What is a TOG?
Choose the Right TOG Rating for Your Baby’s Sleep Sack
Select the perfect wearable blanket for your little one and help them sleep soundly with the TOG rating system.
In this article:
What is a TOG Rating?
Why is TOG Rating Important for Parents to Know?
How to Choose the Right TOG for Your Room Temperature
How Fabric Impacts TOG Rating
Tips for Dressing Your Baby for Sleep
How to Choose the Right TOG for Your Room Temperature
• How to Layer Baby Sleepwear for Different Seasons
• TOG for Newborns
• TOG Rating and Sleeping Outdoors
• TOG Rating and Travel
Tips for Dressing Children Over a Year Old for Sleep
• Toddler Blankets and Duvet Covers
Selecting the right TOG for your little bubs can help them sleep better and more comfortably, which means you do, too. Nest Designs makes beautiful, sustainable sleepwear for babies and kids that helps them sleep safely. We include a TOG rating to help you find the best sleepwear product for your little love. You will discover TOG ratings on all Nest Designs' adorable Swaddle Sleep Bags, Sleep Bags, and Sleep Suits.
What is a TOG Rating?
The official definition for TOG from the Cambridge Dictionary states that it’s a unit of measurement showing the degree of warmth of a bed cover, especially a duvet. But how does this definition apply to wearable baby blankets?
The TOG system dates back to Britain in the 1940s. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, an industry measurement telling you the warmth of a particular item—including baby sleep sacks and sleep bags. TOG ratings help parents know the warmth that their baby’s sleepwear provides—the higher the TOG, the warmer the product. At Nest Designs, our TOGs range from 0.25 to 3.5.
As an industry measurement in baby sleepwear, TOGs must be accurate. TOG testing compares the temperature flow between controlled insulation and test samples. The difference between these two helps determine the warmth. A TOG chart enables you to compare different sleepwear products to know that an oh-so-soft fabric will keep your little one at the right temperature for naptime and bedtime.
| Room Temperature | TOG Rating | Nest Designs Product |
|---|---|---|
| 27° C+ (81°F+) | 0.25 | Swaddle Sleep Bag Bamboo Jersey Short Sleeve Sleep Bag Bamboo Silk |
| 24-27°C (75-81°F) | 0.5 | Short Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag Bamboo Jersey Startle Stop Sleep Bag Organic Cotton |
| 23-27°C (75-81°F) | 0.6 | Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag Bamboo Pima 3/4 Sleeve Sleep Bag Bamboo |
| 20-24°C (68-74°F) | 1.0 | Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag Bamboo, Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Sleep Bag Organic Cotton |
| 16-20°C (61-68°F) | 2.5 | Raglan Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag BambooSwaddle Sleep Bag Bamboo Jersey |
| 10-16°C (50-61°) | 3.5 | Long Sleeve Sleep Bag Organic Cotton |
Why is TOG Rating Important for Parents to Know?
TOG ratings offer you greater peace of mind because you know your little one is at just the right temperature. Safe sleep for your little bubs means a more worry-free and restful night for you.
TOG ratings started being used for baby and toddler wearable blankets to reduce the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The correct TOG rating prevents babies from being too cold or hot, which not only keeps them safe, but helps them get the full night’s sleep they need. After all, better quality sleep helps babies—and their parents—to rise and shine the next day.
How to Choose the Right TOG for Your Room Temperature
Choosing the best TOG for your baby leaves them at a temperature that's just right—giving them a cozy and safe sleep. Generally, the ideal room temperature for sleeping children is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius (68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit).
| TOG | Room Temp | Suggested Apparel Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| 0.23 TOG | 26-29ªC | Ultra light weight can be layered over diaper or underwear. |
| 0.5 TOG | 25-27ªC | Light weight, can be worn over diaper or underwear or layered with short sleeve onesie |
| 0.6 TOG | 24-26ªC | Light weight, can be worn over diaper or underwear or layered with short sleeve onesie or light PJs |
| 1.0 TOG | 20-24ªC | Mid-light weight, can be worn over diaper or layered over long sleeve onesies or PJs |
| 2.0 TOG | 18-22ªC | Mid-heavy weight, can be layered over onesies or PJs |
| 2.5 TOG | 16-20ªC | Mid-heavy weight, can be layered over onesies or PJs |
| 3.5 TOG | 13-16ªC | Heavy weight, can be layered over PJs |
By considering room temperature when you select a sleep suit or sleep bag for your baby, you create a more idyllic sleep environment for your little bub. Though each baby and bedroom are unique, using these general guidelines can help you select the appropriate TOG for your little one:
• Use a low TOG rating for warm or hot rooms. Bedrooms that absorb warmth from the sun during the day or stay warm because of the season can be 20 to 26°C (69 to 80°F) or greater. Babies need thin layers at these temperatures and will be more comfortable in sleepwear with a 0.25 to 1.0 TOG rating.
