- To ensure that the baby stays warm and safe without a blanket or swaddle, many parents buy sleep sacks, which are essentially wearable blankets.
- After much research and testing, we found the Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket to be the best sleep sack for most babies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents keep blankets, toys, and other objects out of the crib for the first 12 months to limit the risk of suffocation and of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Many parents decide to buy sleep sacks in lieu of blankets to keep their newborns warm.
Sleep sacks are basically zippered cloth sacks with armholes. You don’t have to worry about extra material blocking breathing or your baby becoming uncovered at night. Sleep sacks come in a variety of materials and sizes.
When I first started using them, I felt overwhelmed by the choices. Plus, you’ll need different weights or thermal overall grades (TOG), depending on the season and where you live. The TOG lets you know how much insulation is in the material.
When I looked at the best sleep sacks for babies, I evaluated each one based on material, design, and cost. I also relied on my own personal experience to select the best sleep sacks you can buy.
Here are the best sleep sacks you can buy:
- Best sleep sack overall: Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket
- Best wool sleep sack: Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag for Babies
- Best summer sleep sack: The Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic
- Best winter sleep sack: Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack
- Best organic sleep sack: Burt’s Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
Prices and links are current as of 6/04/2020. Added additional guides at end.
The best overall
The Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket is super soft, high-quality, and well designed.
Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket is super soft and available in a range of sizes and weights for any season. The bag has two-way zippers to make nighttime diaper changes easier.
The roomy design allows babies plenty of room to move around and doesn't constrict the hips. The sack comes with a seal of approval from the Hip Dysplasia Institute. I started using these sleep sacks with my baby around the 2-month mark after using swaddles.
My absolute favorite was the Halo SleepSack Plush Dot Velboa Wearable Blanket. The sleep sack comes at a TOG 1.0, which is suitable for fall or early winter. If you want a warmer winter sleep sack, I also used the winter-weight Halo at a TOG 2.5 for cold winter nights.
The Halo sleep sack is by far the best choice you can make when it comes to wearable blankets. What to Expect, The Bump, and Good Housekeeping rank the sleep sack as one of the best too.
My only criticism is that you need multiple sacks to cover different temperatures and seasons. You also need to have two sacks of the same weight in case of accidents.
Pros: Super soft, roomy and hip-friendly design, high-quality
Cons: Need different ones for each season
The best wool sleep sack
The Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag for Babies offers excellent temperature regulation for any season.
While I adore Halo sleep sacks, the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag is another great option, although it is pricey. However, the quality and longevity of the sleep sack really do justify the cost. With other sleep sacks, you'll need to buy at least two for every season, but with Merino Kids, you only need one sack for the first two years.
Wool regulates body temperature better than cotton or polyester. I never worried about either of my children being too hot or too cold when they wore the Merino. Not only does the Merino regulate body temperature, but it's also exceptionally well-made.
After almost three years of using the same sleep sack between two children, it's held up well. Just be to use specially formulated wool shampoo when you wash the sleep sack. I used NikWax Wool Wash. You also have to line dry to avoid shrinkage or the moisture-wicking ability of the sleep sack. But the odor-resistant qualities of wool, require you to wash it less frequent washing.
Pros: Regulates temperature, grows with baby, good for all seasons, super soft and cozy
Cons: Expensive, handwash only
The best for summer
The Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic mimics a parent's touch with its lightly weighted center that can soothe fussy babies.
The Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic comes in soft, breathable cotton, making it perfect for hot summer nights. At a .05 TOG, you won't find a sleep sack lighter than this weight. The bag can also be used year-round depending on clothing and temperature.
The most unique design feature is a gently weighted pressure pad on the center of the chest to give the sensation of a parent's touch. Before greeting the world, babies spend nine months snug in the womb, and once outside, they need constant contact. The Nested Bean mimics the soothing touch of a caregiver.
The smart design also has two-way zippers to facilitate quick middle of the night diaper changes, adjustable straps, and is reversible for stomach sleepers. While back is best until your baby rolls over, once they do, your baby might prefer the tummy frog position. For those with swaddling needs, Nested Bean also offers the Zen Swaddle Classic in a similar design and material.
Read our full review of the Nested Bead Zen Sack here.
Pros: Light and soft material, mimics a loving touch, adjustable straps, reversible, two-way zippers
Cons: Expensive, need more than one as your baby grows
The best for winter
The Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack keeps hands, feet, and toes warm through cold winter months.
The winter weight 2.5 TOG Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack keeps your baby warm at night. The quilted duvet material adds an extra layer of warmth to the 100% cotton exterior. It will be hard to find a winter-weight sleep sack better than the Baby Deedee.
Not only is the sleep sack super warm, but the fabric is also breathable, so you don't have to worry about them sweating. Putting a baby in the cocoon-like design is more comfortable with its equally smart shoulder straps. The straps lay flat, making it easier for you to place your baby in the sack and then snap the shoulder straps together. You don't have to lift up the arms and move them through the holes, possibly waking up your baby.
From the high-quality materials to the smart and warm design, you can't go wrong with the Baby Deedee from the first winter storm to the smell of spring. The company also has a Sleep Nest Travel sack for camping or outside use.
Pros: Breathable, soft material, ideal for winter
Cons: Pricier than other sacks, not for all seasons, large head opening
The best organic sleep sack
The Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket is an organic cotton sleep sack that will keep your baby warm at night.
Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket is made with 100% certified organic cotton. It's certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). You can really feel the softness of this sleep sack's material to give babies extra comfort. The design features a bottom zipper to allow for quick diaper changes and an interior zipper guard and snap tab zipper pull for safety. You won't have to worry about accidentally zipping up your baby's skin.
At a TOG of .05, the Beekeeper is perfect for the warmer months; pair it underneath a jacket or blanket to add an extra layer of warmth for the cooler seasons.
Pros: 100% organic, gentle on sensitive skin, zipper guard, cute designs
Cons: Not for all seasons
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