There are several reasons for choosing infant sleeping bags, just as there are numerous styles and colors to match virtually any nursery décor.
About Infant Sleeping Bags
What are infant sleeping bags? Sometimes referred to as sleep sacks, these sleeping bags keep baby warm. They are designed to be wide at the bottom with plenty of leg room, and they typically have armholes and a neck hole at the top. You actually pull the sleeping bag up baby's body, placing his arms through the holes before zipping the bag closed.
Many sleeping bags actually have the zipper sewn into the bag upside down to prevent the zipper from irritating sensitive skin and to make it more difficult for baby to unzip himself as he gets older.
Why Choose a Sleeping Bag?
With the threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), we all want to keep our babies as safe as possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have established strict guidelines for placing baby in a baby bed or anywhere to sleep.
Sleep sacks eliminate the hazards that loose quilts, blankets, and sheets can bring. The sleep sack is made to fit a baby's body. Since there are armholes and a neck hole, your baby won't be able to slip down into the sleeping bag.
Using a Sleeping Bag
There are actually several different styles of infant sleeping bags. Some are lighter weight and made for warmer weather, while others are heavier to keep baby warm in the winter. A good rule of thumb is to think about what you use to stay warm at night and try to dress your infant accordingly.
For example, in the summer, you can put lightweight pajamas on your infant and then use a lightweight sleeping bag. For the winter, however, you may put on warmer pajamas and use a heavier sleeping bag. Remember, the sleeping bag is just like using a blanket or comforter, only much safer. You don't have to worry about your baby kicking off her covers or pulling her blanket over her face either.
Size Matters
You may need to purchase several different sized sleeping bags as your child grows. In the beginning you'll need an infant sleeping bag, but as your baby grows, you'll need to swap that one for a larger or toddler size. Some infant sizes are for infants zero to six month, and then the larger size is for six months to two years. Keep in mind, though, that these sizes may not accurately fit your baby simply because not every baby grows the same amount at the same speed.
Begin with an infant sized bag, and when you feel that your baby has outgrown that size, purchase a larger one. By the time your baby is two years old, or maybe even sooner, she may not need a sleep sack anymore.
Important Features
Sleeping bags or sleep sacks are generally made in a similar manner regardless of where you purchase one. You probably want to look for the following features, however:
- Flame resistant fibers
- Reversible
- Upside down zipper
Where to Buy
Check out the following sites that sell sleeping bags:
