Why Use + How To Choose a Sleep Sack

Author Name: Heidi Holvoet, PhD

Why is it that so many babies suddenly start sleeping through the night when they first wear a baby sleeping bag / sleep sack or a wearable blanket?

Simple: a well-fitting baby sleep sack ensures the right temperature, a snug cosy feeling and safety all night long, from newborn onwards.

Let's have a look at why and how to choose below.Do you also love the look of a classically made up bed with a crisp sheet and a cute baby blanket? But does your baby kick it loose as soon as she can and then wake up, being cold? Or slide right down, leaving you terrified she might not be able to breathe?

Or maybe you are cosleeping, but do not want baby under your own blanket or duvet as that might get too hot for her, or for fear her head might get covered.

A baby sleeping bag is SO convenient, and although I always say there is no magic, so many moms report improved sleep once they started using it.

"I couldn't imagine NOT using a sleeping bag with my babies !"

My top reasons for using a sleeping bag:

• Your little one fits in comfortably, giving her that snug feeling they all love, perfect to help her doze off and sleep well.
• She is always comfortable, not bothered by undone sheets and blankets.
• It keeps the temperature just right, through the night. Being too hot or too cold is a top reason for young babies to wake in the night, or early in the morning. The right temperature is also crucial in the battle in preventing SIDS .
• When taking her out of the crib for night feedings or soothing, no need to undo the sleeping bag. She stays right in, keeping her warm which avoids her waking up completely.
• While teaching your baby how to self soothe , put her in the wearable blanket when helping her doze off. You can then put her right down in the crib (half) asleep, no fuss tucking her in (which is bound to startle her and wake her up completely).

How to choose?

As always, it is safety first . So your baby sleeping bag should be:

• The right size (baby would get covered when in in an oversized sleep sack!). See the toddler sleeping bag page if your child is reaching toddler age.
• The right temperature (don't use a warm winter sleeping bag in summer: overheating is very dangerous!).

And once you've got the safety part right, why not choose a beautiful cute sleep sack: you'll definitely be using it a lot, so why not go for that cute little pink one, or the Winnie The Pooh one that matches the nursery? It will make bedtime all the more fun for your baby too.

My Top 2 recommendations

1. For a top quality and safety-guaranteed sleeping bag, check out the ones from Halo Innovations on Amazon (good prices by the way).
   
   Their Halo Sleepsack Swaddle (picture to the right) gives a great and flexible combination of sleeping bag and swaddle.
   
   Great quality vs price balance!
2. The Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Baby Sleeping Bag (picture + 10% discount info below) is very cozy and a bit heavier which can be a great help if you need to keep your baby, when small, from rolling onto her tummy while asleep.
   
   Pay special attention to select the right size (0-6, 6-12 or 6-18 months).
   
   NEW! Baby DeeDee is currently offering Baby Sleep Advice visitors a sweet 10% off any order from their website ... Simple click through to their site and use discount code SLEEPADVICE10 to get 10% off any Baby DeeDee Sleep Sack like the Sleep Nest, Sleep Kicker or the gorgeously light Sleep Nest Lite for summer.



Article Author: Heidi Holvoet, PhD - Founder, senior sleep consultant



Heidi Holvoet, PhD, is the founder of the Baby Sleep Advice website and movement, an award-winning author, baby & toddler sleep consultant with 15+ years experience as well as a certified lactation counselor.

Over the years, Heidi has received several awards inluding a Mom's Choice Award (MCA) and National Parenting Awards (NAPPA) for her Baby Sleep Advice website, programs and books. Also, Baby Sleep Advice was awarded "Most Trusted Infant's Sleep Solutions Company 2023" in the Benelux Enterprise Awards 2023.

Heidi continually conducts personal research and participates in continued education and in that way stays up to date with current scientific and pyschosocial infant care.



She is also a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants of which she was one of the earliest contributors. She obtained her PhD degree in physics at the University of Ghent in Belgium.

Heidi is passionate about helping babies and their parents sleep more and better, with her trademark approach that has been proven and praised time and again by parents worldwide to be effective and truly no-tears. Respect for you as a parent and your baby, is at the heart of Heidi's warm and kind support. Her approach always keeps in mind a baby's needs and abilities at any given age, is based on pediatric science and the most up to date knowledge in infant care and sleep science.

As well as the award-winning baby sleep programs, Heidi offers popular 1:1 consults and easy-access 30-minute SOS Sleep sessions.

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