Getting the temperature right for your baby when camping can be a bit of a challenge. And if your baby isn’t comfortable, it’s pretty likely you’ll spend a lot of the night up with your baby. To help get your baby a good night sleep when camping, I recommend looking at these baby camping sleeping bags. The best baby sleeping bags for camping will be safe for overnight sleep but will also have features that will help you regulate your baby’s temperature.
With one of these baby sleeping bags you won’t need to be constantly checking on your baby to make sure blankets haven’t fallen off or accidently covered your baby’s face.
I love that these camping sleeping bags for babies are made with a safe sleep for babies in mind while also keeping babies warm and comfortable on chilly nights.
My list of best baby sleeping bags for camping includes affordable baby sleeping bags for camping plus some premium models which will keep your baby super warm. For families who plan on cold weather camping with a baby, it will be more than worth the price for a baby sleeping bag that will keep baby warm on chilly nights plus packs down small.
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Best Baby Camping Sleeping Bags
Here is my list of the best camping sleeping bags for babies. If you continue reading past my recommendations, you can learn how to layer your baby to keep them warm.
1. Little Mo 20 Baby Sleeping Bag
I love that Morrison Outdoors creates sleeping bags specifically for babies. You won't find just a regular sleeping bag in smaller size here, this baby sleeping bag for camping has so many features that make it ideal for babies. It's easily one of the best baby sleeping bags available.
For babies from 6 to 24 months, the Little Mo 20 is the warmest sleeping bag for babies camping on this list. It has down as the insulation at a 650 fill-power. With a weight of only 9 oz, it's the perfect baby sleeping bag for tent camping with babies and backpacking.
Other features of this down-filled sleeping bag is that it has a collar on the neck to keep the warmth in. There's a two-way zipper, which is useful for diaper changes. The bottom has a fully enclosed footbox to keep feet in and toes warm. And one other key feature: it's machine washable.
The only improvement I'd like to see on this sleeping bag is folder-over cuffs instead of completely closed at the hands.
If the price seems high, also remember that Morrison Outdoors has a trade-in program.
- Temperature range: 20°F to 60°F / -6°C to 15°C.
- Age: 6 to 24 months old.
- Length: 32 inches.
Click HERE to purchase direct from Morrison Outdoors and receive a DISCOUNT (automatically applied at checkout)!
2. Little Mo 40 Baby Sleeping Bag
Also made by Morrison Outdoors, is the Little Mo 40 sleeping bag. This baby sleeping bag has many of the same great features as the Little Mo 20 down sleeping bag above. You'll find a collar to keep warmth in, a two-way zipper and it's also machine washable.
Where this one differs is that it has a hi-loft polyester synthetic insulation which means it's not quite as warm as the down sleeping bag above, it's slightly heavier at just under 1 lb and it won't pack quite as light.
Don't let that discourage you, it's still a quality sleeping bag for babies that's perfect for the temperature range that most families will be camping in.
And the cuffs are done perfectly on this one, with a fold-over cuff to keep hands warm at night or keep a hand out if needed.
- Temperature range: 40°F to 60°F / 4°C to 15°C.
- Age: 6 to 24 months old.
- Length: 32 inches.
Click HERE to purchase direct from Morrison Outdoors and receive a DISCOUNT (automatically applied at checkout)!
3. Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Travel for Babies
For those who aren't cold weather camping with a baby, the Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Travel is a good option at a lower price. This baby sleeping bag has a TOG 3.5 temperature rating. It also has removable sleeves in case the evenings are warmer than expected.
In addition to sleeves with snaps for easy removal, the shoulders have snaps to help get your baby in even easier. It has a two-way zipper plus a flap for the stroller buckle, so you'll get tons of use out of it.
It's made with an ultra-light duvet material that is machine washable. The Baby DeeDee baby sleep sack for camping comes in three sizes, which includes a 0-6 month old. Whether you are looking for a camping sleeping bag for 1 year old babies or an infant camping sleeping bag, this is a good choice for warmer weather.
Be sure to base your size choice on your baby's weight and length, which you can find on the Baby DeeDee website. For babies 0 to 6 months old, it's 10-18 lbs and 22"-26". For babies 6 to 18 months old, it's 16-26 lbs and 25"-32".
- Temperature range: 50°F to 65°F / 10°C to 18°C.
- Age: 0 to 6 months (S), 6 to 18 months (M) or 18 to 36 months (L).
- Length: (S) 26 inches and (M) 32 inches.
Click HERE to buy direct from Baby DeeDee AND use BCT10 for 10% off!
4. Outdoor Baby Sleeping Bag by The Milk & Honey Co
The Milk & Honey Co down sleeping bag is the only other down sleeping bag on this list with a 800 fill-power. It comes in two sizes depending on the age of your baby. One size is from 3 months to 3 years old and the second size is for older toddlers and kids from 3 to 7 years old. Each size weighs under 1 lb with the smaller one at 10 oz and the larger size at 14 oz.
