Children’s sleepbags, how to choose – our guide

Whether you’re a first-time parent to a newborn or an experienced mum of two (or more!), sleep is a topic that’s universally discussed among parents. After all, getting a great night’s sleep can transform our mood and energy levels, and the same goes for our children. While advice for getting your little one to sleep has changed over the generations, baby sleep is not an exact science and will vary between children. Even siblings raised in the same household may have very different sleep routines. It may take some time to perfect your baby’s sleep routine, making small adjustments until you get it just right. This can include anything from adjusting meal times to trying out different noise and lighting levels. Beyond this, some parents try varying their bathtime routine, adding in a bedtime drink or snack or turning to a favourite bedtime story or cuddly toy to get their little one to sleep. Something that can have a significant impact on your child’s bedtime routine is choosing the right bedding. As you will know, there’s nothing worse than being too hot or cold when trying to sleep or being bothered by uncomfortable bedding. The same goes for your baby!

Discover our collection of sleepbags.

In recent years, many parents have opted for using a baby sleepbag for getting their little one to sleep. Sized to fit your baby and available in different togs, baby sleepbags have risen in popularity as a convenient alternative to swaddling or a traditional duvet. Sometimes known as a dreampod or sleepbag (new born sleepbag or baby sleepbag), these are now considered an essential for new babies alongside staples such as bottles, babygrows and nappies!

Choosing the perfect sleepbag for your baby/child

When it comes to choosing the perfect sleepbag for your baby/child you have several choices to make. From fabric and size to tog (weight or thickness) as well as picking out the perfect colour or motif for your little one’s room.

Baby sleepbags are often available either as one size fits all, or a specific newborn sleepbag. They are also often available in children’s clothing sizes, for instance, newborn sleepbags, 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, 9–12 months, 12–18 months, 18–24 months and 2–3 years. Occasionally, you can find sleepbags in sizes beyond 2–3 years, but generally, people tend to stop using them once their child moves to a cot bed, a toddler bed or single bed. Another element to take into consideration is that once your child is toilet trained, it can be easier to stop using a sleepbag. This is because a sleepbag can restrict their ability to get out of bed and make the trip to the toilet during the night. Using a sleepbag can also sometimes make it harder for a child to tell if they have had an accident during the night.

Discover our sleeveless sleepbags available in several colors.

At Petite Amélie, our premium quality baby sleepbags are made of muslin, the perfect breathable fabric for your little one. Soft to the touch, your little one will love settling down for the night with their favourite baby sleepbag. Choose between various formats including:

Do babies really need a sleepbag?

Does your baby really need a sleepbag? The answer is no. Perhaps your little one will be a naturally great sleeper, and happily drift off with just their blanket. In this case, they should either be swaddled for younger infants or placed flat on their backs with their feet touching the foot of their cot (feet-to-foot position) and their blanket tucked under their arms. For lightweight blankets or colder temperatures, this blanket can be folded in half but should still be tucked under their arms or armpits. If there’s a reason why you’d like to do things the traditional way, perhaps using a special blanket used for an older sibling or a tried-and-tested method you’ve used in the past, then there’s no reason why you would need to purchase a baby sleepbag. Many parents are simply opting for baby sleepbags in recent years as a convenient, all-in-one solution.

Dressing your baby for bed

Beyond baby sleepbags, you’ll need to consider what else your little one will be wearing to bed. While tiny pyjama sets are undeniably adorable, a majority of parents do opt for one-piece suits such as babygrows or onesies for younger babies for supreme comfort. Their delicate skin is still adjusting to being out in the world and sometimes things like waistbands, collars and labels are just too uncomfortable to get a good night’s sleep. On the other hand, the added benefit of a two-piece outfit like pyjamas is that nappy changes can be a little easier. Choose breathable materials such as cotton rather than synthetic materials like fleece unless you live in a particularly cold climate. What babies should be wearing to bed will vary hugely depending on where you are in the world, the time of year and the temperature of your home. Over time, you will also find that your child has an individual preference, for instance, always kicking their blankets away and taking their socks off, or snuggling down into their favourite cuddly toy with an extra blanket. Many adults report being ‘hot’ or ‘cool’ sleepers, it won’t be long before your little one is making their preferences known and telling you how to make their bed just right!

Discover our sleepbags with detachable sleeves.

Safety

Safety is our primary concern regarding children’s furnishings, above all when it comes to bedtime. We want you to have the utmost peace of mind when choosing your child’s bedroom furniture and bedding. So many areas of parenting are subjective, with many contradictory opinions being shared on topics ranging from weaning to learning to read. Fortunately, when it comes to sleep, clear guidance is available with research-backed figures to support the recommended advice. Consult the diagrams below to understand exactly what your baby needs to get a comfortable night's sleep.