Dressing baby for sleep: TOG ratings and room temperature

This guide is general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you're concerned about your child's health, or they're unwell, please see a doctor.

The sleeping bag aisle throws numbers at you (0.2, 1.0, 2.5) with no obvious way to choose between them. TOG is genuinely useful once you know what it means. It is also not a substitute for the simplest check there is, which is your hand on your baby's tummy or back.

What TOG actually means

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade, and it is an indication of how much a fabric insulates. In Australia, TOG ratings range from about 0.2 up to 3.5, with lower-rated bags used in warmer weather and higher-rated bags in colder weather.

The idea is straightforward: select a TOG that matches the room temperature, so your baby stays comfortably warm without overheating. Overheating is a known risk factor for sudden and unexpected death in infancy, which is why getting this roughly right matters.

Why we're not giving you a TOG chart

You will find plenty of TOG-to-temperature charts online. We have deliberately not published one, because Red Nose does not. Red Nose does not recommend a specific room temperature, and says there is no evidence that a particular room temperature prevents sudden infant death. It also says a room thermometer is not necessary.

What Red Nose does point you to is the packaging: most sleep bag companies provide guides on the product to help you select the right bag for the temperature. Use the chart that came with the bag you actually bought, since the guidance varies between brands, rather than a generic one from the internet.

The check that matters more than the number

Dress your baby and use layers as you would dress yourself to be comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold. Then check them the way Red Nose describes: “feel the baby's back or tummy, which should feel warm to the touch (don't worry if baby's hands and feet feel cool, this is normal)”. If the back or tummy feels hot, sweaty or cold, adjust a layer; cool hands and feet on their own are not a sign your baby is cold.

If in doubt, it is safer to slightly underdress than to over-bundle. And babies mainly control their temperature through the head and face, which is why their head and face must stay uncovered during sleep.

What to wear under the bag

• Warmer weather: a sleeveless and legless onesie, or just a nappy and singlet.
• Cooler weather: a full suit will keep baby warm.
• Always keep the head and face uncovered, and never use a hooded sleeping bag.

Choosing a safe sleeping bag

• Hoodless, to keep the face and head uncovered and reduce the risk of overheating.
• The right size for your baby's age and build, with a firm-fitting neck and armholes so they cannot slip down inside it.
• Unrestricted arm movement, with fitted armholes, or firm-fitting sleeves for cooler conditions.
• Check the labels for correct use, flammability and other safety information.

A note on Australian bedrooms

Rooms swing. A bedroom that is pleasant at 7pm can drop several degrees by 3am. Dress for where the room is heading overnight, not where it is when you put your baby down, and then rely on the tummy check rather than chasing a number.

For the rest of the sleep environment, including light and noise, see our guide on white noise, blackout and temperature.

Sources

• Red Nose Australia, What is a TOG rating?
• Red Nose Australia, Choosing the right sleep bag for your baby
• Red Nose Australia, How to dress baby for sleep
• Red Nose Australia, What is a safe room temperature for a sleeping baby?

Last updated: July 2026. Sources include Red Nose Australia and Raising Children Network where cited above. This guide is general information only. For individual concerns, see your GP or child health nurse.