When safe sleep guidelines state that babies should not use any loose cribs, it may seem difficult to keep babies comfortable and warm in their cribs with blankets. That’s where sleeping bags come in. These wearable blankets can provide extra (and safe!) comfort for babies and toddlers throughout the evening, whether they’re transitioning from swaddling clothes or just need something they won’t start in their own bodies. Go to bed. To help you sort through the many sleeping bags on the market, we’ve tested 18 of them at home.
In general, we find that the best sleeping bags are made of lightweight, soft materials, simple to put on and take off, and easy to wash (as they need to be cleaned frequently). It wouldn’t hurt if they also offered handy features that made things like changing diapers in the middle of the night easier. When looking for a sleeping bag, always keep in mind the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for safe sleep, and make sure to find one that fits your budget and keeps your child happy.
Best Overall Performance: Halo Sleeping Bag 100% Cotton Swaddling
Why we love it: It’s a versatile product that can be used as a swaddling, transitional swaddling and sleeping bag. It’s also easy to use and doesn’t have annoying tags.
But be warned: keep an eye on the TOG rating to make sure you don’t buy shoes that are not too heavy or too light due to the weather.
Versatile and simple, the HALO Sleeping Bag Baby Swaddle is our top choice. It has convenient features, provides a comfortable fit, and is available in a variety of colors and patterns. The Halo is available in a 100% cotton version (TOG grade 1.5), as well as a heavier microfleece version for cooler climates.
One thing we really like about this sleeping bag is that it grows with your baby and can be used in three different ways: as a swaddling swaddle for newborns, transitional swaddling that allows babies to stretch out one arm, and a complete sleeping bag. 6-month-old babies start out using it as a transitional swaddling cloth, with a thick Velcro fastening one of their arms in place so much that they can never break free. This makes it a great value for money at its $30 price point, as you may be using it for months.
It’s very easy to use and has little to no Xi curve. If you’ve completely forgotten what you’re supposed to do, one of the flips has a silky illustration printed on the inside to guide you through the process. It also has an inverted zipper for easy diaper changes. The spacious bottom allows babies to move their legs and is recognized by the International Institute of Hip Dysplasia as promoting healthy hip development. The fabric is soft and comfortable to the touch, and there are no labels that can irritate. It’s also worth noting that we’ve found this size to be slightly smaller, which means you may need to buy a larger size as your baby grows.
Cutest Most: Primary Muslin Sleep Sack
What we love about it: it’s lightweight, brightly colored and fun, and it’s easy to put on even for writhing toddlers.
But be warned: it’s a bit small in size and may be too light for cold weather.
If aesthetics are as important to you as comfort, look no further than this Primary sack. Available in rainbow stripes and rainbow heart patterns, it is bright and colorful. In fact, toddlers who wore this throughout the test were always happy to sleep in rainbow-colored sleeping bags, and anything that would make toddlers look forward to bedtime was the winner in our book.
It is also a very comfortable option, especially during the warmer months. Made from 100% cotton muslin, this sleeping bag will never feel bulky or heavy. During testing, we liked its soft feel, even after multiple washes. We also like the cloth cover on the inside of the zipper to make sure it doesn’t get stuck on baby’s sensitive skin. Putting it on couldn’t be easier: just put the baby on the sleeping bag and zip it up, or put it on older babies and toddlers like a jacket and zip it up. Since the zipper opens from bottom to top, diapers can be easily changed even in the middle of the night.
That being said, keep in mind that this is a very lightweight option. If you live in a colder climate, or want a sleeping bag that will keep your kids extra warm, then this sleeping bag may not be for you.
Best for Light Sleepers：baby deedee Sleep Nest Lite Sleeping Bag Sack
Why love it: The ultra-quiet snap fastening on the shoulder allows you to put sleeping babies inside without waking them up, and it’s available in sizes larger than 24 months.
But be warned: the size is a bit oversized.
The unique shoulder buckle on this baby Deedee sleeping bag makes it stand out. The patented snap design is designed for light sleepers, eliminating the common step of threading the little arm through the hole, making it more feasible to place a sleeping baby in a sack without waking them up. You also don’t need to stress about how the sound of snaps or zippers might bother them. During our testing, we found both to be very quiet and did not wake up the 10-month-old sleeping inside at any time.
This sleeping bag is made of lightweight, breathable cotton and has a soft cushion feel, similar to a quilt. It is not too heavy or too light, and babies should be comfortable in any climate. We also love the large toothed reverse zipper, which is easier to handle in the middle of the night, especially in a dark nursery. It comes in a variety of fun colors and is cocoon-shaped to act as a safety blanket while still allowing the baby to move their legs.
Another advantage is that this product can be sized up to 36 months, making it suitable for older babies or toddlers who are not ready to give up their sleeping bags. Note that some parents find the brand’s size a bit too large, especially for smaller babies.
