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Best baby sleeping bags, according to real parents
Designed to keep even the wriggliest of babies comfortable all night long, baby sleeping bags are a must-have for newborns and toddlers alike. This is our guide to the 9 best baby sleeping bags, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Dec 20, 2023
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As a precaution against SIDS, experts recommend that you keep your crib free from blankets, pillows and toys until your child’s first birthday. As such, baby sleeping bags make an ingenious alternative to help keep your baby cosy and safe while they sleep. What’s more, the best baby sleeping bags have a zip or popper closing, so you don’t need to worry about your child wriggling out of their bedding and waking up chilly during the night - especially when many of us are watching the thermostat more carefully this winter.
At Mumsnet, we know how important it is that everyone gets a good night’s sleep. That’s why we spend hours researching and testing the products recommended by the millions of parents who visit our forums - from the best cot bed or mattress protector to the best swaddle blankets, we’ve got you covered for the essentials. We’ve scrutinised the forums for tried and tested recommendations from parents, before investigating wider consumer feedback and expert opinions to bring you the definitive list of the best baby sleeping bags you can buy today.
With a variety of styles, functions and price points now available, which sleeping bags fulfil their promise of a peaceful night's sleep?
Best baby sleeping bags - editor's pick
Tommee Tippee Baby The Original Grobag
Internal zip guards
Studs under the arms to make sure your baby doesn’t slip down into the sleeping bag
Great for night-time nappy changes
Washes well
Pricier than some
Price on writing: £23 | Fabric: Cotton and elastane | Sizes: 6-18 months, 18-36 months | Tog: 0.2, 1 & 2.5 available
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Original Grobag review
Grobags look undeniably cosy, but it’s their safety credentials that make them truly stand out from the rest - the inspiration for the current British safety guidelines and boasting a seal of approval from the Lullaby Trust. Now part of the Tommee Tippee group, their side zip Grobag is their most popular product and it’s not hard to see why. Perfect for young babies who have outgrown their swaddle, it provides complete convenience and easy access for nappy changes during the night.
The fabric of the Grobag is also top-notch – not only is it soft and snuggly but it washes incredibly well, without suffering from the lumpy effect often seen in cheaper alternatives. By far the most recommended baby sleeping bag within the Mumsnet forums, we think it’s the best all-rounder baby sleeping bag you can buy.
Budget-friendly price
Choice of colours and designs
ZIp guard for safety
Poppers at shoulders
Nappy changes not as easy as in designs that open from the bottom
Price on writing: From £12 | Fabric: Cotton and polyester | Sizes: 0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18-24 months | Tog: 2.5
Not only are the TU Baby Sleeping Bags a bargain from £16 each, but they come in a range of sizes and designs too, making them an obvious choice for our best budget option.
With a cosy 2.5 tog rating and convenient poppers at the shoulders to help get your baby in and out, they’re perfect to keep your baby toasty warm in cooler temperatures.
TU have an impressive range of baby sleeping bags available on their website, with a wide range of colours, prints and styles to suit every taste. The fabric is soft and of high quality, especially for the price, so this is your cue to stock up!
Related: Dealing with toddler sleep regression - tips from a sleep consultant
Booties included
Easy to use with a car seat or buggy straps
Super cosy
Suitable from 10lbs
Some reviewers found the zips fiddly in the middle of the night
Price on writing: £39.50 | Fabric: Cotton | Sizes: 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2-3 years | Tog:2.5
Looking a little different to the other sleeping bags on our list, the JoJo Maman Bebe Sleep Snuggler comes with legs and booties, with extra snugness that makes it one of the cosiest around. If your child gets frustrated having their feet inside a sleeping bag, this could be the one for you.
Unlike traditional baby sleeping bags, the benefit of a sleeping bag with legs is that it’s super easy and safe to strap your child into their buggy or car seat while wearing it. One major flaw however is that the booties can’t be fastened to the snuggler, so while they’re a welcome addition, some reviewers found they have the potential to fall off, leaving your little ones with chilly feet.
