TOG

The short definition

TOG is the number on a baby sleeping bag label that says how warm the bag is.

What it actually means

TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It is a measure of how much a fabric insulates, and a sleeping bag gets its TOG rating from how much warmth it provides.

In Australia, TOG ratings run from 0.2 to 3.5. Lower-rated bags are for warmer weather and higher-rated bags are for colder weather. That is the whole system.

Which TOG for which room is a question for the bag, not for us. There is no recommended room temperature for a healthy baby, and most sleeping bag companies print a guide on the packaging. That guide is the one to read, because it was written for that bag.

Where Dadda will hear it

On the swing tag of every sleeping bag in the shop, usually as "1.0 TOG" or "2.5 TOG" with no explanation next to it. Then again from whoever is buying bub a present.

Not to be confused with

• A safety rating. TOG is a warmth number. It says nothing about whether the bag is a safe shape. The shape test is a separate thing. A safe sleeping bag is fitted across the neck and chest, and has no hood. It has armholes or sleeves, so bub can move their arms freely.
• A size. TOG and size are two different numbers on the same tag.

Also look at

• The full item: sleeping bag
• What a safe sleep space is