Is It Safe for Babies to Sleep in Sleeping Bags?

When used correctly, sleeping bags can be a safe and comfortable way for babies to sleep. These portable blankets are designed to keep little ones warm and reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). This risk is particularly high during the first year of life, especially in the first few months before babies start to roll over. These sacks are sleeveless and cover the shoulders, with the arms outside of the sack to prevent it from being pulled up over the head.

If your paediatrician says it is safe for your baby to continue using a sleeping bag, you can keep trying. It is not recommended to put a baby in a sleeping bag and then use a blanket over it, as this increases the risk of overheating. Sleeping bags are as much for parents' peace of mind (to make sure their baby is warm and cosy) as they are for the child's comfort. Additionally, the material absorbs and evaporates moisture better than any other material on the market, keeping the baby comfortable while sleeping.

Some studies have shown an increased risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation when babies are swaddled if they are placed on their tummies to sleep, or if they roll onto their stomachs. If you decide to move your child from a swaddle to a sleep sack, make sure it is sleeveless. An Austrian study has found that babies stay just as warm when sleeping in sleeping bags as when they are wrapped in blankets. It is important to note that sleeveless sleeping bags have a lot of extra material that could bunch up around the baby's face and make breathing difficult.

Nowadays, babies often escape from any blanket they try and kicking their legs against a sleeping bag is also common. Using an infant sleep sack can reduce the risk of SIDS because it reduces the risk of the baby overheating. Reuters Health reported that baby sleeping bags or sleep sacks are at least as safe as other bedding in preventing SIDS and may be safer. The study found that sleeping bags may provide a more consistent temperature profile than other types of bedding which can cause significant variations in temperature. It is important to check with your paediatrician to confirm that your child sleeps in a sleeping bag that is not sleeveless.

A sleep sack or sleep sack walker can make it much more difficult for your baby or toddler to get out of their cot.