Are you wondering if your 1-year-old should still sleep in a sleeping sack? Keep on reading to find out what are the benefits using sleep bags for older babies and when it’s the right time to swap for a blanket. I will also share with you the SAFEST and best sleep sacks for toddlers (for different seasons and budgets)!
Sleep: it sounds so simple, yet when it comes to toddlers can be so, so difficult.
Creating a safe and conducive sleep environment for your active, developing toddler isn’t always straightforward: do they still need to sleep with a sleep sack? Can they graduate to a blanket now? What if they sweat at night? Is a sleep sack too hot in summer months?
If you’ve wondered any of these questions about your growing toddler or baby’s sleep, then this is the post for you.
We are going to look at the best sleep sacks for toddlers to help your little one (and, ultimately, you!) get a good night’s rest.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. It contains affiliate links.
Recommended by 93% of verified buyers!Do Toddlers Still Need To Sleep In A Sleep Sack?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children over 12 months of age can begin to sleep with loose bedding, which means as soon as your baby hits their first birthday, they can start sleeping with blankets1.
I don’t know about you, but after being drilled about the need to reduce the risk of suffocation due to loose blankets, it’s not easy to just swap out a sleep sack and use loose bedding instead – you with me?
While a toddler may not need to use a sleep sack for safety, they likely will sleep better in a sleep sack than loose blankets. And you, as a parent will probably be more at ease, too.
Sleep Sacks For The Best Sleep
Just because older babies can safely use a blanket doesn’t mean that your child will sleep better using than one.
Sleep sacks for babies help little ones to feel safe and swaddled, encourage them to self-soothe, reduce the startle reflex, but also keep their arms free. Many toddlers get in longer stretches of rest when zipped up in “sleep bags” than they do with loose blankets.
7 Safest & Best Sleep Sacks For Toddlers
Here is a list of the seven safest and best sleep sacks for toddlers. You’ll see a selection of great sleep sacks to help you choose which is best for your child.
I’ve ranked them based on softness, comfort, fit, and their ability to transition with your growing toddler.
1. WildBird Sleep Sack
LittleBabyGear Verdict: Softest Toddler Sleep Sack For Year-Round Weather
WildBird, known for their amazing ring slings, has hit gold with the softest sleep sack for toddlers. The whole collection of sleep sacks is available in two TOG ratings: organic cotton (2.5 TOG) or lightweight, breathable “Cloudblend” fabric (1 TOG).
With three sizes to choose from, these sleep sacks are ideal for babies and toddlers, until approximately 2 and a half years old.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddler
- Super soft material
It is made of a lightweight blend of Modal fabric and Tencel, which is not only a sustainable fabric, but also very breathable and hypoallergenic.
- Convenient zipper
It has a two-way zipper, which makes diaper changes in the middle of the night a breeze.
- 1-TOG rating ideal for year-round wear
For cold nights, pair it with long sleeve clothing, and when the temperature is over 74°F, dress your baby only in a body suit.
If you live in really cold climate, you can always choose sleep bags with 2.5 TOG rating.
Keep in Mind
- Take care of the material
You can wash the Cloudblend sleep sack only in cold water and inside-out, and then line dry. It’s a bit of a hassle, but worth it if you want to keep your sleep sack in good shape.
2. Ergobaby Baby On The Move Sleep Bag
LittleBabyGear Verdict: Overall Best Toddler Sleep Sack
Ergo Baby’s On The Move Sleeping Bag for toddlers is genius, it is a sleep sack with foot openings! In this sleep suit your toddler’s feet can be in or out, allowing your active toddler to walk around.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddlers
- Foot openings
The foot openings makes these the best wearable blankets for active babies.
Toddlers can run around in this suit on colder nights, and sleep snuggly with the breathable material; all without changing their out of their toddler sleep sack.
- Adjustable straps
The sleeveless design and adjustable shoulder straps means these toddler sleep sacks/ suits grow with your child.