• Select a mid-range TOG for rooms that have an average temperature. For rooms with a consistent temperature between 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F), a 2.5 TOG should be just right.
• Give your baby the highest TOG rating for colder rooms. When the weather dips or a bedroom feels chilly, your adorable munchkin may need a sleep suit or sleep bag with greater insulation, such as a 3.5 TOG. This higher rating makes sleeping in rooms 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F) much cozier.
When little ones wear a sleep bag with the right TOG, they will be calmer and more comfortable while resting. Need to know if your little love is too hot or cold when they snooze? Gently touch the nape of their neck to see if they are too warm or cool and adjust their sleep system TOG accordingly. Also, as a general rule of thumb, you can dress your baby in one extra layer than what you're wearing in the same temperature room.
How Sleep Sack Fabric Impacts TOG Rating
To figure out the warmth of a sleep suit or sleep bag, look at the TOG rating rather than the thickness of the fabric. TOG tells the true story of how warm a product is, where thickness may be misleading. Some fabrics may feel thicker but can come with a lower TOG rating than a thinner but warmer material.
Nest Designs warm-weather sleep sacks use sustainable and soft bamboo and organic cotton, which allow more heat to escape, keeping your baby cooler at night. Our wearable blankets for colder seasons use Sorona fill for insulation. This cozy, cloud-like material traps heat, increasing the TOG rating for these products.
TOG is a wonderful indicator of warmth, and when it's paired with premium, eco-friendly fabrics, little ones sleep more serenely. At Nest Designs, we only use oh-so-soft, sustainable materials for our sleep suits and sleep bags. Learn more about our fabrics.
| FABRIC | SUSTAINABILITY | SOFTNESS | ANTIBACTERIAL | HYPOALLERGENIC | BREATHABILITY | OVERALL DURABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo Muslin | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 6 |
| Pima Cotton | 8 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 |
| GOTS Organic Cotton | 9 | 7 | 6.5 | 9 | 7 | |
| Avocado Bamboo | 7 | 9.5 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 |
| Bamboo Jersey | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Sorona | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 8 | 8 |
| Tanboocel | 8.5 | 9 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 |
| Bamboo Cotton | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 |
| French Terry | 8 | 7.5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8.5 |
| Silk | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 7 |
FABRIC
SUSTAINABILITY
SOFTNESS
ANTIBACTERIAL
HYPOALLERGENIC
BREATHABILITY
OVERALL DURABILITY
Bamboo Muslin
7.5
8
8.5
8
8.5
6
Pima Cotton
8
8
7.5
8.5
8
7.5
GOTS Organic Cotton
9
7
6.5
9
7
8
Avocado Bamboo
7
9.5
8
9
8.5
8
Bamboo Jersey
7
8
8
7
8.5
7.5
Sorona
7.5
7
6.5
6.5
8
8
Tanboocel
8.5
9
8.5
7.5
7.5
8
Bamboo Cotton
8
9
8.5
8
8.5
8
French Terry
8
7.5
6
8
7
8.5
Silk
8
9
8.5
8
8.5
7
Tips for Dressing Your Baby for Sleep
The right TOG rating helps you keep your little bubs snug as a bug, whether their bedroom is warm or cool. However, other factors influence the comfort of your baby's sleep, and what your baby wears under their sleep suit or sleep bag is just as important as the TOG rating.
How to Layer Baby Sleepwear for Different Seasons
Your little love needs to sleep soundly, no matter the temperature, so both of you can start every day refreshed and happy. Whether ice and snow are on the ground or the sun blazes in the sky, the right layers can make bedtime a success.
Warm and hot days require a lower TOG rating and few, if any, layers underneath. Learn about appropriate TOGs and layers for spring and summer.
When the days and nights become cooler, and it's time to bundle up, your little one may sport some long-sleeved PJs or footed sleepers under their sleepwear to keep them warm and toasty. Learn more about which TOGs and layers work best in fall and winter.
