The Sleep Centre
Welcome to The Sleep Centre
The Topics We Dive Deep Into:
TOG Ratings & Merino
What is a TOG rating?
A TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) essentially measures how much a particular fabric insulates and is roughly equivalent to a layer of clothing or a light blanket. Many sleeping bags use the European TOG rating system to indicate how warm the sleeping bag is and what season they are suitable for. The higher the TOG, the warmer the sleeping bag.
Merino does not have a TOG rating - here’s why…
TOG ratings work best for materials that behave consistently under fixed testing conditions—like cotton or polyester. Natural fibres such as Merino wool don’t fit this model because they actively respond to changes in body temperature and the environment. Rather than offering a single, fixed level of warmth, Merino regulates heat and moisture to keep your child comfortable across a wider range of conditions.
This natural adaptability is exactly why Merino wool is so popular—its performance can’t be captured by a single TOG number.
How Merino Wool Can Help Reduce Night-Time Wake-Ups
Merino wool can help to create a more stable, comfortable sleep environment which can result in a better, longer sleep. This is why.
1. Natural temperature regulation
Merino wool helps keep your baby at a stable temperature by warming them when it is cool and releasing excess heat when they start to get too warm. Babies often wake because they feel uncomfortable from being either too hot or too cold. Since they do not fully develop the ability to regulate their own body temperature until around 3 to 4 years of age, merino helps reduce these temperature fluctuations and supports deeper, more settled sleep.
2. Excellent moisture management
Merino wool absorbs and releases moisture away from the skin without feeling damp. If your baby is a sweaty sleeper, cotton or synthetic fabrics can become clammy, which can wake them. Merino keeps them dry and comfortable for longer.
3. Breathable and low-itch
Merino fibres are incredibly fine, soft, and breathable. A more comfortable baby means fewer night-time disturbances caused by irritation or overheating.
4. Supports more consistent sleep cycles
Because Merino creates a more stable micro-climate around your baby’s body, they’re less likely to be disrupted by sudden temperature changes—helping them transition between sleep cycles more smoothly.
How to Dress Your Child in Merino for Sleeping
Dressing your baby for the optimal sleep depends on the time of year & climate. The below combinations are suggestions only. It is always best to adjust on your baby's comfort.
Temperature Range For Sleep Sacks
Woolbabe has a three weights of sleep sacks; duvet weight, mid-weight/three season and summer weight.
Duvet Weight
Our range of duvet weight sleeping bags are best used in winter or the cooler months. The Woolbabe duvet sleep sack have a thick, cosy, quilted wool filling and is ideal in rooms that fluctuate between 14-22°C.
Mid-Weight/Three Season
The Woolbabe Mid-Weight Sleep Sack is made with two insulating layers, making it perfect for room temperatures between 18–30°C, ideal for use from spring through to autumn.
Similarly, the Babu Three-Season Sleeping Bag is designed for sleeping environments of 18–22°C, the temperature range where babies are typically most settled. Made from breathable Merino, it offers year-round comfort through autumn, winter, spring, and even those milder summer nights.
Summer Weight
Our summer-weight sleeping sacks are ideal for tropical environments or from temperatures between 24-32°C.
Free Thermometer
With Every Woolbabe Purchased
Woolbabe's handy room thermometer makes bedtime a little easier - with a layering guide on the back to help you decide what you dress your little one.
*excl grip dot socks
Other FAQ
There are a few high-quality, ethiaclly sourced Merino brands that we swear by. These are Woolbabe, Babu, Sweet Cheeks Merino and Lamington (for their amazing NZ made Merino wool socks). All of these brands are stocked on Merino & Me and are well loved by our customers.
Yes you absolutely can!
For Babu Sleep Sacks:
- Machine or hand wash at 40°C max (low spin speed for blankets)
- Use a wool-approved liquid detergent
- Close any zips before washing
- Turn the garment inside out to reduce pilling
- Place in a delicates wash bag if you have one
- Avoid using laundry powder, soaking, bleaching, wringing, dry cleaning, or stain removers, as these practices can accelerate the biodegradation of Merino, causing holes.
For Woolbabe Sleep Sacks:
- Gentle machine or hand wash in cold water or 30°C water using a quality liquid wool wash
- Airing your Woolbabe item daily will reduce how often it needs to be washed
- Do not hot wash
- Do not rub, soak or bleach
Merino's natural temperature-regulating properties help keep babies comfortable by releasing heat when they are warm and insulating when they are cool. Unlike synthetic fabrics or even cottons, Merino fibres breathe and wick moisture away from the skin, reducing clamminess and preventing heat from becoming trapped.
This means your baby can maintain a more stable and safe body temperature throughout the night, helping them sleep soundly while you rest easier too.
If your baby has sensitive skin, Merino is often one of the safest and gentlest fibres you can choose. Its superfine fibres are silky soft against the skin, reducing the risk of irritation or itching that can occur with coarser wool or synthetic fabrics.
Merino is also naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, helping to regulate moisture and keep skin dry and comfortable. Many parents of eczema-prone or sensitive-skinned babies find merino a soothing option for sleepwear, offering warmth and comfort without compromising skin health.
Yes we do. We love this one here. It is an all-natural wool & cashmere wash developed specially for use on merino, wool, delicates, sheepskins, cashmere & all natural fibres.