Basics Sleep

What Is A TOG Rating? (With Tog Chart Guide For All Seasons)

Knowing how to dress your baby for sleep in different temperatures can be confusing.

Fortunately, there’s a standardized measurement called a TOG which helps you choose the right sleepwear for your baby.

But what TOG rating should your baby sleep in?

Should they wear a body suit or pajamas underneath?

And should these under garments have short or long sleeves ?

Let’s find out.

What Is A TOG Rating?

TOG ratings help take the guess work out of dressing you baby for sleep.

But what exactly does TOG refer to?

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, and is a standard measurement to indicate how warm or insulated a garment is.

Most manufacturers make sleep sacks and swaddle bags with a rating between 0.2 to 3.5.

The key thing to remember is the higher the TOG rating, the warmer and more insulated it is.

So a low TOG will be more appropriate for summer, while a high TOG will be needed in winter.

TOG Rating Chart

A TOG chart is a quick and easy way to help dress your baby for sleep whatever their room temperature.

The chart below will help you decide which under garments your baby should wear depending on the TOG of their sleep sack and temperature of their room.

(Slumbersac)

What TOG Rating Should My Baby Sleep In?

Deciding what TOG rating you baby should sleep in is straightforward if you follow the rating chart.

75-80 degrees Fahrenheit

If your baby’s room is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, you should dress your baby in:

                • 0.5 TOG sleep sack and a sleeveless bodysuit.

70-75 degrees Fahrenheit

If your baby’s room is 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, you should dress your baby in either:

                • 0.5 TOG sleep sack and a short-sleeve bodysuit.
                • 1.0 TOG sleep sack and a sleeveless bodysuit.

64-70 degrees Fahrenheit

If your baby’s room is 64-70 degrees Fahrenheit, you should dress your baby in either:

                • 1.0 TOG sleep sack and either a short-sleeve bodysuit or pajamas.
                • 2.5 TOG sleep sack and either a short-sleeve or long-sleeve bodysuit.

59-64 degrees Fahrenheit

If your baby’s room is 59-64 degrees Fahrenheit, you should dress your baby in either:

                • 2.5 TOG sleep sack and a sleeveless bodysuit with pajamas.
                • 3.5 TOG sleep sack and a long-sleeve bodysuit.

59-64 degrees Fahrenheit

If your baby’s room is below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, you should dress your baby in:

                • 3.5 TOG sleep sack and sleeveless bodysuit and pajamas.

What TOG Sleep Sack To Use In Spring and Summer?

When the seasons and temperatures change, parents need to make adjustments to ensure their little ones are comfortable and safe when sleeping.

In spring and summer, when the temperature begins to rise you will want to use garments with a low rating, such as 1.0 or 0.5 like the following item from Mama Cheetah.

Mama Cheetah Baby Wearable Blanket, 0.5 TOG Organic Cotton Sleep Bag ($27.99, Amazon)

What TOG Sleep Sack To Use In Fall & Winter?

In fall and winter, as temperatures begin dropping you should switch over to sleep sacks with a higher rating.

Depending on the temperature of your baby’s room, on very cold nights you may want to dress your baby in a 2.5 TOG to 3.5 TOG sleep sack like the example below from BABYINBAG, with pajamas underneath.

BABYINABAG Warm Quilted Winter Model Baby Sleeping Bag and Sack ($37.95, Amazon)

What Should My Baby Wear Under A Sleep Sack?

Parents often wonder what their baby should wear underneath their sleep sack.

We can see from the TOG chart that depending on the room temperature and TOG of the sleep sack, your baby should wear a sleeveless or short sleeved bodysuit in the spring and summer, and pajamas in the fall and winter.

Related: Is Organic Cotton Better For Babies?

And Finally, Remember Every Baby Is Different

You’re probably used to hearing that ever baby is different.

Does your baby get cold easily? Perhaps they find it easy to overheat?

Because some babies naturally run naturally warm while others run cold, it is recommended to use the TOG chart as a starting point and guide, rather than a set of rigid rules.

Parents should always keep in mind that it’s more dangerous for a baby to overheat than be a little too cool.

This is especially important because overheating has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

By adding or removing layers and shifting up and down the TOG rating, you can help ensure your baby is a safe and comfortable temperature when sleeping.

Must Read: The Ultimate Guide To Baby & Toddler Sleep

Tori is mama to 3 year old Isabella and co-founder of Rockinbaby. She has a BSc in Psychology, is a certified yoga teacher and is a working mom. In her free time Tori loves cooking delicious foods and baked treats, entertaining and working out. Learn more about Tori here.

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