TOG for Newborns
Babies and toddlers learn to regulate their temperatures around 1.5 to 2 years old. The tiniest babies need extra attention when preparing them for naptime or bedtime. Here are some tips for the TOGs to use for newborns and how to dress them for bed in each season:
Autumn
In the fall, dress your newborn in a mid-light to mid-heavy weight like a 1.0 TOG or 2.5 TOG sleep bag or swaddle sleep bag. At Nest Designs, some of our wearable blankets have removable sleeves, foldover handcuffs, and foldover foot cuffs to keep your little one extra comfy.
Products we recommend:
• Swaddle Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG (Organic Cotton)
• Raglan Long Sleeve Sleep Bag 2.5 TOG (Bamboo)
• Raglan Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag 2.5 TOG (Bamboo)
Winter
Come the colder months, depending on your newborn's room temperature, you may opt for a heavy-weight sleep bag like 3.5 TOG. Nest Designs' 3.5 TOG sleep bags use sustainable organic cotton that's soft, comfortable, and feels great against a newborn's delicate skin.
Products we recommend:
• Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Sleep Bag 3.5 TOG
Spring
Spring TOGs for newborns are similar to autumn. You can shed the heavier layers and dress your newborn in a lighter TOG. Depending on your baby's room temperature, we recommend a mid-light weight TOG like 1.0.
Products we recommend:
• Quilted Removable Sleeve Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG (Bamboo Jersey)
• Swaddle Sleep Bag 2.5 TOG (Bamboo Jersey)
• Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG (Avocado Bamboo)
Summer
During the hottest days of the year, make sure your little love continues to sleep soundly. Nest Designs' sleep bags and swaddle sleep bags come in 0.25 TOG, 0.5 TOG, and 0.6 TOG. These are lightweight to ultra-lightweight TOGs that suit hot to sweltering weather. They are made from breathable, thermal-regulating, and moisture-wicking fabrics like bamboo, bamboo silk, bamboo Pima, and bamboo jersey, so your little bubs stays as comfortable as possible.
Products we recommend:
• Swaddle Sleep Bag 0.25 TOG (Bamboo Jersey)
• 3/4 Sleeve Sleep Bag 0.6 TOG (Bamboo)
• Bamboo Silk Short Sleeve Sleep Bag 0.25 TOG
• Startle Stop Sleep Bag 0.5 TOG (Organic Cotton)
TOG Rating and Sleeping Outdoors
TOG Rating and Sleeping OutdoorsTOG ratings are beneficial when you know the temperature of your baby's room, but little ones may not be in their crib every time they need to catch a few winks. Whether you take your little one camping or they nap in their stroller during a walk, there are ways to keep them at just the right temperature:
• Check the weather and pack sleepwear with an appropriate TOG.
• If you are camping in a tent, check the overnight highs and lows, and pack a sleep suit or sleep bag for both scenarios.
TOG Rating and Travel
When taking your sweet little bubs on a trip by car, plane, or other mode of transportation, the proper TOG rating during travel can help send them to dreamland even while you're in transit. In most instances, commercial travel companies keep their temperature settings comfortable around 22°C to 24°C (approximately 71°F to 75°F). Here are a few guidelines for travel:
• Dress your little bub in layers, so even if it feels cooler in a cabin or vehicle, you can add or remove the layers they wear under their sleep suit or sleep bag.
• Pack sleepwear with two different TOG ratings. If the temperature is warmer or cooler than you anticipate, you can switch TOGs to keep your baby warmer or cooler.
Tips for Dressing Children Over a Year Old for Sleep
As your little one grows, their sleep needs change, and they can go to bed with blankets, soft toys, and even pillows (provided these products meet the AAP safe sleep recommendations). TOG ratings still apply; however, now they have more options to help make them even cozier and calmer at bedtime.
Toddler Blankets and Duvet Covers
Once your baby becomes a toddler, they can transition from a sleep bag to a sleep suit. Sleep suits keep them safe while they walk, climb, or explore in those adorable moments before bed or when they first wake up. Your little bub can keep wearing their sleep suit while you transition them over to toddler blankets and duvet covers.
These loose blankets can make them feel extra cozy in bed or when you're curled up together in your reading chair. Once your baby transitions to a toddler bed, it's an excellent time to introduce extra comfort, like kids' pillows and twin sheets made of luxuriously soft materials.
Ready to find the perfect sleep bag for your little bub?
Shop our adorable selection of premium and sustainable sleep bags and sleep suits today.