Summer kicks in with its blazing heat. Even with the AC and fans on, your baby is still sweaty. This might make you wonder, "Should I let my baby sleep with nothing on, or do they still need a layer for protection?"
Keeping your baby cool while still secure and protected from the AC is a real challenge. The good news is, we have a solution. We'll walk you through this guide to choosing the right seasonal sleep sack, ensuring sound, cool, and safe sleep for your little ones.
Why Do You Still Need a Sleep Sack in the Summer?
Maintaining the Familiar Sleep Cue
From the mother’s secure womb to the cozy sleep sack, your baby might associate these snug environments with sleep. So, using a baby sleeping bag is part of a consistent sleep routine, helping them doze off more easily.
Protecting Your Baby from the AC’s Temperatures
When the AC is on, the room temperature is much lower than your baby’s body temperature. The difference is even greater as night falls. In this case, a wearable blanket can be the perfect layer of protection, keeping your little one from being too cold.
The National Health Service advises not to let your baby get too hot or too cold to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Providing a Sense of Security
Sleeping in a sleep sack mirrors the snug, contained feeling of a mom's womb. This womb-like environment is a perfect sleep oasis, giving your baby a wonderful sense of comfort and security.
The Golden Key for Summer: Low TOG Ratings
Focusing on TOG 0.2 - 1.0
The TOG rating, or Thermal Overall Grade, tells you how warm the fabric of baby sleep sacks is. For summer use, a lower TOG is the way to go, as our ultimate goal is to keep your baby cool and secure.
A general rule of thumb is to go for sleep bags with a TOG from 0.2 to 1.0:
- 0.2 TOG Sleep Sack: For extremely hot nights, without AC
- 0.5 TOG Sleep Sack: The most common choice for summer
- 1.0 TOG Sleep Sack: Ideal for air-conditioned rooms from 70 to 75°F
That said, this rule might not apply to every case. For example:
My boy is a little sweat machine. We’re living in FL with a blazing summer, so I keep the AC at a pretty steady 73°F at night for him. Is a sleep sack with a 1.0 TOG a good fit?
Our answer: That's great, Hazel! Keeping the AC at a steady 73°F is an ideal temperature for sleeping babies. Since your little one sweats a lot, it's a wise move to have your baby wear a sleep sack with a 0.5 TOG instead of a 1.0 TOG. These sacks are more lightweight and breathable, which can keep him sweat-free all night long.
Absolutely Avoid High TOG
Never use sleep sacks with a TOG of 2.0 or higher for your little one. These products tend to trap heat, which increases the risk of your baby getting too hot. This is an important rule to prevent being too hot or too cold in babies.
The Hero for Summer: Super Breathable Materials
Bamboo Fabric
Bamboo fabric can wick away sweat three to four times better than cotton. The magic lies in its hollow structure that circulates air and dissipates heat effectively. Bamboo fabric is incredibly soft and cool to the touch, making it the perfect material for summer sleep sacks.
Knowing this game-changing property, SwaddleAn uses bamboo fabric to craft our sleep sacks. Wearing these sacks feels like a cloud-like embrace, breathable, moisture-wicking, and lightweight.
Check out SwaddleAn Ultra-breathable Bamboo Sleep Sacks
Organic Cotton and Muslin
Muslin fabric (a type of woven cotton) has a loose weave with larger gaps, which allows for effortless airflow. Single-layer organic cotton is also a fantastic choice, known for its incredible softness and safety.
Meanwhile, other sleep sack materials like fleece and polyester are notorious for not being breathable. They tend to trap heat and moisture, resulting in sweating, stuffiness, and eventually overheating.
A Guide to Dressing Your Baby in a Summer Sleep Sack
Here’s a brief summary to help you layer your baby under their sleep sack in a second:
| Room Temperature | TOG Rating | What to Wear Inside |
| Above 79°F | 0.2 | Only diaper |
| 74 to 78°F | 0.5 | A diaper and a short-sleeved T-shirt |
| 69 to 73°F | 1.0 | A diaper and a short-sleeved bodysuit |
Sleep Well and Sweat-free!
Here’s the formula for your baby’s peaceful summer sleep: a low TOG rating combined with breathable materials. You don’t have to choose between safety and keeping your baby cool, as a perfect summer sleep sack offers the best of both worlds.
Let go of the worries on scorching summer nights with our sleep sack collections! Made of bamboo breathable fabric, these sacks bring optimal sleep for your little angel.
Related Blog Post
The Best Winter Sleep Sacks for Baby Cozy Sleep
References
- Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/