How Can You Tell If a Sleep Bag Is Too Small? (2024)

FAQs

How Can You Tell If a Sleep Bag Is Too Small? ›

Once your sleep sack arrives, you may want to know how to tell if a sleep sack is too small or too big. It's fairly simple - a sleep sack that's too small may restrict your baby's movement, with tight armholes or a snug neckline that sits too high.

Once your sleep sack arrives, you may want to know how to tell if a sleep sack is too small or too big. It's fairly simple - a sleep sack that's too small may restrict your baby's movement, with tight armholes or a snug neckline that sits too high.

You want to reap the benefits of sleep sack without putting your child at risk of problems like SIDS. An oversized sleep sack can pose a risk as it might ride up and cover your baby's face, impeding their ability to breathe. Conversely, a sack that's too small can restrict their natural movement and development.

Just make sure it fits well around the shoulders so there's no risk of your baby's head slipping down into the bag. Sleeping bags are usually given a tog rating according to the warmth they provide – make sure your baby is in the right bag for the time of year.

Baby sleeping bags are designed to fit tight to give a baby the feeling like they are being hugged while sleeping. The design of most sleeping bags on the market is snug around the torso and chest while widening out just above the hips so babies frog their legs and can also move around their cot while they sleep.

Here are some tricks that can help you determine if the sleep sack is fitting properly. Make sure the arm holes are tight enough that baby cannot slip their arms back into the sack. Ensure that baby can kick their legs. Double check the fit around the neck by pulling the neckline up towards the baby's nose.

You should also factor in your height and body fat percentage. You want your sleeping bag to be cosy, but not too tight. This will restrict its insulating power.

If your baby is wearing a sleeveless sleeping bag, you may notice their arms feeling cool during the coldest hours of the night. If this is causing them to wake, a little more warmth on the arms may be needed.

How to dress your baby under the sleep sack. Consider the room temperature and how many layers you need. Generally, you'll want to dress your baby in the same amount of layers that you'd have for sleep (or maybe one additional layer if you feel it's needed). Don't over-bundle.

The AAP recommends against using loose blankets in your child's crib for the first year. With this in mind, many parents tend to use sleep sacks up at least until their child's first birthday and some use it well into toddlerhood.

Is it bad if sleeping bag is too big? ›

If your bag is too big in places, or too long, your body is going to have too much real estate to warm up. At the other end of the scale, a sleeping bag can be too small. The reason that sleeping bags are built with very slim shapes is that this is an easy way for a manufacturer to make a bag lighter.

While there is no set rule for the exact time to move through the transition from swaddle to arms-out sleeping, it typically starts between 3-6 months old. However, some babies may start earlier and some may take longer. You may be unsure of when exactly to make the transition, however you know your baby best.

The guide shows that in the temperatures of 27 degrees plus, babies should be sleeping either in just a nappy, or a nappy and vest.

Your baby's head shouldn't be able to pass through the neck hole when their sleepbag is fastened. If it can, the sleepbag is too big for them.

Therefore, it is advised you buy the sleeping bag based on your child's age and do not go a size bigger. It is not safe to use baby sleeping bags that are too big. Your child's head should not be able to pass through the neck hole when the sleeping bag is zipped up, otherwise it is too big.

If you are mostly going to camp in places where the pack size and weight are not an issue, then consider buying a bigger, more spacious Sleeping Bag. However, if you are alpine climbing or backpacking and carrying your Sleeping Bag for an extended period of time, then a lightweight Sleeping Bag is really important.

Your baby should be 8.8lbs or 4kg before you use a sleeping bag. The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.

When baby's reach this limit will vary—some might get there as early as 18 months and others not till 2 years old. Regardless, if the largest sleep sack no longer fits, it's time to consider a transition out of the sleep sack. Your baby's comfort level with the sleep sack will also play a role in how long they wear it.

Some sleeping bags and suits incorporate wraps, but it's safer to use a bag or suit that allows your baby's arms to be free. Once your baby is starting to pull themselves up to stand, often at 10-11 months, it might be time to stop using a sleeping bag.