How to Dress Your Baby for Sleep: TOG Ratings and Temperature Guide
What should your baby wear to bed?
What should your baby wear to bed?
Many new parents wonder how to keep their baby warm and safe while sleeping - without using blankets. The safest and most practical option is TOG-rated swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suits and pyjamas, designed for different room temperatures.
Newborns typically sleep in a swaddle with light layers underneath to reduce the startle reflex and maintain warmth. As your baby grows, they’ll transition into other TOG-rated sleepwear depending on their age and developmental stage.
Use the What to Wear Guide below as a starting point to choose the right TOG-rated product based on the temperature of your baby’s sleep space. All ergoPouch Pouches* include a free room thermometer and What to Wear Guide (for sizes up to 8–24 months).
*Included with all Swaddles, Sleeping Bags, Sleep Suit Bags, and Sleep Onesies up to size 8–24 months only. Not included with Layers or Pyjamas.
Many new parents wonder how to keep their baby warm and safe while sleeping - without using blankets. The safest and most practical option is TOG-rated swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suits and pyjamas, designed for different room temperatures.
Newborns typically sleep in a swaddle with light layers underneath to reduce the startle reflex and maintain warmth. As your baby grows, they’ll transition into other TOG-rated sleepwear depending on their age and developmental stage.
Use the What to Wear Guide below as a starting point to choose the right TOG-rated product based on the temperature of your baby’s sleep space. All ergoPouch Pouches* include a free room thermometer and What to Wear Guide (for sizes up to 8–24 months).
*Included with all Swaddles, Sleeping Bags, Sleep Suit Bags, and Sleep Onesies up to size 8–24 months only. Not included with Layers or Pyjamas.
What this video shows
What this video shows
This short video demonstrates how to dress your baby for sleep using TOG-rated clothing. It visually shows:
• How to read the room thermometer included in each ergoPouch pouch
• How to match the room temperature to a TOG rating
• Examples of swaddles, sleeping bags, and layering combinations
The video supports the chart below by illustrating how layering and TOG choices change with room temperature.
This short video demonstrates how to dress your baby for sleep using TOG-rated clothing. It visually shows:
• How to read the room thermometer included in each ergoPouch pouch
• How to match the room temperature to a TOG rating
• Examples of swaddles, sleeping bags, and layering combinations
The video supports the chart below by illustrating how layering and TOG choices change with room temperature.
Sleep Dressing Quiz
What is a TOG Rating?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It measures how effectively a fabric retains warmth and insulates.
▪️A lower TOG rating means lighter, cooler fabric - best for warm rooms
▪️A higher TOG rating means thicker, more insulated fabric - ideal for cool rooms
SHOP BY TOGTOG-Rated Pouch suited to your Room Temperature
Cool Pouch
22°C +
Mild Pouch
20–24°C
Warm Pouch
15–21°C
Warmest Pouch
12–19°C
Why we use TOG ratings to dress babies for safe sleep?
Why we use TOG ratings to dress babies for safe sleep?
Babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so they need extra help staying warm while they sleep. But using loose blankets and soft bedding in the cot is unsafe, as they increase the risk of suffocation, according to Red Nose Australia. Instead, babies and young children should sleep in wearable blankets - also known as sleeping bags, zip-up swaddles or pouches. These products come in different TOG ratings, which indicate how warm they are.
By choosing the right TOG based on the room temperature, you can help keep your baby safe and comfortable all night.
ergoPouch's range of pouches and pyjamas are TOG-rated for warmth.
Babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so they need extra help staying warm while they sleep. But using loose blankets and soft bedding in the cot is unsafe, as they increase the risk of suffocation, according to Red Nose Australia. Instead, babies and young children should sleep in wearable blankets - also known as sleeping bags, zip-up swaddles or pouches. These products come in different TOG ratings, which indicate how warm they are.
By choosing the right TOG based on the room temperature, you can help keep your baby safe and comfortable all night.
ergoPouch's range of pouches and pyjamas are TOG-rated for warmth.
TOG guide: How to dress your baby based on room temperature
TOG guide: How to dress your baby based on room temperature
This chart shows which TOG-rated sleepwear and under-layers to use at different room temperatures.
This chart shows which TOG-rated sleepwear and under-layers to use at different room temperatures.
Looking for a guide that includes our HugMe Blanket? Click here to jump down.
Looking for a guide that includes our HugMe Blanket? Click here to jump down.
How to read the What to Wear Guide
How to read the What to Wear Guide
As the room gets cooler, your baby will need a higher TOG-rated pouch and more layers underneath. The chart above helps you find the right combination.
Examples:
- 24°C and above: Use a 0.2 TOG pouch on its own, or with a short-sleeve bodysuit
- 20–24°C: Choose a 0.2 or 1.0 TOG pouch, layered with a short- or long-sleeve romper
- 18–20°C: Use a 1.0 or 2.5 TOG pouch with a long-sleeve bodysuit
- 16–18°C: Use a 2.5 TOG pouch with a long-sleeve romper and singlet
- 12–16°C: Use a 3.5 TOG pouch with a warm long-sleeve layer and singlet
- Below 14°C: Continue with 3.5 TOG and both a warm base layer and singlet underneath
Choose the combination that best suits your baby’s age, development, and natural warmth preferences.
