Sleep sacks (sometimes called baby sleeping bags) are a wearable blanket that zips around your baby, keeping them cosy at night without loose bedding in the cot. If you’re choosing one for the first time, the biggest question is usually: summer or winter? Here’s how to decide.
The main difference is warmth. A summer sleep sack is made from a lighter, breathable fabric to keep baby comfortable on warm nights, while a winter sleep sack adds an extra layer for colder months.
Both have an easy zip, which makes night-time changes simpler, and both come in Petal’s 24 hand-painted prints.
In much of South Africa, summer nights are warm and winter nights can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Highveld. Many parents find it useful to have one of each: a summer sleep sack for October to April, and a winter one for the colder months. If you’re only buying one, think about the season your baby will be wearing it in, and how warm their room usually is.
Whichever you choose, dress your baby in light layers underneath and check they feel comfortable, not hot or sweaty. If you’re ever unsure about safe sleep, your clinic sister or paediatrician is the best person to ask.
Our sleep sacks come in three sizes: newborn, 0-6 months and 6-12 months. Choose the size that matches your baby’s age, and size up if they’re between sizes or growing quickly.
Yes. A sleep sack is practical, something parents use every night, and it’s easy to pair with a matching baby grow or beanie in a gift box. If you’re buying before the birth, a 0-6 month size gives the most wear.