Super soft organic cotton
Extra popper on smallest size
Unisex modern designs
Costly
Price on writing: From £32 | Fabric: Organic cotton | Sizes: 0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18-36 months | Tog: 1
Made from pure organic cotton, this 1 tog sleeping bag from The White Company is breathable, cool and cute, helping your little one sleep soundly, even on warm summer nights. When temperatures soar, you can dress your baby in just a nappy and a low-tog sleeping bag, providing comfort and familiarity without causing them to overheat.
Mumsnetters say The White Company’s high-quality fabrics wash well, and if you like the sweet lion print, there have coordinating sleepsuits and PJs available too.
Related: The best changing bags - stylish bags and backpacks Mumsnetters love
Good value for money
Two in one design suitable for all year round
Unisex design
Easy to adjust to changes in temperature
Only smaller sizes are available at the time of writing
Price on writing: £39 | Fabric: Cotton and polyester | Sizes: 0-6 months | Tog: 1 & 2.5
We all know the British weather can be unpredictable, meaning parents often end up buying multiple sleeping bags in a variety of different tog ratings.
The Mama Designs Babasac makes a great alternative - an ingenious two in one design, it has a zip-out inner layer that can convert the sleeping bag between 2.5 and 1 togs without the additional cost.
Ideal for holidays, travel or for a quick change if your child is hot or unwell, we love the versatility of this design. The downside - at the time of writing, the Babasac is only available in 0-6 months.
Read next: The best cot mattresses, as recommended by Mumsnetters
Can be used as a swaddle or sleeping bag
Grows with your baby
Ergonomic design
On the short side
Price on writing: £45 | Fabric: Cotton, bamboo and elastane | Sizes: 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12 months | Tog: 1 or 2.5
Stretchy, comfortable and surprisingly affordable, these beautiful swaddles are perfect for newborn babies, offering the familiarity and comfort of a close hold, before aiding the transition to an arms-out sleeping bag once a child becomes more mobile.
With a range of neutral designs made from eco-friendly and hypoallergenic organic cotton and bamboo viscose, the poppers on each side can be opened to convert the Cocoon Swaddle Bag to a sleeping bag - or even release one arm at a time. ErgoPouch recommends doing this as soon as your baby can roll, but this is a great bit of flexibility that may come in handy if your baby suddenly decides they prefer their arms unencumbered.
With a choice of a lightweight 1.0 tog or a thicker 2.5, there is a range of options to keep your baby cosy and comfortable. whatever the weather may bing.
For more Mumsnetter-approved recommendations like this, check out our guide to the best swaddles.
Foldable cuffs have non-slip soles, feet can be bare or covered
Poppers for easy nappy changes
May not suit children who love the feeling of being snuggled up in a sleeping bag
Price on writing: From £34.99 | Fabric: Cotton | Sizes: 70cm, 80cm, 90cm, 100cm, 110cm, 120cm | Tog: 1
If your toddler loves to be cosy in a sleeping bag, but gets frustrated without the freedom to move their feet freely, Mumsnet users say a Slumbersac is the ideal solution. With clever fold-over cuffs, your little one can either wear them rolled up with bare feet or folded over their toes for cosy non-slip socks.
Lined and breathable, the Slumbersac keeps kids warm without overheating and gives them maximum space for stretching and kicking without losing warmth. Perhaps the best thing about Slumbersac though, is that they even make Slumbersacs for adults too.
Related: The best white noise machines, tried and tested by Mumsnetters
Innovative zip for nappy changes
Great price
Adjustable size for a perfect fit
If you have a particularly tall baby, the side zip may become less accessible than a bottom opening design
Price on writing: £29 | Fabric: Cotton | Sizes: 0-6 months | Tog: 2.5
With its unique half-moon zip, changing nappies is a doddle when your baby wears a Snuzpouch. Anything that makes those late-night changes any less disruptive to everybody’s sleep is a winner in our book.
This one’s made from soft and stretchy cotton jersey in a cute star print. As well as the nappy changing zip, there’s a zip at the side for getting your baby in and out of the sleeping bag with ease. Mumsnetters really rate Snuz products, which also appear in our guides to the best moses baskets as well as the best cot beds.
