Merino Wool Sleeping Bags: Help Your Baby Sleep Better

Along with organic cotton and bamboo, Merino wool is one of the most popular fabric choices in the world. And it’s understandable why: it has the same qualities as wool, only it’s supercharged!

Being much finer than ordinary wool, Merino wool offers a silky soft touch. Therefore, it doesn’t itch. It’s lightweight, odourless and snuggly warm yet breathable. This fabric, also called nature’s wonder, comes from Merino sheep. It’s, as well, very sustainable; all it takes to grow merino wool year-round is sun, water, air and grass. On top of this, it’s easy-care and long-lasting: Merino wool products can last years and several children.

Packed with all these amazing qualities, Merino wool is the ultimate fibre for items next to the baby’s skin! Are you curious to learn what are some of the benefits of sleeping in merino wool and how to choose the best Merino kids sleeping bag for your child? Read on!

The Benefits of Sleeping in Merino Wool for Little Ones

Improved Sleep

Do babies sleep better in Merino wool? Merino wool is a temperature-regulating fabric. Its fine air pockets help create a microclimate around a child’s body, meaning it can help keep their little bodies in their thermal comfort zone. How does this promote better sleep?

Merino wool retains the heat your baby or toddler creates for warmth and insulation. A study by the University of Sydney tested the sleep patterns of different people, sleeping in different materials at different temperatures for 3 years. Researchers found that participants reached an average sleep efficiency of 91% in neutral conditions (22℃) and 92% in cold conditions (17℃) when they slept in wool bedding and sleepwear.

What about when it’s hot? Merino wool also releases heat from your child’s body into the air when needed so it doesn’t overheat. The previously mentioned study has shown that, in warm conditions (29℃), participants who were wearing wool slept longer. They also noted experiencing a better sleep quality.

This shows how Merino helps children sleep. Keeping the baby or toddler warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot helps your child wake less.

They Fall Asleep Faster

This study has shown another great aspect of sleeping in Merino wool and that is: falling asleep more quickly. One group, consisting of people in their 20s, fell asleep after 11 minutes in merino compared to the 15 minutes while wearing cotton/ polyester. Another group, consisting of people between 65 and 70 years old, fell asleep in just 12 minutes while wearing wool compared to the 22 and 27 minutes while wearing cotton and polyester.

If your baby has trouble falling asleep, dressing them in Merino wool sleepwear can make a world of difference. Additionally, it can help them stay asleep for longer and even help them sleep through the night. This is not only because of the Merino’s temperature-regulating properties but also because it’s moisture-wicking. It absorbs moisture next to the baby’s skin and evaporates outwards into the air. If your baby’s nappie has leaked through, your baby will still be warm and dry. And that’s exactly what keeps babies asleep.

How to Choose the Best Merino Sleeping Bag for Your Baby or Toddler?

There are several things to look for when choosing a Merino baby sleeping bag for your child. We’re breaking them down for you so you can make an informed decision more quickly.

TOG Rating

If you’ve ever bought a duvet before, you must be familiar with the TOG rating. The TOG value is the international standard measurement of blankets’ thermal effectiveness. In other words, it’s a value that shows how well a blanket will keep you warm. It’s the same thing for sleeping bags. The higher the TOG value, the warmer the sleeping bag is.

Most Merino wool brands provide TOG ratings and so do the reputable stores for most of their products. And when there isn’t a rating, there’s likely a room temperature categorisation. Always check the product description of the Merino kids sleeping bag you’re planning to buy.

Why is this important? Every household has different preferences regarding the optimum room temperature. Some sleep better in a colder environment and others in warmer conditions. It’s the same with babies. Choosing the right TOG rating has a lot to do with your room temperature and the climate of the place you live in. Going for the best TOG rating for your child is detrimental to choosing the right sleeping bag.

The Right Size

It’s recommended to choose the size of the sleeping bag based on the height of your baby or toddler. For example, a sleeping bag size 3-12 months is 74-80 cm. This means it’s suitable for children between 74 and 80 cm tall. There’s no need to size up as it’ll lead to having too much excess material.

The Type of Merino Wool

There are several types of Merino wool. You can never go wrong with organic Merino wool, no matter the type. Yet, it’s useful to know the different kinds as they all have different properties.

• Wool fleece: soft, lofty and light. When you wrap your baby in a fleece sleeping bag, they’ll feel like you’ve wrapped them in a cosy cloud. It has long fibres that trap the warm air in, providing great insulation.
• Wool terry: lightweight and flexible. It has tiny loops of wool, trapping warm air and keeping the body nice and cosy.
• Boiled wool: heavier, denser than others. It’s perfect for cooler environments.
• Classic wool knit: soft and flexible, a knitted sleeping bag provides an all-year-round level of warmth. Great for everyday use.

Sleeves or Sleeveless?

This is mostly a personal preference. It’s important to keep your baby’s core warm, as the core is what regulates body temperature. A sleeveless sleeping bag will do fine in neutral and warmer rooms and seasons. For premature babies and babies who regularly sleep in a very cold room or outside, Merino kids sleeping bags with sleeves are the better option.

The Importance of Taking Proper Care

Many people avoid buying wool sleeping bags because they have preconceived ideas about wool washing and maintenance. The good news is that Merino wool products need far less washing than products made of cotton and synthetic materials. This is due to the nature of Merino fibre: it has a protective outer layer that’s dirt resistant. It’s also antibacterial and hypoallergenic.

What’s more, you’d be happy to learn that most Merino wool types are machine washable. For those that aren’t, occasional air drying or hand washing can work miracles. When taken proper care of, the fabric can keep its colour and shape for years. This makes buying a Merino wool sleeping bag for your children a great investment at so many levels.

---