Who doesn't love crawling into bed at night after a busy day and curling up under a warm, cozy blanket? I think it's something most of us look forward to. But for our babies, they don't get this luxury because putting your infant to bed with a blanket isn't safe. Except we know how much babies need to feel warm, safe, and comforted. This helps them stay calm and relaxed. Which is why parents love the option of baby sleeping bags so much. Also known as wearable blankets, these are the safe kind of blanket made especially for babies to be able to cozy up under the "covers" just like you.
But not all blankets are created equal, and neither are wearable blankets. Just like you have a preference on the type of blanket you like to sleep with, so will your baby when it comes to a wearable blanket. That's why we've rounded up this list of the five best baby sleeping bags to help your baby get the safe and sound sleep they need all year round. With sleep so hard to come by in that first year, this is definitely a sleep aid that will help!
The 5 Best Baby Sleeping Bags
Each one of the baby sleeping bags on our list is safe for your baby. They are the perfect substitute for a regular blanket which should never be in your baby's crib (as advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics). It can be hard to lay your baby down in a crib with nothing to keep them cozy and comforted (because stuffed animals and pillows aren't safe either), so a baby sleeping bag that is secured around your baby that they can't kick off is the perfect choice! There's a reason why we've included it as one of our most important items in a solid sleep routine, which you can read more about in, "Getting Your Baby to Sleep in a Crib."
Let's find out the top 5 sleeping bags to help your baby safely get the ZZZs they (and you!) desperately need. We'll start off with our top choice - this weighted one from Dreamland Baby!
1. Dreamland Baby Weighted Wearable Blanket
Weighted blankets have become popular in recent years for adults and children. With the benefits they offer, it's not surprising that so many people are seeking them for better sleep. According to Healthline, "Research suggests weighted blankets may benefit people with anxiety, autism, and insomnia, among other conditions." The deep pressure stimulation relaxes the nervous system to give a hug-like effect to help people sleep better.
So, what does this have to do with the Dreamland Baby Wearable Blanket? It's the only baby sleeping bag available with all over weighted quilting! Except it's all contained in a zipped sleeping bag that's safe for your baby!
Mother Kate H. found the Dreamland Weighted Wearable Blanket to be a lifesaver for her baby from its initial use:
"I have used Dreamland for my 9-month-old for two nights now and he has slept through the night for the first time in months because of it! Thanks for your amazing product that is already making my life better!"
There are so many more reviews like this one from thankful parents whose babies are finally sleeping better.
Most parents swaddle their newborns because it mimics their time in the womb. But once babies can roll over, that's no longer a safe option. A Dreamland Baby can offer that same type of secure feeling as your baby grows (though there is also a swaddle version for the littlest ones, too!)
Here's what you can expect:
- lightly weighted to mimic a hug and give a feeling of security to help your baby fall asleep independently and stay asleep
- less than 10% of your baby's body weight making it a safe weighted option
- enhances your baby's quality of sleep
- weight comes from inner beads that are food-grade and non-toxic
Made from: 100% Soft Cotton Outer, Food-Grade Poly Pellets inside for Weight
Features: Quilted front with weight; Zips in the front from the bottom to make for easy diaper changes
Best Season(s) for use: All Seasons
2. Aden + Anais Classic Sleeping Bag
Most new moms are familiar with the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. The muslin material they are made from gets softer as you wash them and it is so much easier to get the swaddling tight with these blankets as opposed to many others (though I still prefer a velcro swaddle that takes the guess work out.) Plus the patterns are darling and they are multi-purpose.
The Aden + Anais sleeping bags make safe and cozy sleep a possibility for your baby who no longer can be swaddled. These bags use the same soft muslin that the blankets are known for. The muslin's breathability helps prevent your baby from getting too hot, and the thinness makes them a good choice for warmer months. These come pre-washed, so you'll feel the softness right out of the package. They slip easily over your baby's pajamas and are a darling, no-frills approach when it comes to baby sleeping bags.
Made from: Pre-washed 100% Muslin
Features: Zips in the front from the bottom to make for easy diaper changes
Best Season(s) for use: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall
3. Halo SleepSack Easy Transition
In our article, "The Best Wearable Blankets of 2022," we featured the original Halo SleepSack as one our top five wearable blankets. This was the first baby sleeping bag ever made when the founder realized the need for a type of blanket that was 100% safe for a baby to sleep in.
Recently they made an addition to their line up with the Halo SleepSack Easy Transition. You'll notice that it looks very different from the baby sleeping bags you are probably used to seeing. This is because it was made specifically for young infants who are still experiencing the Moro Reflex. We discuss this involuntary response (that all new babies are born with) in our article, "The Moro Reflex: Swaddling and Other Ways to Help It."
Ultimately, the Moro Reflex can keep babies from sleeping soundly. Most parents choose to counteract this by swaddling their babies. But some parents struggle to get the swaddling right for their babies and seek another option, or it's time for their baby to be out of a swaddle but they want a tighter fit than a traditional baby sleeping bag. The Halo SleepSack Easy Transition sleeping bag was made especially for this. It utilizes a unique sleeve design that helps reduce the startle reflex without causing your baby to get too warm. It also has a snug upper body portion to give a similar feeling to that of being swaddled.
Made from: 100% Cotton 4-Way Stretch
Features: Snug upper body, more roomy on the bottom; sleeved-design counteracts the Moro Reflex
Best Season(s) for use: Fall, Winter, Spring
4. Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag
Parents want to be sure their babies are kept warm enough in the winter, but aren't overheating in the summer. And with a baby sleeping bag it can sometimes seems as if the material is either too thick or too thin in particular seasons. This leads parents to sometimes buy more than one. This roomy sleep bag from Woolino helps keep your baby at the perfect temperature all year long.
