General rules for a suitable sleeping bag

The sleeping bag should be adjusted to the room temperature and the child’s body measurements, not the season. Sleeping bags are available for various room temperatures and in all sizes, even for preterm and newborns.

Always use a sleeping bag instead of a blanket.

Here are several important reasons:

• A suitable sleeping bag ensures safer sleep, as the child cannot cover themselves.
• They stay warm and secure, even when moving around.
• With the right sleeping bag, your baby will neither freeze nor sweat, minimizing the risk of overheating or chilling.
• With a suitable sleeping bag, the baby is less likely to roll into the riskier stomach position.

What to consider when buying

Firstly, size matters: All dimensions should be based on the child’s body size, including for preterm babies. Avoid buying a sleeping bag that is too large, where the child needs to grow into it. This poses a risk of the child slipping inside the sleeping bag.

Suitable width and length: The sleeping bag should match the child’s body length and chest size. Length guide: Child’s body length minus head length plus 10 cm for wriggling and growth.

Suitable neck opening: Small enough that the child’s head cannot slip through and fall into the bag. Yet large enough that the neck is not constricted by the opening. Guide here: An adult’s finger should fit between the child’s neck and the neck opening of the sleeping bag.

Suitable armholes: Armholes should not be too large to prevent the baby’s arms from slipping through or them sliding down in the bag (risk of accidents.). The sleeping bag should not have ties around the armhole area (accident risk.) nor press-studs to adjust the size under the arms.

Flat, smooth back: The back should be free of seams, elastic, gathers, or any other raised fabric, even inside the bag.

With fastenings, note:

A central zip should only close downwards towards the feet, to avoid accidentally pinching the delicate skin in the neck area, while maintaining the appropriate neck opening size.

Buttons should only appear in the shoulder strap or centre of the sleeping bag as fastenings. They should always be securely fastened when using the sleeping bag. Check sewn-on buttons for tear resistance and press-studs for secure closure.

Velcro fasteners can often be problematic, as they may not close securely after washing. They must withstand the child’s movements and not easily come undone with slight pulling. Avoid Velcro in the arm or neck areas, as poorly adjusted Velcro can create oversized arm or neck openings.

Special considerations for sleeping bags with unique needs

Monitored children require specialised sleeping bags with cable openings, while those with braces need bags with extra-large foot sections but standard upper sections.

Chemical and physical requirements to consider when purchasing:

• Washability at a minimum of 40°C and suitability for tumble drying
• High breathability, meaning the material can quickly absorb and release moisture, with a high cotton content beneficial
• Fabrics and dyes should be sweat- and saliva-resistant, with no azo dyes
• Pilling-resistant: The fabric should not develop or shed small fluff balls during use
• No flame retardants or plasticizers as treatments or finishes in fabrics or filling materials
• No optical brighteners in fabrics in direct contact with the child’s skin
• Nickel-free zips and buttons, no press-studs with decorative caps that can come loose
• No organic phosphates, formaldehyde, or heavy metal compounds (e.g., arsenic and antimony) used as finishing materials in fabrics or fillings
• Ideally, the sleeping bag weight should not exceed 10% of the child’s body weight
• Certified to ÖKO-Tex Standard 100

If some points are not listed on the sleeping bag’s packaging, do not hesitate to ask the seller or manufacturer before buying.