Sleep sacks are an essential item for infants and toddlers that do more than just provide a cute sleeping accessory. They serve a crucial purpose in reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and providing a safer alternative to loose blankets in the crib, which are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep sacks offer the same benefits as swaddling by providing a sense of security, comfort, and warmth to help little ones drift off to sleep (1).
Traditional blankets pose a risk to infants under one year old, which is why sleep sacks and swaddles are such great options. Whether you prefer classic sleep sacks with arms out, swaddle-style sacks, or toddler-friendly versions with foot holes, we’ve compiled a list of the best sleep sacks for your little one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Sleep Sack: HALO SleepSack
- Best Sleep Sack For Toddlers: Tealbee Dreamsuit
- Best Swaddle Transition Sleep Sack: Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
- Best Sleep Sack For One Year Old: Woolino 4 Season Sleep Slack
- Best Sleep Sack For Winter: Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack
- Best Sleep Sack For Summer: Burt’s Bees Sleep Sack
- Best Sleep Sack For Tummy Sleepers: Nested Bean Zen Sack
- Best Sleep Sack For Sleep Training: Ely’s & Co. Baby Wearable Blanket
- Best Sleep Sack For Baby With Startle Reflex: Love To Dream Swaddle UP
- Softest Sleep Sack: Copper Pearl 3-Layer Knit Sleep Bag “Bloom”
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Sleep Sacks Picks
HALO SleepSack – Best Overall Sleep Sack
- Soft and comfy for the babies to sleep in
- Washes well
- An upside-down zipper helps with diaper changes
- It has a nice closure at the top to protect a child’s neck/jaw
- Not as soft at first, but becomes softer after a few washes
The HALO SleepSack has been the market leader and a top hospital pick for over five years, with more than 1,700 locations across the country carrying it. It cradles your baby in a cozy blanket-like design, but without the potential hazards of traditional blankets. The “Back is Best” embroidery serves as a gentle reminder to place your baby in the ideal sleeping position.
The SleepSack also features a two-way zipper for easy diaper changes and a spacious sack shape that promotes healthy hip growth, recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Plus, sleeveless options like this reduce the risk of overheating.
Tealbee Dreamsuit – Best Sleep Sack For Toddlers
- Soft and not made of fleece
- Open leg holes
- Cute material
- Very cozy for the baby
- Don’t wash it very often because it’s not needed unless there’s a body fluid accident
Dreamsuit is the perfect snuggle companion for your baby, providing them with a plush, cozy blanket that they will surely love. The soft bamboo cotton fabric is breathable and thermo-regulating, which ensures your baby stays comfortable in any season.
With Dreamsuit, your baby can move around and sleep in any position they desire, without any risks of tripping over or getting tangled in traditional sleeping sacks. The loose-fitting sleepwear design provides ample freedom of movement, and the foothole adds to their mobility.
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – Best Swaddle Transition Sleep Sack
- Full-night sleep potential
- Soft enough to keep baby comfortable and cozy while having enough weight to keep arms from flailing around
- True to size
- Washes well
- Very warm in the summer months
The Magic Sleepsuit is a wonderful solution for parents who are looking to wean their babies from the swaddle. It’s designed to give babies a comfortable and secure feeling during this transition.
It’s crucial to understand that the Magic Sleepsuit should only be used for back sleeping in an empty crib and at the appropriate temperature for newborns. It should not be combined with any sleep positioners or used during co-sleeping.
The Magic Sleepsuit’s inner and outer layers are made of soft, breathable jersey cotton, and it contains a layer of polyfill that provides the perfect amount of comfort. Experts recommend introducing the Magic Sleepsuit to your baby at around three months of age when they are starting to move away from swaddling or other smaller sleeping areas.
Once your baby starts rolling over or trying to do so while wearing the Magic Sleepsuit, it’s time to transition them to more movement-friendly sleepwear.
Woolino 4 Season Sleep Slack – Best Sleep Sack For One Year Old
- You can change your baby without disturbing them
- Provides the right amount of warmth
- It comes with a “how to dress your baby guide” with a thermometer on the back of it
- Great weight
- It smells when it’s wet which is a great warning when a baby springs a leak
Worried about whether your baby is too hot or cold while sleeping? This four-season sleep bag will help regulate your baby’s temperature, so you won’t have to worry about which weight sleeping bag to use.
Made of 100% natural materials, this sleep sack is easy to clean and machine-washable. With a universal size that fits infants from two months to two years old, you won’t need to purchase multiple sleep bags as your child grows.