How can that be?
These sleep bags are made with merino wool. Usually wool is thought to be hot and scratchy, but merino wool is different. It comes from merino sheep, and it is thinner with a milder feeling. When woven into the Woolino sleep bag it makes for a breathable and comfortable choice to help your baby sleep.
The Woolino 4-Season Baby Sleep Bag comes in one size that fits babies 2 months - 2 years old.
Made from: 100% Machine Washable Merino Wool
Features: Side-to-side zipper along the bottom and side; seat-belt slot for easy transfer
Best Season(s) for use: All Seasons
5. JoJo Maman Bebe Baby Cozy Sleeping Bag
You'll find that most baby sleeping bags are sleeveless. But if you live in a cooler climate or want something a little more cozy for the winter months, having a sleeping bag with sleeves can be warmer option for your little one. There aren't many of these, but we found a great 100% cotton one from Jojo Maman Bebe.
One of the neatest qualities of this particular sleeping bag is that the sleeves are detachable, making it a less season-specific option. Though it is much thicker than some of the other sleeping bag options available, so it might not be your best bet in the warmest months. Because of the thick inner polyester wadding this sleeping bag has, this could be a great item for your baby to also wear while outside in cool air. Once in a heated home, the sleeves could be attached for sleeping time.
Made from: 100% Cotton Outer and Lining; 100% Polyester Fill
Features: Detachable Sleeves
Best Season(s) for use: Winter
Safe Sleep Reminders
There is nothing more important than keeping your baby safe. And baby sleeping bags were created to give parents a safe choice to use in place of blankets. This article from Time Magazine explains the history of this life-changing baby item and how it has helped in SIDS reduction by replacing unsafe blankets. An additional step that sleeping bags help with is placing your baby on their back to sleep. Your baby should always be laid down on their back for both naps and nighttime sleep.
Using a baby sleeping bag that helps your baby stay comfortable at night while also helping them sleep will ensure that you will continue these safe sleep practices. We are confident that one on our list will be the perfect option for you and your baby as you move through the stages of sleep in their first year and beyond.
Why are blankets unsafe for babies?
Blankets are unsafe for babies because during sleep, the blanket could end up covering your baby’s mouth, nose and airways, creating a risk of suffocation and/or SIDS. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby’s sleep space be free of any extra pillows and blankets, making a sleep sack the perfect choice for safe sleep.
Why are sleep bags good for babies?
Sleep bags, also known as sleep sacks, have a variety of benefits. Because a sleep sack is essentially a wearable blanket, they eliminate the need for anything extra in the baby's sleep-space which is the safest way for your baby to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a baby's sleep space be free of any loose blankets, pillows, and extra bedding to avoid the possible risk of suffocation and/or SIDS.
Sleep sacks also help regulate your baby’s body temperature creating a comfortable night (or naptime) sleep. Putting your baby in their sleep sack for nighttime and naptime also helps establish a pattern and becomes a familiar “sleep time” routine. The Dreamland Baby weighted sleep sacks offer our unique feature of evenly distributed weight from shoulders to toes. The gentle weight helps baby feel calm and get better quality of sleep.
Can you put a blanket over a baby sleeping bag?
It’s best not to put a blanket over a baby sleeping bag until your child is old enough, and strong enough, to move the blanket on their own. Otherwise, a blanket could be a suffocation risk and is best to avoid. Every baby develops at their own pace but by the time your baby reaches around 1 year old, it’s likely that they will have the developmental skills to be able to sleep safely with a blanket.
What baby should wear under a sleeping bag?
Most parents like to put their baby in a onsie or footie pajamas underneath their sleeping bag. It’s a good idea to check the TOG of the sleeping bag to help determine how comfortable your baby might be pending the climate outside as well as inside where your baby will be sleeping.
In terms of adorable, Dreamland Baby’s Dream Pajamas are comfy, cute and come in 4 colors to pair perfectly with our sleep sacks. You’ll love the premium 100% cotton and the 2-way zipper for easy diaper changes. Sweet dreams!
What TOG should a baby sleeping bag be?
A TOG is a measure of thermal insulation and stands for Thermal Overall Grade. This rating can help you decide how to dress your baby underneath a swaddle or sleep sack.
As a general rule, the higher the TOG rating, the warmer the fabric is, making it a great choice for cool, winter months. The lower the TOG rating, the cooler the fabric is, making it a good choice for warmer climates. For example, a TOG of 2.5 is best used during cold nights, a rating of 1 is ideal for moderate temperatures, and a rating of 0.5 is ideal for summer and hot weather. Fabrics with a TOG rating take the guesswork out of choosing the right clothes for sleeping.
The Dreamland Baby weighted sleep sack is made of lightweight and breathable, 100% cotton for year-round use. The 1.2 TOG is perfect for both warm and cool climates.
What age do babies go in sleep bags?
A sleep sack is a great option to consider once your baby outgrows swaddling. That’s because once a baby shows signs of rolling over on their own – typically between 2-6 months - the swaddle is no longer the safest option when it comes to your baby’s sleep. This is when most parents stop using swaddles and introduce a sleep sack as the safest option for optimal sleep.
When do babies outgrow sleeping bags?
Every baby is different and grows at their own pace. Some may start rolling over, crawling, and eventually walking and talking long before or after your own baby. However, once your baby is one year old, the risk of SIDS significantly decreases, and you may be able to introduce a blanket. By 1 year old, your baby is likely rolling over easily to their tummy and back again, and they are strong enough that having a blanket isn’t as hazardous in their sleep space as it was when they were younger. But when it comes to when to stop using sleep sack, your baby may love wearing one well into toddlerhood!