As the room gets cooler, your baby will need a higher TOG-rated pouch and more layers underneath. The chart above helps you find the right combination.
Examples:
- 24°C and above: Use a 0.2 TOG pouch on its own, or with a short-sleeve bodysuit
- 20–24°C: Choose a 0.2 or 1.0 TOG pouch, layered with a short- or long-sleeve romper
- 18–20°C: Use a 1.0 or 2.5 TOG pouch with a long-sleeve bodysuit
- 16–18°C: Use a 2.5 TOG pouch with a long-sleeve romper and singlet
- 12–16°C: Use a 3.5 TOG pouch with a warm long-sleeve layer and singlet
- Below 14°C: Continue with 3.5 TOG and both a warm base layer and singlet underneath
Choose the combination that best suits your baby’s age, development, and natural warmth preferences.
How to use your What to Wear Guide for Pouches
How to use your What to Wear Guide for Pouches
Each pouch includes a free thermometer and dressing guide. To use:
1. Check the temperature of the room using the included thermometer (note that it can change throughout the day and night.
2. Match the room temperature to the recommended TOG rating using the chart.
3. Select the right product type and size: 0.2/0.3 TOG, 1.0 TOG, 2.5 TOG, or 3.5 TOG swaddle, sleep sack, suit or onesie.
4. Layer with rompers or singlets as needed.
Note: You can safely use either our older or updated What to Wear Guide - both provide accurate recommendations. Download a digital version for easy access.
Each pouch includes a free thermometer and dressing guide. To use:
1. Check the temperature of the room using the included thermometer (note that it can change throughout the day and night.
2. Match the room temperature to the recommended TOG rating using the chart.
3. Select the right product type and size: 0.2/0.3 TOG, 1.0 TOG, 2.5 TOG, or 3.5 TOG swaddle, sleep sack, suit or onesie.
4. Layer with rompers or singlets as needed.
Note: You can safely use either our older or updated What to Wear Guide - both provide accurate recommendations. Download a digital version for easy access.
Sleepwear Recommendations by Room Temperature
What’s the difference between our old and new thermometers?
What’s the difference between our old and new thermometers?
We redesigned our thermometer and dressing guide after feedback from over 500 Australian parents. Key changes include:
- The guide is now printed on the back of the packaging - no separate insert required.
- Temperature is displayed in 1°C increments for more accurate dressing decisions.
- Layering recommendations now include new 2.0 TOG Layers and 2.5 TOG HugMe Blankets.
If you're already confident with your baby's sleepwear setup, there’s no need to change your routine. The guide is here to support, not replace, your instincts.
We redesigned our thermometer and dressing guide after feedback from over 500 Australian parents. Key changes include:
- The guide is now printed on the back of the packaging - no separate insert required.
- Temperature is displayed in 1°C increments for more accurate dressing decisions.
- Layering recommendations now include new 2.0 TOG Layers and 2.5 TOG HugMe Blankets.
If you're already confident with your baby's sleepwear setup, there’s no need to change your routine. The guide is here to support, not replace, your instincts.
Why are there different coloured What to Wear TOG Guides?
Most ergoPouch sleepwear under size 2 includes a green What to Wear Guide. This TOG guide helps you match our pouches with layers for the right outfit based on room temperature.
The tan-coloured guide comes with the HugMe Blanket (formerly Baby Tuck Sheet), as this product adds extra warmth. The HugMe Blanket is also TOG-rated and fits seamlessly into our sleepwear combinations.
How to use the TOG Guide for HugMe Blanket
How to use the TOG Guide for HugMe Blanket
1. Check the temperature of your baby’s room using the included thermometer strip.
2. Match the temperature to the TOG rating in the guide.
3. Select the right HugMe Blanket (0.2/1.0 TOG or 1.0/2.5 TOG) and combine it with a swaddle, sleeping bag, sleep suit or onesie.
4. Layer appropriately underneath using ergoPouch Layers or Bodywear.
Note: This guide is intended for use with ergoPouch products only. Always consider your baby’s warmth, developmental stage, and health conditions.
1. Check the temperature of your baby’s room using the included thermometer strip.
2. Match the temperature to the TOG rating in the guide.
3. Select the right HugMe Blanket (0.2/1.0 TOG or 1.0/2.5 TOG) and combine it with a swaddle, sleeping bag, sleep suit or onesie.
4. Layer appropriately underneath using ergoPouch Layers or Bodywear.
Note: This guide is intended for use with ergoPouch products only. Always consider your baby’s warmth, developmental stage, and health conditions.
HugMe Blanket
The HugMe Blanket is a TOG-rated, firm-fitting blanket designed to replace loose bedding in the bassinet or cot. It provides added warmth and safety while keeping your baby snug during sleep.
