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Original poster

Would you, do you, use a sleepyhead at night?

78 replies

DieHardISaChristmasFilm · 26/12/2019 11:07

DS is 5 weeks old. Until now the sleepyhead has been for daytime naps only, however his night time sleep has completely gone to pot.
Last night, after hours of no sleep I cracked and put him in it, and had a lovely 4 hours of sleep. I was starting to fall asleep while feeding him so was more worried about that being a danger. After this DH is suggesting we use it at night, I've read the lullaby trust warnings and am worried, help!

OP posts:
Starryskye · 26/12/2019 11:09

I personally wouldn't. From being born I just used a baby sleeping bag and tucked a little blanket around under arms and below. Never worth the risk

Xyzzzzz · 26/12/2019 11:15

I used one cause dd would only sleep on me.

Original poster
DieHardISaChristmasFilm · 26/12/2019 11:23

It feels like a horrible balancing of risk. Fall asleep feeding (this was at 5am so a long time time with no sleep) or risk a sleepyhead.

OP posts:

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Lookingsparkly · 26/12/2019 11:26

I used a sleepyhead along with a breathing sensor called Babysense.

FenellaMaxwell · 26/12/2019 11:30

The rules changed last year. Until then the sleepyhead was certified for overnight sleep.

RogueV · 26/12/2019 11:31

I did in the cot which was right next to me.

TheArtfulScreamer1 · 26/12/2019 11:46

We did DD wouldn't settle in her moses basket and as she was newborn I was scared of co sleeping so I used to put the sleepy head in the middle of me and DH on top of the duvet (we have a superking) it made feeding and putting her back down so much easier and she settled a lot better. We only used it for a few months and then she'd settle in a snuzpod that we borrowed.

SquashedFlyBiscuit · 26/12/2019 11:50

Can you look at safe cosleeping if falling asleep fedding is the fear? We side car'd a cot to the bed for more space but it meant I could roll baby away from me. Well soemtimes...but I could feed at night with ease!

marmitemayonnaise · 26/12/2019 11:55

We do, it's in the snuzpod right next to my head. Baby in the sleepyhead in their sleepsuit, no loose blankets or anything near them. The bottom mattress of it is totally flat so I'm comfortable putting them in it next to me. It's the only way we've gotten any sleep with both DCs.

busface999 · 26/12/2019 11:56

I wouldn't use one. My now 16 month old has never been a good sleeper and those first few months of breastfeeding were awful!

But.. even when using some kind of monitor/breathing sensor I just couldn't bring myself to take the risk. I read a story about SIDS which said:
a) it happens very fast
b) the breathing is the last to go

A breathing sensor will not save your child. I know the tiredness is hellish, I've been there. But I wouldn't do it.

bairnk · 26/12/2019 11:59

We use the sleepyhead overnight for 12 week old ds and used it for my daughter, he is in it in a Chico next to me and sleeps well in it, the sides are breathable and I have tried stuffing my face right into it and could still breathe. He doesn't roll over while sleeping yet so might feel differently if he was, I'm right next to him and sleep very lightly so wake up fairly regularly if he is moving about at all. He is getting quite big for it already though so think will only use for another few weeks.

TheClausSeason · 26/12/2019 12:01

I would not, did not, use one overnight. I almost did, in desperation, but then changed my mind. Ended up co-sleeping.

Madratlady · 26/12/2019 12:02

No I wouldn’t. Do look at safe co-sleeping guidelines though if you’re breastfeeding. Much better to feed lying safely in bed if you’re so tired you’re likely to fall asleep.

Teddyreddy · 26/12/2019 12:06

I used one with DC1 as they were allowed back then. By DC2 the rules had changed - but if she had gone in it, I'd have used it - instead we had to cosleep. We have a side car cot like @SquashedFlyBiscuitSquashedFlyBiscuit but she always woke up when I tried to extract my arm and roll away.

If you have a non sleeping baby I think you are stuck with working out which is the least bad option. You not getting any sleep is also risky - for example, you are more likely to have a car accident when driving. I also found severe sleep deprivation impacted how I bonded with my baby. You need to work out which is the least bad option for you - your choices are probably no sleep, cosleeping or the sleepyhead....

TowelStripes · 26/12/2019 12:08

I did with my DD last year and I do with my DS now.

GrumpyHoonMain · 26/12/2019 12:08

The lullaby trust is the idiots guide to safe sleeping. So has to cater for the lowest denominator. If you don’t smoke, havent bought a second hand or fake sleepyhead, follow instructions, and only use it for normal weight at birth babies it should be fine. Another alternative is a sleep box.

dreaming174 · 26/12/2019 12:34

I have since she was 6 days old and she's now almost 17 weeks. We put it in the next to me with a swaddle spread out underneath her to catch dribble and and spit ups. She also sleeps in a love to dream swaddle. Works for us.

hiimmumma · 26/12/2019 12:37

I did with my first child but was oblivious to the risks and luckily nothing bad happened.
I'm pregnant with my second and won't be using it overnight this time, knowing what I know now.

Instead I'm setting up a good a side car style safe co sleeping environment that enables me to feed laying down with minimal risk.

BertieBotts · 26/12/2019 13:02

No, I wouldn't. I don't trust them. I think their marketing/wording is sneaky as well. It contravenes firm, flat surface, no pillows.

If falling asleep feeding, set up safe co-sleeping environment, if you happen to fall asleep that's the lowest risk setting. If you stay awake (and want to,) try to transfer baby to cot.

I'm not sure how they could possibly have been "certified" for overnight sleep last year since I'm not aware of any such certification ever existing.

Eeeeek2 · 26/12/2019 13:08

I did because I was falling asleep in the armchair and that was worse. I’m sure with dc1 they were approved for sleeping so I bought one. By the time dc2 was here they weren’t approved so tried without but again she wouldn’t sleep other than on me.

I thought the risk was ok compared to falling asleep with her on the sofa or cosleepibg considering I sleep with the duvet up to my nose.

GrumpyHoonMain · 26/12/2019 14:44

Sleepyhead is not a positioner which is banned by Lullaby trust. It’s a firm pod.

This website dispels some of the crap caused by misunderstanding of the Lullaby Trust advice.

www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk/blogs/b4baby/sleep-positioners-what-you-need-to-know

TowelStripes · 26/12/2019 16:33

Has there ever been a death associated with them, does anyone know? Has a baby ever died suddenly while sleeping in one?

Yummymummy2020 · 26/12/2019 16:47

I haven’t heard of any harm coming to a baby from one, and I know a lot of people swear by them. Sleepy head themselves say it is safe for sleeping as I emailed them about it to clarify before buying one as I was a bit wary myself. Of course you never want to take a risk, and some people are not happy to use them but the bit of research I did I’m happy enough to with my little one. I think there are so many different products out there and such a difference in safety and quality that lullaby trust has to generalise, but I felt the sleepy head was safe!

TheClausSeason · 26/12/2019 16:52

Has there ever been a death associated with them, does anyone know? Has a baby ever died suddenly while sleeping in one?

If this happened, I imagine that Sleepyhead would settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement into the bargain.

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