What to Wear Under a Sleep Bag: A TOG Dressing Guide

One of the questions we are asked most often is about layering baby for bed. We have broken down the various TOG levels, as well as some dressing FAQs to help make the best choice for your baby. It’s important to remember that every baby (and their sensitivity to temperatures) are different! The guidelines in our TOG dressing guide are meant to help, but always check your baby to determine the right TOG and layers for their comfort level and safety.

Understanding TOG

TOG, which stands for Thermal Overall Grade, is the standard of measure for how much a particular fabric insulates. The higher the TOG, the warmer fabric.

• 0.5 TOG great for warmer seasons or climates; or a nursery kept at 74-78°F

• 1.0 TOG year-round comfort, perfect for moderate weather; or a nursery kept at 69-73°F

• 2.6 TOG perfect for colder weather; or a nursery kept at 61-68°F

It is important to remember that what you dress baby in underneath their sleep bag will also impact how warm they are - a good rule of thumb for what to wear under a sleep bag is to never add more than 1 layer than an adult would be comfortable wearing in the same environment. Using the right TOG for the nursery temperature, with 1-2 layers, is the best formula to follow.

Try layering with a long sleeve onesie or a short sleeve onesie underneath a long sleeve pajama, depending on the TOG you have selected.

For example:

• A 0.5 TOG when the temperature is below 74°F will likely need a short sleeve onesie and a longer pajama. That same 0.5 TOG bag will only need a long sleeve onesie underneath if the nursery temperature is at the higher end of the recommended temperature zone. When in doubt, check your baby!

• The same goes for warmer temperatures – try a 0.5 TOG with only a diaper when temperatures in the nursery are over 78°F or a 1.0 TOG with only a diaper if the temperature is over 75°F.

It’s important to remember its the nursery temperature we want to monitor, not what is happening outside! Many of us keep our homes cool all summer long, requiring more layers and a heavier TOG, while others prefer a warmer home. Monitoring your baby and adjusting as needed are critical!

 
Sleep-Dressing FAQs

• The ideal temperature in the room your baby sleeps / naps in to avoid overheating is between 68-72°F.

• Whenever in doubt, check your child’s hands, feet, and head to ensure they aren’t cold to the touch – tummy and chest should be warm, but never sweaty or cold.

• Depending on where you live, the temperatures of our homes can vary tremendously throughout the day! Try changing what you dress your baby in for daytime vs. nighttime sleep to achieve the right balance based on room temperature.