Blanket/grow bag/sleeping bag confusion

[Spice17]

Hi all

My first baby is due in Oct and I'm getting a tad confused about blankets/grow bags etc. I didn't know lots of things about what you should/shouldn't do until recently, so bear with me!

Planning on having newborn in the moses basket, just wondered what type of blanket(s) should cover them (cellular ones?) and how many?

Or can they go straight in a grow/sleeping bag (I've heard they can if over 6lbs?)

And if OK to go straight in a grow/sleeping bag, what tog should they have in Autumn/winter? And then which one in spring/summer?

I'm sure I have more night time cover related questions but these are the most pressing :) TIA

Hi Spice17 and congratulations

My DS was born in October and we used cellular blankets in the moses basket (can't remember how many layers though) until he was big enough to go in the sleeping bag. Ths sleeping bag that we had I think it was over 8lbs before we could use it, and then we still had to wait a little while because he was still only small.

We generally use a 2.5 tog bag in winter and use a 1 tog bag in summer, but it all depends on the temperature of your room. Can't remember off hand what is recommended for what temp, but I'm sure someone will be a long soon with more information.

HTH

*along not a long

Im due in oct too with first baby. I did loads of research on bedding.
This is what i found out:

Grow bags are the same as sleeping bags, babies can go in them if they r over 7lb

1.5tog is for summer, 2.5 tog is for winter, baby to be dressed in long sleeve babygrow when using a sleeping bag.

No blankets to be used if using a sleep bag as baby will over heat.

What i have done is brought one sleeping bag and 4 blankets (any sort) as i didnt know if baby could settle with a sleeping bag on as they arent snuggled like they are with a blanket.

I will try the sleeping bag and see how i get on with it (thats why i ve only brought one). And if baby doesnt settle as not swaddled enough then i ve always got the blankets which i ll be also using for the pram, and for when baby is in bouncy chair etc. :-)

I am pg with DC4 and it will be grobags (= a brand of sleeping bag) all the way. They are very snuggly and can't be kicked off / wriggled out of (babies wriggle round alot). Yes they have to be over a certain weight (check individual product) but many are suitable from birth unless baby is v tiny.

Togs as LSP says.

I had my 1st lo in Oct. We used a cellular blanket in the moses basket and tucked it right underneath the mattress so that baby was laying on her back tightly tucked (almost swaddled) but her arms were free. - this worked well to settle her.

We swapped to grow bags when she was 2/3 ish months as she would just wriggle free of the blankets when she was bigger. Grow bags are great but when they are tiny tiny they move to much in them and don't tend to sleep so well imo.

Forgot to mention, the other plus of sleeping bags is that you don't have to worry about where in the cot you put the baby. With blankets you have to put 'feet to foot' - i.e. the baby's feet at the foot of the cot so they can't wriggle under the covers and suffocate. Then inevitably the wriggle the other way, out of the blankets, get cold and cry.

Grow bags are great for some, however don't spend a gift token buying them in the next 2 sizes up as well - you might get an awkward little thing that refuses to sleep if his legs are even slightly restrained by as much as a sheet and discover you've blown 60 quid on useless equipment.......

Thank you, thank you thank you all!

I knew I could rely on MNetters to provide such fantastic and easy to understand info would need to be, how badly befuddled my brain has become

Another good question Thunder, sure someone will be able to tell us!

A long sleeved sleep suit and the right tog of sleeping bag should be fine if the room the baby is in is at the right temperature. That info is usually on the packaging of the sleeping bag. It's important that babies do not over heat. When it was really cold ( minus 15 outside) a few years ago I popped a cellular blanket over my DS for an extra layer but that was the only time.

Good point, ChunkyPickle - that advice could apply to many different items of baby gear! Don't spend too much money in advance, until you know what works for you.

Thunder, tog requirements are different for babies. Also, they only need one extra layer until they are one month old, I think. Question is answered on this page.

Other brands are also good, btw!

My DD was born last Sept.

We swaddled with a cellular blanket in her Moses basket until 1 month.

Then sleeping bags! She would only wear long sleeve vest or sleep suit underneath depending on temp of the room! Get yourself a room thermometer, I love our gro egg one! Our house is surprisingly warm, over time I also learnt that our baby is a little hot water bottle and prefers to be cooler. We only use 2.5 bags when really cold, mostly 1.0 and 0.5 bags! Currently she sleeps in just her sleep suit! When it's been really hot she has gone to bed in just her nappy and a 0.5 bag!

So I would recommend looking at the guides, working out temp of your room and go with the preferences of your baby! Remember it's better for them to be too cool than too hot. Ideal temp for baby to sleep is around 18c. Our house is normally much warmer than this so adjust her bedding and clothing accordingly!