Each year, there are about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths happen. Study shows that one of the most frequent causes of SIDS is accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. Therefore, as a parent to a baby between infancy and toddler age, there is a high need to lay importance into selecting the safest yet most comfortable items for your child.
Furthermore, sleeping bags, or sleep sacks as many call them, play a considerable role in early child sleep training before becoming an independent sleeper. As such, you should strongly consider certain factors before selecting a sleeping bag. This article will look at the most important factors to focus on before purchasing a sleeping bag for your young one so your baby can stay safe, and you will have peace of mind!
Appropriate Thermal Overall Grade (TOG) Control
Unlike adults, babies may not regulate their temperature efficiently. Therefore, if the sleeping bag is too thick, the baby can become overheated, which is believed to be a common cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Therefore, it is vital to purchase safe baby sleeping bags with temperature control to ensure the baby’s comfort and that the baby is at the right temperature throughout the night.
Sizing
Safe baby sleeping bags should state the age and/or height of the baby that is intended for its use. Sizing makes selection so much easier and helps to save on time as well. Similarly, a suitable sleeping bag brand should offer sleeping bags in different sizes for customers to select the one that suits them best.
No Potential Hazards
Nowadays, many brands are putting more focus on the general look of a sleeping bag rather than its safety. For example, some brands design sleeping bags with hoods or sleeves incorporated into their designs, while others are adding buttons and other decorations for aesthetic benefits. The extra features pose choking hazards to babies as they tend to chew and suck on them when they become loose and fall off.
Safety Standards on Labels
A good sleeping bag brand should incorporate safety standards such as the British Safety Standard of BS 8510:2009 on their labels or packaging. Any reputable brand should adhere to this labeling as it helps to ascertain the safety of the sleeping bags that they manufacture.
Useful and Multifunctional Features
Excellent and safe baby sleeping bags should contain useful multi-purpose features such as double zips. Double zips are known to make work more manageable in changing the baby out of the sleeping bag and propping the baby onto an armchair.
Smooth Seams
Avoid sleeping bags with sharp edges, zips, or attachments as these may prove hazardous to the baby.
Reasonably Sized Neck Holes
Go for sleeping bags with small but comfortable neck holes to prevent the baby’s head from slipping down inside the bag, as this can lead to suffocation or strangulation.
Sleeping bags are an essential part of an infant’s life and should be selected appropriately for the sake of their safety. Your child is precious and it is every parents’ dream to have a healthy growing child in an environment that is safe. Here’s to safe and restful sleep!
