When your baby goes to sleep at night, you want him to be warm and snuggly. But, piling on blankets as you would for yourself is a big no-no for babies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping loose bedding out of the baby’s sleeping area for at least the baby’s first year.
Even as your baby gets older, blankets can still pose a strangulation hazard. This is why parents often look for a blanket alternative. Sleep sacks can be that alternative.
If you’ve never used one, we’re going to take a look at what a sleep sack does as well as how to keep your baby safely sleeping. Having this information as well as knowing what to look for can help you find the best toddler sleep sack.
In this article
- What Is A Sleep Sack?
- Short On Time? Here Are Our Top 3 Choices
- What to Look for in a Baby Toddler Sleep Sack
- Baby Sleeping Safety
- 8 Best Sleep Sacks for Toddlers
- 1. molis & co Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack
- 2. HALO Big Kids Sleepsack Lightweight Knit Wearable Blanket
- 3. Burt’s Bees Baby – Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
- 4. TILLYOU Large L Breathable Cotton Baby Wearable Blanket with 2-Way Zipper
- 5. HALO Sleepsack Early Walker
- 6. Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson Baby Boys’ and Girls’ Cotton Blend Sleep Sack/Wearable Blanket
- 7. Hudson Baby Unisex Cotton Sleeveless Wearable Sleeping Bag
- 8. Ecolino Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Bag or Sack
- Bottom Line
What Is A Sleep Sack?
A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that keeps your baby safe and warm. It replaces any loose bedding that could pose a danger to your baby.
Sleep sacks come in different designs so you should be able to find one that your baby likes. Designs include zippers or secure wraps, sleeveless, and sleeved.
Many parents like sleep sacks because they can help babies maintain safe body temperature while sleeping. You need to be mindful of what clothes you’re putting on under the sleep sack so your baby doesn’t overheat.
While babies are used to being swaddled for comfort, they soon grow out of it. A sleep sack still gives toddlers that secure feeling that many need to fall and stay asleep.
Short On Time? Here Are Our Top 3 Choices
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | molis & co Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | HALO Big Kids Sleepsack Lightweight Knit Wearable Blanket, Pink, 2-3T | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket, 100% Organic Cotton, A Bee C Cloud (Large) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
What to Look for in a Baby Toddler Sleep Sack
There are certain things to keep an eye out for when looking for the best toddler sleep sack. Keep this checklist in mind:
Mobility Factor
If your toddler is mobile, you’ll want to look for toddler sleep sacks with foot holes. These are the safest because if your child tries to stand in the crib, they could fall and get hurt if their feet are bundled up all the time.
TOG Rating
A TOG is a unit of measurement used to determine the warmth of a product. Knowing the room’s ambient temperature can help you find the right sleep sack.
You don’t want to choose one that’s going to keep your baby too warm and possibly overheat them. But, you also want to find one that’s warm enough so they’re not cold.
When you know the room’s temperature, you can match it to the product with the appropriate TOG rating.
Sleeveless vs. Sleeved
If you think your baby is going to get hot, a sleeveless sleep sack is probably the better option.
Material
The best toddler sleep sacks will be made of a material that’s approved for sleep. This is any flame-retardant material.
Time of Year
You’ll likely want to buy different sleep sacks for different seasons. Obviously a heavier sleep sack for the winter and a lighter one for the warmer months.
But, there are many that can be used year-round. You would just adjust what pajamas they’re wearing underneath.
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Baby Sleeping Safety
Using a toddler sleep sack can help with safety. Extra blankets in the crib, especially at night, can pose a safety hazard. Little ones can also get tangled up in them.
The fabric of a blanket can also make it difficult for them to breathe. Quilted blankets can be thicker than those made from muslin or other materials.
Even as children get older, don’t be just mind of the blanket material, but also whether there are long ribbons or strings on the blanket for decoration. These can get wrapped around their neck or legs.
Using a sleep sack can also lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 3,500 die every year in the U.S. due to unsafe sleep environments.