This sleeping bag has snaps for size adjustments and an elastic foot that can be tied to keep it extra warm and cozy. These adjustments also make it great for those nights that start warm and you need more ventilation.
While like any other baby sleeping bag on this list, you'll want to use appropriate layers underneath based on the temperatures, one improvement for this sleeping bag would be the addition of detachable sleeves. With no sleeves or hand covers, you may need to add extra layers to keep arms warm and pack mitts (and manage not to lose them).
- Temperature range: Above 40°F / 4°C.
- Age: 3 months to 3 yrs OR 3 - 7 years old (two sizes available).
- Length: 42 inches or 52 inches.
5. ergoPouch 3.5 TOG Sleep Suit Bag for Babies
Another baby camping sleeping bag that's best suited for warm weather camping with a baby, the ergoPouch 3.5 TOG sleep sack is made from 100% organic cotton. This sleep sack can be adjusted from a sleeping bag to a sleep suit mode with zippers that will create legs which will work better for crawling babies.
It has fold-over cuffs to keep hands warm at night. The sleeves only have a TOG 1.0 rating, so you may need to adjust the layers to make sure your little one stays warm all night.
- Temperature range: 57°F to 69°F / 14°C to 20°C.
- Age: Available in several sizes ranging from 3 to 12 months and 8 to 24 months (plus larger sizes for toddlers).
- Length: 31.5 inches for 3-12 months / 35 inches for 8-24 months.
6. OuYun Baby Organic Sleeping Bag
The OuYun sleeping bag is another TOG 3.5 sleep sack that is made of 100% organic cotton. These sleeping bags by OuYun won't fold down super small, so they are best for car camping instead of backpacking.
Other features of these baby sleeping bags include cuffs of the sleeve that fold over plus a two-way zipper. Unfortunately, it is hand wash only, which most of us parents don't always have time for.
This baby camping sleeping bag comes in three sizes with the smallest being 25.5" to 31.5" which is suited for babies 6-18 months old.
- Temperature range: 57°F to 69°F / 14°C to 20°C.
- Age: The size 25.5" to 31.5" should fit 6 to 18 months old.
- Length: 25.5 to 31.5 inches.
If you want to read more on the Little Mo 20 Baby Sleeping Bag or the Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Travel, I have reviews on each written by parents who took each of these sleeping bags for a test run.
While the review of the Morrison Outdoors sleeping bag is of the Big Mo 20 (one of the best toddler sleeping bags for travel), it should still give you a good idea of what the Little Mo 20 will be like.
Read the Big Mo 20 Toddler Sleeping Bag review here.
Read the baby deedee Sleep Nest Travel Baby Sleeping Bag review here.
How to Choose the Best Baby Sleeping Bag for Camping
Baby sleeping bags that are similar to sleep sacks are the best for young babies and one of my top baby camping gear essentials. These wearable blankets ensure your baby stays warm and has a safe sleeping environment. Here are the things you should consider when looking for the best baby sleeping bag for camping.
Temperature Ratings for Baby Sleeping Bags
TOG, or thermal overall grade, is a common rating system for clothes (and especially for baby clothes) based on the warmth it provides. Parents can use this rating system along with the temperature in the nursery (or tent, in this case) to help determine how best to dress babies for sleep.
One thing to keep in mind is that the TOG rating of each piece will stack, so if you pair a set of pajamas of TOG 1.0 with a TOG 1.0 sleep sack, that’s a TOG 2.0. For camping, a TOG 3.5 baby sleeping bag is best to ensure your baby has a good night sleep. You may need to layer pajamas or a wool base layer (discount code FamCanTravel applied at checkout) for chilly nights.
Unless the nights stay quite warm, you will need to adjust what your baby is sleeping in. You don’t want your baby overheating or sweating in the night.
For camping with a baby in cold weather, consider one of the down sleeping bags. A down camping sleeping bag for baby will have much lower temperature ratings than a TOG 3.5.
The right temperature is key to getting a good night sleep. If your baby is too hot or too cold, you’ll likely struggle with sleep. Thankfully many of the best baby sleeping bags have ways to adjust like removable sleeves. This is especially important when the evenings can be hot, but then cools off significantly in the night.
Size
When choosing your baby camping sleeping bag, you want to make sure it’s the right size. You will have heat loss if the sleeping is too big and your baby is swimming in it. Besides the warmth factor, you also need to ensure that it’s safe for your baby to sleep in.
Safety
Choose only sleeping bags that are approved for night sleep. While your baby’s snowsuit might seem like the ideal item for cold night camping, it won’t have the same safety features as a sleeping bag made specifically for babies. In addition, you don’t want anything with a hood for your baby’s overnight sleep.
