Best Sleep Sacks 2023

Sleep sacks are soft, wearable blankets that allow babies of all ages to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a blanket without the potential risk of suffocation. They're the next step after swaddles, which should be discontinued once your baby starts rolling, and the final step before your baby can safely use a blanket as a toddler, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). As with anything in the realm of baby gear, there are options aplenty in terms of the best sleep sacks. In an effort to make sure everyone gets lots of sleep and feels comfortable and worry-free while doing so, I spoke with pediatricians, parents and pediatric sleep consultants, and considered my firsthand experience with a problem sleeper, to determine the best sleep sacks.

The best sleep sacks offer warmth and a bit of soothing comfort for older babies who have outgrown ... [+] the swaddle.

"If a baby is transitioning out of a swaddle, the sleep sack is a good next step instead of going from a swaddle to nothing at all," says certified child sleep specialist Cynthia Kiser. "Second, if a baby is too young to have a blanket in their crib, a sleep sack is a prefect solution to keep your baby warmer but in a safe way. Lastly, for a slightly older child, a sleep sack can help to limit mobility and discourage a child from trying to climb out of their crib or move around too much within the crib."

So the best sleep sacks can help even the most unruly infant and toddler sleepers get some shut-eye in a safer manner. See my top selections below. Once you’re finished reading this story, you may want to check out our picks for best crib sheets, gliders and white noise machines.

Kyte BABY

A majority of those I spoke to for this story, parents (including myself), sleep consultants and pediatricians, named the Kyte Baby Sleep Bag as their favorite. "I personally love the Kyte Baby sleep sacks because they were developed for babies with sensitive skin as well as safe sleeping," says Jessica Bryant, pediatric sleep strategist of Sleep Happy Consulting. "Parents can easily find a variety of thicknesses (TOGs) of sleep sacks for their baby's unique needs all while dressing their baby in a sack that feels buttery soft and is proven to calm to itchy skin." Not only is it incredibly soft, but the length means that you can use it for an incredibly long time. I bought our most recent one when my son was 16 months, and he wore it until he was a few months shy of his third birthday. The bamboo viscose material makes these sleep sacks feel silky soft and helps to keep babies and toddlers at the ideal temperature. Around my son's 18-month mark he did learn how to unzip it, but I found I could thwart him and get a bit more use out of it by putting it on him backwards (meaning the zipper was in the back). Bonus: The Kyte Baby colors and prints are so beautiful, and the company was founded by a mom.

Amazon

This bestseller on Amazon is affordable, 100% cotton and comes in several sizes and many prints. Moms and dads seem to favor the Burt's Bees versatile features to keep infants and toddlers comfortable and secure. It has a two-way zipper that's always handy and a cover over the bottom zipper to keep your baby from letting themselves out. It's also made from organic cotton, designed with an extra long fit, so you can use it for for months to come and comes in a variety of weights to suit the climate you’re in. Parents say it retains softness after multiple washes and allows them to get more use out of each size because of the length. It's also extra affordable, so you can stock up and avoid the laundry room a bit longer.

Amazon

Another beloved standby, the Halo Baby Sleep Sack offers many of the same pluses of more expensive options but at a more palatable price point. Dr. Jessica Madden, who's board-certified in pediatrics, neonatology and lactation and is also the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps says, "I like Halo sleep sacks because they are affordable, easy to put on and take off, come in several sizes (including ones made for preemies), are durable and wash up well, and are made from different materials for use during warmer and colder months." In addition to this extremely lightweight 100% organic cotton option, there are fleece ones in all colors and prints, plus you can purchase them in TOGs of 0.5 to 2.5, making them a great option for any sort of climate. These sleep sacks feature a "Back Is Best" embroidered visual right on the sleep sack that serves as a gentle reminder to all caregivers. It includes a two-way zipper to improve nighttime diaper changes, but some reviewers complain the zipper is too small and challenging to maneuver.

