Baby Talk Back

It's that time of year when parents are faced with the decision of whether to wrap or not wrap their infant children for bedtime and outdoor outings. Although we've been lucky with cooler nights dropping into the 60s, most people - at least in my household - still choose to decrease humidity by running the air conditioner while sleeping. But little ones can't always stand the cold as much as adults.

I, for one, like to wrap up in a blanket to sleep, but with children, sometimes 15 minutes into sleeping, the blankets usually are kicked off.

Baby Sleep Bags

by Merino Kids^TM

What it is: Babies have the freedom to move naturally in their Merino Kids sleep sack, but unlike sheets and blankets, they cannot get entangled or wriggle out and they do not wake uncovered and cold. The contoured knitted bodice fits snugly around your baby's chest and neckline ensuring the fabric stays clear of their face and, as an extra precaution, press studs under the arms prevent newborn babies from slipping down.

Merino wool is the ideal natural fabric for a sleeping baby in any season and is fast-becoming the preferred sleepwear fabric choice of discerning parents around the world.

According to Merino Kids, babies can take as long as a year to develop the full capability to regulate their own body temperature. Just a few degrees of variation in room temperature can cause them to overheat or wake up cold.

Scientists are unable to replicate this wool fiber that comes from the merino sheep. The fabric has the ability to regulate a baby's body temperature to keep them warm and sleeping through the night without overheating. First Candle identifies overheating as a leading risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The soft-as-silk material responds to changes in a baby's body temperature to trap air to keep them warm in cool air and release heat and moisture when the room temperature rises.

What I thought: The way this sleep bag regulates heat is amazing to me. I just love the material and the story behind the merino sheep. It's like the Cadillac of sleep sacks - the coveted Holy Grail of the sheep society.

I often worry about my son kicking his blankets off, which happens in a matter of minutes - and then it twisting around and around until he can't get loose. (I'm one of those people who thinks the oven's always on, even after I've checked it 50 times.) But with his own sleep sack, he's covered and comfy and sleeping sound.

FYI: Merino is naturally fire resistant and even when it is burned, self-extinguishes when the source of flame is removed.

Recommended age: Merino Kids Sleep Bags are available in baby and toddler sizes. Baby sleep sacks are suitable from birth to 2 years old, while the toddler sleep sacks may be used until the child is 4.

Recommended price: $119 to $129.