You also want to make sure there are no drawstrings, cord locks or anything else your little one could get tangled in.
Size is also important, since you don’t want the sleeping bag coming up over your little one’s face.
Bunting bags might also seem like a good alternative to a sleeping bag, but these aren’t ideal for two reasons:
- Bunting bags often have holes for strollers straps in the back which would leave room for cold air to enter the bunting bag.
- Your baby could easily slide down into the bunting bag since there are no straps holding your baby or the bag in place like when you use a stroller. There’s too much risk of your baby’s face being covered by the bunting bag.
Price
As you would expect, down sleeping bags for babies camping are priced much higher than a cotton sleep sack. The down sleeping bags will be much warmer and pack down smaller.
The more affordable baby sleeping bags will still work when camping in warmer areas or in the middle of the summer when nights are warmer.
Extra Details
The best baby sleeping bags will have extra details that will make getting your baby to sleep much easier. These might include:
- Fold-over hand cuffs so you don’t have to worry about cold hands or losing mitts in the night.
- Well thought out baffles on down sleeping bags to keep the down from shifting too much and resulting in cold spots.
- Two-way zippers for easy diaper changes or to provide some extra ventilation.
- Removable sleeves so your baby doesn’t overheat.
- A soft collar that helps prevent heat loss in the neck area.
- Snaps that help adjust the size of the sleeping bag.
Weight
The weight of the baby sleeping bag is especially important for families backpacking with a baby. For parents who need to carry everything, keeping the sleeping bag as light and small as possible is a must. The down baby camping sleeping bags are ideal for this.
Machine Washable
As parents we need products that make our life easier, which includes a baby sleeping bag that is machine washable. There is one in this list that requires hand washing, but I suspect that a delicate cycle in the washing machine and laying flat to dry would probably be ok.
Dressing Your Baby for Cold Weather Camping
Now that you have a baby camping sleeping bag, you need to consider what your baby will wear to sleep. This will be dependent on the overnight temperature and also what the temperature will be in the evening when your baby is going to sleep.
This can be a challenge camping with babies in places where the daily highs are quite warm but the overnight lows make for chilly nights. You want to make sure your baby is not overheating and not sweating, which can lead to getting cold.
Layers will be key to dressing your baby for cold weather camping, both during the day and at night. For nighttime, plan on some layers and adjust based on the day or throughout the night.
For extra chilly nights, you can layer wool base layers (discount code FamCanTravel applied at checkout) with fleece pajamas.
You may also need to add socks, a warm hat and mitts. While you can add layers, keep in mind that it will make diaper changes more challenging with all those layers. A warmer sleeping bag will be more convenient.
For warmer nights you might be able to get away with pajamas under the sleep sack.
Make sure to take advantage of your baby sleeping bag’s best features. Can you open the two way zipper at the bottom to allow for more air ventilation? Can you remove the arms?
You might still find that you need to adjust through the night, but it will be worth it to keep your baby comfortable and sleeping through the night.
Keeping Baby Warm While Camping – FAQ
Do babies need sleeping bags camping?
As per the AAP policy on SAFE Infant Sleep, the recommendations are “Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from the infant’s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.”.
It’s safest for your baby to have a baby sleeping bag for camping. Sleeping bags made specifically for babies sleeping at night will include safety features like no hoods or drawstrings, and a snug, soft collar to keep baby from sliding down into the sleeping bag.
What should baby sleep in when camping?
What a baby sleeps in while camping will be very temperature dependent. In some instances, pajamas and a baby sleeping bag will be enough. In colder temperatures, a merino wool base layer under fleece pajamas and a camping sleeping bag will ensure baby stays warm.
If it’s quite hot, a baby sleep sack with removable sleeves like the baby deedee will help keep baby cool in the evening and the sleeves can be added on as the night cools.
Can a baby sleep in a snowsuit camping?
A snowsuit is not recommended for baby to sleep in while camping. Snowsuits aren’t designed for meeting the AAP SAFE Infant Sleep recommendations. For example, the hood causes risk of suffocation. It’s better to have a baby camping sleep sack and use a hat. A baby camping sleeping bag will also have a fully enclosed footbox to keep your baby warm at night.
Can a baby sleep in a sleeping bag?
Babies should not sleep in a sleeping bag. There’s a risk of your baby slipping down into the sleeping bag and/or having baby’s face covered by the blanket.
How do I keep my baby warm in a tent?
The best way to keep a baby warm in a tent for overnight sleep is to research the expected nighttime temperatures then add layers under your baby camping sleeping bag to keep baby warm. Merino wool base layers followed by fleece pajamas and a suitable baby sleeping bag will keep baby warm at night while camping. A suitable baby camping sleeping bag will be appropriate for the nighttime temperatures and meet safe sleep recommendations.
In general, your baby should be dressed with only one layer more than you are wearing.
More Baby Camping Resources
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.