One of the most common questions I hear in The Happy Baby Sleep Clinic Online Support Group is, “Why isn’t my baby sleeping well, even though I’m following the bedding guide?” The answer, more often than not, is that while parents believe they are following the guide, they may be missing crucial details.
So, my question to you today is: Are you really following the bedding guide? Take a moment to review it and make sure you’re ticking all the boxes—your baby’s sleep (and yours!) will thank you for it.
Many parents tell me, “Tizzie, I’ve got the bedding sorted!” But when we take a closer look, they’re often using different brands or not enough layers. I understand—it’s easy to assume that similar products will work just as well, or that cutting back on blankets will prevent overheating. However, this is where the confusion sets in. Using the right products in the correct way can make a world of difference for your baby’s sleep, keeping them warm, cozy, and settled. When choosing a blanket for your child’s cot, it’s essential to select one that maximises airflow. Since children can spend hours unsupervised in their cots, it’s crucial that their blankets are as safe as possible. An Airflow blanket is designed with this in mind. These blankets are typically made of breathable materials like cotton or bamboo and feature tiny, see-through holes that allow air to pass through easily. In contrast, blankets made from wool, polyester, or tightly woven cotton or bamboo are not see-through and do not permit adequate airflow, making them less safe if they were to cover your child’s head.
One of the key reasons babies wake frequently or roll onto their tummies is because they are cold, and they do not feel safe and secure. My bedding guide outlines how many layers your baby needs for different room temperatures. For example, in a 20°C room, a newborn needs around 8-12 layers of blankets. That might sound like a lot, but the bamboo/cotton blankets I recommend are only 0.6 TOG, so you need those layers for warmth and security. All our three Save Our Sleep Airflow Blankets give the same warmth, they are all 0.6 TOG. TOG is the thermal warmth of bedding. The Luxury blankets are 30% bamboo and 70% cotton, the Heirloom blankets are 95% bamboo with a 5% cotton trim and the Cellular blankets are 50% bamboo and 50% cotton. The soft bamboo fibers have been carefully selected for your baby’s delicate, sensitive skin with the added bonus of being more water absorbent and breathable than regular cotton. Parents who don’t use enough blankets often find their babies rolling in search of warmth and security, and that’s when they get unsettled.
I do not recommend using a wrap with a zip on it, or any type of swaddle or wrap where your baby’s arms are able to move. These wraps allow your baby to use his or her arms to roll onto his or her tummy, where he or she may get stuck and be at high risk of SUDI if trapped face down. It is very important to use a safe wrap to help keep your baby warm and to delay your baby rolling from his or her back to his or her tummy. Sleeping your baby on his or her back is one of the most important factors in keeping your baby safe from SIDS and SUDI. Another risk with zip wraps is that the zip can slip down and your baby can slide into the wrap and become trapped.
Using other brands might seem like a good alternative, but they have not been tested in the way the Save Our Sleep blankets have. It concerns me when people think they are following my Safe Bedding Guide, when in fact, they are substituting products that I believe to be unsafe. As parents you are entitled to make this decision and use alternative products. However, this would be classed as not following the Safe Bedding Guide and therefore you won’t be getting the same results or safety. Parents who join Save Our Sleep and purchase the bedding often speak of it as ‘Magic Bedding’ – it’s often the only change we need to get your baby sleeping safely on their back. The items I recommend in my guide have been tried and tested for years to ensure your baby gets the right amount of warmth. This is why I always encourage using the products listed in the Save Our Sleep Bedding Guide—it’s what works!
If your baby is moving around the cot, waking at odd hours, or if you’re constantly needing to resettle them, it’s worth reassessing whether you’re truly following the bedding guide step by step. It might just be a missing layer or an alternative brand that’s making all the difference.
If you’re unsure, head over to our bedding guide tables to double-check the recommended layers for your baby’s room temperature. You can also visit the video section on our website to watch how I set up the cot for my own babies.
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