Putting your baby on his back to sleep is the most recommended way to help prevent SIDS. Avoiding the use of blankets and loose bedding can also help to give babies and toddlers a safe sleeping environment.
8 Best Sleep Sacks for Toddlers
Now that we know what to look for in sleep sacks as well as ways to keep babies and toddlers safe while sleeping, let’s check out some of the best toddler sleep sacks on the market.
- molis & co Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack
- HALO Big Kids Sleepsack Lightweight Knit Wearable Blanket
- Burt’s Bees Baby – Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
- TILLYOU Large L Breathable Cotton Baby Wearable Blanket with 2-Way Zipper
- HALO Sleepsack Early Walker
- Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson Baby Boys’ and Girls’ Cotton Blend Sleep Sack/Wearable Blanket
- Hudson Baby Unisex Cotton Sleeveless Wearable Sleeping Bag
- Ecolino Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Bag or Sack
1. molis & co Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack
When it comes to finding the best toddler sleep sack, this one checks all of the boxes. It’s made from a super soft muslin fabric that is not only easy for babies and toddlers to breathe in, but also soft to the touch. Your child can get super snuggly in this sleep sack.
These sleep sacks are also bigger than most of the competitors’ selection. There’s plenty of room for a baby to kick and move their legs around.
This sack has zip protectors to prevent chafing. There is also a two-way zipper to make diaper changing easier.
It has a TOG rating of .5 which makes it ideal for all seasons. It’s also made with a thermoregulating fabric that doesn’t overheat babies in the summer but also keeps them warm in the winter.
The sleep sack is machine-washable and comes in four different size ranges, so you can use it with your baby as he grows.
Pros
- Made from breathable material
- Bigger than competitors’ products
- Machine-washable
- Comes in different size ranges
Cons
- No real ones we could find unless you wanted one that had sleeves
2. HALO Big Kids Sleepsack Lightweight Knit Wearable Blanket
The HALO brand is a well-known brand when it comes to sleep sacks and baby products. This toddler sleep sack is one of the best because it’s made from 100% polyester knit fabric with a TOG rating of 0.5. This makes good for all seasons.
HALO also makes a roomy sleep sack that is also recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as being “hip-healthy” because it allows enough room for kids to move their legs and feet.
There are foot openings for mobility when kids are awake. You can then choose to zip them up at night for added warmth.
The inverted zipper opens from the bottom making for easy diaper changes. It’s also sleeveless to reduce the risk of overheating. These are also offered in larger sizes for children weighing up to 40 pounds and measuring up to 46 inches.
Pros
- Good for kids up to 50 pounds and 46 inches
- Recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
- Foot openings for mobility during the day
Cons
- Not any unless you wanted sleeves!
3. Burt’s Bees Baby – Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
Burt’s Bees also has a winner with its beekeeper wearable blanket. It’s made from 100% organic, GOTS certified breathable cotton. It zippers from the bottom for easy diaper changes and has an interior zipper guard and cover for added safety.
It has a TOG rating of 0.5, so you don’t have to worry about your baby getting overheated. It’s also big enough for your baby to move around safely and freely inside the sack.
This is another sleep sack that does not come with sleeves, but you could always dress your baby in pajamas with sleeves if you wanted his arms to be covered while he was sleeping.
Pros
- Made from breathable material
- 100% GOTS-certified breathable cotton
- TOG rating of 0.5
Cons
- No sleeves
4. TILLYOU Large L Breathable Cotton Baby Wearable Blanket with 2-Way Zipper
Here’s another great choice when you’re looking for a sleep sack or blanket alternative for your little one. It’s made from 100% premium cotton. This one is ultra-soft with a cozy feeling. It’s perfect for all seasons with its TOG rating of 0.5.
The smooth 2-way zipper makes it easy to move the baby in and out of the sack. There are zipper protectors on the back and the end so that the baby’s jaw and belly don’t get scratched.
There’s also enough room for the baby to move his feet during the night while staying safe without added blankets. This one is also machine-washable and dryer compatible.
