Dreampod Sleeping Bag

I have spent the last month or so in a permanent state of panic and worry over my little boys sleeping arrangements.

Whilst pregant I read all about various ways of ensuring a contented happy baby and found out about baby sleeping bags and swaddling.

For those of you who are not familiar with swaddling, it is basically wrapping your baby up in a sheet or blanket to form a cacoon. The idea being that your baby feels ...
...being in a confined space for some time.

In hospital, the midwives also encouraged the practice of swaddling and so my little boy was wrapped up and to be honest slept fairly well.

The thing is, when babies are first born their hands and arms flap about a fair bit and they can't control them, it was this action which prevented my boy from going to sleep and so swaddling him.. in effect restraining him meant that he ... more

I have spent the last month or so in a permanent state of panic and worry over my little boys sleeping arrangements.

Whilst pregant I read all about various ways of ensuring a contented happy baby and found out about baby sleeping bags and swaddling.

For those of you who are not familiar with swaddling, it is basically wrapping your baby up in a sheet or blanket to form a cacoon. The idea being that your baby feels safe and secure, after all it has been used to being in a confined space for some time.

In hospital, the midwives also encouraged the practice of swaddling and so my little boy was wrapped up and to be honest slept fairly well.

The thing is, when babies are first born their hands and arms flap about a fair bit and they can't control them, it was this action which prevented my boy from going to sleep and so swaddling him.. in effect restraining him meant that he could sleep soundly and undisturbed,

The sleeping bag I had bought went unused for some time.

So why the panic... well, at around 4-5 months babies start to develop the ability to roll. If baby is wrapped up and cant get arms free, rolling can be potentially fatal.

So many days were spent franticlaly trying to get my boy to sleep in his sleeping bag without success.

Then one day, last Thursday, he just refused to be wrapped up and so I tried the sleeing bag once more... hey presto... success!!!

All that worry is now over and he is sleeping soundly in his cot in his sleeping bag.

So, the sleeping bags themselves:

There are many different types on the market... I have grobags, which I think were the original and also mamas and papas dream pods.

The idea of a sleeping bag is excellent, as you can see in the picture above it fits over the babies shoulders and leaves plenty of room for kicking legs. They are designed to be comfortable and warm and not require additional bedding. As there are no sheets to kick off while in a baby sleeping bag, your baby won't wake up cold, or with sheets or blankets over their heads. Baby stays at a comfortable temperature and becomes a familiar envirnoment making trips away easier.

The dream pod comes in two togs: 1.0 - ideal for warmer weather, holidays, and daytime naps and 2.5 suitable for all year round. It is also available in two sizes 0-6 months and 6 - 18 months, making the larger size good value for money.

Having a gro bag in addition to this, there isnt a great deal of difference, however I would say that the gro bag web site is much more informative than the mamas and papas website with regards to the benefits of a sleeping bag.

The bags are machine washable... essential, I have had to wash mine abut twenty times already, and therefore I would advise having more than one.

Clothing guidelines are on the packs, but common sense works just as well.

The great thing about these sleeping bags is that you ensure your baby is at a safe comfortable temperature, without restrictive sheets or blankets, leaving baby to move around happily.

My boy now wakes up at night and gets himself back to sleep again, something that he couldnt do when swaddled.

Prices vary from £15 - £35 and there is a wide range of funky or sweet designs... I have the navy one which says mini mechanic!

The mamas and papas website is www.mamasandpapas.co.uk

thanks  

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