If you’ve ever looked into buying a sleep sack or swaddle for your baby, you’ve probably run into the term “TOG Rating”.  Regardless of whether you’re a TOG newbie or not, there are important details about the TOG rating for baby sleepwear that most of the internet isn’t telling you. We’re going to lay out all the important info for you because your baby’s safety is our #1 concern.
 

What Does TOG Mean When It Comes To Baby Sleepwear? 

A sleep garment’s TOG rating is basically a measure of how warm the garment is. It is supposed to help you pick the right one for your baby based on how warm or cool the room is, making sure your baby doesn’t overheat or get too cold. Here is a common TOG chart for baby sleepwear.
 

Common TOG Ratings:

  • 0.5 TOG
  • 1.0 TOG
  • 2.5 TOG
  • 3.5 TOG
 

What Is The Best TOG Rating For Baby Sleep Safety?

Let’s set the record straight. The TOG rating isn’t actually what is important, it’s your baby’s core temperature that is the critical thing to manage. A TOG rating is only one factor in managing that core temperature and parents can accidentally overdress their baby if the TOG rating is too high. It is better to try and regulate the room temperature as a baby’s body doesn’t have the same temperature regulating abilities as adults do. When the room temperature is not ideal, you want to be able to have more control and flexibility over your baby's sleepwear warmth. It's that concept of dressing in layers!

Let's cut to the chase: it's best to stick to a 0.5 TOG rating and then layer up or down under that baby sleep sack or newborn swaddle.

That's why when we designed the Sleep of Mind Swaddle and Sleep sack, we chose a 0.5 TOG rating because that gives parents full freedom to dial up or down the layers underneath. PLUS, the Sleep of Mind patent pending design allows parents to see their baby breathing on their own baby monitor. Check it out and see the breathing for yourself. This is safer sleepwear because it reduces the risk of overheating, and it helps you see your baby breathing, which no other sleepwear does.


 

How to tell if your baby is breathing while asleep

 

Overheating Is A Baby Sleep Safety Risk

Overheating is a major risk factor for SIDS. Infants are not able to regulate their temperature very well and will cry if too cold, but may not wake if they are too hot. You want to prevent your baby from becoming too hot while sleeping in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. Managing the room temperature should be the first step. Dressing your baby in the appropriate sleepwear is the next step. But you actually don’t need multiple TOG rating sleep sacks or swaddles. Let's dig into why 0.5 TOG rating sleepwear is best to mitigate the risk of SIDS as well as other benefits.

 

Best room temperature for baby sleep safety

No Need For Different TOG Ratings In Baby Sleepwear

Unpopular opinion here (when it comes to infant sleepwear manufacturers). You really don’t need multiple sleep sacks with different TOG values. Using one sleep sack with a 0.5 TOG rating, and then layering up or down under your sleep sack or swaddle is perfect.

It’s that simple.

Super-hot in the room because the air conditioning isn’t working? No problem, that 0.5 TOG sleep sack will work just fine with only a diaper underneath.
Super cold in the room because you have drafty windows and it’s winter time? No problem, that same 0.5 TOG sleep sack works with layering up underneath. Throw on a body suit, under a flannel long sleeve, footed sleeper. Those are just examples, do what feels right for your room temperature.

Suggested sleepwear for TOG rating chart

See our Suggested Undergarment Guide for how to adjust your baby’s sleepwear for different room temperatures. If you’re looking for a TOG rading guide for baby sleepwear, this chart is actually all you need.
 

Sticking With A 0.5 TOG Rating Is Safer For Sleep

Since overheating is a contributing risk factor for SIDS, higher 2.0 - 3.5 TOG rating sleep sacks put your baby at risk of getting too hot. Infants are not able to regulate their temperature very well and by using a 0.5 TOG sleep sack, it puts the parent in charge of determining the right undergarments (assessing the situation vs following a chart) and it ensures the lightest option is available in situations where you need it. For example, babies often run a bit warmer during the day as well as when teething, so room temperature isn't always the defining factor. The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for parents to be active in the decisions of their baby's sleep safety, and TOG rating charts don't take those factors into consideration.

How Do I Tell If My Baby Is Too Hot Or Cold? 

Core temperature is best measured by placing your fingers on the chest or back of the neck. Please don’t use extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears) as indicators. If those are cold, check the chest or back of the neck to confirm. Often the only way babies regulate their body temperature is through their extremities so they may be cool to the touch but their core is just right.
 
