Baby sleeping bag safety alert: what to look for when buying
by Folk & Thread
On 1 October 2026, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a safety alert about some baby sleeping bags.
If you use a sleeping bag for your baby, please don’t panic. Most sleeping bags are safe. The alert is about a specific type of bag, and it is easy to check yours.
Here’s what the alert says, and what to look for when you buy.
What does the safety alert say?
The alert is about sleeping bags that babies sleep in unsupervised, in a crib or cot.
It says parents and carers should not buy, and should stop using, any baby sleeping bag that:
- has no armholes, or
- has a hood.
The alert follows nearly 50 recalls and product safety reports for unsafe sleeping bags in the UK since 2023.
It does not cover items made to be worn in a pram, like a pramsuit or footmuff. These are not designed for sleep in a cot.
Why are these bags unsafe?
No armholes. A well fitted baby sleep bag with the correct size neck opening and armholes help keep your baby in the right position. Without them, a baby can slip down inside the bag. The fabric could then cover their nose and mouth.
A hood. As your baby moves, a hood can slide over their face.
Overheating. A bag that covers your baby’s head stops heat escaping. Babies lose a lot of heat through their head, so they can get too hot. Overheating is linked to a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Do a neck opening check:
- When the bag is securely fastened, your baby’s head should not pass through the neck opening.
- You should be able to fit two fingers between the baby’s neck and the opening—this ensures the bag isn’t too tight, which could be uncomfortable at night.
Five things to check when you buy a baby sleeping bag
- Armholes. Your baby’s arms should come out through armholes. Never choose a bag that wraps fully around the arms and shoulders.
- No hood. A baby sleep bag should never have a hood, however cosy it looks.
- A neck opening that fits. This is the most important check. The neck opening should be small enough that your baby cannot slip down inside the bag. Choose the size by your baby’s weight, using the brand’s size guide. A bag can look long when you first open it, and that’s fine. The neck fit is what keeps your baby safe.
- The safety standard. Look for BS EN 16781:2018 on the label or the product page. This is the safety standard for baby sleeping bags used in a cot. The OPSS alert does not apply to bags that meet it, and OPSS recommends retailers only sell bags that meet it.
- The right tog for the room. Match the tog to your baby’s room temperature, so they don’t get too hot or too cold. See our temperatures and togs guide
Buy from a seller you trust
Many of the recalled bags were sold online. Buy from a brand or shop that can tell you clearly that its bags meet BS EN 16781:2018.
What if I already have one of these bags?
- Stop using it for your baby’s sleep.
- Contact the business you bought it from.
- If it was sold for unsupervised baby sleep, you may be entitled to a refund or other remedy under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
A word from Lisa
“I’ve worked in baby sleep for more than 25 years. I was involved in the original BS safety standard and subsequent BS EN 16781:2018, the standard this alert refers to, I currently sit on the BSI committee that looks at risks to babies in the sleep environment. I’m really glad to see this alert. A good sleeping bag is one of the simplest ways to help your baby sleep safely. Armholes, no hood, and a neck opening that fits. That’s what to look for.”
Lisa Joyce, Co-Founder, Folk & Thread
About Folk & Thread sleeping bags
Every Folk & Thread sleeping bag has armholes and no hood and is made to BS EN 16781:2018. Our neck openings are sized by weight, so your baby cannot slip down inside.
We care passionately about baby safety which is why we only design and manufacture products designed for arms out sleep.
Useful links
- OPSS Product Safety Alert: Baby Sleeping Bags
- NHS: Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice
