Are baby sleeping bags safe?

 Yes. Well fitting, low-tog baby sleeping bags, when used correctly, are potentially one of the safest forms of bedding for your baby. While the baby has complete freedom of movement within the bag, the fitted neck and armholes ensure that there is no danger of either slipping in or out, provided the baby is placed in the correct size of grobag® baby sleeping bag for his age/weight. Therefore, provided also that a suitable level of nightwear is worn, he can sleep safely at a pleasant and constant temperature throughout the night.

Grobag Limited has conducted exhaustive research and product testing to ensure that all the components of our baby sleeping bags conform to relevant Australian and British Safety Standards and safety regulations. We also follow guidelines from Health professionals that baby sleeping bags should be well-fitting and lightweight. This is why our grobag® baby sleeping bags are no more than 2.5 togs.

 Do other Countries use baby sleeping bags?

 In Holland, France, Germany & Austria, they have been using them for over 20 years and clinical studies in Holland have suggested that baby sleeping bags are potentially the safest form of bedding for babies. 

grobag® baby sleeping bags have been awarded the Mother and Baby Gold Medal for Best Nursery Product in the UK in 2005 and 2006 - They are the number 1 selling baby sleeping bag in the UK.

 When can I first put my baby in a grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 Our Young Baby Size grobag® baby sleeping bag can be used for a full-term, 7 lb baby from birth. However, if your baby weighs less than 7 lb at birth (as some babies do), we recommend you wait a short time, until your baby grows larger.

 Why is the weight of the baby so important for smaller size grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 Our key safety consideration is to ensure that babies cannot slip down inside the baby sleeping bag. Therefore, we design the neck size to be as large as possible to allow comfort and heat loss, whilst being smaller than the average head circumference of the younger age/lower weight of baby we advise for the grobag® baby sleeping bag. We use health professional graphs to link head sizes with weight. Most new parents do not know head circumference of their babies, but they do know their weight, hence we use weight as a guide.

You must always take care not to allow your baby’s head to slip down and get covered by any bedding, whether that bedding is a grobag® baby sleeping bag, blankets or sheets.

 What size grobag® baby sleeping bag should I buy?

 Until your baby is around 5 months, we recommend you buy the Young baby size. The Young Baby grobag® may even last until your baby is around 9 months.

Once your baby is 5 months, as long as s/he is an average size and 8kg or over, you can use the Older Baby grobag® baby sleeping bag that should fit until your baby is 18 months old, and may last considerably longer.

The Toddler grobag® baby sleeping bag is best used from around 18 months, but may be used from 15 months as long as your baby is at least 11kg. This size may easily last until your baby is well over 3 years old.

 What other bedding can I use with my grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 You should use your grobag® baby sleeping bag instead of blankets and sheets. The only other bedding required is a bottom sheet.

Duvets, quilts and pillows should not be used for babies under 1 year old and never with a baby sleeping bag. If your baby shares your bed, make sure he is only in a grobag® baby sleeping bag, and not under your own bedding as well. Please note that grobag® baby sleeping bags are designed to replace blankets and sheets in your baby’s cot or bed. They are not intended for use as dressing gowns outside the baby’s bedroom.

 When do I stop using a grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 grobag® baby sleeping bags can be used right up to the time your child is ready to move from a cot to a bed, and because of the freedom of movement they allow, can be used even longer if the child wishes. Even though your toddler will happily stand up in a zipped bag, cot-climbing will be far from easy, and your grobag® baby sleeping bag may well delay the age at which you have to move your child to a bed - a big bonus! The Young Child grobag® baby sleeping bag is for children age 3 - 6 yrs who just love their grobag® so much, the don’t want to leave it! Please note that this size is very large – so don’t consider it until your child has grown out of the Toddler size.

 What should my baby wear under a grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 What your baby wears will depend on the type of grobag® baby sleeping bag and the temperature of the baby’s bedroom. (In the same way as you would adjust the nightclothes and number of blankets). As a guide, please refer to the table opposite. Please remember, though, that babies are all different and, just as with blankets and sheets, you will soon discover what your baby is most comfortable wearing.

