Winter Baby Sleeping Bag Guide
Once autumn begins and the mornings become cooler, it's time to think about a winter sleeping bag, ensuring your baby or toddler stays warm through the cold winter nights. If your baby isn't warm enough, they will find it very hard to resettle during the night and you'll be up out of your warm bed much more often! Waking up cold is another reason many babies wake up around 4 or 5am in the morning, as this is often the coldest part of the night.
This is a long article. Use the below links, to go directly to the section you'd like to read about.
- Do I really need a winter sleeping bag?
- Which is the warmest bag you sell?
- Top Winter Sleeping Bag Brands
- What does Tog rating mean?
- Won't my baby's arms and hands get cold?
- What to dress baby in at night
- Which bag is suitable for a baby with Eczema?
- Watch our range of videos on Sleeping Bag and Swaddling advice
Do I really need a winter sleeping bag?
First have a look at how cold your baby's room gets. If it regularly gets below 18 degrees Celsius, then you definitely need a winter weight bag or your baby will likely wake a lot more often as they are cold.
If your baby's room is usually between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius you could use a standard or 3 seasons merino bag, such as the Woolbabe 3 seasons bag or 1.0 Tog cotton sleeping bag, such as The Sleep Sore Organic Cotton 1.0 Tog Sleeping Bag. However, you will need to use additional clothing at 18 degrees and a heater if it gets any colder.
Using a winter-weight sleeping bag often means you don't need to use a heater every night, which saves a fortune in power!
Also, think of your own bedding in winter, as this can give a good indication as to how warm or cold your house is. If you change to a warmer duvet, use an electric blanket or add blankets to your bed, then you're likely to need a winter bag for your baby.
Which is the warmest bag you sell?
The duvet-weight woolbabe bags are the warmest bags we sell, and the warmest bag on the market according to customer feedback. We love this sleeping bag as it's quilted and filled with a thick layer of 100% Australian wool. The duvet weight bags are available in a sleeveless style or in a sleeved style which has the addition of merino-filled sleeves.
The duvet weight woolbabe has a warm, blanket feel to it, and the weight makes it feel even snugglier. The weight also helps reduce wriggling around the cot!
The composition is:
- 100% cotton lining
- 100% wool filling
- 30% merino / 70% cotton jersey outer.
- Sleeves filled with 100% merino wool (on Duvet Weight with Sleeves only)
The duvet woolbabe is available with a front or side zip, and both styles can be used in the buggy. The duvet with sleeves is front zip only, but can also be used in the buggy. It's also available in the mini style (for 0-9 months old) with a side zip for easy nighttime nappy changes.
Another warm, easy-care option for those on a tight budget, or as a backup sleeping bag, is the Baby Basics 3.5 Tog Sleeping Bag. It's suitable for room temperatures of 14-20 degrees Celsius and can be tumble-dried, which is perfect for those wet winter days when line drying isn't possible.
The Warmest Sleeping Bags
- Woolbabe Duvet Sleeved Bag
- The Sleep Store Baby Basics 3.5 Tog Sleeping Bag
- Ergopouch 3.5 Tog Sleeved Sleeping Bag
Top winter sleeping bag brands
The Sleep Store carries a wide range of sleeping bags, as we've searched for the very best we can find! This can be confusing if you are new to sleeping bags, but we aim to give you a range of fabrics, styles, composition and of course the all important budget. We stock Woolbabe, Ergopouch, Nature Baby, Love to Dream and more. Plus, we also have our own brand range of sleeping bags, including the well-priced Baby Basics sleeping bags.
While a couple of brands are better known, all our bags have a point of difference that may make them the perfect option for your baby! Don't assume you need the most well-known or expensive brand as that's what you have heard of or all your coffee group have!!!
Read more and compare sleeping bag brands
Should I choose the Woolbabe Duvet Weight or the Premium Winter Weight?
Watch: Woolbabe Duvet Weight vs Premium Winter Weight
What does tog rating mean?
Generally, bags with cotton or synthetic filling will be tog rated, which is a measure of how warm the bag is. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the bag. So a 0.1 tog bag is the lightest bag, suitable for summer and a 3.5 tog bag is the warmest and suitable for winter.
