How to Choose the Right TOG Rating

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Beautiful newborn child lies on a bed and sleeps

“TOG” (Thermal Overall Grade) is a standard measure for thermal insulation.TOG rating measures the insulation of your baby’s clothing where the higher the rating, the more warmth the fabric provides. As you begin to choose the right TOG rating for your little one and picture your baby in the multitude of adorable baby clothing available on the market, you also want to make sure your baby is comfortable and cozy for any given temperature!

Choosing the right baby clothing suitable for varied temperatures can take you a long way. Not only do you save up a lot of money on rarely worn baby clothing, but you could also avoid a fussy and irritated baby that struggles to sleep longer hours.

To know what clothing makes your baby feel too warm or too cold, you could begin with looking for the word ‘TOG’ on the labels of your baby clothing.

Let’s take a moment to talk about TOG and how to choose the best TOG rating for your baby.

What is TOG Rating? 

Thermal Overall Grade Rating’ is a term commonly used in the apparel industry and was introduced by the Shirley Institute in Britain in the 1960’s as a standard measure to rate the thermal resistance of textiles. They also launched the Shirley Tog meter which is used universally to measure the values of insulation for fabrics, clothing, quilts, duvets, etc.

TOG ratings increase in 1.5 increments with 3 generally being the lowest TOG and 15 being the highest TOG available. 

To put this simply, TOG measures how effectively a material can trap heat. So, the higher the TOG rating, the higher the insulation the material provides keeping your baby warm. Likewise, lower the TOG rating, the less insulation to keep your baby warm. 

You can find a label indicating the TOG rate on almost all baby clothing. 

Checking the feel and thickness of clothing for your baby is not an accurate measure to determine which clothing is best for different temperatures and therefore it is important that you understand how TOG ratings work.

Knowing the right TOG is important to ensure that your baby is not feeling too warm or too cold based on the room temperature.

Importance of TOG Rating

Babies are not adaptable to changing temperatures the way adults are. In fact, babies overheat four times more quickly than adults and find it difficult to regulate their body temperature. 

Choosing the right TOG rating for your baby’s clothing will support your baby in maintaining their body temperature for a particular environment and ensure comfort and safety. 

You could also reduce the risk of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS) caused by overheating.  The NIH states that each year in the United States, 3500 infants die of sleep related deaths, which includes SIDs. These are numbers that can very much be reduced and one such way is by making sure your baby is safe by sleeping in the right environment and dressed appropriately for the room temperature. 

How do I pick the right TOG Rating?

Before we get into the different ratings and what each number indicates, let’s look at a few factors to consider before picking the right TOG rating. 

The first thing to consider is temperature of the room or nursery your baby sleeps in. The ideal temperature for your baby’s room would typically be around 20-22°C or 68-72°F, which is a safer and more comfortable environment for infants. You could also use a room thermometer to make sure your baby is sleeping at the right temperature.

Second, recognize cues that your baby is too hot or cold. Every baby is unique, and some may feel colder or warmer than others. 

Signs of your baby feeling too hot or overheating:

  • More fussy, irritable, and restless
  • Nape of their neck is sweaty or cold
  • Red or flushed cheeks
  • Breathing faster than usual
  • Small red bumps on their skin developing into a heat rash

Signs of your baby feeling too cold:

  • Less responsive and acting lethargic
  • Shivering (to generate heat to keep them warm)
  • Pale skin which is caused due to decreased blood flow to the body
  • Crying and acting quite fussy

TOG Indicators based on room temperature  

Once you’ve determined the room temperature and monitored your babies’ different sensitivities, you can now move on to picking the right clothing for your baby based on the right TOG ratings. Down and Feather Testing Laboratory and Institute (IDFL) recommends TOG rating range from 0.5-3.5

Below is a guide to choosing the best TOG rating and clothing for your baby suitable for different temperatures. 

Seasonal TOG values of baby sleepwear

Summer

0.2-1.0 TOG could be used for Very warm or hot climates to slightly warmer weather. Light body suits and sleeping bags (also known as baby sleeping sacks or baby wearable blankets), of thinner material with breathable fabrics would work best.

Spring and Fall

1.0-2.5 TOG is better for room temperatures, which could use standard sleepwear and all-season sleeping sacks. 

Winter

2.5-3.5+ TOG is more appropriate for cooler to very cold temperatures and colder climates where thicker sleep wear and sleeping bags are more suitable. 

As you prioritize your baby’s comfort and safety, by considering the different TOG ratings, it is important to continue monitoring how comfortable your baby feels, pay attention to their cues, the room temperatures by keeping a good nursery thermometer and adjusting your baby’s clothing accordingly. It may take a couple of tries to understand what sleepwear is comfortable for your baby, but you will soon figure out what helps your little one have a safe and sound sleep. If you need further guidance, you could always consult your local pediatrician to know what is best for your baby’s comfort and safety. 

Common TOG Rating Questions

  • Can the same TOG ratings for sleep wear be used for the night time and day time?

Dressing your baby in the same sleepwear of a particular TOG rating can be used for the day and night as long as it’s the right TOG rating for the given temperature in your baby’s room/nursery. If the temperature fluctuates then you should consider having sleepwear of different TOG ratings or consider different sleepwear layer combinations.

  • Do the TOG rating numbers stack?

Yes!. If your baby is wearing a 0.5 onesie and a 1.0 sleep sack, your baby is dressed with a 1.5 TOG rating. Which means that the room temperature should ideally be around 69°F to 74°F.

  • Where do I find the TOG rating on my baby’s clothing?

Most baby brands include the TOG rating on the labels of the clothing. If you don’t find it there you will most likely find it on their website. Sleepwear brands are also likely to provide a dress guide for different temperatures.

  • What TOG Sleep bag is best for all year round?

A 0.7 TOG for a sleep bag would be suitable for all seasons considering the fact that your baby’s room/nursery is kept at the recommended room temperature for an infant of 20°C-22°C. Every baby is unique and if your baby is feeling too cold you could consider layering with sleep clothing under the sleep bag. But be mindful that the layers don’t overheat your baby especially with the warmth of your bedding and extra coverings like blankets.

  • Is a 10.5 TOG warm enough for winter?

Any rating over 3.5+ works well for the winter season.

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