TOG measures how warm a fabric keeps your baby — the higher the TOG, the warmer the sleepwear. Below we cover what TOG means, how to read a TOG chart, and how to dress your baby for the room temperature.
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It's a unit of measurement that tells you how warm a fabric will keep your baby. This makes dressing your baby simpler and safer as both overheating and loose layers like blankets, can pose a risk to infant sleep.
You'll see TOG ratings on quality and tested sleep bags, swaddles, and sleep suits. Underneath those, you dress your baby in breathable layers, as recommended on a dressing guide.
Great question, we'd love to tell you! The good news is you don't need a TOG for every single temperature notch on the thermometer, as each TOG covers a range of degrees. This means there is some flexibility in how you use your breathable layers underneath to achieve the optimum comfort for your baby.
To start:
Select a TOG rating to see what your baby should wear at each room temperature.
Short-sleeve pajamas
Short-sleeve pajamas
Romper and short-sleeve bodysuit
Romper
Short-sleeve pajamas
Romper and short-sleeve bodysuit
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Short-sleeve, long-leg pajamas
Romper and long-sleeve bodysuit
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Short-sleeve, long-leg pajamas
Romper and sleeveless bodysuit
Romper
Important: Every child feels temperature differently, and room temperature, health and clothing layers all play a part. Use this as a general guide only — as a parent or caregiver, you're best placed to judge what's right for your child.
Climate varies a lot depending on where you live in the US, but here's a general guide to help you plan ahead.
June – August
US summers vary a lot depending on where you live and whether you use air conditioning. On warmer nights when your nursery climbs above 75°F, a 0.2 TOG is the safest bet. On especially hot nights, baby might just need a short-sleeve onesie or even just a diaper underneath. For most typical summer evenings where an air-conditioned room sits around 68–75°F, a 1.0 TOG with a short-sleeve bodysuit works well.
Sep – Nov / Mar – May
The shoulder seasons are the trickiest because temperatures can swing from warm days to cool nights (and then back again). Having both a 1.0 TOG and a 1.5 TOG on hand means you can switch depending on the evening. Check your nursery temperature at bedtime rather than going off the weather forecast. Already have a 2.5 TOG? It can be worn up to approximately 68°F, but layer accordingly and check for signs of being too hot.
December – February
For most winter nights, a 2.5 TOG will do the job. If your home gets really cold overnight (below 61°F), step up to a 3.5 TOG. Layer a long-sleeve bodysuit underneath and you're all set.
The TOG rating covers the sleep bag or swaddle itself, but what baby wears underneath matters too. There is some flexibility to layer up and down within the temperature range, to get the most value from your TOG-rated sleepwear.
Choosing a lightweight, breathable layer that is soft and has slight stretch will allow for comfort, movement and sit flat against the skin under their TOG rated sleepwear.
These are general guidelines. Every baby is different so always check if they are too hot or cold and adjust a layer accordingly.
When in doubt, go with the lower TOG. It's always safer for baby to be slightly cool than too warm.
The TOG rating itself doesn't change based on your baby's age. Correct TOG testing will ensure the TOG is relevant to the garment, and not the baby's age or sleep development stage. Here are a few tips when dressing your baby with a TOG rated swaddle or sleep bag:
Read more: When to stop swaddling your baby
Getting the right TOG isn't just about comfort. It plays a part in safer sleep:
Following a dressing guide and using the right TOG for your baby's room temperature helps reduce the risk of overheating.
A TOG-rated sleep bag or swaddle also stays in place and gives you more predictable, even warmth distribution. A comfortable, fitted swaddle or sleep sack can also remove the risk of covers being kicked off or loose layers pulled over baby's face.
Learn more: Safer Sleep Guidelines for babies
Even with the right TOG, it's good to know the signs that your baby might need an adjustment.
Slide your hand down the back of baby's neck or onto their chest. It should feel comfortably warm, not hot or clammy, and not cold. This tells you more than checking their hands or feet, which tend to run cooler naturally.
Read more: Signs your baby is too hot or too cold while sleeping
Remember: You know your baby best. These are guidelines to help but trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, check and adjust.
Published TOG ratings should be considered in conjunction with our specific clothing guides (found online and on pack) and are from test results that we believe reflect the appropriate TOG when used in conjunction with our clothing guides.
We believe that our TOG ratings, together with our clothing guides, help parents and caregivers make the best decision on how to dress their child at different room temperatures.
We also provide guidance on how the parent or caregiver can check if the child is too hot or too cold. This is important in empowering the parent or caregiver to decide what is best for their child. All children are different.
The number of clothing layers required may vary according to a child's health, their physiology, the room temperature, the outside temperature and other factors. The caregiver must determine what is suitable. We do not provide medical advice.
Nope! A 1.0 TOG swaddle provides the same warmth as a 1.0 TOG sleep bag. The TOG measurement is based on the fabric's insulation, and each product is tested in its specific style, shape and size. So when you're transitioning from swaddle to transition bag to sleep bag, you don't need to change your TOG unless your room temperature has changed. Just match it to the room as usual and follow your dressing guide for layering.
No. Layering one sleep bag over another is not recommended. The TOG ratings are designed to provide the right level of warmth on their own. Doubling up can lead to overheating, which is a safety risk. Instead, choose the correct single TOG for your room temperature and adjust what baby wears underneath.
It depends on the TOG rating and your room temperature. As a general guide, a bodysuit, romper, onesie or pajamas are worn under a sleep bag or swaddle. Always check the clothing guide on your product's packaging for specific recommendations.
Nope! Our TOG rated swaddles replace the need for extra blankets or wrapping. It's a one and done sort of situation. Less layers, less stress!
No. For babies under 12 months, loose blankets are not recommended as part of safer sleep guidelines and for older babies, blankets often come with a range of challenges. They can be kicked off and the development might not be there yet to be able to put it back on easily. Cue many night disturbances. A TOG-rated sleep bag or swaddle is like a wearable blanket and replaces the need for blankets entirely. They provide more consistent, predictable warmth and stay put so no middle-of-the-night tuck-ins needed.
You don't have to, but it makes life a lot easier. A TOG-rated product takes the guesswork out of dressing your baby for sleep. Without one, it can be tricky to know whether your baby is warm enough (or too warm). Plus, sleep bags and swaddles are often recommended over loose blankets as part of safer sleep guidelines as they reduce the need for loose layers in the sleep space.
