A sleep sack is essentially a sleeping bag for an infant or toddler. They have been found to be a better and safer alternative to layers of baby blankets in the crib, which can cause suffocation. Since babies move around a lot in their beds, sometimes even while asleep, they can become tangled in their blankets, and the blankets can also be accidentally pulled over their faces. Since the tiny infant does not know how to remove the blanket from their faces, they can suffocate in their beds. Many people believe that SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) may be, in part, caused by a baby suffocating on their bedding.
A sleep sack can also be more comfortable for the baby to sleep in because they stay put. No more kicking out of the covers, which can also cause the baby to become cold in the night. Since the sleep sack is a one-piece article of clothing, the baby can stay warm and snug in the night, as they will be unable to kick it off. Also, according to the temperature of the baby’s room, as well as the time of the year, sleep sacks come in different thicknesses. During the summer months, or in warmer climates, the house may be cooler due to the air conditioner being turned on, so the baby may need to wear a heavier, blanket weight sleep sack. Additionally, if it is winter in a colder climate, the baby may be more comfortable with a mid-weight sleep sack because of the heat being on in the house. If your baby’s room is cooler, however, whatever time of year it is, the baby may benefit from a heavier sleep sack. Just use common sense.
Another benefit of a sleep sack is the fact that it can help to keep your baby sleeping in the same position throughout the night. Doctors now agree that the safest way for baby to sleep is lying on its back. Keeping your baby lying on its back is much easier with a sleep sack, because unlike blankets, the baby will not be as mobile. The baby will not feel completely tied-down, however, because the sleep sack still allows for enough movement for the baby to feel comfortable. Just be sure to get the proper size for your baby. If the sleep sack is too small, the baby will not be comfortable because he or she will not be able to move and wiggle his or her arms and legs enough. Additionally, if the sleep sack is too large the baby may be able to wriggle its way down inside the sack. This could be dangerous, because with the face covered, the baby would still be able to suffocate.
Some sleep sacks can also be worn as articles of clothing. These are usually lightweight, no heavier than baby’s regular clothing or nightgowns. The main benefit of these types of sleep sacks is to keep baby’s feet covered. Everyone who has had a baby knows how hard it is to keep booties or socks on its feet. Since babies constantly wiggle their feet, they often lose socks and booties. With the lighter weight sleep sack, even if you put socks on the babies feet with it, the socks will not get lost. Even if the baby somehow works the one of the sock off its feet, the sock will still be inside the sack when you remove it.
Sleep sacks can also be worn over regular clothing. Sleeveless styles can be worn over a long or short sleeve t-shirt and pants. A blanket-weight sleep sack can be worn over pajamas, or, if the house is warmer at night, over a t-shirt or onesie. Try not to let your baby become overheated, pay attention to the temperature in the baby’s room. If its comfortable for you, it is likely to be comfortable for the baby in the same weight of clothing. If it is chilly to you, then it will also be chilly for your baby. Be sure to adjust your baby’s clothing, including the sleep sack, accordingly. Try to keep your baby as comfortable as possible.
Of course, as a parent, you will want to keep your baby as safe and as comfortable as possible. Sleep sacks can provide both for your baby. For maximum safety at bedtime, make sure that your baby’s well-fitting sleep sack and a fitted sheet to cover the mattress are the only items in your baby’s crib. Bumper pads, blankets, stuffed toys and pillows can all lead to SIDS due to suffocation (Sids.org has a great SIDS prevention resource). Your sleeping infant could accidentally press his/her face into any of these items while sleeping, which could cut off their breathing supply or lead to rebreathing. Make sure that the sleep sack is the proper weight for the temperature in the room. It is also a good idea to get a sleep sack that is easy to open for diaper changing throughout the night without waking the baby, if possible. Some styles have front zippers and some come with snaps at the bottom for easy removal. Some babies will awaken at the slightest bit of movement, however, so if that is the case, no matter which style you choose you may wake the baby. However, the same would apply to anything this baby would be wearing, so that should not pose a unique problem.
Be sure to get several styles which include different weights for seasonal changes. Sleep sacks can provide safe and comfortable sleep for your baby until the time he or she starts walking, and for a short time afterward. When your baby is still at the stage where walking is still awkward and unsteady, a sleep sack can still be used at bedtime, but not for daytime wear. This is because your baby will need to get used to using his or her legs to help them to become stronger for walking. Until those precious days when baby takes his or her first steps, however, a sleep sack is a great choice for both daytime and night time wear.