Bags with Merino such as the Duvet Woolbabe are not tog rated, as the temperature-regulating, properties of wool mean that they can be used in a much wider temperature range and are therefore hard to measure and compare. Merino is also amazing at wicking moisture away from the skin, meaning sweaty babies won't wake up from cold, clammy fabric. Woolbabe bags have the widest temperature range - the 3-seasons bag can be used for rooms 18-28 degrees Celsius and the duvet weight bags (sleeved or sleeveless) can be used 14 to 22 degrees. The Duvet Weight Woolbabe with Sleeves is great for rooms under 20 degrees.
If you're on a budget, the Baby Basics sleeping bags offer great value. They feature a cotton lining and outer with a Polyester fill. They're easy to care for and can be tumble-dried on low which is perfect for winter. The 3.5 Tog Baby Basics Bag is one of our warmest tog-rated bags and offers great value for money.
2.5 tog to 3.5 tog bags or Duvet / Winter weight merino bags are all suitable for winter use.
The TOG rating chart below gives you an indication of what bag to use with what combination of pyjama's based on the expected winter temperature of your child's bedroom.
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Our Sleep Coaches discuss what Tog rating means for your baby
Watch: Our Sleep Coaches discuss what Tog rating means for your baby
Comparing Woolbabe, ErgoPouch, Purflo and The Sleep Store Bags
These are our most popular sleeping bag brands and comparing them is a bit tricky as they are quite different. However they are all are fabulous quality and we recommend them all!
Here's a few points to consider
- Duvet Woolbabes have wool filling with cotton lining and outer whereas other brands may have a cotton or polyester filling. The Sleep Store has organic cotton, 100% Merino or Polyester Fill options and Ergopouch offers 100% organic cotton bags.
- Love to Dream, Purflo and selected The Sleep Store Baby Basics bags are quicker to wash and dry, and don't need a gentle wool wash cycle like the Woolbabe or The Sleep Store Merino bags do. Ergopouch, Purflo & the Baby Basics bags can be tumble dried on low, just like The Sleep Store cotton sleeping bags. Always check the washing instructions on the garments label.
- Duvet Woolbabe bags are a slightly heavier weight than cotton or merino bags. Some babies prefer the weight of a Woolbabe, which can also help reduce wriggling around the cot!
- All are great quality, will last well and you'll be happy with either bag!
Recommended Winter Sleeping Bags
- The Sleep Store Midweight Merino Sleeping Bag
- Woolbabe Duvet Front Zip Sleeping Bag
- The Sleep Store Organic Cotton 3.0 Tog Sleeping Bag
My baby has eczema, which winter bag would be suitable?
It depends how serious the eczema is. The Duvet Woolbabe is still suitable for many babies, as it is lined with cotton and the wool filling helps with temperature regulation.
However if any wool irritates your child's skin, we highly recommend The Sleep Store's range of Organic Cotton sleeping bags.
The 3.0 tog Organic Cotton Bag is almost as warm as the Duvet Woolbabe with Sleeves and is made from 100% organic cotton.
View the Woolbabe Duvet Front Zip Sleeping Bag
What about a cheaper bag?
Having a budget doesn't mean your baby can't be warm all night, as we have a great range of entry level priced bags. Although these bags are lower in price they are still good quality and will be effective in keeping your baby warm.
The key differences between the lower end of the price range and the top end is in the fabric and components - the higher the price, the better the fabric quality, zip quality and dome quality. For example a grobag or Woolbabe will have a YKK metal zipper where as cheaper brands will tend to have a plastic zipper.
Having a lower priced bag is also a good idea for second bag, so you always have a spare in case of accidents and not getting your bag dry in time for bed.
View the Baby Basics 2.5 Tog Cotton Sleeping Bag
Won't my baby's arms and hands get cold?
Bags are generally designed without arms as it helps to ensure your baby doesn't overheat. The arms and head are the main ways babies release heat to avoid overheating.
As long as your baby's core is warm, then you don't need to worry about cooler arms and cold hands.
However if you do want a bag with arms, here are some of our favourite options:
Recommended Sleeved Sleeping Bags
- The Sleep Store Jersey Merino Cosy Arms
- Ergopouch 2.5 Tog Organic Sleep Suit Bag
- Woolbabe Duvet Weight Sleeved Bag
I would like an organic sleeping bag
The Sleep Store has it's own brand range of Organic Cotton sleeping bags. We also stock ergoPouch and Nature Baby bags, which are organic. Woolbabe sleeping bags use organic cotton blended with merino. If you need a bag for rooms cooler than 18-20 degrees, we recommend the ergoPouch 3.5 tog bag.
