What is TOG Rating and Why Does it Matter for Your Baby?

We get this question from our customers all the time: What is TOG rating and why is it important for safe sleep?

Most parents are aware of the importance of regulating their newborn’s temperature and the risks of a baby overheating. Overheating is shown to increase the risk of SIDS. What most parents may not know is that the TOG rating can help them choose the right products to help regulate their baby's body temperature.

Perhaps you recognize the term TOG from the last time you went shopping for a duvet...or perhaps you’ve never heard of it before!  TOG is a rating commonly used in the textile industry, to rate the warmth of products made from fabrics.

This article will further explain the TOG meaning and why you should pay attention to it when shopping for your baby. And when it comes to finding weighted sleepwear in various TOG ratings, you can look no further than Nested Bean. We have weighted sleep sacks and weighted swaddles for newborns right here in our catalog, ranging from low to high TOG ratings!

What is TOG Rating? The TOG Meaning for Baby Explained

So, what is TOG rating? This stands for Thermal Overall Grade, and is a standardized measurement used to indicate the thermal insulation of fabrics, particularly in the context of sleepwear and bedding. It's a crucial factor in ensuring your baby sleeps comfortably and safely, especially considering their developing ability to regulate body temperature.

A TOG rating helps you choose the right fabric weight for different room temperatures, preventing overheating or underheating. The scale typically ranges from 0.2 TOG (very light, suitable for warm environments) to 3.5 TOG (very warm, designed for cold conditions). The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the garment.

Here's a more in-depth look at how TOG ratings work:

• Measurement of Insulation: TOG ratings measure a fabric's ability to trap warm air. This is why higher TOG ratings indicate more warmth – the fabric is better at retaining heat.
• Guidance for Dressing Babies: Since babies can’t regulate their temperature as adults do, choosing the right TOG-rated clothing helps maintain their body temperature at a safe and comfortable level.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Different TOG-rated garments are suitable for various seasons. In summer, a lower TOG rating is preferable to prevent overheating, while in winter, a higher TOG rating keeps the baby warm enough.
• Fabric Types and TOG Ratings: Different materials have different intrinsic TOG values. For instance, lightweight materials like bamboo blends typically have lower TOG ratings, while denser fabrics like cotton with poly-fill have higher ratings. This is why the TOG rating is essential in determining the most appropriate fabric based on the ambient temperature of the baby’s environment.
• Safety Considerations: A correct TOG rating is not just about comfort, but safety. Overheating has been associated with increased risks during sleep, so choosing an appropriate TOG rating reduces these risks significantly

With a better understanding of the TOG meaning baby, let’s dive into why it’s so important in regards to how to dress baby for sleep. 

How TOG Impacts Your Baby’s Sleep and Safety

When your baby is in utero, her temperature is regulated by your own. So when she’s born, her body isn’t sure of how to regulate temperature by itself. 

In fact, it can take 10 months, sometimes even longer, for your baby to learn how to regulate their body temperature! In the meantime, parents need to keep an eye on their babies, especially while sleeping, to make sure they are comfortable.

The thumb rule is to dress your baby according to the room temperature. The nightwear or dress in which the baby feels comfortable and safe is considered the right choice. Experts recommend adding one layer to the dress your baby finds comfortable wearing.  - Mom Junction

Just like you, your baby will be uncomfortable if they are too hot or too cold. However, an irregular temperature for your baby can sometimes mean more than a little discomfort. When you’re chilly, you can simply throw on a jacket or sweater, and when you’re feeling warm you can shed a layer or two. But newborns don’t have those abilities yet.

Infant hypothermia can set in if body temperature drops below 97.7 degrees F (95 degrees F for adults). Whereas overheating can occur at a body temperature above 100.4 degrees. 

Keep your baby’s room at a safe temperature and dress them accordingly. The recommended temperature for your baby’s room is 68-72 degrees F. 

If your nursery doesn’t have its own thermostat, you can buy an indoor thermometer to monitor the temp (using fans and opening windows also helps to regulate the room temperature), but a good rule of thumb to judge by is your own comfort. 

If you feel too warm, your baby probably does too, and if you’re feeling chilly, your baby is probably cold. 

Likewise, if you’re comfortable outside in shorts and a t-shirt, your baby can probably wear shorts and a t-shirt (remember to use sunscreen and/or a wide-brimmed hat on those sunny days!) and if you need to wear a jacket or sweater, then your baby probably needs an extra layer too.

What TOG Rating Does My Baby Need?

We share the TOG rating of all our products to help you determine which product is right for your baby based on your room temperature. 

