Are Sleep Sacks Safe for Babies?

The answer is absolutely yes. 

Experts claim that infant sleep sacks can prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends the use of a sleeping sack for children over a quilt to avoid covering the mouth and nose and causing suffocation.

Secondly, children are less likely to catch a cold, and adults can also have a good night's sleep. There is also a hidden benefit - a sleep training device so the child can develop a good habit of seeing the sleep sack associated with sleep.

Why do Parents Need a Sleep Sack?

Although the baby sleep sack user is the newborn baby, the beneficiaries are the baby and the parents.

 Since the baby is the actual user, we must consider their characteristics and needs.

Newborn characteristics

Delicate, sensitive skin, some fabrics can irritate the skin;

Single sleep time is not long, and will be hungry, uncomfortable and wake up; this is a normal baby will show.

0-6 months of the baby, there will be a startle jump reflex; simply put, it is to sleep; they will wake themselves up.

Babies all need security; wrapping up can give babies a sense of security. Think about why we need to hold to put babies to sleep.

Firstly, why do we need a baby sleeping sack? Why not pajamas?

Sleep sacks are one-piece, and pajamas are split. A sleep sack can better protect the baby's tummy; there is no need to cover the quilt. Because of the quilt on the bed, it is easy to cover the baby's mouth and nose. Thus, there is a risk of suffocation.

The American Academy of Paediatrics AAP suggests that a safer option is a supine + infant sleeping sack. 

What is a sleep sack?

A sleep sack, also known as a sleep bag or wearable blanket, is a type of baby bedding or sleepwear designed to keep infants and young children warm and comfortable while they sleep. Typically, it's a sleeveless, wearable garment that usually zips up or buttons around the baby's torso, providing warmth similar to a sleeping sack.

Sleep sacks are considered a safer alternative to traditional blankets in a baby's crib or bassinet, as they eliminate the risk of a loose blanket covering the baby's face, which could pose a suffocation hazard. They come in various sizes to accommodate different ages and sizes of infants and are made from soft, breathable materials to ensure the baby stays cozy without overheating.

The sleep sack allows for ease of movement for the baby's legs while keeping the upper body covered and warm. It's a popular choice among parents as a safe and convenient sleep solution for their little ones.

Plus, Sleep sacks also give you easy access to dirty nappies.

Needs of newborns for baby sleeping sacks

The right size: 

just like our own clothes, ill-fitting always twisted, for infants, there are certain safety hazards. For example, if it is too large, the head may slide into the sleeping bag, and the danger can be imagined.

Thickness is suitable: 

too hot and too cool are not good for sleep, but they also make it easy to get sick.

The right fabric: 

some fabrics can cause skin allergies and then rashes.

What are the functions of a sleep sack?

Relieve startle reflex and improve baby's sleep.

Due to the imperfect development of the newborn's nervous system, they often wake up on their own. Generally 6 months will disappear naturally with the growth and development; if the sleep sack can be slightly restricted to its arm activities, it can greatly reduce the child woke up in his sleep, disguised as relieving the pressure of parental care.

 Here, there may someone wants to talk about holding sleep, holding sleep can indeed enhance the child's sense of security and can also relieve the waking up, but the direct result of long-term holding sleep children adults are exhausted, easy to cause tendonitis, lumbar disc herniation and other problems; at the same time, the baby will not learn to fall asleep on their own.

 A baby sleep sack can be a sense of sleep ritual before the baby falls asleep, which helps to prompt the baby to fall asleep;

It is loose and comfortable, making it easy to stir and roll over;

Sleep sacks also prevent children from kicking the covers, especially where there is no heating or the bedroom temperature is low.

What are the key points in choosing a sleep sack?

Size

The most important factor when choosing a sleep sack for babies is the size, which can be unsafe if not properly sized.

Sleep sacks are designed to fit snugly at the top to prevent babies from slipping inside the bag. If the sleeping bag is too big, the baby may scurry around inside it or slide into it; if the bag is too small, the baby's neck may be too tight, and they won't have enough room to stretch their legs.

 Always measure your child from shoulder to toe, as their neck and head are on the outside of the baby sleep sack!

Warmth

After all, it's warm clothing for sleeping at night, so it needs to be thin and adaptable to the temperature.

The warmth of a sleep sack is usually expressed in tog:

0.5 tog (similar to the thickness of single-layer gauze and cotton sleeping bags): suitable for room temperatures of 24-27 degrees Celsius.

1.0 tog (similar to the thickness of 2-4 layers of gauze sleeping bags): room temperature 21-24 degrees.

2.5 tog (similar to the thickness of cotton sleeping bags): suitable for 18-21 degrees Celsius

3.5 tog (similar to the thickness of a cotton-padded sleeping bag): suitable for 15-18 degrees

Always check the temperature of your baby's room; not too hot or too cold. As babies control their body temperature mainly through their head and face, their temperature should always be checked by placing your hand on their chest or the back of their neck to check that they are at the right temperature.

Fabric composition and filling

Because the baby's skin is delicate and sensitive, the more naturally soft, skin-friendly and breathable the sleeping bag, the better. Especially when the little baby sleeps, it is easy to sweat. Otherwise, the sleep experience will not be good.

Common sleep sack material is organic cotton and bamboo fiber: organic cotton is skin-friendly and warm, but the spring and summer seasons recommend bamboo fiber. Bamboo fiber is more absorbent than cotton, more breathable, and more comfortable, and it can also be anti-bacterial and anti-mite.

Conclusion:

sleep sacks are generally considered safe for babies when used properly

As long as all safety guidelines are followed, sleep sacks provide an alternative to blankets that reduce the risks of covering a baby's face or overheating. Consult your pediatrician if unsure.