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What Should Your Baby Wear Under a Swaddle, Sleep Bag or Sleep Suit?
Back to Baby sleep
One bodysuit? Two? Nothing at all? What to put on your baby under a swaddle or sleep bag is something almost every parent wonders about. The good news is that a few simple rules make it easy to get right. Here's how warm the bedroom should be, how to combine layers and TOG, and how to tell your baby is comfortable.
The short answer
What your baby wears under a swaddle or sleep bag depends on the room temperature. Around 18 °C in the bedroom is ideal. The swaddle or sleep bag counts as one layer, and underneath, a short or long-sleeved bodysuit or a light romper is usually enough, depending on the temperature. Choose a TOG that suits the room, skip hats and loose blankets, and feel the back of your baby's neck to check they're comfortably warm.
How warm should the bedroom be?
Around 18 °C is a good room temperature for sleep. Babies can't regulate their body temperature as well as adults yet, so it's important they're neither too hot nor too cold.
To make choosing sleepwear easier, every Love to Dream product has a TOG rating. It tells you how warm a fabric is: the higher the number, the warmer it is. Our article What is a TOG rating? explains everything you need to know.
What to wear underneath, by temperature
Our TOG ratings are designed for these room temperatures:
- 0.2 TOG: 24 to 27 °C
- 1.0 TOG: 20 to 24 °C
- 1.5 TOG: 18 to 22 °C
- 2.5 TOG: 16 to 20 °C
- 3.5 TOG: 14 to 16 °C
As a rule of thumb, the warmer the room, the less your baby wears underneath. On warm summer nights, a short-sleeved bodysuit under a lightweight swaddle is often enough. On cooler nights, you can add a long-sleeved bodysuit or a light romper. Temperatures can change through the night, so it's worth checking the thermometer before bed.
One layer, not two
A swaddle, sleep bag or sleep suit each counts as one layer. Never put your baby in two swaddles or sleep bags at once, and don't add a blanket on top. If it gets cooler, choose a higher TOG or add one light layer underneath instead.
As soon as your baby shows signs of being able to roll, it's time to move to arms-free sleep. Our transition swaddles and sleep bags come in the same TOG ratings, so you can carry straight on. Our guide on when to stop swaddling explains when the time is right.
How to check your baby is comfortable
Feel the back of your baby's neck, their back or their tummy. If their skin feels comfortably warm and dry, they're fine. If it's sweaty or hot, they're too warm and you can take off a layer. Cool hands and feet are normal in babies and aren't a sign they're cold.
What your baby shouldn't wear
- No hats in bed. Babies lose heat through their head and face, which should always stay uncovered during sleep.
- No loose layers or blankets. No pillows, blankets or soft toys in the cot.
- No heat sources. No hot water bottles and no electric blankets.
- Not too big, not too small. Choose sleepwear in the right size for your baby's weight and height.
Always place your baby on their back in a clear cot. Find out more in our safer sleep guide.
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FAQs about baby sleepwear
How many layers should my baby wear under a swaddle?
There's no set number. It depends on the room temperature and the TOG. Usually one layer underneath, such as a bodysuit or a light romper, is enough.
Can I layer two sleep bags?
No. Two swaddles or sleep bags on top of each other increase the risk of overheating. Choose a higher TOG or one extra light layer underneath instead.
Does my baby need socks?
Usually not, because a swaddle or sleep bag keeps their feet warm. Cool feet are normal in babies. Feel the back of their neck instead to check they're comfortably warm.
How can I tell if my baby is too hot?
A sweaty neck, damp hair, flushed cheeks or fast breathing can be signs. If you notice them, take off a layer or choose a lower TOG.
Can my baby be swaddled in summer?
Yes, with the right TOG. Lightweight 0.2 TOG swaddles are designed for warm nights, and a short-sleeved bodysuit underneath is often enough.
Key takeaway
Around 18 °C in the bedroom is ideal. Choose a TOG that suits the room temperature, and underneath add a short or long-sleeved bodysuit or a light romper depending on how warm it is. A swaddle or sleep bag counts as one layer, never two at once. No hats, no loose blankets, and feel the back of your baby's neck to check they're comfortably warm.
If your baby still struggles to settle, our guide on how to settle a newborn can help. Find more tips on our baby sleep blog.