When you've been a slumber passenger vehicle as long every bit I have, information technology really seems that you've heard every question that could maybe come surrounding how to get a baby to sleep through the night and take great naps. 1 question that I become surprisingly often is, "Are babe slumber sacks safe?" Or the related question, "Is using a sleep sack required for slumber grooming to be successful?"

are baby sleep sacks safe

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema

Are Baby Sleep Sacks Safe?

The answer is, information technology depends. I should share with you that I am a stickler well-nigh crib and slumber safety, probably more and so than any other sleep coach or parent I've ever met. While I stand by everything I say, it's important to sympathise that my number one motivation at all times is to make sure babies are ever 100% safe during slumber. That tin sometimes hateful that I propose parents to do, or not practise, things that might brand information technology a chip harder on them, just ultimately infant is amend off because they are safe.

An example would be my hardline approach on the post-obit: if parents are asleep, babies of all ages should but slumber in completely empty cribs or Pack due north Plays. Which leads me to share my thoughts on whether or not sleep sacks are safe. Later on eight weeks of age, the merely type of sleep sack a baby should be sleeping in is 1 that is sleeveless.

The American Academy of Pediatrics at present advises families to stop swaddling their children as soon as baby shows signs of being able to roll over, or 8 weeks of age, whichever comes offset. If you choose to transition your child from a swaddle to a slumber sack, you should only transition them to a sleeveless sleep sack.

Why Continue Arms Gratis?

Sleep sacks which comprehend the arms tend to have a lot of excess fabric, and this fabric tin encumber a kid'due south ability to move freely. Most babies tend to practice rolling in their crib. Which means you, the parent, could be asleep/not monitoring baby. If they get trapped on their tum considering the backlog fabric on their arms prevents them maneuvering their trunk freely, the situation could produce dire consequences.

Every bit your child grows into an older infant and toddler, you lot may feel that they have gained the dexterity to movement themselves around freely. Cheque with your pediatrician to confirm that your child sleeping in a sleep sack that is not sleeveless is condom.

Are Baby Sleep Sacks Necessary?

Are sleep sacks even necessary? I tell families that the choice to place your child in a sleep sack is 100% personal preference. I don't think it's necessary for a kid to sleep in a sleep sack in order to sleep well. Nor do I believe using one impacts a child's ability to sleep well.

After ensuring infant tin can move freely in whatsoever sleep sack they're wearing, families should next ensure that infant cannot overheat due to wearing a sleep sack. Indeed, babies are at much college take a chance of overheating than beingness also cold. So as long as families feel their baby tin can maintain a safe temperature, using a sleep sack is only fine.

I ofttimes retrieve sleep sacks are but every bit much for peace of mind for parents (to ensure that baby is warm and cozy) as they are for the comfort of the child. So if you deem one is necessary and information technology is used safely, get for it!

To recap, are baby sleep sacks safe?:

  1. Your number one concern when it comes to your child's slumber should exist prophylactic.
  2. Every bit long as your child'due south sleep sack is sleeveless, rest assured they are safe.
  3. Recall that sleep sacks that cover your baby's artillery can brand it dangerously difficult for them to extricate themselves from whatsoever position they get themselves into in their crib.
  4. Avoid using sleep sacks with sleeves until your pediatrician confirms they have reached a sufficient level of dexterity.
  5. At the finish of the day, sleep sacks make parents experience as comfortable every bit they brand baby feel.
  6. Equally long as baby can't overheat and is condom, a sleep sack is a groovy pick!

If you want more answers to your called-for sleep safety or general slumber training questions, sign up for my newsletter where I reply these questions and much more than!