A sleeping bag for your baby is a must when camping. This essential item is what you need to help keep your baby warm and comfortable through the night. And any parent knows that a sleeping baby means that everyone gets a good night’s sleep too. If you are looking for the best baby sleeping bag for camping, you have come to the right place. You will be able to learn about the essential features to look for to filter through the options on the market.
Best Baby Sleeping Bag for Camping: Features to Look For
It’s good that you have many options on the market for babies’ sleeping bags for camping. However, parents can be easily overwhelmed with the options available and that makes it difficult to decide on the right one to get for your child.
To help you decide, 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 convenient for when you need to unzip the bag and change your baby’s diaper. There is no need to remove your child from the sleeping bag to do that.
- 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.
- A baby sleeping bag for camping should be made of water-resistant material. This will help keep your child dry and warm during sleep.
- Some of the additional, but not necessarily essential features of a baby sleeping bag, would be that it is compatible with a stroller and machine washable (for added convenience).
Getting the Right Fit for the Baby Sleeping Bag
The proper fit of the baby sleeping bag is a critical factor to consider when parents go shopping for this camping essential. The fit is crucial to help 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) to.
- Most brand manufacturers of sleeping bags offer three sizing options, from baby to toddler: 1) 0-6 months, 2) 6 to 18 months, and 3) 18 to 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 that they won’t be able to put their hands inside the bag.
- It is also important to check the size of the hole through which your baby’s head will fit through. It should not be big enough to allow your child’s head to slip down inside the bag, which is a safety concern.
- Make sure that all openings in the bag have a smooth seam. Pointy seams can be a safety hazard for your child.
What Designs are Available?
Choosing the design for your baby’s sleeping bag is a matter of personal preference. The designs that are sold on the market vary in color and print. It is based on your preference which design you choose.
However, the standard features of a basic sleeping bag design must have zippers that run along the bottom and sides. For older babies, there are sleeping bags that have one single zip, which makes it difficult for them to climb out of the bag on their own.
How Warm Should the Sleeping Bag Be?
It is a legitimate concern for parents to think about keeping their baby warm at night. Therefore, it is important to know the right level of warmth needed to make your choice of sleeping bag for the baby.
But how warm should it be? You want to keep your baby warm, but not hot when in a sleeping bag.
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. Use it 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. The 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.
Additional Baby Sleeping Tips for a Fun Camping Experience
Sleep is a major concern for families that go camping with babies. Here are additional guidelines to help your baby sleep soundly in their sleeping bag, so everyone else 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.
- Prepare to nurse or lay with them to sleep. Babies are aware of the changes in their sleeping environment. Make them feel secure and safe by staying with them until they doze off, so they can 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.
Camping with the whole family, including babies, can be a fun adventure. But make sure that you take your baby’s needs into account so they can also enjoy this experience.