Best for Warmer Months: ergoPouch Swaddle Bag 0.2 TOG
Why we love it: It’s a breathable and versatile option that can be used in three different ways: as a swaddling, transitional swaddling or sleeping bag.
Please note, however: the maximum size available is 6-12M, so you may not be able to use it with young children.
For warmer climates or summer months, you really need a sleeping bag that won’t overheat your child. The Ergopouch Cocoon is made with temperature in mind and in three different TOG grades. The 0.2 TOG bag is ideal for temperatures of 70-75 degrees and beyond, making it a great choice for the summer heat. During our testing, we found that it is very lightweight and breathable, made of soft organic cotton that can withstand the test of the washing machine without losing quality.
The versatility of the Ergopouch is nice. The snap fastenings in the armholes allow you to use it as a baby swaddling, a transitional swaddle with one arm out and one arm in it, or a complete sleeping bag. We found the material to be both stretchy and comfortable, with a snug fit that felt like a cuddle for your little one. Its chest and arm area are tighter, giving your baby a classic swaddling feel, while the cocoon shape provides plenty of room for your baby’s legs to move.
The stretch of the fabric means that this product doesn’t create too much of a restriction, making it perfect for babies who need a little bit of activity. One thing to note: the maximum size is 6-12 months, which means it is not suitable for young children.
The Softest:Copper Pearl Sleeping Bag
Why you love it: It’s super soft to the touch even after washing and drying, and the wide size range means you can use them more.
But please note: the available sizes are limited, which means that this product is not suitable for young children, and the price is a bit high.
Since a sleeping bag is used in place of a blanket, it is very important that it is soft and comfortable. This copper pearl sleeping bag is exactly that, it’s the softest sleeping bag ever. It is made from a polyester/rayon blend, which is breathable and has enough stretch. Not only does it work well in washing, but it also feels softer when it comes out of the dryer, with no pilling or shrinkage.
These sleeping bags have a TOG rating of 1.25, which is ideal for temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees. While we do think they feel a bit warm, that means they should work in most temperatures. We also love the fact that the zipper opens from the bottom up for easy diaper changes in the middle of the night, and the design is very simple to use. Just put your baby in, zip it up, and you’re good to go. It’s available in over 120 different colors and patterns, so whether you’re looking for a solid color or a fun dinosaur print, there’s something for everyone. While it’s more expensive than many of the other sacks on this list, those attractive color options make copper pearls a very good gift for intended parents.
It’s worth noting that this option has a limited range of sizes. The greater range means that you can use one size for longer than you would with a 0-3M size. However, it does not exceed 12M in size, which means that this is not suitable for toddlers or older babies.
Easiest On and Offbaby deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Bag
Why we love it: The patented shoulder buckle allows you to put your baby in it without having to twist their arms into a comfortable hole.
But be warned: the weather is quite warm, may not be suitable for higher temperatures, and the price is a bit higher than some.
Like the Sleep Nest Lite mentioned above, the baby deedee Sleep Nest is one of the easiest sleeping bags we used during our testing. This is all thanks to the patented shoulder buckle that makes it so easy for your baby to get in and out. Instead of twisting their little arm to get it into the forearm hole, you can use the shoulder buckle. Whether you wear it on an active toddler or a sleeping baby, it’s ideal.
Made from polyester-filled cotton, this sleeping bag is very comfortable and warm (TOG of 2.5) and feels more like a blanket than most other options. It preserves well in both the washer and dryer and is equally soft to take out without pilling. We like that these sizes are a bit large and have a wide range of sizes. They allow your baby or toddler to really move around and sleep in any position they like, and your child will wear it longer before it is the right size.
However, this soft and comfortable material does mean that this product can be a little too heavy for the warmer months (which is where the Sleep Nest Lite comes in handy). The price is also a bit higher than some of the other options, although it still feels reasonable, especially if you can use it for a few months.
Best Medium Weight: HALO Sleeping Bag Blanket
Why we love it: It has a super soft and plush feel that keeps the little ones cosy and warm.
But be warned: it may be too spacious for babies under 6 months.
In cold weather, a heavier sleeping bag may be necessary to keep your baby comfortable. The HALO Sleeping Bag Wearable Blanket is made from an ultra-soft microfleece fabric that we find softer with every wash. 1.0 TOG makes it an excellent choice for mild climates, so it has quite a lot of uses in terms of temperature.
The option has a basic, simple design that simply places your baby in a sleeping bag and zips it up. The upside-down zipper makes it easy to change diapers and also prevents older babies and toddlers from being unable to unzip themselves all night. We like the comfort of this product, but it doesn’t weigh too much. It doesn’t shrink at all, it just feels like another layer to keep the little ones comfortable during naps or at night.