Grobag Buying Guide: What Should Your Baby Sleep In?
If you want your baby to sleep soundly, you've got to create the ideal sleeping environment. A baby grobag can really help with that! It takes away all the stress and helps the little one drift off to dreamland in no time.
A grog can help create the ideal sleeping environment for your baby. With so many options we've created this Grobag buyers guide to help you decide.
Check out our ultimate guide to buying one!
What Is A Grobag?
Basically, it's a cosy wearable blanket you can put on your baby to keep them nice and warm all night long. You don't need to worry about any extra blankets either!
Grobags are super popular, so you can find them in loads of shops on the high street or online. There are different kinds for newborns and older babies who are learning to sleep on their own.
Plus, they come in different weights for different seasons!
How does a Grobag work?
A grobag is a sleeping bag designed for use from birth (depending on weight) to 3 years. Instead of using blankets and sheets, your baby is zipped up inside their own snuggly bag.
Are they safe?
The Lullaby Trust are the national foundation that provides safe sleeping information for your baby. Research suggests that using sleeping bags may reduce the risk of sudden infant death (SIDs)because it stops blankets and sheets from being kicked up over their heads.
Plus, they keep babies from getting all tangled up in their blankets and keep their temperature steady all night. Your baby can also move around all they want without kicking off the covers like they would with loose blankets.
What is the difference between a grobag and a sleeping bag?
Grobag is a brand of baby sleeping bags that were originally launched by the Gro Company in the year 2000. It was designed by a mum and dad who were struggling to get their baby to sleep.
You may find the original grobags to be slightly more expensive than other brands of sleeping bags. Wherever you buy your sleeping bag, check with the Lullaby Trust website to make sure your baby is sleeping safely.
What age can babies sleep in a Grobag?
When your little one hits 8lbs 13oz (0-6 months size), it's time to get them sleeping in a grobag. Just make sure their head can't fit through the neck hole when it's all buttoned up, otherwise, that bag is too big!
Pros and Cons
What's so great about these baby sleeping bags?
- Well, for starters, they let your little one move around and kick their arms and legs all they want without feeling trapped!
- Plus, they keep your baby at the right temperature, so you don't have to worry about them overheating.
- No need for extra blankets either, which could be a hazard if they end up covering your baby's face or getting all tangled up.
What's not so great about them?
- Allows only limited movement for your baby as they sleep (which can also be a good thing).
- Older babies may find them too restrictive.
- It can get a little expensive having to buy sleeping bags for all the different seasons in varying tog ratings.
Choosing the right tog rating
Choosing the right grobag for your baby can be a bit daunting, I know. There are so many options out there!
You should try to ensure you get the right size based on their age and weight, and 'tog' rating. Tog rating is just a fancy way of saying how warm the bag will keep your little one.
So, 'Tog' is actually short for 'Thermal Overall Grade' and is a measure of how warm clothes or duvets are in the textile business. Baby grobags have different togs, usually from 0.5 to 3.5, but you can even find some with a lower tog of 0.2 for super hot days.
To keep your baby comfy all year long, it's best to have a few grobags with different tog ratings on hand.
Tog guidelines
Here are some rough guidelines for which tog you need depending on room temperature, but remember, these are just guidelines and you should always check your baby to make sure they're not overheating.
If their neck feels damp, they might be too hot.
- Under 14 degrees, use a 3.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit and sleepsuit. Honestly, you probably won't need this thick of a tog unless you're living in the Arctic or something.
- Under 16 degrees, use a 2.5 tog grobag with a cotton bodysuit and sleepsuit.
- 17-21 degrees, use a 2.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit.
- 22-25 degrees, use a lighter 1.5 tog with a cotton bodysuit.
- Over 25 degrees, use a 0.5 tog sheet or muslin bag with a short-sleeved bodysuit. These are great for hot weather and summer vacations overseas.
Sizes and styles
Baby grobags come in different sizes as well as togs, depending on your baby's weight.
It's a good idea to check how much your baby weighs to make sure you're getting the right size, rather than just going by the age range.
Here are the general sizes for baby sleeping bags:
- 1 - 6 months
- 6 - 18 months
- 18 - 36 months
There are different styles of baby grobags.
Swaddle bags: these are super popular for newborns. They're a safe way to let your baby sleep without any loose blankets, plus it helps them feel all snuggled up so they can sleep better.
