Are you looking for new ways to help your baby catch extra Z’s (and help yourself out in the process)? There are lots of baby sleep aids on the market: swaddles and noise machines are just a few. But one of the most popular is the baby sleep sack.

There's a lot of research that goes into making a baby purchase—you want to make sure it's safe and, of course, that it works! So consider this your one-stop-shop for everything baby sleep sack to help you make your decision.

What is a Sleep Sack?

Just as a recap or if you haven't actually heard of them before: a baby sleep sack is essentially a wearable blanket. It covers your infant from neck to toe in a cocoon-like sleeping bag. Baby sleep sacks have several advantages over traditional blankets.

For starters, they can help keep your baby warm while still being breathable, and provide a cozy feeling of security that can help them fall asleep faster. We designed Baby Merlin’s Magic Dream Sack because we wanted a safer way to help babies stay warm and comfortable without loose blankets in their cribs.

What Should I Look for in a Baby Sleep Sack?

The best sleep sack for your baby will pass three simple criteria: fit, fabric, and TOG rating. We'll talk about each of these in-depth and explain how they impact the safety and comfort of your baby.

Fit

First, we have the fit. An ill-fitting sleep sack at best will just not work well. The right sack will fit like this:

• Your baby can't move their head through the neck opening
• Your little one should not be able to move their arms through the arm holes
• There should be enough room in the trunk and leg area for them to wiggle around too much

When shopping for a sleep sack, make sure the bottom looks wider than the top and that the neck and arm holes aren't excessively wide or gaping. There should be appropriate zipper fastening and some will even have 2-way zippers for easy diaper changing.

Fabric

Next up: fabric. Different fabrics offer different levels of breathability and comfort. Look for cotton blends that are soft to the touch and will keep your baby warm but not overheated. 

Baby Merlin’s sleep sack is made from two lightweight, breathable cotton and microfleece layers that are designed to regulate temperature while keeping your baby cozy.

TOG Rating

Finally, take the TOG rating into account. The TOG rating (thermal overall grade) is an industry-standard measure for the thermal insulation of clothing. It's a scale from <1 to 3.5, with 1 being very lightweight and 3.5 being quite heavy and warm.

When it comes to sleep sacks, you want to look for something between 0.5 and 2 on the TOG rating scale. This will ensure your baby is comfortable and warm enough to sleep without getting too hot. Baby Merlin’s Magic Dream Sack has a TOG rating of just below 1.0, making it the perfect weight for all seasons.

We bet you never thought you'd put so much effort into pajamas before you had a baby! It can feel complicated but give yourself time to try a few things out and discover what you and your baby prefer. By keeping these three criteria in mind, you'll be sure to find the best baby sleep sack for your little one.

Get Better, Safer Sleep With Baby Merlin

We love hearing about how our baby sleep sacks help parents around the country create better, safer sleep for their babies. If you're ready to give your baby the optimal sleep experience with Baby Merlin’s Magic Dream Sack, take a look today!

Have any questions? We'd love to help—just contact us directly and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions.