For many parents, sleep sacks are a lifesaver! They’re a great way to put little ones, even as young as newborns, to bed safely.

 

The safe sleep guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend parents not let their children sleep with any loose blankets in the crib or bassinet for the first year. This is where sleep sacks come in! Like with all baby products, sleep sacks have a time and place, and it is just as important to know when to stop using them as knowing how to use them safely. For all parents and babies, the time will come to transition out of sleep sack into something else.

 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using a sleep sack: when to start, when to stop, how to transition from sleep sack to blanket, and safe blankets for babies to use after transitioning.

When to Start Using a Sleep Sack

Most often, parents will choose to use a swaddle with their newborns. Swaddles, like HALO’s 100% cotton SleepSack® Swaddle, are ideal because it wraps firmly around your baby to provide them warmth and comfort while preventing them from wriggling free. It is believed that newborns sleep so well in a swaddle because it reminds them of the snugness of the womb.

However, once a baby shows signs of rolling over on their own (which can be as early as two months), the swaddle is no longer the safest option. This is because if an infant rolls onto their stomach and is unable to use their arms to roll back, it increases the risk of suffocation. It is time to do something different! Again, this is when the HALO easy transition sleep sack comes in handy!

Most parents start using a sleep sack after their little ones have started to transition from the swaddle. A sleep sack, like HALO’s 100% cotton Wearable Blanket, is a bodysuit made of a blanket-like material with a hole for your baby’s head and two holes for their arms. With this loose fitting “sack”, your little one is able to move their arms and legs more freely while still somewhat restricting their mobility.

Sleep sacks are also great for making sure babies stay warm while keeping loose blankets out of the crib to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.

With this in mind, it is tough to know exactly when to start using a sleep sack as it will depend on the baby. For some, it will be as early as two months. For others, it may not be till close to 6 months.

Featuring HALO SuperSoft Bamboo Sleep Sack

How to Use a Sleep Sack

Ensures a Smooth Transition from Swaddling

The SleepSack® easy transition wearable blanket helps to ensure an easy transition when it's time to stop swaddling your little one. Perfect for babies who no longer like to be swaddled, but still need a bit of security around their arms to reduce the startle reflex. It's designed with lightly quilted 100% cotton stretch and sleeves to help give your little one a snug fit without overheating. And, since baby's arms remain free, it's safe for little ones who are rolling.

• Snug fit for easier post-swaddle transition with 100% stretchy cotton
• Unique sleeve design reduces baby's startle reflex
• Two way zipper for easy diaper changes & dressing
• Hip healthy sack design that does not restrict baby's legs

When to Stop Using a Sleep Sack

Just like with the swaddle, the time will come for babies to transition out of the sleep sack. There are a couple of factors that go into parents deciding when to stop using a sleep sack.

First, a baby’s size. Most sleep sacks range in size from premature to extra large, with XL sleep sacks accommodating little ones who weigh up to 36 pounds and measure up to 40 inches long. When baby’s reach this limit will vary—some might get there as early as 18 months and others not till 2 years old. Regardless, if the largest sleep sack no longer fits, it’s time to consider a transition out of the sleep sack.

Your baby’s comfort level with the sleep sack will also play a role in how long they wear it. Some babies love the security of a wearable blanket and want to wear it as long as possible. Others, with their newfound mobility, will be constantly trying to break free. If your baby is starting to seem uncomfortable in the sleep sack or fights putting it on in the first place, it might be time to consider transitioning to something else.

You’ll also want to look at it from a safety point of view. The AAP recommends against using loose blankets in your child’s crib for the first year. With this in mind, many parents tend to use sleep sacks up at least until their child’s first birthday and some use it well into toddlerhood.

When Can Baby Sleep With Blanket?

After being gifted homemade quilts and other fun baby blankets, some parents might get antsy to use them and wonder “when can babies have blankets in the crib?” The truth is, the AAP does not recommend using blankets until children are at least one year old.

