How To Tell if your baby is too warm or too cold, and finding the right sleep sac.
How To Tell If Your Baby is Hot, Cold, or Just Right
Everyone sleeps a little differently. While some run cold at night, others run hot. The best way to know if you’ve dressed your baby at the right temperature is to feel the back of her neck. If it is warm, she is warm. Whereas if it is sweaty, she is too hot. And lastly, if it is cold, she is too cold.
Choosing the Right Sleep Sack for Your Baby
“What thickness of a sleep sack do I need for my baby?” This is a common question we receive from customers here at Your Number Onesie.
Here’s a quick guide for you to figure out how to dress your baby properly for sleeping.
.5 TOG – This is the smallest TOG rating. It’s a very light and breathable material that is best suited for warmer nurseries and homes where there may not be air conditioning or cool air. If you are at a comfortable temperature wearing short sleeves and shorts, your baby will probably need a thin one-layer blanket. Then this is the right TOG rating for that type of weather.
1 TOG – For homes that tend to stay moderate and comfortable, a 1.0 TOG rating may be the best choice. It’s best suited for nurseries and homes where the room is already conditioned by a heater or fan. This is a middle-of-the-road number that holds in some body heat but also breathes. In temperatures where the baby needs to wear a long-sleeved onesie or Sleep & Play with footies in your house, then this is the right TOG rating for you. We highly recommend The Laughing Giraffe ® Baby Sleep Sacks. They have a TOG rating of 1 TOG due to the breathable fabric and thermal regulating nature of the cotton. We found this to be ideal for babies in most climates, most of the year, especially since baby’s rooms are recommended to be kept between 68-72 °F.
2.5 TOG – For cold homes that don’t have much heating in the room. Or in cooler climates or chilly weather and for kids who have a hard time getting warm enough. A 2.5-rated sleeping sack will retain a high amount of body heat and lock it in to keep the baby warm.
TOG rating 1 (100% Cotton) is adequate for warmer seasons and can be layered for cooler temperatures.
TOG rating 2.5 (65% Polyester / 35% Cotton)Moderate weather/ Chilly Seasons
Signs of Overheating: Your baby has damp hair, sweaty back, and chest, red ears, and fevers, your baby may be too hot and needs to be dressed down. Take off a layer or use a sleeping gown or sack with a lower TOG rating.
Frequent Wake-Ups: If your baby is waking up crying or fussing, it may be a sign that your baby may be too hot or cold, unless the baby may have other developmental reasons (i.e. teething, nap transitions, etc). Conversely, if the baby feels cold to the touch (back of the neck or chest/back) then add a layer or put on a higher TOG-rated sleeping sack/gown.
Note: Overheating may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies 1 month to 1 year of age.