Dressing and diaper changes are simple with the two-way zipper and twin-shoulder snaps, while seat belt closures make transitioning from a crib, bouncer, stroller, and more a breeze.
Baby Deedee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack – Best Sleep Sack For Winter
- Large with room for baby to grow
- Warmer than other popular sleep sacks
- Button shoulders allow for easy on and off
- Attractive
- Opening for the head is a bit large; could cover babies face
The Baby Deedee sleep nest is a cozy and comforting wearable duvet blanket that’s perfect for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months. This quilted sleep nest is designed to provide your baby with a secure and peaceful sleep experience throughout their early years.
The sleep nest has a comforting cocoon shape that helps your baby feel safe and secure while they sleep. It’s easy to use, with just two simple shoulder clicks that allow you to put your baby in the nest even while they’re asleep. Plus, the sleep nest is designed to keep your baby warm and comfortable all winter long, with a TOG rating of 2.5.
Burt’s Bees Sleep Sack – Best Sleep Sack For Summer
- Good quality soft cotton
- Breathable but still thick enough to be warm
- Generous sizing
- Washes well and holds shape
- Zips from the top down (one-way only)
This sleep sack has been designed to give your baby the freedom to move around while ensuring their safety.
With its breathable, high-quality fabric, the Beekeeper sleep sack will keep your baby warm without the risk of overheating, which is great for summer. The YKK high-quality zipper and zipper compartment make it easy to get your little one in and out of the sleep sack, and the zipper protector ensures that your baby won’t get scratched or pinched.
Burt’s Bees uses combed and ring-spun fabrics to create a soft and durable sleep sack that won’t pill after washing. And with the bottom-facing zipper, late-night diaper changes are quick and easy.
Nested Bean Zen Sack – Best Sleep Sack For Tummy Sleepers
- Made of a nice material that feels soft to the touch
- the dual zippers work well for diaper changes
- Cozy
- Great for warm weather
- Expensive
The Nested Bean Zen Sack is a baby wearable blanket designed to mimic the soothing touch of a parent’s embrace. The lightweight and adjustable straps provide a sense of comfort for your little one, helping them settle down and sleep soundly. Specifically created for belly sleepers, the Zen Sack can be worn backward for tummy sleepers who roll over on their own or forwards for back sleepers between 0 and 6 months.
Crafted from 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, the Zen Sack Premier is naturally temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and ultra-durable. The gently weighted area on the chest imitates the sensation of a parent’s touch, based on the medically supported advantages of touch. Plus, the two shoulder tabs can be adjusted and the 2-way zipper is silent, making late-night diaper changes a breeze.
Ely’s & Co. Baby Wearable Blanket – Best Sleep Sack For Sleep Training
- They are lightweight
- Double zipper
- The set of 2 is nice to have
- Soft to the touch
- The sleeve holes are a little big
This set of two sleep sacks is designed to provide your child with a warm and cozy sleeping experience. With safety in mind, wearable blankets are a great alternative to loose blankets as they prevent the risk of covering the baby’s face and disrupting breathing during bedtime.
These lightweight, sleeveless sleep sacks are crafted to keep your little one warm without the risk of overheating. The rounded neckline and reversed YKK zipper make it easy to slip on and off for those late-night diaper changes.
This sleep solution ensures the safety and comfort of your baby, promoting a longer and more peaceful night’s sleep. The set comes in a cute, gift-ready package and is made of 100% high-quality knit cotton for a soft and gentle feel against your baby’s delicate skin.
Love To Dream Swaddle UP – Best Sleep Sack For Baby With Startle Reflex
- Baby’s position with arms up
- Quiet zipper
- Lightweight, soft, and stretchy jersey-like material
- Plenty of leg room, not too tight of swaddle around waist-hip areas
- Looks uncomfortable, but the design is meant to keep arms up and secure for sleep
As parents, we all know that swaddling can be a lifesaver in helping our little ones feel calm and secure. However, traditional swaddling methods can limit our babies’ natural movements and can lead to frustration and upset.
Thankfully, Swaddle UP’s unique design offers the perfect solution. The innovative wings provide plenty of room for your baby to move and self-soothe, while still allowing them to sleep in their preferred Arms Up position and minimizing the startle reflex.
The Swaddle UP is made from a soft, stretchy fabric that creates a cozy and comforting environment, reminiscent of the womb. Best of all, it’s made with no harmful chemicals or flame retardants, making it safe for your baby to use all year round with a 1.0 TOG rating!