Transition bags: when your little one starts to roll over, it's time to let them out of their swaddle and let their arms be free. The transition grobag helps make the switch from swaddlling to independent sleeping super smooth. These bags usually let you open up the arm holes so your baby can sleep with their arms out!
Ones with legs and arms: there are some grobags that have legs built-in! Your little one can move around and play while wearing them, even outside of their bed area. These bags are perfect for babies and toddlers who just can't sit still!
Plus, a lot of them are made to support hip health by giving your baby plenty of space to stay in that 'frog-legged' position while they snooze. They usually have a snugger fit up at the top and more room down by their feet in a 'balloon' shape.
How Should My Baby's Grobag Fit?
Make sure you choose a grobag that fits your baby's age and weight. Not all newborn sleeping bags work right from the get-go, so check your baby's weight first.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you're picking out a sleeping bag:
- Make sure it meets the new British standard for baby sleeping bags (BS 8510:2009).
- You can get ones with sleeves or hoods, but it's better not to use them because your baby might get too hot.
- The arm holes should be snug so your baby can't stick their hands out. Smaller sleeping bags might have extra poppers to help them fit.
- The neck holes shouldn't be too big, so your baby's head doesn't slip down inside, but it should be comfy.
- All the openings should have smooth seams without any sharp edges, zips, or other stuff that could be dangerous.
What To Look Out For When Choosing A Sleeping Bag
When you're picking out a baby grobag, there are some things you should keep in mind to make sure your little one sleeps safely and soundly.
- Stay away from grobags with sleeves or a hood, unless they are removable. They can make it hard to keep an eye on your baby's temperature, and they might get too hot, which can be dangerous and increase the risk of sudden infant death.
- Make sure the arm holes fit nice and snug, so your baby can't stick their hands or arms out. Some bags have extra poppers to help them fit snugly.
- Don't use a sleeping bag with extra blankets or duvets. This can make your baby overheat, which is dangerous.
- Look for bags that fit well across the chest but are roomy at the bottom, so your baby can sleep in a frog-leg position that helps their hips develop properly.
- Avoid sleeping bags with drawstrings or anything else that could be a choking hazard.
- Make sure there aren't any itchy tags or zips inside the bag that could bug your baby and keep them from getting some good zzz's.
Which Grobag Should I Buy?
When you've got a new little bundle of joy, there's a lot of stuff to worry about. One of the biggest worries is whether your baby is cosy, snug, and secure under their blankie.
Lucky for you, we've got the lowdown on the best baby sleeping bags you can buy in the UK today.
SnüzPouch
The SnüzPouch sleeping bag comes with a zip and cloud design that's perfect for your baby's needs! The best part is, it's made from super soft cotton that's free from harmful chemicals and has passed all safety tests.
It's perfect for warm summer nights and comes in a range of fun patterns!
Mamas and Papa's
This amazing Mamas and Papas Dreampod, has bright rainbow print and a handy zip for easy nappy changes! It's made from super soft cotton that's free from harsh chemicals and perfect for summer nights in nurseries with temperatures over 20 degrees.
Plus, it's Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified, so it's super gentle on your baby's delicate skin.
Tommee Tippee: The Original Grobag
Check out this awesome 0.2 tog sleep bag from Tommee Tippee! It'll keep your little one cosy and safe while they snooze, without any pesky blankets to kick off.
It's perfect for babies from birth to around 4 months old and has a swaddling effect that tucks their arms in for extra comfort. Plus, it's made from a super-soft cotton blend that's gentle on delicate skin.
The zip opening makes it super easy to change nappies during the night, and it unzips from the bottom so your baby stays snug and warm on top.
HALO Baby Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag by HALO is so cool! It's a 2 in 1, just like a baby sleeping bag, but it's also super cosy like a swaddle. The best part? No fuss!
Plus, it can be used in three different ways to make all babies happy and comfy.
MIKAFEN Baby Winter Sleeping Bag
The MIKAFEN sleeping bag has a zip at the bottom that makes it a breeze to change your baby's nappy without waking them up. Plus, it's lined with pure cotton to keep your little one cosy on chilly nights.
And wait, there's more! You can even remove the sleeves to adjust the temperature. Pretty nifty, huh?
Written By: Midwife Laura