Don’t forget, mamas have a very different metabolism than babies, so mama if you’re cold, it doesn’t mean baby is too! Babies run warmer than adults so it’s always best to air on the side of caution and not overdress your baby, just because you feel the room is cool. You can always check their temperature if they’re crying and dress them warmer if needed, but if they overheat then there may not be any indication of that at all, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
 
How to tell if your baby is too hot or cold

What Does TOG Rating Mean In Baby Sleepwear? 

What does that baby sleep sack TOG rating really mean and how do manufacturers come up with it? Thermal Overall Grade (TOG) is measured by assessing how well a fabric traps heat and insulates against the cold. Essentially, it measures how much warmth a material provides. The process involves testing the material’s thermal resistance, which is the fabric’s ability to maintain body heat, and stems from the blanket and duvet industry.
 
TOG ratings explained

TOG Measurement Process:

  1. Thermal Mannequin or Testing Device: The fabric or garment (like a sleep sack) is placed over a heated plate or a thermal mannequin that mimics body heat.
  2. Room Temperature Conditions: The testing is done in a controlled environment where the surrounding temperature is stable.
  3. Heat Loss Measurement: The amount of heat lost through the fabric is measured. If the fabric lets a lot of heat escape, it gets a lower TOG rating. If it traps heat effectively, it receives a higher rating.
  4. Calculation of TOG: TOG is calculated based on how much heat is retained by the fabric. The higher the thermal resistance, the higher the TOG number.

1 TOG is equal to a material's ability to resist the passage of heat for 1 hour at a temperature difference of 1°C between the skin and the surrounding environment.
 

Sticking With A 0.5 TOG Rating Sleep Sack Is The Most Economical

All the science aside, it really is the safest and most economical to stick to a 0.5 TOG rating and then layer up or down under that baby sleep sack or newborn swaddle. Babies don't need multiple sleep sacks in various TOG ratings. This is a truth we're bringing to you because we're parents, and value honesty.

At Sleep of Mind, our mission is to lower parental anxiety so everyone can get more sleep. Part of decreasing anxiety is by helping parents feel less stressed about their budget. That’s why we’re going against the grain and bringing to light why we’re taking a stand and not creating more things for people to buy that they don’t need. We are always very intentional about every decision that we make, and put families first. Because if we support families, we believe they will support us.

Sleep of Mind cares about affordability


Another way we decrease anxiety is by making it easier for you to see your baby breathing while asleep. Just take a look at how awesome it is to be able to see your baby’s chest rising and falling with each breath, using nothing but a sleep sack and your own baby monitor. No wires, batteries or Bluetooth. Just simple reflection, so you can easily see that breathing motion and then go right back to sleep.

Get more details on our Newborn Swaddle and Baby Sleep Sack. Parents tell us their anxiety decreases dramatically once they start using our sleepwear. And what happens when your anxiety is gone? You get a solid night of rest. Sweet dreams!

 

Baby breathing on video monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sleep of Mind sleep sack’s TOG rating?

Our sleep sack is rated at a 0.5 TOG value. A TOG is a unit of measurement for the warmth of a textile. The higher the TOG value, the warmer the fabric will keep your child. Click here for our suggested undergarments.

How do I choose the right sleep sack for my baby?

Consult our size chart to make sure your baby will fit within the proper garment specifications. When choosing a sleep sack, consider factors such as your child’s age, the room temperature, your fabric preferences, and safety features, like zipper covers and certifications. Take a look at how we go above and beyond with our thoughtful safety specifications.

How can I tell if the sleep sack fits properly?

Make sure your baby's head can't pass through the neck hole, and be covered by the garment. Also make sure the neck hole is not too small and fits well around the neck allowing freedom of movement. Currently, we offer one size (small). Consult our size chart to make sure your baby will fit within the proper garment specifications. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to be the first to hear when we launch more sizes.

Are there any safety guidelines to follow when using a sleep sack?

Yes. You need to ensure a proper fit using the size guide, avoid overheating by using the undergarment guide, refrain from using if the sleep sack is damaged in any way, and follow the safe sleep guidelines in our article here.

Do sleep sacks help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?

While sleep sacks alone cannot prevent SIDS, they are part of a safe sleep environment recommended by pediatricians and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please visit their site to read more about how to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Are there any tips for helping a baby adjust to using a sleep sack?

Introduce the sleep sack for the first time at bedtime when a child is the most drowsy, when melatonin secretion is most prominent. After one night, your child should be well adjusted to keep sleeping in the sleep sack for daytime sleep too.