are sleep bags generally safe- first time mum

[becciandbump]

Hi just wanted a bit of advice really I have just bought 2 sleep bags from mamas and papas 0-6 months and I was really happy with them until my mum said she thought they were a suffocation risk if baby slipped down in it. The lady said as long as you check baby is not too small for it and you do up the poppers this will not happen. The packet says to check baby's head won't fit through the hole which I obviously would do. Is my mum being paranoid or does she have a point? I'm sure this won't be the first time she criticises something to do with how I do things but now I'm wondering if I should take them back which disappoints me as I thought they seemed a great idea. I don't wAnt her to put her worries on me as im anxious enough! Thanks x

[goodenoughmum88]

Used them for both my boys (who wouldn't be swaddled - It invoked rage!!!). There both fine. As long as they're by tiny babies who'll slip down theyll

[Quodlibet]

There's a weight/size limit for sleeping bags - around 8lb if I remember? Anyway, short answer is, they might not be suitable for a tiny newborn but babies soon grow into them.

[Glitterkitten24]

My boys were both bruisers (over 9lb at birth) but we used them with no issues.
If you have a wee tiny baby you might not be able to use them straight away, but otherwise should be fine.

Remember to chose sleepsuits/ vests with folding mittens- hands get cold when not swaddled I found.

[GuybrushThreepwoodMightyPirate]

They are fab, and, as I understand it, very safe. Recommended by the lullaby trust (formerly Fsid) which is the cot death charity. Just make sure your baby meets the minimum weight/head circumference and do up the extra underarm poppers when they are really teeny.
Congratulations on your impending baby!

[reallyanotherone]

Far safer than sheets or blankets, which it is far easier to slip down under. Would that be your mum's suggestion instead?

You can buy newborn sizes now, so fine from birth, just remember you need the smallest size that fits-as long as they can stretch out in it it's fine.

They were a godsend for us, love them!

[NapQueen]

They are bloody brilliant!!

Check the minimum weight. You can also tuck the excess under the bottom of the mattress if you are that concerned.

My DS will be 2 in October and he is still in his.

I love it when he walks around in it like a slug boy.

[purplefizz26]

They wear them like clothes, the straps fit like a vest under and over armpits.

As long as you stick to weight/size/age guidelines you will be fine. I found a tiny newborn size one which was perfect from about 4 weeks. My DD used to kick all blankets off then cry at being cold, never looked back after discovering the sleep bags!

[goodenoughmum88]

Sorry posted too soon!
As long as they're not tiny babies who'll slip down they'll be fine.
And yes people will comment/pass judgement on every decision you make, even though they mean well it's irritating!! I find a deep breath, head tilt and "oh really? I'll have a look into that" usually shuts them up in the politest possible way!

[SpeedyMcStupiderson]

They're brilliant, but not for the first few weeks for most babies.

[peaceloveandtwirlywoos]

They are brilliant and much safer than blankets. My own mum and MIL were both very impressed and envious because they wish they'd been available when they had their babies! DS was in the M&P ones more or less from birth.

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

They're safe. I've used them for both mine. Mine are wriggles so they'd have wriggled down underneath blankets.
I think the gro bags are from 8lbs, both my girls were over 8lbs at birth.
Speedy why not for the first few weeks for most babies?

[reallyanotherone]

I used them from birth. Dc was 7lb 4 and i used ones which were from 7lb. Fitted fine.

Theres no reason i know of not tonuse them straight away, if you have the appropriate size.

[foxessocks]

Love sleeping bags. My dd had one once she got to 8lbs as that was the minimum weight on the smallest size (not sure if this has changed now). She is 2.5 and only just gone into a bed with a blanket / duvet but she now uses her sleeping bag as a pillow as she to be separated from it! They go up to age 3 I think.

[reallyanotherone]

I got a 7lbs one back in 2004. M+S.

So they've definitely done smaller sizes for a long while.

[coolaschmoola]

My dd was considered at risk for sids, under paediatric care, on breathing, sats and heart rate monitor until ten months, all funded by FSID (now Lullaby Trust). Was told to use sleeping bags because they are safer.

I hate to say it, but your mum is out of date with current guidelines for safe sleep. Following up to date guidelines has reduced the risk significantly in the last 35 years, and it continues to do so.

[becciandbump]

Thanks everyone I knew I was right just felt a bit miffed she had put concerns in my head. I love the ones I got today and you have all made me think that my thinking was right , Id read they could reduce cot death. Think I'll take her opinions with a pinch of salt im glad she lives a couple hours away so I can do things my way and not have too much interfering! Xx

[becciandbump]

Would it be ok to put baby in a long sleeved light babygrow with legs under a 2.5 tog bag in December or should I get a babygrow that has no legs so baby is cooler. We plan on making sure radiator is turned off at wall. Thanks x

[peaceloveandtwirlywoos]

My DS was born mid December and he wore a vest, sleepsuit, cardigan and sleeping bag with a cellular blanket on top and the radiator on. My house was extremely cold, though. Use the room temperature as a guide, and feel baby's chest/back rather than head/hands. Their hands are always bloody frozen!

[Bravada]

Temperature and clothing guide for the different tog ratings here :

gro.co.uk/pages/what-to-wear

There's no heating here but temperature doesn't go below 10 deg at night in winter. We use a long sleeved 3.5 tog sleeping bag with a thin baby grow underneath, full arms and legs. So in a UK winter I think your baby would be a bit chilly in the 2.5 tog unless you're leaving the heating on a bit.

[becciandbump]

Thanks guys was just worried when they say babies can overheat had no idea how many layers they would need equally I don't want them to be cold either, maybe we should leave heating on low but as a rule we've always turned it off at night pre kids, thanks again x

[moobeana]

We got a groegg so we knew what temperature the room was. As I was up feeding at many different times I got a good idea of what the overnight temperatures were like. (My DD was born at end of November). After 4 weeks, she was 7lb at birth so we used baby grow and blankets for the first month, we moved onto grobag type sleeping bags. They are awesome! I tended to buy the ones with the side zip and were made of jersey. They just seemed more cosy. But I did get a car seat one which has a small zip at the back as well as he front, which means you can put them in the car all ready for bed and simple transfer from car seat to cot.
Love love love them!

[reallyanotherone]

You shouldn't use blankets with grobags, it affects the heat regulation and risks overheating.

You get to know your child. Mine was a "hot" baby so rarely wore more than a vest, even as a november baby.

[reallyanotherone]

Oh and err in the cold side, to be safe. They wake if they're cold, whereas overheating is a bigger risk.

[Sophia1984]

Nervous FTM here too :) Wonder if it's an idea to take the bag you intend to use with you to hospital, and midwives can advise on whether it's the right size/safe for baby?

[peaceloveandtwirlywoos]

I can heartily confirm that the post-natal ward will be the temperature of the surface of the sun, and your baby will not need a sleeping bag whilst there when baby comes home you'll have midwives visiting who can advise, but as long as baby is over the weight stipulated on the label, then it'll be grand. The buggers don't sleep much, anyway