 Why don’t grobag® baby sleeping bags have sleeves?

 We believe that baby sleeping bags should be sleeveless to aid heat loss and air circulation. (Babies sleeping under traditional blankets rarely sleep with their arms inside). In cooler weather, we recommend our long-sleeve bodysuits, in addition to a long-sleeved pyjama top or sleepsuit.

 Is there any danger that my baby could become too hot in a grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 Provided you follow the guidelines in the table above, there should be no danger of your baby over-heating. Decrease the level of nightclothes and bedding if your baby is unwell and has a raised temperature. If you are in any doubt, please consult a Health Professional.

 What should I do if my baby gets too cold or too hot?

 If your baby has woken up because he is too cold, pick him up & adjust either the temperature of the room, or the baby’s clothing. You can cuddle your baby in his grobag® baby sleeping bag to warm him up again before putting him back, warm and cosy in his cot. If your baby feels hot, you should cool him down by removing some clothing, then either adjust the temperature of the bedroom or the clothes your baby is wearing before returning him to his cot.

 What is the best room temperature for my baby?

 Health professionals recommend that the ideal room temperature for your baby is around 18ºC or 65ºF. Our grobag® baby sleeping bags are designed to be used at this temperature. If the nursery is warmer or colder, simply adjust the level of clothing your child is wearing. Many people asked us how to keep the nursery at around 18ºC in the winter, without having to have the central heating going all night!

A small thermostatically controlled heater is a good way to maintain the nursery at a comfortable temperature. (Remember to keep this away from the cot).

We provide a free nursery thermometer with every grobag® baby sleeping bag to help you monitor the temperature of your baby’s bedroom.

 What does the TOG rating mean?

 The TOG rating describes the warmth or “Thermal Resistance” of a product and is widely used in the UK and Europe to explain warmth levels of duvets. grobag® baby sleeping bags are TOG tested to conform to BS4745:1990. Latest advice from Health professionals is that baby sleeping bags should be ‘lightweight’. This is why grobag® baby sleeping bags are 2.5 togs or less.

 Why only 2.5 togs when my winter weight duvet is 12 togs?

 Health professional guidelines recommend that baby sleeping bags should be ‘lightweight’. Our own research and our mounting body of “parent testimonials” confirm that our 2.5 Tog grobag® baby sleeping bags are ideal. A baby sleeping bag surrounds the baby, providing insulation from both below and above, and also a warm pocket of air around the baby.

Because of the low tog rating grobag® baby sleeping bags also provide a versatility that a higher tog sleeping bag would not allow, and both our 2.5 tog and 1.0 tog baby sleeping bags can be used for the vast majority of the year.

When the weather is very cold, simply add more clothing (this could include a sleepsuit, socks and even a cardigan). When the weather is warmer, or perhaps if your child is unwell, you can remove layers of clothing while still keeping your baby at the right temperature. Never use a duvet or quilt with a baby sleeping bag.

 How do I wash my grobag® baby sleeping bag?

 All grobag® baby sleeping bags can be machine washed at 40ºC. They can be hung out to dry or tumble dried on a low setting. As with all cotton goods, we have designed the baby sleeping bags to allow for up to 5% shrinkage. If your child has any allergies and you wish to wash clothes and bedding at 60ºC, you should allow for a little more shrinkage.

 Which weight of grobag® baby sleeping bag should I buy?

 Our 2.5 tog quilted grobag® baby sleeping bags are ideal for autumn, winter and spring and can be used right up until the summer nights become warm. So if your nursery is usually 18ºC or below, we recommend a 2.5 tog baby sleeping bag. Approximately 60% of the Grobag® baby sleeping bags we sell are 2.5 tog, so they are very useful! However, if you live in a particularly mild part of the country or if you have well insulated and heated accommodation and your nursery is regularly 21ºC or above, you may prefer a 1.0 tog grobag® baby sleeping bag for year round use. 1.0 togs are ideal for use from spring to late summer when the nights are warmer. They are also very useful for day-time naps whilst your baby is still in a 2.5 tog grobag® baby sleeping bag at night. 0.5 tog grobag® baby sleeping bags are for use summer, for holidays to warm destinations, or if your child is unwell and has a raised temperature.