- Harness slot for car seat
I also love the harness slot that is built-into the sleep sack.
This means you don’t have to wake up a sleeping baby to put them (safely) in the car seat – so important and so helpful when doing an early morning school run with your big kids.
- Zipper
The bottom-up zip is ideal for easy diaper changes, too.
This really is the best sleep sack for toddlers because it allows them movement and works as a transition sleep sack. If your toddler is ready for a toddler bed that they can climb in and out of, this is the best option.
- Budget-friendly price
They are offered at an affordable price, so you could get both cozier version for chilly nights and and the lightweight version for warmer months.
Keep in Mind
- No clear TOG rating
Ergo Baby doesn’t clearly state the TOG rating of their wearable blankets, which I find annoying. Instead they rank them: light, mid-weight and cozy, which most likely correlates to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 TOG.
The Ergo Baby toddler sleep sack is made of lightweight cotton fabric and the suggested room temperature for the mid-weighted blankets is 64°F – 74°F, with a pair of light pajamas inside.
| PRO TIP: For a very warm climate, it’s best to choose sleep bags that are ultra lightweight and the fabric allows the air to circulate through, keeping baby from sweating and overheating. I have also prepared a list of the best summer sleep sacks here >> |
3. Loulou Lollipop Baby Sleep Bag
LittleBabyGear Verdict: Best Toddler Sleep Sack For Cold Weather
The Loulou Lollipop bags are my choice for a fall and winter sleep sack. When temperatures drop, this 2.5 TOG sack will keep your little one warm.
They have sizes that fit up to 36 months (3 year olds – big kids!) and provide that soothing sensation of being swaddled.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddler
- Super warm
This sleep sack is insulated for extra warmth, but will also feel like a weighted blanket wrapped around your baby (without putting them at danger) – which means better sleep for everyone.
- No overheating
It’s made of lightweight (but oh, so warm!) Tencel fabric and it’s sleeveless, so you don’t have to worry about your baby overheating in this sleep bag. It is ideal for nurseries with room temperatures from 68°F-75°F.
- Easy diaper changes
The across-body zipper unzips completely open, so you don’t have to disturb your sleeping baby to dress them in their wearable blanket for nap time – and it makes diaper changes a breeze, too.
Keep in Mind
- Sizing is odd
The Loulou Sleep bag tends to run small, so order a size up. Lots of parents started using the 18-36M size for 1-year-old child.
4. Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle
LittleBabyGear Verdict: Best Convertible Swaddle Sleep Sack
Now, I should be clear that this is actually a baby swaddle, but you can use it as a sleep sack for your growing baby; just wrap with the arms out, not tucked in.
Many babies prefer a swaddle because it provides the natural position of the womb that helps them fall asleep, but it isn’t safe for older babies to have their arms tucked in.
With this convertible swaddle sleep sack, your baby can have the comfort of a snug swaddle with the features of a toddler sleep sack.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddlers
- Reduce startle reflex
Sleeping in a dream swaddle sack can help prevent the startle reflex in infants.
- Shoulder snaps for open arms
While the instructions show how to tuck arms inside, there is an option to have one or both arms out, which is perfect for older babies and toddlers.
- Breathable fabric
These sleep bags are made of 100% organic cotton, which not only is soft fabric, but good for preventing overheating as it allows your baby’s skin to breathe.
- Machine washable
It will still keep its softness, even after many washes.
Keep in Mind
- Sizing
0.5 TOG rated sacks only go up to size L (around 18 months of age), while the 2.0 TOG sacks go to XL size, which should fit your baby through to 24 months.
- You need to convert it from swaddle to sleep sack
Remember it’s not officially a sleep sack, but a convertible swaddle so you have to convert it based on the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
5. HALO Sleep Sack Wearable Blanket
Ranked: Best Affordable Sleep Sack To Keep Your Toddler Warm On Cold Winter Weather
This is an award-winning organic sleep sack, with several temperature ratings to choose from. I think the Halo Sleepsack Microfleece (3.0 TOG) is the best option to keep baby warm in cold climates and the 0.5 is ideal for summer.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddler
- 3.0 TOG keeps baby warmest
This is the highest TOG wearable blanket on the list, making it the best sleep sack for those who live in cold locations (or where your baby’s nursery is under 68°F).
