If you've been looking for the best sleep clothing for your baby, you've probably heard the term "TOG rating." A TOG rating tells you how warm a piece of clothing will keep your baby. Since babies can't tell you if they're too hot or cold like adults can, it's important to know the TOG rating of their clothes so you can dress them properly for the temperature of their room.
What is a TOG Rating?
A TOG rating is a measure of how much heat a baby's sleep sack or another piece of clothing traps. TOG stands for "Thermal Overall Grade." A higher TOG rating means that your baby will stay warmer at the same room temperature. It assesses the insulation—or amount of heat—provided by fabric on a scale of <1 to 3.5.
What TOG Rating Should Your Baby Sleep in?
How warmly you dress your baby depends on how warm or cool their room is. For example, a TOG 1.0 sleep sack is good for a room temperature of around 68°F.
Ratings and Recommended Room Temperatures:
- 0.2 TOG: 80°F or higher
- 0.5 TOG: 75°F-80°F
- 1 TOG: 68°F-74°F
- 2.5 TOG: 60°F-67°F
- 3.5 TOG: 59°F or lower
It's important to remember, however, that these are guidelines, not laws. Every baby has a different temperature tolerance. Make a habit of checking the temperature of the back of their neck or trunk when they wake up. If these places are cold, that could be a sign you need a higher TOG rating. If your baby consistently wakes up sweaty, you should consider cooler clothing.
If you have a house that's cold in the winter because of drafts or cold floors, your baby will also need warmer clothing. Consciously keeping room temperature between 68°F and 72°F may help your baby sleep better through the night and wake up happy and refreshed.
How to Determine TOG Rating of Baby Clothing
Some baby sleep clothes come with the rating printed on the tags. If your baby's sleepwear doesn't show the rating on its tag, it will likely be on the online listing or the company's website.
TOG ratings are hard to guess because fabrics can be deceiving. It's always a good idea to see what the manufacturer has to say.
What Clothing has a TOG Rating?
Not all clothing has a TOG rating. Articles of clothing that don't cover an infant's feet do not have a rating. Our Magic Sleepsuit does not have a TOG rating because of the openings on the legs.
Items of Clothing with TOG Ratings:
- Sleep Sacks
- Wearable Blankets
- Baby Swaddlers
Best Practices for Baby Sleep Temperature
The best practice for your baby's sleep temperature is to dress them only in the amount of sleepwear they need. If your baby is too warm, it can have a negative impact on their sleep quality. The most accurate way to see how warm your baby is is to feel the back of their neck or trunk.
If you're worried about your baby's temperature, here are a few ideas to help:
- Keep a thermometer near their crib. If your thermostat isn't reliable, you may not know the true ambient temperature of their room. Keeping a thermometer there will help you determine how warm or cold your little one may be.
- Keep a sleep journal. This can sound overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. This can be as simple as writing down how they feel when they wake up on a small notepad near their crib. If they wake up sweaty, they will need lighter sleepwear. If they wake up feeling cold on the back of their neck or trunk, they may need warmer sleepwear.
- Invest in a variety of TOG ratings. This is especially important if you travel or live somewhere with unpredictable temperatures. Make sure you have a good sleepwear option for any temperature you encounter.
- Avoid loose sleepwear or blankets. While you should be making sure your baby is warm, if you use too many layers or put them in clothes that are too thick, they may overheat. As a rule of thumb, you should never have blankets in a baby’s crib. Make sure to follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, on their Back, in a bare Crib.
The Bottom Line
Safety is most important when it comes to your baby's sleep environment. The temperature of the room can affect your baby’s quality of sleep.
Be sure to check the TOG rating on your infant's sleepwear before putting them to bed. If you're unsure about what rating they need, keep a sleep journal and adjust as needed.
If you're looking for more information about safe infant sleep, read all about it here.