Can be worn in all seasons
Temperature regulating and thermal
Far more expensive than other baby sleeping bags
Price on writing: £79 | Fabric: Merino wool, bamboo and cotton | Sizes: Newborn-2 years | Tog: 0.5 - 1.8
Merino Kids baby sleeping bags come in at the top end of the price scale, but suitable for wear all year round, they are certainly worth the investment if you have the cash to splash. In fact, studies have shown Merino wool improves babies’ sleep patterns by creating a cosy and breathable microclimate.
Regulating body temperature all year round, the easy access zip ensures simple and stress-free nappy changes, while the Innovative safety belt vent makes it easy to transfer your baby between their car seat, stroller and cot without disturbing them.
Excellent quality that’ll stand the test of time, this machine washable sleeping bag can be worn again and again and still look and feel like brand new - ideal for passing down to your second child or friends once outgrown.
Read next: The best toddler toys Mumsnetters swear by
Lightweight yet cosy
Central zip for easy nappy changes
Super soft 100% cotton muslin
More costly than some
May be too light for colder months
Price on writing: £25 | Fabric: 100% cotton muslin | Sizes: 0-6, 6-18, 18-36 months | Tog: 1.0
Made from a single layer of breathable cotton muslin, the Aden and Anais sleeping bags are cosy yet lightweight, creating a comfortable cocoon for your baby without feeling heavy or restrictive during the warmer months.
With a super soft cotton muslin fabric and an easy open central zip, they’ll keep your baby cool and comfortable even during overnight nappy changes. We love the neutral and stylish designs, along with the coordinating range of muslin squares and blankets that may leave you spoiled for choice.
What is a baby sleeping bag?
Designed to be halfway between a traditional sleeping bag and ordinary nightwear, a baby sleeping bag is, essentially, a fabric vest (with or without sleeves, depending on the brand) that ends in a wide, cosy bag for the legs.
The bag can be opened with a zip and poppers to get a baby in and out easily.
Each sleeping bag is given a tog rating, like a duvet, which designates how thick the wadding is, so which season it’s appropriate for – very important as babies can’t self-regulate their temperature very well and are prone to overheating.
Do I need a baby sleeping bag?
According to GroBag, the company credited with popularising the bag in the UK, around 95% of parents now use one.
It’s easy to see why – using a baby sleeping bag means you don’t have to worry about how much bedding to use, it keeps the baby contained and warm all night (no matter how much they wriggle), and is much easier to carry around out of the house than a pile of blankets.
They’re also safer. Kate Holmes, from safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust, says “A baby sleep sack is a good option as it reduces the risk of blankets and sheets being kicked off, or covering the baby’s head. It’s a safer option than using loose bedding.”
Are baby sleeping bags safe?
A baby sleeping bag is much less of a suffocation risk than a blanket, but still needs to be used carefully to promote a safe sleeping environment.
First, you should make sure that the product you’re considering complies with the relevant British Safety Standard, BS 8510:2009 –while it’s actually voluntary, this safety standard ensures the neck opening is correctly sized to prevent your baby slipping down inside the bag, that the zips and poppers are robust, that there are no loose threads to create tourniquets, and that the materials are correctly fire-retardant.
Almost all brands will state whether they comply with the safety standard in the accompanying instructions. If it’s not mentioned, we recommend you follow up with their Customer Service department.
Before you leave your baby to sleep, check that there are no loose threads, that your baby’s head can’t slip through the shoulder straps and inside the bag, and that your baby has plenty of room to kick around in the bottom.
Your baby mustn’t overheat at night, so read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully about the tog rating to ensure it’s appropriate for the temperature of your nursery or bedroom.
Kate Holmes says, “Use the correct tog rating for the time of year. It isn’t necessary to use additional bedding when using a sleeping bag.”
Some brands, like ErgoPouch, include charts on their website to advise what to wear underneath the sleeping bag in each season. The Lullaby Trust also has a great deal of helpful information about baby sleeping product and safer sleep for babies.
Are baby sleeping bags suitable for newborns?
There are plenty of baby sleeping bags specifically designed for newborns – the ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag, for example, which won our Best for Newborns award.
