How to use sleep sacks?
How to use and how to choose a suitable sleep sack has become the most concerning issue for parents. In addition, do babies need blankets when they wear sleep sacks?
What should parents do if their babies kick the blanket and don't sleep well after wearing sleep sacks? Today, Kaiya Baby is here to answer these questions for parents.
Do babies need blankets when they wear sleep sacks?
The answer is not necessarily! It's not that I'm beating around the bush. How much clothing to wear, whether to cover with a blanket or not, depends on the indoor temperature.
Some families turn on the heating or air conditioning at night. At this time, if only the sleep sack can achieve the effect of keeping warm, there is no need to cover the blanket. On the other hand, if the room temperature is low and the sleep sack is not enough to resist the room temperature, then a blanket should be added.
Parents can feel the temperature of the baby's little hands or the back of the neck. If it is warm, it means that the baby is warm enough.
What should parents do if the baby kicks the blanket and doesn't sleep well after wearing a sleep sack?
If this happens, parents should look for the reasons from the following aspects:
- How is the sleeping environment? Turning on the lights, or the noisy surrounding environment, will affect the baby's mood;
- Is the baby's dress appropriate? Is the blanket too thick? Wearing too much or blankets that are too thick can make your baby uncomfortable, and your baby will not be able to sleep peacefully.
How to choose a sleep sack for your baby?
Swaddling sleep sack - For newborns
Newborns often have startle reflexes and need more comfort after leaving their mother's warm, firm womb. The swaddle-style sleep sack can wrap the baby and give him or her a sense of security.
Sleeveless sleep sacks - For 2-month-old
A 2-month-old baby is trying to roll over, so it is not suitable to use a swaddle-type sleep sack that will restrain the baby.
Sleeveless sleep sacks are comfortable and breathable, so they are a good option. If parents are worried that the baby will be cold to sleep, they can choose a long-sleeved sleep sack to enhance the warmth.
Split-leg sleep sack - a baby who loves to roll over
The split-leg sleep sack is suitable for babies who can roll over and crawl and have a lot of movement when sleeping. The split-leg sleep sack wraps the baby's legs well, making it easier for the baby to move without catching a cold.
What are the differences in the usage of sleep sacks for babies of different ages?
And how to use it?
When using a sleep sack for a newborn, if parents are worried that the baby is too small and may be easily injured by flipping, they can wrap the baby first and then put the baby in the sleep sack. There are a variety of ways to wrap babies. Whatever method the parents use, don’t forget to keep sufficient room in the wrap for the legs to move freely.
Of course, you have to get up from time to time to have a look at night. It is best to have an adult beside the baby and put one hand next to the baby. If the baby moves, parents will know immediately.
Whether it is a swaddle or a sleep sack, when using it, make sure that the child's head can touch the top of the crib rail so that the baby's head is not in danger of being injured. Parents can also put gauze on the crib so that when the baby falls asleep, they don't have to care about the baby's sleeping position or whether he wakes up.
The sleep sack used by the baby should be changed according to the growth stage of the baby. Newborns won't roll over but will kick like a frog and can easily kick the blanket off. However, the development of the babies needs a loose environment, and their hands and feet need to be free to move. When choosing a sleep sack, in principle, the baby's hands and feet should be free to move, and he should not be restrained. When the baby is a little older, after 8 months, the little guy will roll over, and then he or she will start to crawl all over the bed. At this time, parents can choose a sleeveless sleep sack, which can not only give the baby the greatest freedom but also prevent the baby from kicking the blanket and prevent him or her from catching a cold.
0 to 8-month-old
At this stage, the babies will not roll over but will push on the blanket with both feet. They sleep with their hands up, their knees bent out, and they need frequent diaper changes. During sleep, the hands and feet are waving up and down, and the legs are like frogs paddling water, so it is easy to kick the blankets off. However, if the movement of hands and feet is restricted, they will wake up and cry, affecting the baby's sleep. Therefore, parents should choose a loose sleep sack, do not give the baby a sense of restraint.
1 to 2 years old
During this period, the babies sleep the most restlessly, with more activities and more turning over during sleep. Babies turned over once or twice. The blankets were pressed under them. At this time, the sleeveless sleep sacks can allow the babies to roll freely and prevent them from catching a cold in sleep. At this time, the babies begin to understand the words of the parents and know to cooperate with the parents to use sleep sacks and blankets.
3 years old and above
Babies during this period begin to learn to use sleep sacks and blankets by themselves and begin to consciously control their physical activities during sleep. Therefore, according to the sleeping situation of the baby, parents can choose a product that has a sense of restraint and is close to the blanket. Start cultivating your baby's sleep habits and lay the foundation for future use of quilts.
Generally speaking, baby sleep sacks can be used until the babies are six years old, but they are generally unwilling to sleep in sleep sacks after the age of three because the sleep sacks restrict their movements of them, and sleeping is not free. Therefore, parents can decide when the sleep sacks are stopped and used according to the baby's wishes.
A baby cannot use one sleep sack from start to the end, so it is necessary to choose a suitable sleep sack according to different ages. Most of the sleep sacks on the market are not divided into models according to the age of the baby. Most of them are "one size" products, and they all claim to be able to be used until the age of 3 or even 6. It is conceivable that such sleep sacks are very large, but the newborn baby is only about 6 pounds and 50 cm tall. It is not suitable to use such a large sleep sack. Some parents find that using these large sleep sacks for newborns is usually not warm enough because the baby's body or hands often emerges from the neckline of the sleeping bag.
The right sleep sack will play its due role, don't expect that a sleep sack can be used from 0 to 6 years old. The babies’ constitution is weak, and the sleep state is not stable at night. If they like to kick off the blankets, they will easily catch a cold. We have to realize that parents are already exhausted from the day's work, so it is hard to keep the baby from kicking the blanket at night.
Moreover, babies can’t always sleep in the same bed with their parents. Now parents are beginning to realize that giving babies their own sleeping space can better ensure the quality and time of the baby’s sleep, and it is also good for the baby’s growth and development. And sleep sacks solve this problem for parents to a large extent. For younger babies, sleeping with their parents is easy to crush after their parents fall asleep, and there is a danger of suffocation; for older babies, sleeping with their parents is not conducive to cultivating the habit of sleeping in separate rooms and beds.
Kaiya Baby has thoughtfully designed different sleep sacks for each stage of the baby. Parents can easily choose according to their age. We will also continue to share professional parenting knowledge. Parents can pay more attention to our website.
Our favorites
Yujia Shi
An expert in sleep sack design, is a valued contributor to Kaiya Baby's blog. With a strong background in baby sleep bags and maternal care, she is highly regarded for her professionalism. Yujia Shi prioritizes baby comfort and safety in her designs, using high-quality materials. Her insightful articles on sleep bags have been featured in reputable publications and have gained a significant readership. Trust Yujia Shi to help you create a comfortable and safe sleep environment for your baby, backed by her proven track record in the industry.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.