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TOG Rating Guide: A Guide to Choosing Sleepwear
Understanding TOG ratings and different styles of sleepwear can be confusing for first-time parents. Don't worry, our TOG rating guide is here to simplify the jargon and help you navigate through this category.
What is a TOG?
The term TOG stands for "Thermal Overall Grade," and it's a unit of measurement used to rate the warmth and insulation of sleepwear and bedding. TOG ratings help take the guesswork out of dressing your baby for sleep, especially since their developing bodies are still learning to regulate temperature.
A low TOG number tells you the fabric is thin and suitable for warmer room temperatures, while a higher TOG number indicates a thicker or padded fabric ideal for cooler rooms.
How do I choose a TOG?
You choose a TOG based on the temperature of your child's bedroom. As an example, it's cold and below 14°C outside and you have the heating set to 23°C inside. The sleepwear you choose is based on the inside room temperature and looking at the info-graph above for this scenario, you would reach for a 1.0 TOG out of the cupboard.
We suggest keeping a thermometer in your child's room to help you check the temperature and as a general guide, you would choose one of the TOG ratings below:
0.2 TOG: lightweight sleepwear for 24°C and above
1.0 TOG: midweight fabric for 20°C to 24°C
2.5 TOG: padded option for a cooler room 16°C to 20°C
3.5 TOG: thicker sleepwear for below 16°C
What do I layer underneath?
Each brand has a recommended guide (which generally comes with the sleepwear you purchase) on what to layer underneath a swaddle or sleeping bag. Please refer to individual brand guidelines before choosing how to dress your child for sleep.
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Choosing sleepwear for your child's age
As your child grows, their sleepwear needs change too. Depending on their age or developmental stage, you can opt for a TOG-rated swaddle, sleeping bag, or sleep suit as alternatives to traditional blankets. Baby Bunting offers a variety of sleepwear options to cater to your child's specific needs and milestones.
Read on to discover our recommendations for sleepwear based on age.
Newborn to 3 months+
Swaddles & Wraps
Your options to consider for your newborn are swaddle bags or muslin/jersey wraps. A swaddle bag is a convenient option that zips up, while a wrap is a piece of loose fabric that is wrapped around your baby. One style doesn't suit all, and you may need to try a different design to find what works best for you and your baby.
As your baby begins to roll from their back to their tummy, it is important to transition their arms out of the swaddle and into arms-out sleeping.
Swaddling keeps their arms close to their body to mimic the familiar feeling of a womb while containing startle reflex, promoting longer periods of sleep.
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Hip Harness Friendly
For infants up to 24 months who are being treated for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), we have TOG rated swaddles and sleeping bags to accommodate a required hip brace.
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3 months to 24 months+
Sleeping Bags
When your child is ready for arms-out sleeping, consider a TOG-rated sleeping bag. This option is preferable to a loose blanket, as your child cannot kick the bag off overnight, promoting longer periods of uninterrupted sleep.
Check the size of the sleeping bag is appropriate for your child's age, and the neck opening fits comfortably (their head shouldn't slip inside). When their feet start to stretch the bottom of the bag, it's time for the next size up.
Tip: wash your 2.5 and 3.5 TOG sleeping bags with a full load in your washing machine. This can help product longevity by protecting the filling from being pushed and pulled apart during the spin cycle.
How many do you need? We suggest a minimum of two sleeping bags, one for your child to wear while the other is in the laundry to wash.
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Toddler
Sleep Suits
From bedtime stories to imaginative dreams, toddler sleepwear should cater to their physical development and increasing independence.
When your child is climbing out of their cot or able to walk, you can transition from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit, which provides more leg freedom and better balance when they're up and about.
You can keep your little one in a sleep suit as long as they fit into one, or you can switch them into pyjamas that suit their personality and comfort preferences.
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Cot to Big Bed Transition
Wondering when you might be able to transition your little one from cot to bed?
How To Keep Your Baby Warm
Be prepared for cold temperatures before they hit.