How to use the Sleep Suit Bag
Learn how to use the Sleep Suit Bag in either Bag or Suit mode, for safer, comfortable sleeping
The Sleep Suit bag is a Sleeping Bag and Sleep Suit in one! With the use of some clever zips, you can transform between a Sleeping Bag and a Sleep Suit with legs. Here we explain the features of Australia’s most popular and loved sleeping bag product for your child, and offer some tips and tricks on how to best use the product to get more sleep.
Step one
Bag mode Use like a regular Sleeping Bag.
Suit mode Unzip the leg portion of the Sleep Suit Bag. Fasten the front zip to the back zip and repeat on the other leg.
Step two
Step three
Step four
To use in a 5 point harness, ensure the bag is in Suit mode with legs.
Safety warning
Do not use a padded Sleep Suit Bag (2.5 or 3.5 TOG) in a car seat.
Step five
Step six
Let’s check the fit!
An important safety element when using the Sleep Suit Bag is to ensure it's correctly fitted to prevent the product from riding up around your child’s face during sleep. Here’s how you can check you’ve got the right size. The Sleep Suit Bag is suitable from 3 months of ages, please do not use a sleep Sleep Suit Bag on a newborn.
- Check you have the correct size according to your baby's weight using our Size Guide.
- Put the Sleep Suit Bag on your child as you intend to use it (Bag or Suit mode).
- Slip two fingers into the neckhole of the Sleep Suit Bag and onto your child’s chest. The material should feel firm and comfortable on your fingers, but not tight.
- Check your child’s hips and legs. Your child’s knees should be able to flop outwards in a frog like position without any restriction.
Please do not be tempted to upsize, to get more wear out of the Sleep Suit Bag. A larger size may cause the material to gather around your child's face.
If in doubt, feel free to chat to our friendly Customer Service team who can help you check the fit for your child.
Size Guide
| ergoPouch size | 3–12M | 8–24M | 2–4Y | 4–6Y | 6–8Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same as size | 000–1y | 00–2y | 2–4y | 4–6y | 6–8y |
| Pouch length (cm) | 80cm | 90cm | 105cm | 120cm | 135cm |
| Pouch length (inch) | 31.5" | 35.4" | 41.3" | 47.2" | 53.1" |
| Child weight (kg) | 6–12kg | 8–14kg | Follow height markers | Follow height markers | Follow height markers |
| Child weight (lb) | 13.2 - 26.5 lbs | 17.6 - 30.9lbs | Follow height markers | Follow height markers | Follow height markers |
| Child height (cm) | 62–84cm | 68–92cm | 92–108cm | 108–120cm | 120–140cm |
| Child height (inch) | 24.4"-33.1" | 26.8"-36.2" | 36.2"-42.5" | 42.5"-47.2" |
Which ergoPouch product is right for my child?
As your child grows and develops, so too does their style of sleeping. ergoPouch products are designed towards the age, developmental milestone and physiology of children aged newborn – 6 years old, and the different sleep needs and challenges your child will have during this timeline.
We can suggest an ergoPouch product for every milestone in the first six years and beyond. Use our handy Milestones Chart to help you decide which products are best for your child at their current age throughout all seasons. The green flags indicate a typical journey through the range based on standard developmental milestones.
Bag mode or Suit mode?
The Sleep Suit Bag can be used from age 3 months, once your little one is rolling and has converted from swaddling to arms out sleeping. While all babies are wonderfully different and will come to milestones in their own time, we recommend the following:
| 3–12M | Bag mode is recommended |
|---|---|
| 8–24M | Suit mode is recommended around 12–15 months of age, when your little one starts to walk |
| 2–4Y | Suit mode only is recommended to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night |
| 4–6Y | Suit mode only is recommended to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night |
| 6–8Y | Suit mode only is recommended to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night |
Bag mode or Suit mode?
Understanding TOG ratings
Your Sleep Suit Bag comes with a TOG rating. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade and is a unit of measurement for insulation and warmth of sleepwear and bedding. Put simply, the lower the TOG rating the lighter the fabric. The higher the rating, the more padded and insulated it is for warmth. TOG rated fabrics are important as your baby cannot regulate their temperature like adults can.
Included in your pouch packaging is a Room Thermometer and Dressing Guide. Simply read the thermometer to find the room temperature of your baby's sleep environment, then follow the Dressing Guide on the front of the thermometer. The guide will inform how to layer your baby for sleep based on the TOG rating of your pouch, and the temperature of your room. Simple, smart and sanity-saving!
Understanding TOG ratings
What TOGs does the Sleep Suit Bag come in?
Choose from five TOGs for comfortable sleeping no matter the temperature.
