Merino for Babies and Children - The Sleep Store Guide

As parents, we have enough washing as it is! One of the great things about Merino wool is that you don't need to wash it often. For a sleeping bag, simply airing it each day is enough (unless you've had a dreaded nappy explosion!). For clothing items, washing when soiled is enough - Merino wool is naturally resistant to soiling and odour, so can be washed less often - now that's a win!

To preserve your merino wool items, they should be washed on a cold gentle wool cycle and they should not be placed in a dryer as this may cause shrinkage.

Yes! Because Merino wool is so breathable it can also be cooling in the warmer months. And the fact that it can absorb up to 35% of its weight in water means it can draw sweat away from the body without making baby clammy and cold. Our lightest Merino wool styles include the Basics Merino and the All Seasons Merino/Tencel styles. These are great for layering day or night.

Most wee ones with mild to moderate eczema can wear superfine Merino wool garments comfortably. Choose The Sleep Store All Seasons or Jersey Merino styles or Woolbabe items. When my eldest was a baby, it actually helped his eczema. As an eczema baby, he tended to overheat and was grumpy and itchy if he was too hot. With a Merino wool layer next to his skin, I was confident he was warm enough without too many layers and wouldn’t overheat. If your baby suffers from severe eczema then we would recommend you use cotton or bamboo next to the skin. Tencel can be really useful for bedding. Merino wool is gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

Merino wool and cotton are both lovely, natural fibres for babies and we recommend parents have a mix of both items. Merino wool, however, is better at regulating babies temperature, and its high water absorption compared to its weight means it won't become damp and clammy if your baby is too hot.

Both Merino wool and cotton can be machine-washed, and Merino wool has the added benefit of resisting soiling. This means it needs to be washed less often; a simple air out can be all it needs.

If you can get just one Merino wool item, we recommend a long sleeve Merino bodysuit for its versatility - great next to the skin and can be used for layering.

Merino wool bags are not tog-rated, as they are natural fibre which adjusts according to temperature. This is one of the reasons natural fibre Merino wool sleeping bags are so popular. Sleeping bags that have Merino wool in them, like the Woolbabe or The Sleep Store styles are fantastic at adjusting to a wider range of room temperatures.

Merino fleece is completely different from what you may remember as 'polar fleece' from your childhood. Merino fleece is created by brushing from 100% merino wool, to 'fluff' it up, making it extra soft and snuggly. This is miles away from polar fleece, made from synthetic material which can easily overheat your baby and should be avoided.

The Sleep Store All Seasons Tencel Merino range is 70% Merino Wool and 30% Tencel. What is Tencel? Tencel is made from regenerated wood pulp, usually Eucalyptus or Beech trees. It's super slinky and the addition of the Tencel makes it cool to the touch. The blend makes it our lightest Merino wool style and is great for sensitive skin.

Yes! Merino fleece is made from Merino wool and is 100% natural, whereas polar fleece is made from synthetic fabric. Polar fleece doesn't breathe and can easily overheat a baby. We never recommend polar fleece for babies.