Does My Baby Need A Sleep Sack In The Summer?

The temperatures rise and all of a sudden we start worrying again about our little ones becoming comfortable for sleep and making sure we are dressing them properly for the warmer summer season. You may be asking yourself “does my baby need a sleep sack in the summer?”

Let’s explore keeping your baby comfortable for sleep this summer!

Does My Baby Need A Sleep Sack In The Summer?

YES! We recommend your babies and toddlers wear a sleep sack year-round. Here are some of the key reasons:

Safe Sleep

For babies: as adults, we love sleeping with a blanket, but it isn’t safe for our babies. Having a blanket in in the crib with your newborn or infant is a SIDS hazard. The ideal, safe sleep environment for babies is what I call a naked crib. There should be nothing in the crib or bassinet, except for your baby in a sleep sack and a mattress with a fitted sheet. To keep our little ones cozy, we recommend that they sleep in a lightweight sleep sack. The image below is for a safe sleep environment:

For toddlers: after 1 year old, it is safe to have a lightweight blanket in the crib with your little one, but be prepared that your little one won’t keep their blanket on. That’s why having your toddler sleep in a sleep sack in a good idea until they can keep a blanket on, around 2.5 years old. Also, a sleep sack is a great idea to prevent climbing out of the crib before 3, which is the earliest we recommend transitioning to a big kid bed.

Temperature Regulation

The ideal temperature for a baby’s room to sleep in is between 68-72F (20-22C).

If you are using air conditioning, set the AC unit between 68-72. If you don’t have central AC, consider using a floor unit AC unit like this one so you can keep your little one’s room dark, which also helps with sleep.

Even in the summer, it can get chilly at night. While you may think dressing your baby in light, breathable clothing is enough, a sleep sack can provide an added layer of warmth and comfort. Plus, sleep sacks come in different materials, so you can choose one appropriate for the season. Opt for a lightweight, cotton sleep sack instead of a heavier material like fleece.

Keep reading for more guidance on choosing a sleep sack!

Consistency

Babies thrive on routine and consistency. By using a sleep sack year-round, you’re creating a consistent sleeping environment, which can make it easier for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. Plus, when you’re traveling or visiting friends and family, you can bring your baby’s sleep sack along for a familiar and comfortable sleeping experience.

Choosing The Right Sleep Sack For Baby This Summer

To determine the right weight sleeping bag for your child, you need to know the temperature of the nursery. Most video monitors will display this or you can get a thermometer reader for your baby’s room. 

You are looking for a sleep sack with a .5 or 1.0 TOG Rating. (you can read ALL about TOG here.)

0.5 TOG Rating

A 0.5 TOG sleep sack is lightweight and made of breathable fabric (like cotton muslin). This weight is suited for warmer nurseries where there may not be AC.

For a wearable blanket with this rating, you would be dressing your baby in a short sleeve onesie or for warmer rooms, perhaps just a diaper.

1.0  TOG Rating

A 1.0 TOG sleep sack is normally made of cotton. This weight rating is best for use in homes that are able to control the temperature, with either heat or air conditioning, to keep the nursery in between 68-72F, the ideal temperature for slumber.

With this weight wearable blanket, your baby will typically be comfortable wearing a one-piece sleeper with feet and/or long pajama sleeves and bottoms. This is the ideal rating if you can keep your baby’s nursery between 68-72F all year round. 

Our favorite sleep sack with this rating is the Snuggy Buddy! It has sewn in loveys that are comforting for babies and toddlers AND safe for sleep. Use discount code BELLALUNA10 for 10% off!

By using a sleep sack, you can ensure your baby gets the best sleep possible – which means a happier and healthier baby (and parent!).

If you need help figuring out how to dress your little one for bed or how to get more sleep for your family, please reach out! One of our certified child sleep consultants would love to help you figure it out!