Baby Sleeping Bag TOG Guide
Choosing the right TOG sleeping bag can help keep your baby comfortable throughout the night. But what does TOG actually mean, which TOG should you choose and what should your baby wear underneath?
Our baby sleeping bag TOG guide explains everything you need to know, including which TOG is suitable for different room temperatures.
What is a TOG rating?
TOG stands for "Thermal Overall Grade" and is a measure of how much heat a fabric retains. Put simply, the higher the TOG rating, the warmer the sleeping bag.
When choosing a baby sleeping bag, it's important to look at the temperature of the room your baby sleeps in, rather than simply choosing a TOG based on the season or temperature outside.
Which TOG sleeping bag does my baby need?
At Slumbersac, our baby sleeping bags and sleeping bags with feet are available in four TOG ratings, giving you options for everything from warm summer nights to colder winter bedrooms.
- 0.5 TOG: above 24°C
Our lightest sleeping bags are designed for warm rooms and hot summer nights above 24°C. Slumbersac 0.5 TOG sleeping bags are unpadded and made from lightweight, breathable bamboo viscose and cotton muslin. Best for: Hot summer nights and holidays - 1.0 TOG: 18-24°C
A 1.0 TOG sleeping bag is a lightweight option for rooms between 18°C and 24°C. It's a particularly useful TOG for milder temperatures and those in-between nights when a padded 2.5 TOG sleeping bag may be too warm. Selected Slumbersac 1.0 TOG sleeping bags are also available with detachable sleeves, giving you extra flexibility when temperatures change. Best for: Mild and warmer rooms - 2.5 TOG: 15–21°C
Our 2.5 TOG sleeping bags are padded for additional warmth and suitable for room temperatures between 15°C and 21°C. This makes 2.5 TOG a versatile choice for many homes during the cooler months. You can adjust the layers your baby wears underneath depending on the temperature of their room. Selected styles are also available with detachable sleeves for additional flexibility on cooler nights. Best for: Cooler rooms for year-round use. - 3.5 TOG: below 18°C
Our warmest 3.5 TOG sleeping bags are designed for colder rooms below 18°C. They have extra padding for warmth and are ideal for homes where the bedroom temperature drops during colder weather. Slumbersac 3.5 TOG sleeping bags are available with sleeves for additional warmth. Best for: Cold rooms.
Remember, these temperature ranges are guidelines. Every baby is different, so regularly check that your baby feels comfortable.
What should my baby wear under a sleeping bag?
What your baby wears underneath their sleeping bag will depend on both the room temperature and the TOG rating.
As a general guide:
Above 24°C + 0.5 TOG
Nappy or short-sleeved bodysuit
18–24°C + 1.0 TOG
Bodysuit or lightweight pyjamas, depending on the room temperature
15–21°C + 2.5 TOG
Long-sleeved bodysuit and/or pyjamas, depending on the room temperature
Below 18°C + 3.5 TOG
Bodysuit and pyjamas, with layers adjusted according to the temperature
These are guidelines only. Always check your baby rather than relying solely on a chart.
How can I tell if my baby is too hot or cold?
The best way to check your baby's temperature is to feel their chest, back or the back of their neck.
If their skin feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer or choose a lower TOG. If their chest or back feels cool, you may need to add a layer or use a warmer sleeping bag.
Don't worry if your baby's hands or feet feel cooler – this is normal and isn't a reliable way to judge their overall temperature.
Why choose a Slumbersac TOG sleeping bag?
We've been helping families sleep comfortably for over 25 years.
Slumbersac sleeping bags are available in 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 3.5 TOG, so you can choose the right level of warmth for your child's room temperature.
Our TOG ratings are independently tested by Intertek, helping ensure the warmth rating stated on our sleeping bags is accurate and reliable.
You can choose from traditional baby sleeping bags as well as our popular sleeping bags with feet, with sizes available from newborn through to older children.
Baby Sleeping Bag TOG FAQs
What TOG sleeping bag should I use in winter?
Choose your baby's TOG according to their room temperature rather than the season. A 2.5 TOG sleeping bag is suitable for rooms between 15°C and 21°C, while a 3.5 TOG sleeping bag is designed for colder rooms below 18°C.
You can also adjust the clothing worn underneath the sleeping bag as the room temperature changes.
What TOG is best for summer?
For rooms between 18°C and 24°C, a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag is a lightweight option. If your baby's room is above 24°C, choose a lighter 0.5 TOG sleeping bag.
Slumbersac 0.5 TOG sleeping bags are unpadded and made from breathable bamboo viscose and cotton muslin for warm nights.
What TOG should my baby wear at 20°C?
At a room temperature of 20°C, both our 1.0 TOG and 2.5 TOG ranges fall within their recommended temperature ranges.
Which you choose will depend on your baby and the clothing worn underneath. With a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag you may use additional clothing layers, while a 2.5 TOG sleeping bag provides more warmth and can be paired with lighter layers.
Always check your baby's chest, back or neck to make sure they feel comfortably warm rather than hot.
Is 2.5 TOG too warm for 20°C?
A 2.5 TOG Slumbersac sleeping bag is suitable for room temperatures between 15°C and 21°C, so it can be used at 20°C.
As 20°C is towards the warmer end of this range, choose lighter clothing underneath and check your baby's temperature regularly.
What TOG should my baby wear at 18°C?
At 18°C, both 1.0 TOG and 2.5 TOG Slumbersac sleeping bags can be suitable, depending on the layers your baby wears underneath.
A 2.5 TOG sleeping bag provides more warmth, while a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag can be combined with warmer clothing layers.
What is the ideal room temperature for a baby?
The Lullaby Trust recommends a room temperature of 16–20°C for babies.
A simple room thermometer can help you monitor the temperature throughout the night and choose the appropriate TOG and clothing layers.
Do babies need blankets when wearing a sleeping bag?
A baby sleeping bag is designed to be used instead of loose blankets or duvets.
If the room becomes colder, choose an appropriate TOG and adjust the clothing worn underneath rather than adding loose bedding over your baby's sleeping bag.
Are sleeves included in the TOG rating?
The TOG rating relates to the main body of the sleeping bag. Sleeves provide additional warmth, so they can be useful when the room is towards the cooler end of the recommended temperature range.
Many Slumbersac sleeping bags have detachable sleeves, allowing you to add or remove them as needed.
Is TOG based on the weather outside?
No. Choose your baby's TOG according to the temperature of the room where they sleep, not the outdoor temperature or season.
A bedroom can remain warm during winter or become cool during summer, so checking the actual room temperature is the most useful guide.
Can I use the same TOG all year round?
Possibly, if your baby's bedroom remains within a similar temperature range throughout the year.
However, many families find it useful to have different TOGs available so they can change sleeping bags as the room temperature changes. Slumbersac offers 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 3.5 TOG sleeping bags for different room temperatures.
