Wearable blankets, and sleep sacks; both comforting options for your baby. How do you know which one is right for you? Our certified sleep experts have broken down these products to help you gain insight on what might be right for your child.
So…what exactly are they!? If you are picturing your baby all snuggled up in a sleeping bag, you’re on the right track. Wearable blankets, sleep sacks and sleep bags are all options to use in place of a blanket. Instead of being covered with a blanket, your baby will be cuddled up inside a wearable blanket or sleep sack. No blankets in the crib until at least 12 months old! Always follow the AAP’s safe sleep recommendations.
The Certified Sleep Consultants Recommendations
At Rocky Mountain Sleeping Baby, our certified sleep experts consistently stay up to date on the latest and newest additions of products we can use in our sleep training. We are excited to share these products with you as they are such a positive benefit to sleep training your kiddos!
Why do we recommend adding these to your sleep schedule? Let’s break it down.
Keeping Baby Warm:
You already know we do not advise blankets in the crib; this is where sleep sacks come in to play. A sleep sack is similar to a sleeping bag. Your baby will be tucked inside the sleep sack, all snug and warm. Your child will not be able to remove the sleep sack, and it eliminates them waking up as they might do with a blanket that falls off with movement and not keeping them warm and cozy.
Safety:
As we have discussed, blankets are not safe in the crib for so many reasons. Using a sleep sack or wearable blanket reduces the risks that come with a blanket. Sleepsacks ensure your baby is tucked in snug and they are made so baby can’t pull them off.
Sleep Cues:
Using a sleep sack is an effective sleep training benefit as it creates a comforting routine for your child. Using the sleep sack repeatedly cues your child that it is bedtime and their brain and body start to relax and prepare for dreamtime. Don’t be surprised when your baby starts rubbing their eyes as you are putting on their sleep sack.
As certified sleep consultants, we are often asked many questions regarding the sleep sack and wearable blankets. Below are some of the most common questions and our answers to them.
How do we start using a sleep sack on our child?
When your baby is ready to transition from their swaddle, it is time to introduce the sleep sack or wearable blanket. If you are using a certified sleep consultant for sleep training , they will start the sleep training your child with the sleep sack or wearable blanket that you choose for your child. The bottom line: always introduce it at bedtime. Don’t make the switch for a random nap of the day.
How long do we use the sleep sack or wearable blanket?
Our certified sleep experts will use one of these with your child through the duration of your child sleeping in their crib. As they begin to transition to a toddler bed, we will either start eliminating the sleep sack and introduce sheets and blankets to them, or if you and your child prefer, there are sleep sacks for toddlers and kids, too!
What is a TOG rating?
TOG; Thermal Overall Grade, is the rating or weight of a sleep sack that determines the thickness and how warm it will keep your child. The higher the TOG rating (weight), the warmer the sleep sack will be.
TOG ratings for your sleep sack:
The guide above is just an example of what you might receive with your sleep sack. When you buy a sleep sack, they will provide the guide for their product. Using the guide, you can use the scales along with feeling your child either on their back, stomach, or chest to see what weight is best for them.
You want to avoid using a sleep sack that will leave your child feeling wet and sweaty. If that happens with your sleep sack you can try dressing your child in lighter sleep sack. If that does not work, you may need a lighter sleep sack.
Sleepsacks come in many options. Cotton, fleece, thin, thick, there are many to choose from to find the perfect sleep sack for your little one.
Which sleep sack is the best?
Some of our favorite brands are: Halo, ErgoPouch, Kyte, Dreamland Baby, Little Giraffe, and Sleeping Baby.
These are just a few of many options of sleep sacks. The sleep experts at Rocky Mountain Sleeping Baby are happy to help you find the perfect sleep sack for your child, please give us a call, or an email.
Will the sleep sack help my child sleep through the night?
While the sleep sack is a wonderful tool that our certified sleep experts use during sleep training, it is not a magic blanket that proposes a full night sleep. Sleep training is essential to creating a foundation of healthy habits for your child that include using products like the sleep sack to aid in creating a positive outcome.
The team at Rocky Mountain Sleeping Baby are here to help you with any questions you have on the sleep sack, or the wearable blanket.
In addition, our team specializes in sleep training. If your child is struggling with sleeping, we can help! We are located in Colorado though we work with families across the United States with our virtual services. We look forward to working with you!
