How to Choose a Safe Sleeping Bag

When it comes to creating a safe sleep space for your baby, these are the questions parents ask us most. This article will guide you in choosing a safe sleeping bag for your baby.

This is the ideal time to transition to a safe baby sleeping bag with fitted armholes or sleeves that allow free arm movement (not tied down). These offer warmth, safety, and freedom of movement.

Never wrap a baby while they are in a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are designed to insulate the baby’s body, so adding extra layers can lead to overheating.

If extra warmth is needed and you’re not using a sleeping bag, use a lightweight blanket, firmly tucked in at three sides of the mattress (up to chest level, below shoulders) with baby’s feet at the end of the cot.

What Is a Safe Baby Sleeping Bag?

A safe baby sleeping bag is specially designed to:

• Keep your baby warm without loose bedding like blankets or doonas (which can cover the face)
• Reduce the risk of overheating
• Encourage back sleeping, the safest position for babies

To meet Red Nose’s safe sleep recommendations, a sleeping bag must:

• Have fitted neck and armholes (or sleeves) that allow unrestricted, free arm movement
• Have no hood
• Be correctly sized for your baby’s age and size
• Be appropriate for the room temperature (guided by TOG rating)
• Allow baby to sleep on their back, with head and face uncovered

Why Use a Safe Sleeping Bag?

Sleeping bags help create a safer, more consistent sleep environment by:

• Reducing the risk of blankets covering the face and blocking airways
• Delaying a baby from rolling onto the tummy during the peak age of risk for sudden unexpected death in infancy
• Maintaining a stable temperature compared to blankets that can be kicked off
• Promoting back sleeping and settling cues through routine

Many babies also associate their sleeping bag with sleep time, helping them settle more easily.

How to Choose a Safe Sleeping Bag

In the absence of a specific Australian safety standard for TOG ratings on infant sleeping bags, Red Nose Australia provides evidence-based guidelines to help parents and caregivers choose a safer product.

Red Nose Australia’s Recommendations

• Fitted Neck and Armholes: Ensure the sleeping bag has a snug fit to prevent the baby’s head from slipping down or arms from getting caught inside, which can pose a suffocation or entrapment risk.
• Hoodless Design: Avoid sleeping bags with hoods to keep the face and head uncovered and reduce the risk of overheating.
• Appropriate TOG Rating: Select a TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) that matches the room temperature to help your baby stay comfortably warm without overheating.
• Correct Size: Choose a bag suited to your baby’s age and size for proper fit and safety.
• Unrestricted Arm Movement: Choose a sleep bag that allows arms to be free to protect their airway. This can be a sleeping bag with fitted armholes or firm-fitting sleeves for cooler conditions.
• Warning Labels: Look for labels about correct use, flammability, and other relevant safety information.

Sleeping Bag Checklist

Use this checklist to guide your purchase:

Feature	Safe Sleeping Bag Choice	Why It Matters
Neck and Armholes	Fitted, not loose	Prevents baby slipping inside; reduces suffocation and entrapment risk
Hoodless	No hood	Keeps baby’s face and head uncovered; reduces risk of overheating or suffocation
Size	Appropriate for baby’s age/weight/length	Ensures a safe, snug fit
TOG Rating	Matches room temperature	Helps prevent overheating or baby becoming too cold
Zips	Secure and safe	Avoids choking hazards; ensures safe enclosure
Arm Movement	Armholes or Unrestricted sleeves	Allows baby to reposition to keep airways clear
Labels and Warnings	Present and easy to read	Provides important safety and flammability information
Fabric Type	Lightweight, natural fibres	Reduces overheating risk; supports safer temperature regulation

What Is TOG, and Why Is It Important?

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, a measure of how much warmth or insulation a fabric provides. The higher the TOG, the warmer the sleeping bag.

Overheating is a known risk factor for sudden and unexpected death in infancy. That’s why it’s important to choose a sleeping bag with a TOG rating suitable for the room your baby sleeps in.

Babies control their temperature mostly through their head and face, so keeping these areas uncovered is essential. Red Nose does not recommend a specific room temperature but encourages parents to regularly check their baby’s chest or back to ensure they feel comfortably warm, not hot, sweaty, or cold.

Just remember: lower TOG for warmer weather, higher TOG for cooler nights.

Red Nose Tip: Check the TOG and Layering Guide

Most reputable brands include a TOG and layering guide on their packaging. Always:

• Choose a bag that clearly displays the TOG rating
• Dress your baby in light layers underneath (natural fibres like cotton or bamboo are best)
• Adjust clothing/layers based on your baby’s temperature and the environment

Reusing or Buying a Second-hand Sleeping Bag? Check Carefully

It’s okay to use second-hand sleeping bags. Just make sure they are:

• In good condition (no frayed edges, loose threads, or broken zippers)
• Clean and from a smoke/vape-free home
• Made from lightweight natural fabrics (cotton or bamboo)
• The correct size, fit and TOG rating for your baby