Copper Pearl 3-Layer Knit Sleep Bag “Bloom” – Softest Sleep Sack
- The fabric is soft, perfect for newborn skin
- They wash up so nicely and they last longer than less expensive sheets
- Gives a lightly weighted feel with the multiple layers
- The bag is also roomy enough
- The neck hole is big
This specially designed sleeping bag is a great alternative to loose blankets and is designed to ensure your baby’s uninterrupted sleep. It has a soft and tag-free neck, an easy-to-use top-to-bottom zipper, and three layers of comfortable knit fabric that offer excellent softness and stretch.
This sleeveless sleeping bag is ideal for year-round use, with a 1.25 TOG rating that provides the perfect level of warmth. It comes in your favorite Copper Pearl patterns, and the 6-12 month size has measurements of 28 inches long, 14 inches wide under the armpits, and 19 inches wide at its widest point.
How To Choose The Best Sleep Sack?
- Age Range: The age range the product is intended for will tell you how long the infant may use it. Some sleep sacks, such as those that restrain the baby’s arms, are only meant to be used until the child can turn over and must be phased out by the time the child is four months old.
- Material: Choose a sleep sack that is appropriate for the season you are in from a wide variety of styles and materials available. Do not wear fleece or polyester, which are synthetic fabrics that retain heat and may lead to overheating.
- Design: Depending on your child’s age, size, and movement, you may pick from a variety of sleep sack designs. Because they are simpler to open, many parents prefer bags with zippers to those with buttons and snaps.
- Safety: Before making a purchase, make sure the sleep sack is the appropriate size for your child. To determine the optimum fit, consider the age and weight ranges. Parents should also check the quality of the sleep sack’s zipper since it might put a child at risk of suffocation if it comes undone in the middle of the night. Additionally, it is worth looking at the safe sleep guidelines from AAP (2).
Types Of Sleep Sacks
- Standard Sleep Sacks: Sleep sacks with long sleeves and a zippered closure are considered standard. They can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as cotton, muslin, wool, or fleece.
- Sleeveless Sleep Sacks: These are made so that the baby can sleep with her arms out while the rest of her body is enclosed in the closed sack. The better ones utilize an inverted zipper for simpler diaper changes; they often include a zipper to help you get the baby in and out.
- Weighted Sleep Sacks: In order to provide mild pressure, weighted sleep sacks have added weight. Manufacturers state that weighted features may calm infants, although the AAP advises against them (3).
- Swaddle Sleep Sacks: Leave the baby’s legs unrestricted while swaddling him or her in a sleep sack with Velcro straps. They are intended for use with babies who are still too young to be swaddled.
- Transitional Sleep Sacks: Designed to bridge the gap between a newborn swaddle and a regular sleep sack that doesn’t restrict a baby’s arms, transitional sleep sacks fit between the two.
When Should Babies Stop Wearing Sleep Sacks?
Most babies can use a sleep sack until they are about 2 years old. However, size is more of a factor than age. Infants up to 30 pounds and 40 inches tall can fit comfortably in larger sleep sacks. Your child ought to be able to use a blanket securely by the time they have outgrown sleep sacks.
Do Pediatricians Recommend Sleep Sacks?
Once they begin to turn over on their own, babies should not use sleep sacks with swaddling attachments or wraps because they may become trapped or suffocate. To make sure their newborns are secure while they are sleeping, parents or other caretakers should check on them from time to time.
Do Sleep Sacks Help Prevent SIDS?
Although sleep sacks by themselves do not prevent SIDS, the theory is that they can reduce the danger of suffocation and strangling by not having a loose blanket in the crib. The probability of an incident occurring is decreased since a sleep sack or wearable blanket is always safer than a loose blanket in the crib.
Do Babies Arms Get Cold In Sleep Sacks?
Depending on the ambient temperature, it may be possible. Make sure your baby is wearing long-sleeved pajamas underneath the sleep sack if you require long sleeves in the bedroom or if the temperature in their arms feels cold to the touch. Additionally, there are also signs you could look out for to check for overheating (4).
What Is The Difference Between A Sleep Sack And A Swaddle?
A swaddle is a wide square-shaped piece of fabric folded and wrapped tightly around a baby to calm their startle reaction. In order to prevent suffocation, a sleep sack is a loose-fitting wearable blanket that covers the baby’s shoulders while leaving their arms free. The sleep sack zips up to cover the feet and to guarantee that the blanket stays in place. When a baby transitions from a close swaddle to a roomier sleep sack, several sleep sacks may also be used as swaddles or as transitional blankets.
