Keep or bin sleepyhead deluxe

[Bobbieiris]

I’m pregnant (first time mum) and very kindly been gifted a sleepyhead deluxe. To be honest it looked like a suffocation / overheating hazard to me and I don’t think I would want to leave baby in it even supervised…I risk assess a lot for my job so maybe a little OTT!! I googled it and read it’s been linked to quite a few infant deaths. It’s also huge and takes up space, and I’ve already got Moses basket and cot. Partner was upset when I suggested we might not need it. Should I keep or donate? Feeling a Bit overwhelmed with all the baby stuff and in need of a good declutter in general….must be the ‘nesting’ everyone keeps telling me about!

Sleepyhead haven't been linked to any deaths (although other sleep nests have)

If you don't want it, don't use it. Don't bin it though, pass it on- someone was kind to give that to you, they are expensive and at least the covers sell on Vinted for money- you shouldnt accept things then bin them.

I found it a godsend with my second so I would keep it but it's up to each person to assess their own risks I guess

Should add- we found it very useful for one of our kids who, without it, rotated in bed and got her feet caught in the cot and woke up crying every hour or so. As with most things baby, you really don't know ahead of time which items will be lifesavers and which you will never use (bottle warmer I am looking at you...)

It was invaluable for mine too.

They're not recommended by the Lullaby Trust who advise on safe sleep

It's called Dock a tot in the US and linked to two deaths there

Hmm, maybe I’ll keep it for a bit then sell on. It was a very thoughtful gift and I am grateful but not something I would have chosen myself. I assess beds/ bed equipment for adults a lot in my job so also very careful about choosing items for baby and maybe a bit paranoid about suffocation etc

Was invaluable for my first and 2nd , I would have cracked up with such little sleep before I introduced it. Due baby 3 soon and hope they respond as well to it

Get rid, it's honestly not worth it. Definitely read through the lullaby trust website for official researched guidance, you wouldn't buy a car seat that doesn't meet our safety standards because it was *easier to fasten baby in for example.

Get rid. I don't understand how those things are allowed to be sold. Safe sleeping guidelines are so clear - nothing in the cot, no nests.
Its one of those things that 99.999% of the time will be fine, and may benefit everyone's sleep, But that 0.00001% is so catastrophic it not worth the risk.

@Sprinkles211 maybe I will. I feel bad because it was from partners family member and don’t want to upset her or partner, but it just seems so risky to me. I asked partner to make sure that if he does use it; then not to turn his back on baby…he was saying he would put baby in it when he washes up etc, but to me it just seems too risky and I don’t really like having it tbh , would rather just go with NHS advice of flat Moses basket for daytime

If I’m thinking of the right thing, then our antenatal class said you can use it for supervised sleep (naps in the day when they’re next to you) but not overnight sleep? I used mine a couple of times for daytime naps but never overnight. There’s a dr on Instagram, Dr Niamh something who gives no nonsense advise on baby safety. I found her useful when we were expecting our first as everyone seemed to say different things so it was good to listen to a qualified and experienced professional.

I cried to the health visitor as I was getting no sleep and slowly going mad, baby wouldn’t let me put him down to sleep. She recommended it as something some other mums in my position had to turn to. He would only sleep on me and I couldn’t keep my eyes open so I figured it was safer to put him in the sleepyhead, than to fall asleep with him on me.

He slept for five hours straight in it the first night, I woke up before him panicking 🤣. I think it’s absolutely brilliant.

I did quite a lot of research and worked out there was no greater risk of cot death in the sleepyhead than without. This was 10 years ago though and haven’t checked most recent stats, worth having a look

@Gingerbread987 ahh, that sounds like sensible advice thank you. I’ll look her up. As a first time parent I feel quite overwhelmed with knowing what is safe for baby and what isn’t!

We got given one too and I was worried about using it. I did end up finding it quite useful, not as a place for the baby to sleep, but it was handy to have on the bathroom floor as somewhere to put the baby down whilst I was on the loo or in the shower. It was also good for tummy time.

I worried about using ours, so did the sensible thing of trying to suffocate myself with it to check the sides were breathable!!

We used ours with an angelcare breathing monitor, would something like that help?

I ended up with one for my first. Had sworn blind that I wouldn’t use anything like it. Then I almost crashed the car due to exhaustion. Bought one the next day, it made things easier.

As you know if you risk assess, sometimes you have to limit risk rather than removing it entirely, sometimes removing a risk factor brings in new ones. I would not plan to use it, especially for overnight sleep, things can change.

My loved it but I only used it but they inly slept in it when I was awake. It was perfect for using downstairs or hen going to someone else's house

* My three loved it but they only slept in it when I was awake. It was perfect for using downstairs or when going to someone else's house

Keep it... it's hard to describe how broken you can feel in the first few months through lack of sleep.You may not feel the need to use it and if so that's great. But it might be what you need to get through in the short term and that's ok too.

They are not recommended by lullaby trust and safe sleeping

So no I won't use them - I'm a maternity nurse and explain to parents why unsafe

A firm flat mattress is safe and sleepyheads are soft and squishy

Similar here @Bonneylass the first time I put her in it she slept for 4 hours I was like WTF! My view is when they are tiny there head even when turned is no where near the edge of the material so impossible to suffocate when newborn.
As they get bigger they can move their head and roll. I bought the maxi one at 6 months ans she slept in it so cosy til over 18m

I wouldn’t put baby in it and then go to sleep myself to be honest as goes against NHS guidelines. It seems like it’s quite a controversial product! I don’t really want to keep it to be honest as lots of people say that it’s dangerous. I know that might be from people using it incorrectly, but if it’s that dangerous then surely it just shouldn’t be on the market?

I’m glad you’re leaning against them. Babies may sleep well in them but, to be blunt, I would rather a baby that doesn’t sleep than a dead baby. Have a look at this statement by the Lullaby Trust if you haven’t already.

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/the-lullaby-trust-issues-warning-about-some-popular-baby-sleeping-products-sold-in-high-street-stores/

Why not just wait until your baby is here? What's the need to get rid/keep it now?

@imcountingtothree123 I don’t know, I’ve just got a real bee in my bonnet about it for some reason! It’s not something I would have bought myself as I’ve read about the risks before, and it’s absolutely huge and taking up quite a bit of space. I guess it must be all the pregnancy hormones! I know I sound very ungrateful