What Is TOG? And What Thickness Sleeping Bag Do I Need For My Baby?

Confused about what TOG is and what TOG measure you need for your sleeping baby? Here's a quick guide for you to figure out how to dress your baby properly for sleeping.

WHAT IS TOG?

TOG is a unit of measure of thermal insulation used in the textile trade. The British "TOG" value is the international standard measurement of a blanket's thermal effectiveness (how well it keeps you warm). In US, clothing insulation is often measured in 'clo' and you often see this value in adult sleeping bags.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

To figure out which TOG rating sleeping bag would be appropriate for your baby, simply figure out the temperature of your baby’s bedroom.

Many experts recommend that the temperature in the room where a baby sleeps be kept between 68-72° F (20-22C).

Once you know the room temperature, match this measurement to the sleeping bag that’s best for your baby based on its TOG rating. There are few things to keep in mind:

• A baby sleeping bag surrounds the baby, providing insulation from both below and above, and also a warm pocket of air around the baby. This is the reason why the TOG rating for a baby sleeping bag is much lower than adult duvets. While adult duvets may seem more thick and warm, it is recommended that baby’s sleeping bag to be kept 'light weight' and be no more than 3.5 TOG rating.

• Keep in mind that layering allows great flexibility in keeping babies warm and cozy without overheating, and each additional layer of clothing adds to overall TOG rating. Overheating may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies 1 month to 1 year of age.

• Thick Fabric does not equal more warmth - TOG measures how well a garment retains heat. So just because two fabrics feel the same, it doesn't mean both fabrics would retain heat the same way. It all depends on the composition of the fabric as well as the layers and the fillings that would make up the garment. That's why TOG rating is tested in a lab to show how well a fabric can retain heat. 

Below is a chart to help you determine how to dress your baby when wearing a sleeping bag and an explanation on popular baby sleeping bag TOG rating.

Relevant Read: 

• 5 Things You Must Know To Help Your Baby To Sleep
• Put Your Baby To Sleep In Three Steps

All Tealbee sleeping bags are tested for accurate TOG rating by a third party lab -  a reason why our TOG ratings don't fall exactly as 0.5/1.0/2.5. We ensure our products stay true to TOG rating to help avoid confusion on what products are needed, based on the nursery temperature. 

• 0.5 TOG - This is the smallest TOG rating. It’s a very light and breathable material that is best suited for warmer nurseries and homes where there may not be air conditioning or cool air. If you have short sleeve and shorts kind of weather where your baby might only need thin one layer muslin blanket, then this is the right TOG rating. See baby and toddler sleepsacks with TOG of 0.8 here.

• 1 TOG - If your home tends to stay moderate and comfortable, a 1.0 TOG rating may be the best choice. This is best suited for nurseries and homes where the room is already conditioned by a heater or fan. This is a middle of the road number that holds in some body heat but also breathes. If your baby needs to wear a long sleeve or jammies with footies in your house, then this is the right TOG rating for you. (Tealbee Baby Sleepsacks have a TOG rating of between 0.6 -1.5 TOG due to the breathability and thermal regulating nature of the bamboo fabric they are made from. We found this to be ideal for babies in most climates, most of the year around, especially since baby nurseries are recommended to be kept between 68-72 °F.) See our all seasons baby and toddler sleepsacks with TOG of 1.2 here.

• 2.5 TOG - This TOG rating is suited for cold homes that doesn't have much heating in the room, suitable for chilly weather, or kids who have a hard time getting warm enough. A 2.5 rated sleeping bag will retain a high amount of body heat and lock it in to keep baby warm. Tealbee 1.5 TOG rating sleepsacks are comparable to other brands 2.5 TOG sleeping bags, with double layered, and thicker filling to keep your little one warm for the colder season.

Learn more about Tealbee's sleepingbag TOG rating here

See Tealbee's baby and toddler sleeping bags here - it provides great versatility throughout the year, simply by adjusting the level of your baby’s nightwear. When the weather is very cold, simply add more clothing (this could include a sleepsuit with footsie, socks and even an extra layer of clothing). When the weather is warmer, or perhaps if your child is unwell, you can remove layers of clothing while still keeping your baby at the right temperature.

HOW CAN YOU TRUST THE TOG RATING?

TOG rating is not a mandatory testing requirement by US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and as a result there is varying information by the manufacturer in US. Not only does Tealbee rigorously test products for safety requirements by CPSC, Tealbee tests all products for appropriate TOG rating by accredited testing labs. We want to help customers get accurate information on TOG rating per BS 8510:2009, which states that 'Baby sleep bags must have accurate TOG rating together with relevant temperature information to avoid overheating.'

We follow British requirement for testing, since TOG is widely understood by our customers as indicator of warm, rather than US standard of clo.

We believe we build trust with our customers by doing things right. We are committed to providing safe and warm sleepwear for our little ones that's comfortable for all night's sleep with a splash of style.

How To Dress Your Baby Based On the TOG Rating

One thing to keep in mind is that TOG Rating and suggested clothing is a general guideline. 

Just like how adults feel the temperature differently, your baby will too. As an example, you may be okay with a sweater in 60 degrees weather whereas your friend might be bundled up in a jacket and a sweater. 

So watch how your baby reacts to different TOG rating to ensure your baby is warm and cozy for sleeping. The great thing about Tealbee sleeping bags is that they are made of breathable and moisture wicking bamboo cotton fabric to help regulate temperature better than other (ie. fleece). Few things to watch out for when you are dressing your baby for sleep are: 

•  Watch for signs of overheating: If your baby has damp hair, sweaty backs and chest, red ears, fevers, your baby may be too hot and needs to be dressed down. Take off a layer or use a sleepingbag with a lower TOG rating.

•  Frequent wake-ups: If your baby is waking up crying or fussing, it may be a sign that your baby may be too hot or cold, unless the baby may have other developmental reasons (ie. teething, nap transitions etc). If the baby feels cold to the touch (back of the neck or chest/back) then add a layer or put on a higher TOG rating sleeping bag.