Sleeping Bags

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round ten years ago, you would have searched hard to find a baby sleeping bag. They were popular on the continent, but for some reason, they didn’t sell over here. All this changed in the late 1990’s when the Grobag arrived on the scene. Sleeping bags are now an essential item on some 70% of new Mum’s shopping lists with virtually every bedding supplier needing one in their range. Is this a change of heart or brilliant marketing?

The biggest advantage of a baby sleeping bag from mum’s point of view is that baby is unable to kick off any coverings and therefore end up cold. Kicking off the blankets is one reason babies wake during the night. Certainly for those mums who are suffering with babies that constantly wake during the night, a sleeping bag is one of the first things to try as there is some evidence to suggest that babies generally sleep better using a sleeping bag. Many babies feel that a sleeping bag is an essential part of going to bed and even older toddlers are known to want to stay in the sleeping bag, despite the restrictions it places on walking (perhaps that’s a good idea for some!!)

In a sleeping bag, baby cannot slide underneath the covers and possibly overheat. Overheating is a factor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and some research suggests that the use of baby sleeping bags reduces the risk, and many experts are recommending their use. grobag® has worked with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death for many years to ensure that baby sleeping bags are safe.

When new parents are buying sleeping bags, it is important to warn them that the bag is to be used INSTEAD of sheets and blankets – all they need is a sheet on the mattress. Baby shouldn’t be over-dressed either. A sleepsuit is usually sufficient, shortsleeved in summer, longsleeved in winter.

The sleeping bag should be big enough so that there is room for air to circulate around baby but not so big that baby can slide down into the bag. This is a key safety issue. Most suppliers have at least two sizes available, generally sized by weight or age.

Most sleeping bag ranges come in two different tog ratings – one for summer and one for winter. True, babies shouldn’t be overwrapped but there are some Mums who can take this to extreme and insist on very low tog ratings. 2.5 tog should be fine for winter and 1.0 tog for summer.

The way the bag is fastened is another difference between bags. Most babies need to be changed during the night and a bag that opens easily for changing is essential. Older babies can sometimes open zips so some bags are designed to make this more difficult by opening from the bottom. Another important design feature is something to ensure the zip doesn’t rub on baby’s delicate skin.

The fabric from which a bag is made is important. Cotton is, as always, very popular but pure cotton can leave the bag looking in need of a good iron after washing so some polyester is better. The alternative is to have pure cotton where it matters in the lining with a more practical fabric outer. Organic cotton costs more but is popular with many mums. The recent addition of bamboo which has a lovely soft sheen, is worth highlighting to Mums. Sleeping bags will need washing; some are washable at 30 deg C while others can withstand a hotter 40 deg C machine wash.

The final decision for mum is which of the many attractive fabrics she should choose! Some prefer to stick with known brands; others will look to match the sleeping bag to the rest of the room décor. A good choice is essential for retailers.
Suppliers

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