Amazon

These oversize fleece Baby DeeDee sleep sacks have a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Amazon for good reason. Having used this exact one in our household for years, I can attest to it being a great, midrange sleep sack option. Aside from the cozy polar fleece and unique 1.2 TOG (not too cool, not too hot), this sleep sack also has a shoulder snap design that makes it easier to put on standing babies and toddlers. You can, of course still use the zipper function, but this is very helpful once your baby becomes more independent.

Amazon

Another wonderful option for winter or cooler households is the Gunamuna Long Sleeve Wearable Sleep Bag. I haven't come across many long sleeve traditional sleep sacks, which makes this option unique in and of itself. But that's not it's only selling point. The full body coverage might just helps to soothe little ones, especially those more used to their swaddle. It's made from bamboo rayon and spandex with a 1.0 Tog, so this breathable sleep sack feels something like a down comforter but even softer. It's also mom-founded, Oeko-Tex Standard Certified and JPMA tested.

Amazon

At first glance, the price of the Woolino sleep sack surprised me. While the Kyte Baby is an already steep $50, this merino wool option is double that at $100. However, it's one of the most plush, coziest sleep sacks that I’ve come across, and you’ll immediately realize that it's hand-me-down quality made to last. The merino wool keeps your baby cool in warm weather and warm in cool temperatures, which helps ease any fears of overheating. The sleep sack will also keep your child warm even if they have an accident, meaning they’re less likely to wake from a leaky diaper. It unzips from the bottom or unsnaps at the shoulders, offering multiple options for removal. There's even a little sizing adjustment option under the armpits to get an ideal fit. I also love that the Woolino comes with a paper thermometer with suggestions of how to dress your child for sleep at each temperature. It definitely offers some nighttime peace of mind.

Kyte Baby

If there's one thing I’ve learned about sleep with babies and toddlers, it's that consistency is key. So, if you have an older baby who has grown accostomed to the comfort of the Kyte Baby sleep sack (or any sleep sack for that matter), the walker is the next step. This plush overalls sort of contraption comes in sizes up to 4T, the highest I’ve seen (with one exception, but that was a traditional sleep sack). I appreciate that this wearable blanket still has a two-way zipper to make middle-of-the-night bathroom runs or diaper changes easier. Plus, the fitted ankle cuffs ensure your baby won't trip over any fabric and will be able to move comfortably.

LOULOU LOLLIPOP US

If you loved the Loulou Lollipop swaddles (I did), then this is your next purchase. Ultra soft to the touch and made from sustainable Tencel, the Loulou Lollipop Sleep Bag is a luxurious option. Parents will love that it has a two-way zipper, all season 1.0 Tog weight, beautiful prints and super soft feel. It's made from Tencel lyocell, organic cotton and a touch of spandex. It's also lightly insulated with Dupont Sorona fill. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that some parents do say it runs a bit small in terms of length so be mindful of that as you order.

If you’re wondering how a sleep sack should fit, consider this advice from Dr. Alison Mitzer, pediatrician, family wellness expert and mom, "You do want the sleep sack to fit snug but not too tight and constricting," she says. "You need to be sure to use the correct size guide with your sleep sack. If you see the sack is becoming too tight, or your child's mobility is limited and they can't fit into the biggest size, it is the time to stop using one." Ultimately, your baby should have room for leg and arm movement.

When it came time to choose the best sleep sacks, I spoke with a great deal of pediatricians and certified pediatric sleep consultants (nine total) and 12 parents across the country to solidify the best options on the market. I also utilized my own experience with my almost 3-year-old son (who really does not like sleeping) and pored through online reviews to find even more feedback from real families and experts.

Yes, they do. "Sleep sacks are a great and safe alternative to regular blankets—reducing the risk of suffocation, strangulation and SIDS," says Dr. Ali Alhassani, pediatrician and head of clinical at Summer Health. "Particularly sleep sacks that do not compress the arms do a great job keeping babies warm while giving them freedom to use their arms and hands if they roll over." Of course, sleep sacks aren't necessary, but they can be extremely helpful in keeping babies and toddlers warm and comfortable.