Updated at: 20-07-2022 - By: Jane

Is there a point at which your child should no longer use a sleeping bag? If they’re having a good time, you can keep going until they’re too big.

When to Stop Using a Sleep Sack for Your Baby

It is possible that you had never heard of the term “sleep sack” before your kid was born.

It’s possible that you were jealous of your baby’s warm feet once you found out about them, though.

Your infant will be kept warm and comfortable in a sleep sack.

In addition, there are no hard and fast guidelines about when to cease using a sleep sack.

What is a sleep sack?

If you hear the term “sleep sack,” you know what we’re referring to: a wearable blanket for your baby to cuddle up in while they sleep.

It closes with a zipper and offers openings for the arms and head of your child.

Your kid can move about inside the bag as much as they like while wearing it, but they cannot remove it.

When it comes to baby sleeping bags, there are many different options, from quilted ones with sleeves to muslin ones.

Is it safe to sleep in a sleep sack? Yes, as long as they’re comfortable and don’t add excessive heat to the space.

Sleeping bags, on the other hand, are designed to keep newborns from moving their arms around in an effort to wake them up in the middle of the night.

Doctors recommend that you cease swaddling your baby as soon as he or she begins to roll over, which can happen anywhere between 2 and 3 months.

When Should You Start Using Sleep Sacks for a Baby?

New parents quickly learn that newborns spend most of their waking hours sleeping (oh how we wish this were the case at night too). Keeping their little bodies warm is essential, but loose blankets raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The startle response can quickly rouse a sleeping baby in the early newborn phase, which is why many parents choose to wrap them. When babies are able to roll over on their own, it’s time to move on to a blanket they can wear without having to use their hands. Infants who are unable to roll over benefit most from swaddling, while children from infancy through toddlerhood can benefit most from using a sleep sack.

Tips for Proper Use

If watching a YouTube instruction and having a lot of patience are required to properly swaddle your tiny Houdini, do not despair! You can navigate a sleep sack while you’re asleep, thanks to its user-friendly design (I speak from personal experience here). They resemble little sleeping bags with armholes and available in a wide range of fabrics and sizes. Diaper changes in the middle of the night are a snap because to the zippers on the majority of them. A onesie or pajamas should be worn under your baby’s swaddle, but be careful not to pile on too many layers. Babies need to be kept warm, but they can sometimes get too hot.

Changing Diapers to Baby that is Wearing Double Side Zipper Sack

Are Sleep Sacks Safe for Babies?

While they are safe for babies, sleep sacks can also make it easier for parents to fall asleep. The goal of these blankets is to keep babies warm while also reducing their chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). There is a higher risk of this during the first year of life, but notably in the first few months before the baby can turn over. It’s also a good idea to use a wearable blanket to keep those little legs from getting tangled in the crib rails. Thousands of emergency department visits each year are caused by accidents sustained while using a crib, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Sizing (Fit) Recommendations by Months of Age

Choosing the proper size is just as important as choosing the right material for the room’s temperature. Small or large objects could pose a danger to your baby, increasing the risk of SIDS or harm. Fortunately, manufacturers include sizing based on age, height, and weight to make it easier to choose the proper fit. Height and weight are the most essential of the three. There is no such thing as a “typical” newborn, and some newborns can weigh as much as a toddler. When it comes to determining a baby’s size, height and weight are more accurate (and so is your baby’s outfit). They were first sold by Halo, one of the first companies to do so. This sizing guide is based on the items sold by the company.

SizeAverageWeightHeight
PreemiePremature infantsUp to 5 lbs
(2 kgs)
14-19 inches (36-48 cm)
Newborn0-3 months5-10 lbs
(2-4.5 kgs)
19-23 inches (48-58 cm)
Small0-6 months10-18 lbs
(4.5-8 kgs)
23-26 inches (58-66 cm)
Medium6-12 months16-24 lbs
(7-11 kgs)
26-30 inches (66-76 cm)
Large12-18 months22-28 lbs
(10-13 kgs)
30-35 inches (76-89 cm)
Extra Large18-24 months26-36 lbs
(12-16 kgs)
35-40 inches (89-101 cm)

illustration of a baby in a sack with arms and legs up

How Long Do Infants Use Sleep Sacks?

There will come a time when your child outgrows even the sturdiest of baby clothes. Some babies like to be snug and safe, while others will do anything to be liberated from their captivity. It’s common for babies to practice their newfound talents in their cribs after they begin rolling and crawling. The arm openings make rolling a breeze, but crawling can be a problem because it’s so tight. If your child is annoyed by their inability to move freely, you should expect them to be quite resistant to being put in their sling or carrier. Most parents discover that their child outgrows things by the time they turn one, but some will continue to use them until their early twenties. This is fine as long as you keep an eye on sizing and replace as your child grows.

