Why is a toddler sleep bag so practical?

As the name hints, it is the natural next step after baby sleep bags, designed to meet the needs of bigger little ones. By this stage, many children no longer find their baby sleep bag comfy, they want to move completely freely. Toddler sleep bags are incredibly useful, with more advantages than you might expect.

So you don’t have to trawl through endless pros and cons, we’ve gathered the key benefits for you in one place. Let’s dive in.

A toddler sleep bag is brilliantly practical because…

…compared to baby sleep bags, it offers new benefits for young children. That’s because older babies who are entering new chapters in their development are crawling or toddling, and quite naturally need a little extra from their sleep bag, too.

What do toddler sleep bags provide?

• Free movement. Lively little ones can crawl, toddle and potter about while staying warm. This is especially handy at night when they want to make their way to their parents or to the bathroom.
• Reliable warmth overnight. Until children can pull a blanket on and off by themselves, a sleep bag is the most practical option. They won’t get cold. It can’t slip off, bunch up, get tucked under them or be pulled over their face.
• Comfortable wear. Soft, properly breathable fabrics allow optimal airflow while keeping them warm. Natural fibres feel gentle to the touch, and it’s ideal if the sleep bag has enough stretch to move with them.
• Adaptable to different temperatures. Sleep bags with different insulating properties are labelled with TOG values, making it easy to pick the right one for the current room temperature. Always go by the room temperature, not the season.
• Fewer night-time wake-ups. Because children cannot kick off a sleep bag like they can a blanket, they are less likely to wake because they are cold or because the blanket has bunched up under their waist and is digging in.
• Supports independence. When little ones can move freely and get themselves where they want to go, it encourages them to figure things out and follow through. A toddler sleep bag can also be put on by many children all by themselves.
• Ideal for travel. A familiar sleep bag means no odd feeling from different bedding, so they can sleep peacefully in their own “bed” wherever they are.
• Comfy sleeping positions. It won’t bunch up under them or ride up at the waist, it moves with their body.

A toddler sleep bag can double as daywear 

Your child can pop it on well before bedtime, and in the morning they can happily play in it after waking. If your home feels a bit cooler, it can be a comfy daytime layer too, especially if it’s made from a nicely stretchy fabric that breathes well. So yes, you can absolutely dress your child in a toddler sleep bag during the day. They will feel good in it.

It helps establish a calming evening routine 

If you get ready for sleep with a sleep bag every night, your child will quickly associate this piece with bedtime. That builds a relaxed mood and a sense of security when they put it on, so they’re more cooperative about settling down. The same applies even when they’re not at home. A familiar item of clothing can be reassuring in a new place.

With LiaaBébé toddler sleep bags, we’ve raised the bar

If you want a product for your child that stands for high quality, offers countless benefits, and still represents great value for money, take a look at our beautiful toddler sleep bags made from bamboo fibres.

They have outstanding thermoregulation, which means they help balance changes in the environment and in your child’s body. They keep them cosy in winter and pleasantly cool in summer. Thanks to their natural composition and breathable surface, they avoid allergic reactions, making them an ideal choice for children with sensitive skin.

They also let you adapt to the room temperature, since they come in different thicknesses. We indicate this with TOG as follows:

0.5 TOG 23–25 °C room temperature
1.0 TOG 21–24 °C room temperature
1.5 TOG 20–23 °C room temperature
2.5 TOG 18–21 °C room temperature

You’ll likely want to know about sizing, too. Our toddler sleep bags are available from size 74 up to 104. They are soft, stretchy, roomy and comfortable. They are durable and long-lasting. They come in wonderfully cheerful colours, and child-friendly prints make them appealing for little ones to wear. They are designed with safety in mind, with no unnecessary details, cords or buttons. Armholes and neckline are sized just right so they don’t shift around. We’ve made them perfect with an integrated gaiter-style finish.

Why is the gaiter detail great on toddler sleep bags? 

You might not be familiar with the word “gaiter”. It’s a cover that goes over the foot and shoe, often used for hiking. What does that mean in children’s clothing? A toddler sleep bag has separate legs, so each leg goes into its own section, which is why children can move about in it. To keep little feet from being exposed and chilly, and to prevent the sleep bag from riding up, we’ve added a wide panel of the same fabric at the leg ends, also known as a gaiter. This part - just as you’ll see - is soft and comfy, and it supports and warms your child’s ankles.

What should a baby wear under the sleep bag? 

There are several points to consider when deciding what your baby should sleep in. We’ve written a full article on this, so we recommend reading on.

If you’d like guidance tailored to specific temperatures, we suggest the following articles:

How to dress your baby for sleep when the room is 18–19 °C
What should your child wear to sleep in a 20 °C room
How to dress your child for sleep in a 21 °C room
How to dress your child for sleep in a 22 °C room
What should your child wear for sleep in a 23 °C room
What should your child wear for sleep if the room is 24–25 °C

Sources:

The Lullaby Trust — Your baby’s room temperature

NHS — Safe sleep advice for babies (Best Start in Life)