After a year old, if your child is ready, you can start to transition from a sleep sack to a blanket. At this point, the risk of SIDs has significantly decreased as your child has the mobility to roll over easily from any direction.

If your child is over a year old and you’re wondering when can my toddler sleep with a blanket, the good news is–as soon as they're ready! Keep in mind, however, that due to their movements at night, many children will not be able to stay under a loose blanket at night until the ages of three, four, or maybe even five.

How to Transition from Sleep Sack to Blanket

When the time comes to transition from a sleep sack to a blanket, here are some tips to help ease the transition for you and your little one.

Introduce a Special Blanket

During naptime or rest time, start introducing what will be your child’s new blanket that they sleep with. You can even use it when you are cuddling your little one on the couch or in the rocking chair. You want it to be a familiar concept for them. Some parents start this process early, weeks or months before it might be time to transition to using a blanket.

Use Just a Top Sheet

If you have a very thin top sheet, start by draping that over your little one while they are still in the sleep sack. It gets them used to having something in the bed with them. But remember–in accordance with the AAP’s safe sleep recommendations, don’t start doing this until they are at least one year old.

Use a Lighter Sleep Sack

Sleep sacks, like swaddles and pajamas, come in a variety of thickness and fabrics. Check the TOG rating or material of the current sleep sack you are using and go down a step to start getting your little one used to sleeping without it. For example, if you are using a micro-fleece wearable blanket, consider stepping down to a 100% cotton one instead.

If you do this, remember to adjust the temperature in your baby’s room as needed so that they stay plenty warm at night,

Dress Them As If They Won't Use the Blanket

Remember, there is a good chance your little one, especially toddlers, will have trouble staying underneath a blanket throughout the night. In order to prevent them from waking up cold and uncomfortable, dress them in enough layers to be warm without a blanket. Fleece or cotton footie pajamas with a onesie underneath could work great. It will all depend on the temperature of your baby’s room and their personal comfort level.

Safe Blankets for Babies to Use

As you transition from a sleep sack to a blanket, you’ll need to decide what type of blanket to use! Just like with sleep sacks (and all baby products) you have options!

There are a variety of baby blanket fabrics and sizes to choose from. You’ll want to consider the following when choosing the right blanket for your little one to use:

• Size We recommend starting off with smaller blankets. Remember, your baby will most likely not spend most of the night under it anyway. Larger blankets pose a greater strangulation risk, even for infants older than a year. It is much easier for a baby to tangle themselves up in large blankets, and if they do not get hurt, it can at the very least cause discomfort and wake them up.
• Fabric Specifically, you want to look at the thickness of the material of the specific baby blanket you’re looking at. The more breathable the fabric the better. This is why we suggest parents stick to muslin and cotton blankets as opposed to heavy quilts. With babies transitioning from a sleep sack to a swaddle, you do not want to use weighted blankets at all.
• Extra materials Regardless of the child’s age, blankets with extra ribbons, garlands, or ends are not suitable for bedtime. Even as your little one gets older, but especially as a baby or toddler, they pose an increased risk for choking or suffocation.

At the end of the day, remember that sleep sacks are a great option for reducing the risk of SIDS while your child is little. However, like with everything, there will come a time for your baby to make the transition from a sleep sack. When that time comes, you now know how to safely introduce a blanket!

Our Favorite Sleep Sack

Ideal Temp

Say goodbye to sweaty sleep! HALO® SleepSack® Ideal Temp is the only wearable blanket that helps regulate your baby’s temperature. Because it helps to prevent overheating, parents can rest assured littles will sleep more safely and comfortably. Featuring IntelliThread™ technology, our smart fabric absorbs heat, stores it, and then releases it back to your baby, so they maintain an ideal temperature and avoid heat spikes (which can lead to wakeups.) Bonus points: IntelliThread™ fibers are embedded in the fabric, so they won’t ever wash out or fade!