What does TOG Mean for Baby Sleepwear?

As a first-time parent, understanding how and what your baby should wear to go to bed is one of many things that you learn with experience and these days, a bit of online research! Thankfully when it comes to baby sleepwear, there is a fairly common rating system that makes things simpler: TOG!

What Does TOG Stand For & What Are TOG Ratings?

TOG is an acronym for 'Thermal Overall Grade', which indicates how warm something is. TOG ratings indicate the warmth provided by a piece of sleepwear or bedding.

The higher the TOG rating, the greater the insulation and warmth. This rating system is often used in baby sleepwear, such as 1.0 TOG or 2.5 TOG.

Why Are TOG Ratings Important for Baby Sleepwear?

TOG ratings are essential for maintaining a safe sleep environment for your baby. Babies are more sensitive to temperature changes than adults and can easily become too hot or too cold.

By understanding the TOG rating of an item, you can figure out whether your baby is dressed appropriately for the ambient temperature, reducing the risk of overheating (linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS) and ensuring they don't become too cold.

What Are The Common TOG Ratings?

When it comes to baby sleepwear, you'll typically find the following ratings as the most common on the market:

• 0.5 TOG: Very light and breathable, suitable for warm weather
• 1.0 TOG: Light sleepwear appropriate for mild weather
• 2.5 TOG: Warm and cozy, ideal for cooler weather
• 3.5 TOG: Extra warm, designed for cold weather

Once you know the baby's room temperature, you can figure out what TOG value to dress your baby in and then source the relevant clothing item/s for them to wear. Use our TOG Calculator if you need some help with determining what to wear based on temperature.

Baby sleep suits or sleep sacks typically have a TOG value assigned to them and are the simplest way to dress a baby to sleep.

How to Find Out What TOG Rating Something Is

Finding the TOG rating of a piece of baby sleepwear is straightforward. Most manufacturers include the TOG rating on the product label or packaging. Here are a few steps to help you determine the TOG rating:

Check the Label: Look at the label or packaging of the sleepwear. Reputable brands will list the TOG rating clearly.

Product Description: If you’re shopping online, review the product description. Most websites will include the TOG rating in the sleepwear details.

Manufacturer’s Website: Visit the manufacturer’s website for detailed information about their sleepwear products and their TOG ratings.

Customer Reviews: Sometimes, customer reviews or questions on product pages can provide insights into the warmth and suitability of sleepwear.

Relative Comparison: If it's not mentioned at all what the TOG value is, you can approximate it based on the thickness compared to something that has a TOG value, like a sleeping bag.