- Fleece wicks away moisture
One of my favorite features, if your have a sweaty sleeper is that fleece helps wick away moisture from your baby.
- Sleeveless sleep sacks prevent overheating
0.5 TOG Cotton-Muslin sleep sack is wonderful for year-round use. If you love the cute designs of the Halo Sleepsack, but don’t need something quite so warm, the 0.5 TOG cotton-muslin blend is wonderful for warm weather and won’t make baby too hot.
- Diaper changes are a breeze
The inverted zipper makes it convenient to unzip without disturbing your angel.
Keep in Mind
- Zipper
The two-way zipper is great, but it doesn’t reach to the end of the sack.
- Non-adjustable shoulder straps
Also, while it is sleeveless, the shoulders are not adjustable,
6. KeaBabies Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Sack
Ranked: Best Basic, No-Fuss Sleeping Bag
If you want something simple, no frills available at an affordable price, then go for the KeaBabies organic cotton sleep sack.
Your little one will sleep soundly all night long in this lightweight (0.5 TOG) sack.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddler
- Ultra lightweight and breathable fabric
0.5 TOG is great for warmer seasons, but in case you want to use it in autumn or chilly spring nights just dress baby in cozy pajamas. Organic cotton is also perfect for baby’s sensitive skin.
- Best organic sleep sack that is machine washable AND dry-able!
Can you tell how I love the convenience of no-fuss laundry with this? Other sleep sacks require special care, but this can be treted just like your baby’s regular clothing.
- Zipper
No only does it have a fully cross-body zipper (great for a night time diaper change) but it also has a zipper guard, so your baby’s neck will never be rubbed or scratched by the zip.
- Adjusts for growing baby
The adjustable shoulder straps allow you to use this wearable blanket for a little longer as your baby advances to toddlerhood.
Keep in Mind
- Not for cold climate
0.5 TOG is not warm enough for cold winters. If you live in a cooler climate, then you need something warmer for your little one.
| PRO TIP: For cold climates, check out these Woolies merino wool sleep sacks. They fit babies until approximately 2 years and are rated for four seasons. Merino wool is unique in that it is temperature regulating – these do not have a fixed TOG rating. |
7. Burt’s Bees Baby Unisex-Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
Ranked: Cutest Sleep Sacks For Toddlers At Cheap Price
Burt’s Bees Baby Wearable Blankets are on-par with the KeaBabies as the best sleep sacks for toddlers, if you’re looking for something basic and affordable. Burt’s Bees adorable designs really sell them.
Reasons To Choose This Sleep Sack For Toddler
- Organic cotton fabric
Love the soft cotton for baby’s sensitive skin, and of course it’s also machine washable which makes laundry easier.
- Extra long design
The extended style means that your baby has more space to stretch their legs and feel comfortable all night long, and that it will likely fit your angle for just a little bit longer.
- One size (goes until approximately 24 months old)
Yes, that’s right, you could safely use this same sleep sack from 2 months old until two years old!
- Zipper
The inverted zipper is nice, going from the bottom up for ease of dressing your baby at night, and it has a safety feature of a zipper guard, too.
Keep in Mind
- Non-adjustable shoulders
The shoulders are not adjustable, which would have been nice additions to a great sleeping bag for babies.
Toddler Sleep Sacks – FAQ
First your newborn was not sleeping, then there were the seemingly endless “sleep regressions”, and now you’re probably wondering if it is okay for your toddler to still sleep in a sleep sack, right?
Here are some answers to common questions about toddlers and sleep sacks.
What Is TOG Rating?
Blankets of all types come with a TOG rating (that stands for thermal overall grade).
