Guide · April 13, 2026 · 12 min read
Baby sleeping bags and sleep nests are nursery textile items with high commercial potential — high margin, recurring purchases (multiple sizes), high perceived value. But their manufacturing involves specific technical constraints: TOG rating, fastener safety, quality of the filling. This guide gives you all the keys to developing these products with a specialized manufacturer.
The baby sleeping bag (or turbulette) is a sleep sack for babies that is open at the top, with straps or armholes. It replaces the blanket in the crib and secures the infant's sleep by eliminating the risk of suffocation. It is the best-selling product in nursery textiles, with repurchases by size (0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18-36 months).
The sleep nest is an envelope that completely surrounds the baby, including the arms, with an opening at the top. It is mainly used for outings and transportation (stroller, infant carrier, car seat). Some models include a slot for the seat belt.
| Criterion | Baby sleeping bag | Sleep nest |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Sleeping in crib | Outings, transportation |
| Baby's arms | Free (straps/armholes) | Enveloped |
| Closure | Side or central zip | Central zip + flap |
| Common sizes | 3 sizes (0-6, 6-18, 18-36) | One size (0-6 months) |
| Seasonality | All year (variable TOG) | Autumn-winter mainly |
For brands, these two products serve complementary purposes and allow for the expansion of a nursery textile collection beyond clothing, with higher retail prices and a greater unit margin.
The TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) measures the thermal resistance of a textile. The higher the TOG, the warmer the sleeping bag. It is not an indicator of quality but of suitability for the ambient temperature. Informed parents systematically check the TOG — it is a major purchasing decision criterion.
For a first collection, we recommend covering TOG 1 (summer) and TOG 2.5 (mid-season) — these two references cover 8 to 9 months of the year in temperate Europe. TOG 3.5 is a niche market (cold climates, Scandinavian markets).
The baby sleeping bags and sleep nests we manufacture at LOI Confection use certified materials. The multi-layer construction varies depending on the target TOG:
The safety of baby sleep products is a critical issue. A defect can have serious consequences. The applicable European standards are:
To learn more, read our article on safety standards for baby clothes in Europe.
The pattern for a baby sleeping bag is more complex than it appears. Unlike a garment, the sleeping bag must provide sufficient volume for the baby to move their legs freely without the fabric riding up over their face.
The length of the sleeping bag is calculated based on the baby's shoulder-to-foot measurement + 10-15 cm of ease at the bottom. The width at the torso must allow for free arm movement. The armholes must be fitted (not too wide, to prevent the baby from slipping inside) while remaining comfortable.
The assembly of a wadded sleeping bag involves 3 superimposed layers with strict placement tolerances. The wadding must be attached to the lining before assembly (quilting or fusing) to prevent it from shifting during washing. Managing the thickness at the junction seams (armholes, zipper contour) requires specific machine settings.
The baby sleeping bag is a product that is particularly well-suited for customization — it is a very popular newborn gift. Our hand embroidery workshop allows for the addition of:
The development of a baby sleeping bag or sleep nest follows a structured 4-phase process:
We work in Full Package or CMT depending on your preferences. In Full Package, we source fabrics, wadding, and accessories based on your specifications.
The TOG measures the thermal resistance of the textile. A TOG 1 corresponds to a lightweight sleeping bag for rooms heated to 22-24 °C (summer). A TOG 2.5 offers intermediate insulation suitable for 18-21 °C (mid-season). The difference is in the filling: a single layer of jersey for a TOG 1, lined jersey with 100-120 g/m² wadding for a TOG 2.5.
Yes. Our GOTS certification covers the entire garment manufacturing chain. We can produce sleeping bags with a GOTS organic jersey or double gauze outer shell, an organic interlock lining, and organic cotton wadding filling. All accessories (zipper, thread, labels) must also be certified to maintain the GOTS label on the finished product.
The three standard sizes are: 0-6 months (length 65-70 cm), 6-18 months (length 85-90 cm), and 18-36 months (length 105-110 cm). Most brands start with 2 sizes (0-6 and 6-18 months), which cover 80% of demand. Sizes 0-4 months and 4-12 months also exist for more precise positioning.
The essential tests are: zipper resistance to accidental opening (lateral pull test), absence of cords and free ties (EN 14682), REACH chemical compliance (dyes, accessories), flammability of the filling, and seam strength. We perform these tests in-house and can coordinate tests with external laboratories (SGS, Bureau Veritas).
Our MOQ is 150 to 300 pieces per style/size/colorway. For a new brand, we recommend starting with 2 colorways × 2 sizes = 4 SKUs, for a total of 600 to 1200 pieces. The prototype is delivered in 15-20 days, and production takes 30-45 days. We work in Full Package (we source the materials) or CMT.