Recommended Organic Sleeping Bags
- Ergopouch 2.5 Tog Jersey Sleep Bag
- The Sleep Store Cotton Merino Front Zip Sleeping Bag
- Woolbabe Mini Duvet Side Zip (0-9 months)
Expert sleep advice: watch our videos
Swaddles & transitioning
- Transitioning to a baby sleeping bag from a swaddle - When should you stop swaddling your baby and transition to a baby sleeping bag? This is one of the questions that the customer service team answers on such a regular basis that we put together this video to help.
- How to Layer your Woolbabe Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Suit - Not sure what your baby should be wearing under their cosy Woolbabe Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Suit? Watch Lou provide some guidance.
- Top tips on how to avoid your baby overheating when sleeping - This is probably one of the major concerns of every parent. Here are some top tips from our three Sleep Store sleep coaches about how to avoid overheating with your baby.
- Our Sleep Coaches discuss what tog rating means for your baby - What does tog rating actually mean and how does it affect what you choose to dress your baby in for bedtime? Our three wise sleep coaches discuss this and even a bit about the science of tog rating.
- Use natural fibres when swaddling for temperature regulation - Natural fibres, such as merino and cotton are regarded as the best option for babies. Why are they the most recommended materials? Top tip from Andrina - one of The Sleep Stores sleep coaches and a midwife.
Winter Sleeping Bags
- Winter sleeping bags for babies and toddlers - What is the best thing for your baby to wear to sleep in to stay warm all through the night this winter? What is a sleeping bag? Do I need blankets? Does my baby have to wear a swaddle or can I go straight to a sleeping bag?
- Inside our duvet Woolbabe sleeping bag - Did you ever wonder what's in our award winning duvet weight woolbabe sleeping bag? Louise tells you all about the merino and why we use cotton to keep in all that merino warmth.
- How does our two-layer all merino sleeping bag compare with the Woolbabe Duvet sleeping bag? - Lots of our customers ask what is the difference between our Sleep Store double-layer merino sleeping bags and our woolbabe duvet weight sleeping bag. Louise tells you in 5 mins..... watch to find out.
- Woolbabe sleeping bag - how long does it last? - Our woolbabe baby sleeping bags last for at least 3 children when they are looked after well.
- Always start merino layering with a long sleeve bodysuit - We feel that a good merino bodysuit or singlet is essential to keep your babies and kids warm at night. If nothing else, merino next to the skin, as the first layer will definitely help to keep them toasty!
- Try 3 merino layers on your baby for really cold nights... - Try 3 merino layers for really cold nights...
- Woolbabe 3-Seasons vs Woolbabe Duvet comparison - Lou from The Sleep Store compares the Woolbabe winter duvet weight sleeping bag with the 3-Seasons sleep sack.
Mid-Weight Sleeping Bags
- Woolbabe 3-Seasons vs Duvet weight Woolbabe comparison - Lou from The Sleep Store compares the Woolbabe winter duvet weight sleeping bag with the 3-Seasons sleep sack.
Summer Sleeping Bags
- Facebook Live Summer Range 2019/20 Launch - Louise launches our new Elements Summer range and Limited Edition prints designed by the Sleep Store team.
- Summer Sleeping Advice for Babies & Toddlers - Join Louise, Andrina and Maria - 3 of our awesome sleep coaches from The Sleep store meet up for a chat to share their expertise.
- Top tips on how to avoid your baby overheating when sleeping - This is probably one of the major concerns of every parent. Here are some top tips from our three Sleep Store sleep coaches about how to avoid overheating with your baby.
- Use natural fibres when swaddling for temperature regulation - Natural fibres, such as merino and cotton are regarded as the best option for babies. Why are they the most recommended materials? Top tip from Andrina - one of The Sleep Stores sleep coaches and a midwife.
- Ideas for helping baby sleep through a hot evening and a much cooler night - If you're struggling to work out what to do for your baby when the evenings are hot but then it gets cooler through the early hours of the morning around 3-4am then have a listen to this chat with these three parents and sleep coaches - Louise, Maria and Andrina.
