What is a TOG value and which one is suitable for a premature baby?
What is a TOG rating, and which one is suitable for a premature baby?
If you've just given birth to a premature baby, you're faced with a lot of medical jargon. You're dealing with medical jargon, feeding schedules, temperature checks... and then suddenly you see a label with a TOG rating of 1.0. What does that mean? And more importantly: which TOG rating is suitable for your premature baby?
In this blog post, we'll explain – briefly, clearly, and specifically for premature babies.
🌡️ What exactly is a TOG rating?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It's a measure of how well a fabric or garment retains heat. The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the item.
This rating is primarily used for sleeping bags and blankets. This is important because babies—especially premature babies—can't regulate their body temperature properly.
📊 TOG table in brief:
| TOG-value | Roomtemperature (°C) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2 – 0.5 | 24 – 27°C | Summer, warm room, incubator |
| 1.0 | 20 – 23°C | Spring, fall, average room |
| 2.0 – 2.5 | 16 – 20°C | Winter, colder spaces |
Please note: this table is a guideline. With premature babies, it's even more important to regularly feel their neck and chest.
👶 Why TOG is especially important for premature babies
Premature babies still have immature temperature regulation. They lose heat more quickly through their skin and have difficulty keeping themselves warm. A good sleeping bag with the correct TOG rating helps them maintain their body temperature better, without risking overheating.
They often can't use blankets in the hospital or at home, so a sleeping bag is the best way to cover them safely.
💤 Which TOG rating should you choose for your premature baby?
At Janskes, we usually recommend a TOG 1.0 sleeping bag for premature babies at home (at room temperature around 20–22°C). This provides warmth without being too hot.
In an incubator or a warm room?
In that case, a thinner sleeping bag or just a wrap-over romper with a blanket is often sufficient, depending on the hospital's recommendations.
Too cold at home?
In that case, use layers (romper + sleeping bag) instead of a sleeping bag with too high a TOG rating. Premature babies overheat more quickly.
🧵 Janskes sleeping bags: tailored to TOG and premature babies
Our sleeping bags – like the Jess model – are specially designed for premature babies. They feature:
- TOG rating of 0.5 to 1.0: perfect for average room temperatures
- Soft, breathable materials (OEKO-TEX®)
- Long sleeves for extra warmth
- Press studs instead of zippers, convenient for monitors or feeding tubes
- Perfect fit for sizes 38 to 48
This way, you can be sure your baby won't be too cold or too hot.
✅ Practical tips for parents
- Always feel the neck or chest: this is a better indicator of whether your baby is warm enough than hands or feet.
- Check the room thermometer: a constant temperature of 20–22°C is best.
- Use layers: it's better to take off some clothes than to use a thick sleeping bag.
- Follow your instincts and your baby's signals.
