so you know when it may be warmer/cooler and can dress appropriately.
- Closing the blinds/curtains can help keep the room at a consistent temperature throughout the day.
- Try to keep your thermostat programmed to a consistent temperature in the home.
As with anything, new seasons have an adjustment period and it may be stressful trying to figure out the transition, but don’t worry too much about the changes, you’ll soon figure out how to help them sleep happily and safely.
AUTHOR:
Ashley Olson is a certified pediatric sleep consultant, owner of Heaven Sent Sleep and the Collective for Family Rest and Wellness, and is passionate about helping new parents, experienced parents, desperate and sleep deprived parents form healthy sleep habits for their children.
She has over 4 years of experience in working with families and has completed over 150 hours of coursework plus continuing education related to infant and toddler sleep. The focus of her work is on fostering a routine that grows your bond with your child while improving their sleep habits. She specializes in custom sleep plans and one on one support in changing sleep practices!