Pros
- TOG rating of 0.5
- Smooth 2-way zipper
- Machine-washable and dryable
Cons
- No sleeves
5. HALO Sleepsack Early Walker
Here’s another winner from HALO. This sleep sack is specially made for toddlers who are walking or almost there. Their legs are free to move so if they were to try to climb up in their crib they wouldn’t get their legs stuck and fall.
As with the other HALO sleepsack, this one is recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as “Hip Healthy.” It’s sleeveless to help reduce the risk of overheating.
Arm and neck openings are sized for a safer fit. The inverted zipper is a plus for easy diaper changes and the neck and arm openings are large enough for a safer fit.
Pros
- Recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as being “hip healthy”
- Arm and neck openings sized for safer fit
Cons
- Does not zip on the bottom for added warmth
6. Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson Baby Boys’ and Girls’ Cotton Blend Sleep Sack/Wearable Blanket
If you looking for a toddler sleep sack that can provide more warmth, this could be on your list. The manufacturer notes that while they don’t officially test for TOG, the rating is estimated to be at 2.5.
This sleep sack is made from 65% organic cotton and 35% polyester. It’s also certified to be free from over 100 harmful chemicals.
This sleep sack is also machine-washable for your convenience. There is one zipper to use when getting your baby in and out of the sack and for diaper changes. Some other designs have two zippers, so keep this in mind when shopping.
Pros
- Estimated TOG rating of 2.5 if you wanted something warmer
- Certified-free of many harmful chemicals
- Comes in a variety of colors
Cons
- May be too warm for some kids
- Has only 1 zipper
7. Hudson Baby Unisex Cotton Sleeveless Wearable Sleeping Bag
Here’s another simple choice if you’re looking for the best toddler sleep sack. This one from Hudson is sleeveless and has a zipper closure.
It’s made from 100% cotton so it’s soft and gentle on your child’s skin. It has a 0.5 TOG rating, making it ideal for summer and winter.
If you want a sleep sack that allows for the child’s legs to be separate and not zipped in the sack, this may not be for you. If you want a sleep sack that will keep your baby warm without the dangers of loose blankets, this one is a solid choice.
It also has a cute design so it’s great for little boys or girls.
Some parents have commented that these sleep sacks run on the smaller side, so that’s something to consider if you’re thinking about getting this sleep sack.
Pros
- TOG rating of 0.5
- Simple design
- Made from 100% cotton
Cons
- Sizes may run small
8. Ecolino Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Bag or Sack
Rounding out our list of the top toddler sleep sacks is this one from Ecolino. This one is made from 100% organic cotton. If this is something that is important to you, you may want to consider this sleep sack.
The cotton is so soft and free of pesticides and other chemicals. The two-way zipper unzips from top and bottom to make getting dressed and diaper changes easier.
This sack is recommended for toddlers up to 36 pounds. There are other products that allow for a larger weight limit. That is something to also keep in mind as you’re shopping.
While many other sleep sacks are all within the same price range, this one is slightly higher. This may be due to the 100% organic factor.
Pros
- 100% organic cotton
- Two-way zipper
- Free from pesticides and other chemicals
Cons
- Slighting more expensive than other sleep sacks
- Only allows weight up to 36 pounds
Bottom Line
When it comes to finding the best toddler sleep sack, we chose the molis & co Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack because it’s made from soft fabric and is comfy for little ones.
The TOG rating of 0.5 makes this sack ideal for all seasons. We also liked the fact that it has zipper protectors that make diaper changes easier and help prevent chafing. Since it comes in four different size ranges, you can use it as your baby gets older.
One of the big takeaways, when you’re looking for the best toddler sleep sack, is that it helps to reduce added blankets that can pose dangers. Since there are TOG ratings, they’re helpful to determine just what type of sleep sack is best.
When you’re searching for the best toddler sleep sack, look for one that you think your child will find comfy and one that you feel confident using. That combination should give everyone a good night’s sleep!
