What Is a Sleep Sack and How Does It Work?

Getting enough sleep is hard for parents, but it can be just as challenging for babies. Swaddles help babies feel safe and warm, but they can come loose, and loose coverings introduce suffocation risks. So if your baby is struggling to rest, what can you do? That’s where sleep sacks come in.

A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that provides a safe and comfortable environment for your little one. But why choose one over a swaddle or traditional blankets? Learn how they work and the benefits of using one for your child.

How Do Sleep Sacks Work?

Sleep sacks come in different styles, but they all essentially work the same. They provide a snug (but not tight!) fit across your baby’s neck and chest and a looser area below. The secure upper body ensures the blanket won’t rise over your baby’s face, and the loose-fitting bottom allows for leg movement and proper hip development.

To use a sleep sack, simply slip your baby in, guide their arms through the arm holes, and zip it up.

What’s the Difference Between a Sleep Sack and a Swaddle?

A sleep sack serves a similar purpose to a swaddle. They’re meant to wrap your baby into a warm and snug environment resembling that of their mother’s womb. The way they achieve that goal differs.

Swaddles require you to wrap your baby manually, but can invite human error, causing discomfort or possible developmental risks. Sleep sacks simply have to be zipped up to keep your baby snug. Plus, while swaddles are only safe until your baby shows signs of rolling, sleep sacks have arm holes, allowing your baby to continue using them after they start to turn over.

Sleep sacks provide a safer alternative to traditional bedding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against the use of blankets and other loose items in your infant’s rest area to reduce the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you’re concerned that your little one is cold, the AAP recommends adding a layer of clothing or using a wearable blanket.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Sleep Sack?

Safety

Sleep sacks may be seen as a luxury alternative to swaddles or blankets, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. They provide a level of safety that can’t be found in traditional options. They remove loose bedding from your baby’s crib, which can pose risks of suffocation or SIDS. Not only will your baby rest for longer periods, but you’ll have the peace of mind that they are safe.

Ease of Use

Swaddling your baby into a burrito looks adorable, but getting there can be a nightmare. From fighting your little one’s flailing arms and legs to ensuring the swaddle is secure enough without being too tight, swaddling can be a professional sport. Plus, all your hard work will be undone when your baby inevitably breaks free.

Sleep sacks, on the other hand, can wrap your baby up in seconds. All it takes is guiding your baby’s arms through the arm holes and zipping them up. Your baby will feel safe in their womb-like environment, and the fasteners ensure it won’t come loose. No more pinning down arms, fidgeting with loose bedding, and repeating the process every hour.

Fewer Wake-Ups

As we all know, babies love to kick in their dreams, and those tiny legs can pack a lot of power, so much so that they can break their swaddles loose and kick them off. Without a snug swaddle, babies can wake themselves up with their startle reflexes. Not to mention, a cold, unwrapped baby is more likely to wake up than a warm, hugged baby.

Sleep sacks prevent babies from breaking loose from their wrapping with their secure fasteners. They keep your baby cozy and warm in an environment that helps them feel safe and calm, leading to fewer wake-ups for your baby (and you!).

Diaper Changes

Even worse than your baby breaking loose from a swaddle is having to undo your own immaculate work to change their diaper. Diaper changes mean having to swaddle them again, which can feel especially impossible in the middle of the night.

Sleep sacks with two-way zippers make diaper changes easy and convenient. Simply unzip the blanket’s bottom to access your baby’s bottom. After all the dirty work, zip the bottom back up, and you and your baby can go back to bed.

When Should I Start Using a Sleep Sack?

Sleep sacks can be used straight from birth. However, many parents transition from swaddles to sleep sacks when their baby shows signs of rolling. If your baby seems to dislike swaddling and often attempts to break free, they may prefer the freedom of movement provided by the wearable blanket.

When Should I Stop Using a Sleep Sack?

Transitioning from a sleep sack to a blanket is just as important as the move away from swaddles. The AAP recommends introducing a blanket after 12 months of age to prevent suffocation risks; however, your child's transition period may vary. Sleep sacks can feel restrictive as your child becomes more mobile, and they may try to kick them off or undo the fasteners.

If your child shows interest in a blanket, you can transition them to their preferred bedding. However, if they prefer using their sleep sack, there’s no harm in keeping them in one until they’re ready to upgrade to pyjamas and a blanket.

Choosing the Right Sleep Sack for Your Baby

Sleep sacks provide several benefits, from safety to ease of use. However, enjoying these benefits is reliant on choosing the right one. There are many factors to consider to determine which one is best for your little one.

Size

Choosing the proper sleep sack size will maximize safety and comfort for your little one. One that’s too large runs the risk of fabric falling over your baby’s face and posing a suffocation risk, while one too small can be tight around your baby’s neck and chest and restrict breathing. Opt for one that fits snug across your baby’s neck and chest while providing room for their legs to move comfortably.

TOG Rating

The Thermal Overall Grade (TOG) rating of a sleep sack indicates its level of warmth. Higher TOGs are ideal for colder rooms, while lower TOGs are best for warmer rooms. However, the TOG rating you choose should reflect the actual temperature of your baby’s environment, rather than how the room feels to you.

Picking a sleep sack with the appropriate TOG rating is crucial to prevent overheating. 

While some fabrics may seem warmer or cooler than others, always ensure the TOG rating accurately reflects the environment.

Fabric

Choose a sleep sack made from soft, breathable materials that are kind to your baby’s skin. Here at Loulou Lollipop, we make our sleep sacks with the love and care your baby deserves.

Loulou Lollipop sleep sacks come in two materials: Tencel™ Lyocell and Tanboocel muslin. Tencel™ Lyocell is hypoallergenic and antibacterial, making the ultra-soft material perfect for sensitive skin. Our Tanboocel muslin is a blend of bamboo and cotton, creating a hypoallergenic and breathable fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Point of a Sleep Sack for Babies?

A sleep sack provides a safe and warm environment for babies, mimicking that of the womb. They reduce the risks of suffocation brought on by blankets or swaddles when babies begin to roll and provide a secure environment for longer periods of rest.

Can a Baby Overheat in a Sleep Sack?

Overheating is always a risk in any sleep environment. While sleep sacks are meant to provide a warm, but breathable environment, it’s always best to check your baby’s temperature and look for signs of overheating. Ensure you choose the proper size and TOG rating for your baby’s environment.

Sleep Sacks Support Safety, Promote Comfort, and Encourage Better Rest

A well-rested baby means a well-rested parent. Sleep sacks provide a safe and cozy environment that helps your little one rest better, giving you peace of mind when you fall asleep.

Loulou Lollipop boasts a range of options that cover all your needs, from different sizes and styles to warmth and material. Find the perfect sleep bag for your little one today.