Extend the life of your Sleep Suit Bag
All ergoPouch pouches are double-stitched and dyed with a non-toxic water-based dye, and certified to be free from formaldehyde, phthalates and lead. Cared for properly, this product will last several years and can be used for more than one baby. Our TOGs don't lose their warmth ratings over time, but a gentle fluff up in the dryer on a low setting helps maintain the fibre's loft, allowing air to circulate through more effectively.
If you've received a second-hand Sleep Suit Bag, check for loose threads, stable zips and any stretch around the neck before using. Contact our Customer Service team if you're unsure if you have received the correct size for your baby's weight.
How to wash and dry your Sleep Suit Bag
- Gentle cold machine wash
- Low tumble dry
- Moderately hot iron
- Dry cleanable
- Do not use bleach based stain removers
FAQs for using the Sleep Suit Bag
What size Sleep Suit Bag should I buy?
- 3–12 months: We recommend Bag mode
- 8–24 months: We recommend Suit mode around 12—15 months of age, when your little one starts to walk.
- 2–4 years: We recommend only using Suit mode to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night.
- 4–6 years: We recommend only using Suit mode to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night.
- 6–8 years: We recommend only using Suit mode to prevent injury in the event of cot climbing or leaving the bed during the night.
Do I use blankets on top of the Sleep Suit Bag?
The Sleep Suit Bag is TOG rated meaning they have an insulation grade making them warm enough to use for sleep without loose bedding, and are designed to replace blankets. It is recommended by safe sleep guidelines to sleep your child with their face and head uncovered, in thier cot free from loose bedding, pillows and toys.
How do I know if I have the right TOG to keep them warm enough?
Included in your Sleep Suit Bag packaging is a thermometer and dressing guide. Place the thermometer in your child's sleep environment to check room temperature. Once room temperature is established, use the table to guide you on the correct TOG and under-Layers combination. The Sleep Suit Bag comes in four different TOGs to ensure your child is comfortable no matter the room temperature. Our organic cotton fibres are excellent at keeping your child warm, whilst being breathable to maintain a comfortable and safe sleeping temperature.
Why are the sleeves on the 2.5 and 3.5 TOG not padded?
As a baby regulates their body temperature through their arms and head, ergoPouch 2.5 TOG and 3.5 TOG bags are padding free in the sleeves.
What does my baby wear under the Sleep Suit Bag?
This will vary from a nappy; to underwear if your child is toilet trained; through to warm pyjamas/onesies depending on the room temperature. Follow our What to Wear dressing guide (included with your Sleep Suit Bag) to layer appropriately underneath, according to your room temperature and what TOG you use. ergoPouch's under Layers are also TOG rated to help make dressing for sleep easy.
How do I stop my child from removing their Sleep Suit Bag?
Those independent fierce toddlers do not just discover their legs and walking once they reach toddler-hood. Their fine motor skill development often results in the discovery of zips and buttons on their Sleeping Bag. It is not uncommon for a toddler to remove their Sleeping Bag once you put them down for sleep. Parents have reported success with differing techniques, give one of these a go!.
1. Use the product in Suit mode
If you have the product still in Bag mode, it may be that your wriggly toddler just needs their leg freedom to be comfy during sleep. Go ahead and try out the Suit mode to see if it makes a difference.
2. Change the TOG
In some cases, your toddler may feel too hot and be removing it for comfort. If this is the case, check the room temperature and what TOG you are using. Use a lighter TOG if needed.
3. Ensure the zip cover is done up
The zip cover is a little fabric flap with a press-stud dome, that goes over the zip guard to prevent curious fingers from accessing and undoing the zip. Ensure this is done up when you put them down for their sleep.
4. Wear backwards or inside out
If your wily toddler has figured out the zip cover and nothing can stop them unzipping and remove their Sleep Suit Bag, try putting the product on them backwards, or inside out.
5. Try a different colour or print
We often get told by parents that their child prefers a particular colour or print in our range. Our Sleep Suit Bags come in various prints and colours. Wearing their favourite colour may help your head-strong toddler or preschooler settle in for sleep more easily.
Can my child walk around in the Sleep Suit Bag?
There are grip pads on the bottom of the Sleep Suit Bag to assist in walking safely if necessary for overnight bathroom trips, or sleepwalking. For safety, we do not recommend the Sleep Suit Bag is used outside of sleep as apparel. As the Sleep Suit Bag acts as a sleep cue, we strongly suggest dressing your child in it just before bedtime/lights out to give them the signal that it’s time for bed.
Safety Tips
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To prevent the Bag from riding up around your child’s face, ensure you have the correct size for your child's weight. See our Size Guide for more information.
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For sleep only. This product is not recommend for walking or use out of the bed.
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Only 0.3 TOG and 1.0 TOGs can be used in a 5 point harness. Do not use a padded Sleep Suit Bag in a car seat.
Safety Tips
Complete your child's essential safe sleep stash
