Everything you need to know about the TOG-value

Is your baby too hot or too cold? That can sometimes be hard to tell. It’s true that newborns aren’t yet great at regulating their own body temperature. That’s why it’s good to know: being a little too cold is actually better than being too warm! Luckily, there are some helpful guidelines for how to tuck your little one in, so they’re not too hot or too chilly. In this blog, we’ll tell you all about it.

Common sense goes a long way
You know how uncomfortable it feels to be too warm in bed — you start to sweat, feel stuffy, and end up kicking off the covers. But your baby can’t do that yet. That’s why it’s important to check on your little one now and then. Is their head too warm? Are their feet or neck too cold? Is your baby clammy or sweaty? Especially when they’re under the weather, they need to be able to release excess heat. You probably have a pretty good sense of the temperature in the room. And remember: it’s better to be slightly underdressed than overdressed!

Keep it cool
Research shows that babies can struggle to breathe properly in an overly warm and crowded crib. A baby could roll onto their stomach and end up with their face pressed against a pillow or blanket, limiting access to fresh air. If your baby is wrapped up too warmly, their body temperature can rise to an unsafe level — especially if the bedroom is also being heated. 18 degrees Celsius is warm enough!

Paying attention to TOG

Trusting your instincts and doing regular checks is the best way to help your baby sleep safely. But there’s also a technical aid: the TOG value. This is a rating system for how well bedding and sleepwear insulate. The colder the room, the higher the TOG value can be. Conversely, the warmer the room, the lower the TOG value should be. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, and the number tells you how much warmth is retained by items like sleeping bags, blankets, swaddles, and clothing.

TOG ratings range from 0 to 4 and are meant to be used indoors at room temperature. They are not suitable for outdoor use.

A guideline for temperature control
Here’s a handy overview of TOG values and the corresponding room temperatures.

Important: Don’t add TOG values together. That’s because of the insulating air layer that forms between two separate layers — this layer adds extra warmth on its own. So trust your gut and use common sense when dressing your baby for sleep.