 Why the free nursery thermometer?

 Our free nursery thermometer, which is included with every grobag® baby sleeping bag, gives further information on usage and suitable levels of clothing for your baby, and is an ideal help for you and anyone looking after your baby.
(Designed by grobag® Inventors Ouvrielle for husband Rob, so that he would stop asking how to dress the baby every night!)

 How many grobag® baby sleeping bags should I buy?

 As the larger sizes last for up to a year, we recommend you buy 2 grobag® baby sleeping bags (so you will always have a spare one if you suddenly need one in the middle of the night!).

We offer a $10 multibuy discount if you buy 2 grobag® baby sleeping bags at the same time.

 Is grobag® a brand name?

 Yes, it is a registered trademark. Remember, a baby sleeping bag by any other name is not a grobag®!

When you buy a grobag® baby sleeping bag, we truly believe you have the safest, most tested, best made and best value baby sleeping bag available.

 How can I create the safest possible sleep environment for my baby?

 FSID and the Department of Health provide the following recommendations:

• Cut smoking in pregnancy - fathers too!
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Place your baby on the back to sleep
• Do not let your baby get too hot
• Keep baby’s head uncovered - place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers*
• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly
• The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in your room for the first six months
• Do not share a bed with your baby if you or your partner are smokers (no matter where or when you smoke), have been drinking alcohol, take medication or drugs that make you drowsy, or feel very tired.
• Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair

* or use a grobag® baby sleeping bag

 Why the fire hazard labels?

  Children's safety is a paramount concern of grobag®. All grobag® baby sleeping bags have been thoroughly tested and passed all British and Australian standards required for baby sleeping bags.

The AUS/NZ standard for children’s nightwear having a reduced fire hazard has been revised and published on Dec 29 2003 to define and include more clearly infant sleeping bags. Sleeping bags are becoming more popular as a safe alternative to blankets and top sheets.

All styles of grobag® baby sleeping bags have been thoroughly tested and meet AS NZS 1249-2003 as having a reduced fire hazard but it important to label them with the red tags because:

Infant and children's sleeping bags are classified differently to other sleepwear but not classed as bedding, eg. a blanket. They are no more flammable than a pair of cotton pyjamas but they are heavier, longer and more flowing than traditional sleepwear. They are put in category 4 and must be labelled with the high fire danger warning.

The fire hazard label is an Australian Standards requirement and helps remind parents and carers that grobag® baby sleeping bags should not be used as daywear or dressing gowns in living areas. They are recommended for use for sleeping children in a cot.

In particular the tagging acts as a reminder in winter not to put children in their nightwear (which may be more loose and flowing) near heaters, open fires, lighted gas stove burners or electric hotplates.

The majority of 2.5 tog grobag® baby sleeping bags have a cotton outer and lining and a polyester fire retardant filling but they can still burn. They do not ignite easily and have been scientifically tested with burning cigarettes as have the 0.5 tog grobag® baby sleeping bags.

Our lowest fire danger grobag® baby sleeping bags are the towelling inner 1.0 togs. They include a cotton towelling lining with a small percentage of polyester buried in the weave to ensure that the towelling does not snag. The child has only cotton towelling pile next to the skin, and the flame spreads less quickly than lightweight woven cotton but they will still burn, as will all bedding once alight.

All grobag® baby sleeping bags have also been styled to reduce the risk of fire hazard. (eg. No long sleeves, no extra tassels, trims or ties, well sewn internal seams, no outer fluffy acrylic fibres).

We hope that we have answered all your questions.
However, if you would like further advice or information, please do not hesitate to call our Customer Care team on +61 (8) 9317 6758 (Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm AUS EST) or email customercare@bambinipronto.com.au.