What is a safe sleep bag?

In my years of working with sleep bags, I’ve seen zips and poppers that come off, neck and armholes that are too big (allowing babies to slip into or climb out of them), and sleep bags with Velcro that can catch on mattresses — just a few examples of unsafe designs.

Your baby or toddler might be alone in their sleep bag for up to 12 hours overnight, so it’s vital that it’s as safe as possible.

Top 5 tips when choosing a safe sleep bag:

1. Never use a sleep bag made from stretch material, such as jersey.

2. Never use a sleep bag with a zip down the side — always choose one with a front zip that closes downwards.

3. Never use a sleep bag with poppers or buttons on the shoulders.

4. Never tuck your baby’s sleep bag under the cot mattress — this restricts movement and is unsafe.

5. Always ensure the sleep bag has fitted neck and armholes, and check that your baby or toddler cannot slip inside the bag.

If the sleep bag is too long for your baby, tuck the bottom under your baby’s feet and legs (not over them), as covering them this way could cause overheating.

Also, never use a sleep bag that is TOG tested before its first wash. 

Why should the zip be at the front?

There are several reasons why a safe sleep bag should always have a front zip:

• It helps remind parents and carers to place babies on their back to sleep safely. For example, if a baby is rocked to sleep and then put into a sleep bag that zips from the front, research shows they are more likely to be laid on their back.

• In contrast, a side-zip bag can lead to babies being placed on their tummy, and there’s a risk of the zip being left partly open — increasing the chance of slipping inside the bag.

• With toddlers, some parents/carers unzip the bottom of side-zip bags to let children walk around, which poses a tripping hazard or a fire risk if near an open flame. This is something I never recommend.

Why no poppers or buttons on the shoulders?

Because they can easily pop open or be left open accidentally — allowing your baby to slip inside the bag.

Why no stretch materials like jersey?

Over time, the fabric around the neck can stretch, making it easier for a baby to slip inside. Some babies even manage to climb out through the neck hole, which leaves them in the cot with a quilt-like piece of loose bedding — a very unsafe situation.

Why should the TOG rating be tested after the first wash?

A sleep bag will shrink and tighten slightly after its first wash. This reduces the air trapped inside, which in turn lowers the TOG rating. For example:

• Our warmest 2.5 TOG sleep bag is 6.2 TOG before washing, and 2.5 TOG after its first wash.

• Our cooler 1 TOG bag is 3.04 TOG before washing, and 1 TOG after washing.

These are just some of the reasons why I created the Save Our Sleep Safe Sleep Bags. My range ticks all the boxes when choosing a safe sleep bag for your child. They’re also sized in line with my Safe Bedding Guide, so you’ll get more use from each bag.

Le gach dea-ghuí,
Tizzie