Choosing the right sleep sack sizes and sleep sack material is important. But have you ever found yourself staring at two sleep sacks with the same material, TOG, and sizes for hours yet still don’t know which to choose? You’re not alone! Some of us even had no ideas about TOG when we had our first kid.
Little details go a long way in this case. It’s time to consider extra features to ensure the utmost safety and comfort for your little one. Here’s a checklist of 7 “golden” sleep sack features, from indispensable ones to smart add-ons, to help you make well-informed buying decisions.
“Non-Negotiable” Safety Features
“Hip-Healthy” Design
A rule of thumb is to choose a pear-shaped sleep sack. This design leaves ample room at the bottom, so your little one can freely bend and stretch their legs in the natural frog position.
According to AboutKidsHealth, this frog-leg posture is a healthy hip position that supports a baby’s hip development and prevents DDH (developmental dysplasia of the hip). This is one of five core safety benefits of sleep sacks.
Zipper Guard
A zipper guard is an unsung hero that many parents overlook. It’s a small piece of fabric that covers the top of the zipper. This prevents the sharp metal from scratching against your baby’s chin and neck.
It’s our nightmare to see the zipper chafing our little one’s delicate skin and hurting them. That’s why at SwaddleAn, every single sleep sack comes with a durable zipper guard.
“Game-Changing” Convenience Features for Parents
Two-Way/Inverted Zipper
We’ve all been there—fumbling with the sleep bag zipper to change the diaper, trying not to wake our baby up at night. But you don’t have to! A two-way or inverted zipper comes to the rescue. This allows you to zip down from the bottom to swap out the diaper without taking off the entire sack.
This is the most favored feature, especially in winters, since you can keep their upper body warm. Nighttime checks become easier with this design, and your angel can enjoy a restful sleep all night long.
J-Shaped Zipper
You spend hours rocking your baby to sleep, only for them to scream the second you put them in the sleep sack. It’s a classic parenting scenario. Luckily, we’ve found that a J-shaped zipper works wonders for this problem.
This zipper goes down the side and across the bottom of a sleep sack. All you have to do is unzip it, flip it over, and lay your little one down into the sack like a little nest. Using a straight zipper might disrupt your baby, as you need to put their legs and hands into the sack first.
Shoulder Snaps
With traditional sleep sacks, you have to slide your baby’s arms through the arm holes. But even the slightest movement might startle them, and all your rocking effort goes down the drain.
If you’ve got yourself a light sleeper, a sleep bag with shoulder snaps will be your lifesaver. Once you unsnap them, lay the sleep sack flat on the mattress. The remaining process is hassle-free—snap the shoulders closed and zip up the sack without moving your little one
Features that Adapt to Developmental Stages
Removable Sleeves
The secret to finding a sleep sack for different seasons is removable sleeves. This maximum flexibility allows you to switch between summer and winter sleep bags effortlessly. Chilly winters? The long-sleeved sack will keep your little one cozy. Blazing summers? A short-sleeved, lightweight sleep sack is just a few snaps away.
Another tried-and-true benefit of this design is to facilitate swaddle transition. Ellie from SwaddleAn, mom of a 2-year-old, shared that removable sleeves helped her a lot when her son moved on from swaddles.
She started by using both sleeves to mimic the snugness and security of a swaddle, then removed one sleeve and finally both of them. This process allows the baby to gradually get used to sleeping with both arms free while feeling secure.
Sleep Sacks with Feet
Does your little walker still love their sleep sack? What we’re all worried about is that they can trip over and fall off due to the sack-like bottom. It’s time to switch to a sleep sack with feet, offering the snugness of a sack and the mobility of a pajama.
Your baby can stand up and walk around without restricted movements. This is a brilliant sleep sack when your baby gets older.
Quick Checklist: Features to Look For
Too many new things to learn today? Here’s a quick checklist to grasp the good bits:
| Features | Must-have | Should Have | Best For |
| Hip-healthy Design | Yes | All ages | |
| Zipper Guard | Yes | All ages | |
| Two-way Zipper | No | Yes | All ages |
| J-shaped zipper | No | Yes | All ages |
| Shoulder snaps | No | Yes | Newborns |
| Removable Sleeves | No | Yes | All ages |
| Sleep Sack with Feet | No | Yes | Toddler |
Little Details Make A Huge Difference!
Choosing a suitable sleep sack goes beyond sizes and materials. It’s intentionally designed features that level the experience, offering convenience for parents and comfort for babies.
Detail orientation lies at the heart of our core value, as we know that little details go a long way. That’s why every product at SwaddleAn is crafted with thorough consideration of safety, convenience, and aesthetics.
Don’t just grab a random sleep sack; look for smart features to make your parenting journey easier! Shop our diverse smart feature newborn sleep sacks and see what a game-changer they can be!