Read the instructions or check the brand’s website for the minimum weight a baby should be before using the product safely – it’s usually about 4kg (8lb 13oz), but may vary a littlr between brands and designs.
If you buy a sleeping bag suitable for newborns, it’s still important to check that it fits them well around the shoulders and that they can’t wriggle down inside.
What features should I look for in a sleeping bag?
1. Tog ratings
Bigger tog ratings (2.5 and up) mean thicker sleeping bags designed for colder temperatures. Smaller tog ratings (0.5 and 1) are given to lighter materials intended for summer months.
It’s entirely possible, therefore, that you might buy more than one bag for different weather conditions – or you might decide to buy a lightweight model and put your baby in warmer nightwear underneath during the winter or choose a multi-season sleeping bag, such as the JoJo Maman Bebe Sleep Snuggler or the Merino Kids.
Every brand should give guidance on their website about suitable room temperatures for each of their tog-rated products. Many of them include a free room thermometer for clarity.
2. Age range
Sleeping bags come in sizes with recommended age ranges. If the range is only a few months (a 0-6 month size, for example), think about what season it will be in a few months’ time – will your tog rating match that season and will you get enough wear out of it in that time?
Some sleeping bags are intended for use from birth through to around two years, with the size being adjusted with under-arm poppers. Products like this will have a minimum suitable weight given on the label and the manufacturer’s website, so ensure your baby is big enough to use it safely before buying one.
3. Zips and poppers
Remember how frustrated babies don’t like being dressed and undressed? That goes for their sleeping bag too. On the whole, side zips are easier than central zips for getting the bag on and off a wriggly baby.
Shoulder poppers are another helpful feature for dressing and undressing. Almost all sleeping bags should have under-arm poppers to ensure a good, secure fit for a smaller baby. Some, such as the SnüzPouch, might have an extra zip at the front for changing a nappy without having to remove the bag.
4. Washing instructions
Babies being babies, their sleeping bags will probably need washing regularly. A product that is machine washable is a must, and it’s also helpful if it can be tumble-dried and ironed.
5. Travel features
Many sleeping bags include a vent in the front and back to allow for a five-point harness. This means the bag can be used in a pushchair or a car seat.
Bear in mind that current car seat safety advice is to avoid strapping babies and children into their car seats while wearing padded coats or suits, which might apply to the bulkier sleeping bags too.
How do I keep a sleeping bag clean?
Little spillages can be sponged off, but it’s likely that your baby’s sleeping bag will need machine washing regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about washing temperatures and tumble drying.
Of course, it goes without saying that the washed sleeping bag should be completely dry and cool before it’s used again for bedtime – damp fabrics can make a baby cold, and metal poppers and zips can burn straight from the tumble dryer.
How much do baby sleeping bags cost?
The very cheapest start between £10 and £15. A sleeping bag from a well-known brand will set you back between £25 and £40. Premium brand products can be anywhere from £50 to £90.
Usually the thicker the tog rating, the more expensive the sleeping bag – and unusually luxe materials, like the merino lining of the Superlove Merino, will increase the price further still.
What’s the best sleeping bag for babies?
The results are in, and The Original Grobag is the best baby sleeping bag for 2024. It’s cosy, cleverly designed and washes really well - plus it’s got the Lullaby Trust stamp of approval. The original and still the best, we think the Grobag is the best baby sleeping bag to buy.
How we chose our recommendations
Before we began researching the best baby sleeping bags, we first scrutinised the latest safe sleep advice from trusted organisations such as The Lullaby Trust, the NCT and the NHS so we could be confident that all the cots we were recommending were safe.
We also consulted renowned consumer organisations such as Which? to gather information on how to choose the best quality products and also those that would offer the most value for money.
Finally, we scoured the Mumsnet forums, where real parents offer honest and impartial advice about the products that have worked for them, as well as analysing reviews from customers and consumer experts on various other websites.
We took all the baby sleeping bags that came most highly recommended by consumers and parents to draw up a shortlist of 20 products and then narrowed it down to the nine you see here, which we think offer enough choice for every family.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a Mum and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
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