To keep your baby warm and comfortable while camping, a baby sleeping bag is a MUST. Any parent knows that a sleeping baby means that everyone gets a good night’s sleep too, so if you’re looking for the best baby sleeping bag for camping, you have come to the right place.
Best Baby Sleeping Bag for Camping: Features to Look For
It’s easy to be overwhelmed with all of the camping gear options out there, but by knowing what to look for, you can narrow things down, and the search becomes so much more simple.
Here are some of the features that you need to look for in a baby sleeping bag:
- A reverse zipper is a must when you are buying a sleeping bag for your baby when camping. This makes it easier to unzip the bag and change your baby’s diaper, which is a game-changer during those late nights.
- A removable sleeve is another essential feature to look for, especially when you are camping in warm weather.
- On the flip side, a feature that allows your child to cover their hands is a great option if you are camping in colder weather. This eliminates the need for your baby to wear gloves.
- The best sleeping bag for your baby should be made of water-resistant material. This will help keep your child dry and warm during sleep, a parenting pro-tip to avoid fussy nights while camping.
- An additional feature to look for, would be one that it is compatible with a stroller and machine washable.
Finding the Right Fit
The fit of the baby sleeping bag is a huge factor to consider when shopping for this camping essential. The fit is crucial to helping your child fall asleep more soundly and for their safety, as well.
Here are some guidelines to help you pick a sleeping bag for a baby that fits right:
- Always consider your baby’s age and weight when shopping for sleeping bags for camping. Manufacturers use standard sizing that would be recommended to match a child’s specific age range and average body weight (and height).
- Most brand manufacturers of sleeping bags offer three sizing options, from baby to toddler: 0-6 months, 6-18 months, and 18-36 months. There might be slight variations with the sizing per brand, so take time to learn the difference so you can pick the right size for your child.
- Make sure that the sleeping bag is snug enough for your baby’s body, and that they won’t be able to put their hands inside the bag.
- It is also important to check the size of the sleeping bag's opening hole that your baby’s head will fit through. It shouldn't be too tight that it would squeeze, but not too loose that your baby's head could slip down inside the bag.
- Make sure that all openings in the bag have a smooth seam. Pointy seams can be a safety hazard.
Choosing the Best Design
Choosing the design for your baby’s sleeping bag simply depends on what you think looks best!
However, it’s smart to choose a sleeping bag design that has zippers that run along the bottom and sides. For older babies, there are sleeping bags that have one single zip, which makes it more difficult for them to climb out of the bag on their own.
How Warm Should the Sleeping Bag Be?
It’s important to know the right level of warmth you need to keep your baby comfortable and content the whole night long, and this is a big factor to take into consideration when buying sleeping bags.
But how warm should it be? You want to keep your baby warm, but not hot when in a sleeping bag. Think Goldilocks. The goal is to get one that’s just right.
The first step is to check the actual temperature at night when camping. If you are camping at a high elevation, the temperature can significantly drop during the night. This will allow you to make adjustments as to how warm you want your baby to be in their sleeping bag.
Make sure you check the temperature ratings in your baby’s sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags on the market use the TOG rating system. This will indicate how warm the sleeping bag can get. You can use this to determine if you need to add more layers to your baby when they sleep to help them stay warm.
When trying to keep your baby warm at night, it is important that you keep them from sweating. When your baby sweats, it means they get wet, and those wet spots can make them colder when they evaporate. Always get your baby to wear breathable fabric at night to promote air circulation through the night, even when you are trying to keep them warm.
How To Keep A Baby Sleeping Soundly While Camping
So you got the sleeping bag; now what? Sleep is a major concern for families that go camping with babies. Here’s some more tips to help your baby sleep soundly in their sleeping bag, so EVERYONE can get a good night’s sleep.
- Put your baby inside their sleeping bag as close to their bedtime as possible. Make sure to maintain a similar routine to when you are putting them to sleep at home, it'll keep the transitions smoother.
- Prepare to nurse or lay with them while they fall asleep. Babies are aware of the changes in their sleeping environment, so it's your job to make them feel secure and safe by staying with them until they doze off, so they feel comfortable.
- Keep them warm, but not hot. Make sure they are wearing breathable items to sleep and always be aware of the temperature changes as this can affect their ability to fall asleep.
- Keep them active during the day. An exhausted baby is a baby that falls asleep fast and gets a solid night of sleep.
As you can see, you can have a wonderful time camping with your baby, especially if you have the right equipment. A baby sleeping bag will help keep them snug and warm so that they can sleep soundly. So if you're nervous about spending time away from home for the first time with your baby, don't be. Because rest assured, wake-ups and sleep issues aside, camping with a baby is AMAZING and there's no better way to inspire a lifelong love of the outdoors than by taking them camping.