Product feature · Toddler sleep

From sleeping bag to sleeping suit: the cosy toddler switch

Your toddler has outgrown the sleeping bag but still kicks off every blanket. A sleeping suit with feet might be the answer. Here's how they work, and our pick from Sleeping Stars.

By Motherhood · 4 min read

There comes a point when the baby sleeping bag stops working. Your toddler wants to stand up in the cot, walk to the door in the morning and climb into your bed at 5am, and a bag just gets in the way. But they're also nowhere near ready to keep a duvet on all night.

That's where a toddler sleeping suit comes in. It's a wearable blanket with legs and feet, so they stay warm all night without anything to kick off, and can still move around freely.

Why a sleeping suit works

It keeps the warmth of a sleeping bag with the freedom of pyjamas. Toddlers who fight a sleeping bag often settle better when they can move their legs, and there's no blanket bundled at the bottom of the cot by midnight. Look for anti-slip soles, a zip that makes night-time nappy changes quick, and a TOG rating that suits their room.

Getting the TOG right

TOG is simply a measure of warmth. A 1.0 TOG suit is designed for rooms around 18 to 21°C, which covers spring, autumn and milder winter nights in most UK homes. For colder rooms, a 2.5 TOG is the cosier choice. Dress underneath according to the room: a short-sleeved bodysuit on warmer nights, long-sleeved pyjamas when it's chilly. A room thermometer takes a lot of the guesswork out.

Warm all night, nothing to kick off, and free to pad down the landing at 5am.

Our pick: the Sleeping Stars Hedgehog suit

It's hard not to love a hedgehog. Sleeping Stars' Hedgehog Toddler Sleeping Suit has a sweet woodland print of hedgehogs, autumn leaves and toadstools, and is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton that's soft and breathable.

The practical details are good too: generous leg room, textured anti-slip footies for steady steps, and a two-way zip from neck to ankle so you can change a nappy in the dark without a full wrestle. It comes in 3 to 12, 12 to 24 and 24 to 36 month sizes.

Where to buy

The Hedgehog Toddler Sleeping Suit 1.0 TOG is £45 from shopsleepingstars.com, which also stocks 2.5 TOG versions for colder nights.

Price correct at the time of writing and may change. This article is general information and doesn't replace advice from your health visitor or GP. For safer sleep advice, visit The Lullaby Trust.