When Should Babies Transition to a Blanket?

AAP guidelines say that for the first year of your child’s life, no blankets should be placed in the crib. After that time, you can try introducing a small, lightweight blanket. Remember that until your child is about three or four years old, he or she is unlikely to keep his or her covers on.

Illustration of Bared Crib vs Crib Full of Everything

Here’s Why You Should Use A Sleep Sack In The First Place?

For various reasons, parents put their children in sleep sacks. The Moro reflex, which enables babies to be easily startled, causes them to raise their arms in the air while they sleep.

A sleep sack keeps your baby from waking up in the middle of the night because it prevents them from being startled awake. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents avoid using blankets or covers on their infants for the first year of their life, which is another reason why sleep sacks are popular among parents. In addition, sleep sacks provide a more secure method of slumbering for your youngster as they get older. Toddlers can learn to climb out of their crib before they’re ready for the freedom and responsibility of a big kid bed by dangling their legs over the top rail of their crib while wearing a sleep sack.

When it comes to ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep, nothing beats a sleep sack. Researchers found that sleep sacks help newborns sleep better and for longer periods of time in a study titled “Safe sleep for pediatric inpatients.” According to the website Healthy Children, sleep sacks have also been shown to lessen the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). You won’t need a baby blanket, which can cause unintentional asphyxia, if you use a sleep sack, according to a research in Pediatrics.

In addition to keeping your baby’s legs out of the crib bars, where they could get stuck, sleep sacks replace blankets and adhere to the ideal sleeping environment for your baby. About 10,000 children per year are sent to the ER because of crib-related injuries, according to a research in Pediatrics.

How Many Sleep Sacks You’ll Need & How To Use Them Properly

Your youngster may get obsessed with wearing a sleep bag if they get used to it. In the same way that swaddling your baby offers the same sense of security as when he or she was still in the mother’s arms, swaddling your child provides the same sense of security as when he or she was still in the mother’s arms. To calm children to sleep, “it could also seem like a soothing cuddle.” You should only allow your child to wear one when it’s time to go to sleep, even if it makes them feel more secure. Your infant may grow hot if the sleep sack is still on him or her while he or she is engaged in vigorous activity, says Johnston. All of this is in the interest of helping your youngster learn about the difference between night and day. You’ll need at least two sleep sacks if your infant wears one every night; if your baby is younger and more prone to nighttime diaper leaks, three or four sleep sacks might be more practical.

FAQs

What are signs that your baby should stop using a sleep sack?

When your infant begins to exhibit signs of wanting to no longer wear a sleep sack, she will most likely be able to articulate this desire verbally. The reason for this is that some babies continue to sleep in their sleep sacks until their toddler years. Comfort object and part of their bedtime routine: They have become used to it. When she no longer needs a sleep sack and prefers to sleep with a blanket, it may just be a sign that she has progressed to the next stage in her development.

Can a 2 year-old sleep with blankets?

By the time your child turns a year old, the risk of SIDS has significantly decreased. A blanket can be used for sleep, but it’s normally preferable to hold off until your child is able to move on his or her own and has the coordination to push items off of their face.

Do toddlers use sleep sacks?

Several parents prefer to put their children in a sleep sack since they move about so much at night, disrupting their sleep and causing them to wake up cold. Using a sleep sack, you may rest easy knowing that your child will be comfortable and cozy all night long.

When do babies start using sleep sacks?

The swaddle is no longer the safest option for secure sleep after a baby shows symptoms of rolling over on their own — often between 2 and 6 months. A newborn who rolls onto their stomach and cannot or does not have the strength to roll back increases his or her danger of asphyxia. Most parents go from swaddling to a sleep sack at this point.

Why are sleep sacks important?

Using sleep sacks is essential because they assist control the temperature of a baby’s body, resulting in a peaceful night’s sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a baby’s sleep space be devoid of any loose blankets or bedding in order to provide the safest possible environment for a child to sleep in. The Dream Weighted sleep sack, like the Weighted Dream swaddle, provides an even distribution of weight from the shoulders to the toes to aid in calming the infant and hastening sleep.

What happens after you stop using a sleep sack?

When your infant or toddler outgrows his or her sleep sack, it’s time to celebrate with pajamas and a blanket! At least one year old, your kid may be ready for a new chapter in her sleep if she is able to roll over and push a blanket off her face on her own.

Conclusion

While your baby is still at risk for SIDS, sleep sacks are an excellent alternative to blankets. If your baby doesn’t like being wrapped in a swaddle, you can still use these blankets. Depending on the temperature of your home and the size of your child, you have a plethora of choices. Your child can continue to use an age-appropriate choice through their first birthday, but most will soon prefer to sleep without one. You can then introduce a blanket with confidence, but good luck with that!

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