Is the baby cool enough? Are they too warm? It can be tough knowing if your baby is at a comfortable temperature when they can’t communicate to you using words. Especially as newborns have a limited ability to regulate their own temperature and need our help to make sure they are kept at a safe temperature. Choosing the right TOG for their blanket is an important decision that impacts their comfort and safety while sleeping. 

TOG, short for Thermal Overall Grade, measures the warmth and insulation properties of baby sleep bags, sleep sacks, or swaddles. While it's crucial to ensure your baby is comfortable, it becomes even more challenging when you live in a warmer climate and rely on air conditioning to regulate indoor temperatures. In this guide, we'll explore the factors to consider when choosing the right TOG for your baby.

What are TOG Ratings?

TOG ratings range from 0.5 to 4.0, with higher numbers indicating warmer and more insulating bedding. Here's a general guideline:

• 0.5 TOG: Ideal for hot summer weather or rooms with temperatures above 24°C (75°F).
• 1.0 TOG: Suitable for warm weather or rooms with temperatures between 20-24°C (68-75°F).
• 2.5 TOG: Appropriate for cooler weather or rooms with temperatures between 16-20°C (61-68°F).
• 3.5-4.0 TOG: Best for cold winter nights or rooms with temperatures below 16°C (61°F).

Considerations for Warmer Climates

🌡️ Room Temperature

 In a warmer climate with air conditioning, it’s easier for you to maintain indoor temperatures in the recommended range for your baby's comfort (20-22°C). Therefore, lighter TOG ratings, such as 1.0 TOG are typically more suitable.

🎋 Breathability

Opt for breathable fabrics like bamboo cotton or muslin. These materials help wick away moisture, preventing your baby from overheating. All Hushabye products are made with 95% bamboo cotton, which can feel 3 degrees cooler than normal cotton in warmer weather, but also has insulating properties which can keep you warmer in colder weather by trapping heat close to the body. The breathable natural fibres provide comfort in any type of climate which means it can help your child better adapt to warmer or cooler nights. Learn more about the benefits of bamboo fabric here!

👕 Layering

Instead of using a heavy blanket, consider using layers. Lightweight sleep bags or sleep sacks with a 1.0 TOG can be paired with baby pajamas or zipper sleep suits to ensure your baby stays comfortable without getting too warm. You can view our guide for dressing your baby for sleep further down this blog.

🌬️ Adjust for AC

If you use air conditioning, make sure the airflow in your baby's sleeping area isn't directed towards them. This can help prevent drafts and ensure a more comfortable sleep environment.

🧭 Monitor Room Temperature

Invest in a room thermometer or use a smart thermostat to keep track of the room's temperature. This will help you adjust your baby's bedding as needed to maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.

Safety Reminders

Regardless of your climate and air conditioning use, always prioritise your baby's safety. Here are a few Safe Sleep Guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) who recommend the following:

• Back to Sleep: Always place your baby on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Use a Firm Sleep Surface: Place your baby on a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, covered with a fitted sheet. Ensure that fitted sheets are securely placed on the crib mattress to prevent any loose bedding.
• No Loose Objects: Keep stuffed animals, pillows, and other loose objects out of the crib to reduce suffocation hazards. 
• Avoid Overheating: Dress your baby in lightweight, breathable clothing, and keep the room temperature comfortable (between 20-22°C or 68-72°F) to prevent overheating.

You can read the full guidelines for Safe Sleep issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) here.

Why are Baby Sleep Bags so great?

Unlike loose blankets and quilts, which can accidentally cover a baby's face and pose a suffocation risk, wearable blankets like a sleep bag or sleep sack are designed to fit snugly around the baby's body. This eliminates the risk of the baby pulling the fabric over their face during sleep.

Sleep sacks can also help maintain proper temperature while sleeping when using an appropriate TOG with correct layering of clothing, instead of piling on extra blankets which could be a safety hazard. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the use of wearable blankets like baby sleep bags to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related accidents.

Hushabye Sleep Bags

When living in a warmer climate with air conditioning, you might be torn by what TOG to get and end up with multiple sleep products. As Hushabye founder Belinda reflected on the 17 swaddles and sleep bags she bought in her daughter’s first year of life, she wanted to find a sleep product that could minimise the need for different sleep products in line with a baby’s changing needs in their first few years of life.

Born out of the Middle East, Hushabye baby sleep bags are 1.0 TOG to suit the changing climate throughout the year and the impact of air conditioning in controlling room temperature. Ideal for rooms of 20-24°C (69-75°F) - which tends to be the average range set in air conditioned rooms - the hope is that your child’s Hushabye sleep bag can be used all year round with minor adjustments of layering to account for the cooler winters. The size M and L sleep bags have also been designed with poppers to adjust the length so it grows with your baby. 

Check out our nifty guide for layering in line with the TOG of their blanket:

You can also look for the following signs to help you determine if your baby is warm enough:

• Check Their Skin: particularly their neck or back, with the back of your hand. It should be warm but not sweaty or overly hot. Cold or clammy skin is a sign they may be too cold, while sweating or flushed skin may indicate they are too hot.
• Feel Their Chest and Back: Gently place your hand on your baby's chest or back, underneath their clothing or sleepwear. It should feel warm and comfortable, not too hot or cold.
• Check Their Extremities: Babies often have cooler hands and feet, which is normal. However, if their hands and feet are excessively cold or turning bluish, it may be a sign they need additional warmth. Our Hushabye Zipper sleep suits have foldable mittens and footies which let you cover their hands or feet or keep them out in line with their temperature.
• Observe Their Sleep Behaviour: If your baby is constantly waking up, fussing, or restless, it may be due to discomfort from being too hot or too cold.
• Check Their Nose and Ears: They should be warm but not overly so. Extremely cold or hot ears and nose can be an indicator of temperature discomfort.
• Monitor Their Breathing: Rapid or shallow breathing can be a sign that your baby is too hot. Ensure that their breathing is steady and regular.
• Pay Attention to Cues: Babies communicate their discomfort through cues like crying, fussiness, or restlessness. If your baby is showing signs of distress, it's essential to check their temperature and adjust their clothing or bedding as needed.

Choosing the right TOG rating for your baby can make a significant difference in their sleep comfort and safety. By selecting lighter TOG ratings, prioritising breathable materials like bamboo, and paying attention to room temperature and airflow, you can create an ideal sleep environment for your little one. Remember to always follow safety guidelines and monitor your baby to ensure their well-being while they slumber soundly.