A 0.5-TOG is ideal for summer or warmer nights, while a 2.5 TOG is best for cold winter nights.
Choose a sleep sack that suits your season or climate, or get two – one for summer and another for winter weather.
You can also dress your baby in long sleeves or warm pajamas to help them feel warm enough in their sleep sack.
Using A Toddler Sleep Sack Vs. Kids Blanket
If you’re considering swapping sleep sack for a blanket for your baby, keep in mind that it’s best to wait until they are at least 18 months old.
The reasons for that its that active toddlers usually roll around and wiggle a lot in the crib, so their blanket may end up being ruffled and useless!
Usually 3-4 year old kids learn to keep their covers on while sleeping2.
That’s why many parents decide to keep using wearable blankets aka sleep sacks for their growing toddlers as long as possible.
A toddler sleep bag can be a useful tool to prevent your little one from attempting to climb out of her crib, which is a nice added benefit!
Are Sleep Sacks Safe For Toddlers?
Yes, sleep sacks are safe for toddlers – as long as they are in a safe bed.
If your toddler can climb in and out of their bed (doesn’t have rails) then you should dress them in something that allows them to freedom of movement in their legs.
As I’ve mentioned before, once your baby starts rolling over, you should stop swaddling them. They need their arms free to push up and a swaddle holds baby’s arms inside, which isn’t safe.
Since your baby shouldn’t use a loose blanket until the age of 1 year, the perfect answer for 3 – 12 months of baby’s life are baby sleep sacks; wearable blankets that keep baby warm and safe.
Many parents like to continue with the comfortable, tried-and-true sleep sacks as their kids grow and become toddlers.
Toddler sleep sacks can be just larger versions of baby sleep sacks, but with a few added features. Some toddler sleep sacks allow baby’s feet to be out (so they can walk), or are roomy enough to stretch their legs inside (which is important for proper hip development).
I love sleep sacks for toddlers because they cannot roll or kick off the sleep sack as they can with a blanket.
Do Sleep Sacks Help Toddlers Sleep?
Many moms find that their babies and toddlers do sleep better in a sleep sack, especially in winter months because it keeps them nice and cozy and they cannot kick it off.
Do Toddlers Need Sleep Sacks?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers (children over the age of 12 months who are walking) do not need a sleep sack, since the suffocation risk is reduced enough already.
However, if you find your toddler sleeps better in a wearable blanket, then why change it up? They can safely continue using a sleep sack, I don’t see why you should stop.
Should A 2-Year-Old Wear A Sleep Sack?
Some 2-year-olds enjoy their bedtime routine and sleep wonderfully in a wearable blanket.
However, if you find it hard enough to get your toddler dressed in their pajamas, then perhaps it’s time to graduate to the Ergo Baby On The Move sleep suit – you know your child best.
Can A 3-Year-Old Wear A Sleep Sack?
Three years old is actually at the end of toddlerhood.
It is a little harder to find sleep sacks that fit 3-year-olds, but, I would expect at this age your child is in a toddler bed, so they should have freedom of leg movement to walk or crawl.
Look for a cozy sleep suit with at this age instead of a sleep sack.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Sources of pictures:
Pictures of WildBird Sleep Sack belong to WildBird Brand. Source: https://wildbird.co/
Pictures of On The Move belong to Ergobaby Brand. Source: https://ergobaby.com
Pictures of Loulou Lollipop Sleep Sack belong to Loulou Lollipop Brand. Source: https://louloulollipop.com
Pictures of Sleepea belong to Happiest Baby Brand. Source: https://www.happiestbaby.com
Pictures of Halo Sleep Sack belong to Halo Brand. Source: https://www.halosleep.com
Pictures of KeaBabies Sleep Sack belong to KeaBabies Brand. Source: https://keababies.com
Pictures of Baby Beekeper Wearable Blanket belong to Burt’s Bees Brand. Source: https://www.burtsbeesbaby.com
Other resources:
https://www.healthychildren.org/
https://www.happiestbaby.com
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