Because babies don’t generate heat well, but they absorb it easily, it’s important to be mindful of how much and what kind of clothing they are wearing, especially when they go to sleep. 

It’s unsafe to keep loose bedding or blankets in the crib with your little one, so we use clothing and wearable blankets, like the Zen Sack and Zen Swaddle, to keep babies comfortable while sleeping.

Our classic and premier lines are made with different fabrics, so the TOG rating is different for each. Our Zen Sack is also available in a winter weight for extra warmth during colder months. The chart below outlines the fabric and TOG rating for each of our products.

We chose to make our Zen Swaddle and Zen Sack with breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo to lower any risk of overheating while wearing our products. Our lightweight fabrics ensure that your baby will not overheat due to swaddling alone. 

Our Zen Swaddle and Zen Sack both allow for layering underneath, so you can use clothing to help regulate your baby’s temperature. Both our cotton and bamboo blend fabrics have low TOG ratings between 0.3 to 1.5, to help keep your baby comfortable without the risk of being overheated. These are considered the best bamboo fabric sleep sack and swaddles. 

Being a New England-based company, we recognized the need for something warmer during winter months that wouldn’t require multiple layers of clothing. Our winter sleep sack is designed to have a higher TOG of 2.5, meaning it is extra warm and plush for colder temperatures. It’s truly a wearable blanket for your baby. In fact, it’s the best sleep sack for winter, period!

Our Recommendations Based on TOG and Temperature

Another common question we get looks something like this:

“I live in Arizona. Should I get the classic or premier for my baby?”

Or “I live in Minnesota. Will the classic or premier swaddle be warm enough?”

Our first piece of advice to parents is always to monitor the temperature of your home and your baby’s room. If it stays at the recommended temperature (68-72 degrees F) then any of our products will be comfortable for your baby.

Other things to consider when deciding between classic, premier, and winter weight are the fabric properties. The classic (100% cotton) and premier (70% bamboo, 30% cotton) have very similar TOG ratings, the premier being a slightly thinner material. Cotton is widely considered the most comfortable and breathable fabric out there - we’ve all seen those “the fabric of my life” commercials. Our bamboo fabric blend is equally as comfy but luxuriously soft. Additionally, bamboo is known for its moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties.

There really is no wrong choice when deciding between our classic and premier lines, but if you’re really stuck, we suggest that families who live in more southern areas with warmer year-round temperatures consider the premier Zen Swaddle or Zen Sack and those of us living in cooler climates consider the classic. 

We also typically suggest the premier line to parents who find their baby gets hot rather easily since it is a lighter-weight material. However, as we mentioned, either choice is fine and poses no risk for overheating. 

So, if you live in Florida but you’re totally in love with our Bubble Chasers (a classic print) Zen Swaddle, or you live in Maine and your heart is set on our Deepsea Divers (a premier print), go ahead: buy the style that your baby is going to look the most adorable in. 

After all, that’s why we swaddle, right? Because our babies look like adorable little burritos (just kidding...you can read all about why we swaddle here).

Our Zen Sack winter is recommended for just that: winter. Its TOG rating is significantly higher than our classic and premier lines thanks to the poly-fil inside and soft cotton outer layer, which make it ideal for the cold. The winter-weight Zen Sack, although amazingly soft and cozy, is most likely not suitable for warmer months.

Bringing Our Beginner’s Guide to the TOG Meaning Baby to a Close

So, what is TOG rating? In conclusion, TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) is a vital measure of a fabric's insulating power, crucial for your baby's comfort and safety during sleep. 

The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the garment. Selecting the appropriate TOG rating, based on room temperature and season, ensures your baby stays at a safe, comfortable temperature throughout the night. No matter what TOG rating your baby needs, though, Nested Bean has you covered.

Our blog has more resources on safe newborn sleep practices, such as when to start sleep training baby, safe cosleeping, the ideal baby nap schedule or newborn sleep schedule, how to put a baby to sleep fast, how to get baby to nap longer, sleep sack benefits, when should baby sleep in own room, how to transition baby to crib, and how to transition out of swaddle.

At this point, though, it’s time to take your knowledge of the TOG meaning baby and get your hands on the best transitional sleep sack, best baby pajamas for sleep, best transition swaddle, and other swaddle types we have in store for you. 

From our arms up swaddle to our bamboo fabric sleep sack, zipper swaddle, and more, Nested Bean’s gently weighted sleepwear improves sleep in just a few nights - so you and your baby both get a better night’s rest. 

Discover what a difference the right TOG rating can make in your newborn bedtime routine today!