Use of sleepyhead/ purflo etc

[HenrysHome]

Exhausted first time mum looking for light at the end of the tunnel! Ds is 6 weeks old, silent reflux and cmpa. The boy does not sleep! He refuses to be put down anywhere, especially on his back to the point where I have been googling if you can actually die from sleep deprivation. I know all the guidelines re SIDS but also see lots of people talking about aids like the sleepyhead and purflo etc and having great success with them. I am so desperate for sleep I’m considering buying one but wanted to hear other peoples stories first? I have a lot of anxiety around SIDS due to a late second trimester loss previously but I can feel myself sliding into madness and I’m not enjoying motherhood at all at the moment x

I'll start by saying the guidelines say flat mattress only and lie baby on his/her back. The lullaby trust does not approve of these sleep aids.

And I'll finish by saying I was where you are and I used a sleepyhead with my silent reflux DS who slept well in it for 6 months. He also refused to lie on his back and no matter what, always turned on his side. He almost instantly started sleeping better and I could focus on being a mum again. He's now 10 months and still sleeps on his side or front!

It's your choice of course

I also gave him dummy at the same time which helped soothe to sleep

If you already have anxiety around SIDS are you realistically going to actually be able to relax and sleep even if baby does settle in one?

Personally, I wouldn’t use one (I did for the first few weeks with my DD as had falsely been told they were overnight sleep approved! Stopped once I learnt more) as I too get anxious and the research done just doesn’t seem worth it for the risk to me. Is there anyone that can help you out and watch baby so you get a little sleep? It’s really hard in these early days

I had a similar dilemma. In the end I chose not to use one as I just couldn't have lived with myself if something happened knowing I'd wilfully ignored safety warnings.

I know it's so so SO hard right now but I promise it will pass x

Have you tried side sleeping him ?

This was the position we used for DD who was a sicky baby as I was scared of her choking. We'd lay her sort of in the recovery position, for her it was the only way she'd sleep and the rest of the house

We had a PurFlo and later a large Sleepyhead.

I think if we hadn't, I'd still be a quivering wreck now, to be honest. Worked great for us.

DS was always very mobile, so I didn't have any anxiety about him rolling over an not being able to get back into position. I think that's the difference.

The Purflo was made from breathable fabric and that also made me feel much more comfortable about using it. Why not get one to use during the day when you're around and see how you feel? If your baby starts to sleep better during the day, you might see an improvement at night, too.

I was petrified also about all the risks but the sleepyhead is the only place he will sleep. He is a side sleeper so we let him rest against the edge. He is very happy in it (5 months now). I was worried he works over heat or fall onto his face but neither has happened

Thank you for all your kind replies! It’s so hard to know what to do for the best isn’t it! He’s got a tilted next to me which he hates so we started a (failing) attempt at co sleeping which is also making me very nervous, I can’t decide which is worse a purflo type thing or the anxiety around co sleeping (although I know it can be done perfectly safely) it seems like the lesser of two evils but when the alternative is the madness of sleep depreciation you just don’t know!!

We have the tommee tippee breathing mat and it puts my mind at rest. You can adjust the sensitivity on it so I dont see why it wouldn't work with a sleepyhead on top of the mattress? It works fine in our next to me cot. My baby also has silent reflux and the next to me can be adjusted so its on a tilt which has worked really well for my now 12 week old baby! He went from being up unless he was on us to sleeping on his own most of the night in the space of a week. Wakes for 1 bottle a night now too.

We used the sleepyhead overnight. As did everyone I knew, as we all got to the same point as you. I am very well aware of the guidelines. My take was, the danger of unplanned co sleeping somewhere unsafe was a bigger risk.
You get clip on breathing monitors can attach to the nappy if that would help you feel better.
It will pass and you will get through this .

Try side sleeping, not as safe as back sleeping, safer than front sleeping. Don't put something next to your baby's face. A clear cot is the best thing.

I bought the purflo because on balance I felt it was safer than the sleepyhead.

However I'm sorry to say my refluxy prem baby still won't sleep in it and I am still holding her to sleep....

I have been using the sleepyhead from birth in the Snuzpod. Actually taken DD out of it for the first time tonight and she will be 12 weeks on Sunday! 🤞🏼.

Sleep deprivation is as much as a risk as SIDS. Do what you feel comfortable with I'd say!

I went through this too so can relate! We have been using the purflo (hes 7mo now). Have you tried swaddling? This worked really well with my DS. I also felt like we'd never get through it, but we did and you will too

Personally I felt co-sleeping was pretty safe and natural, and the way we have evolved to sleep, but I eliminated other risk factors - only I slept with the baby, fully breastfed, full term & good birth weight etc.

Could you try a Wedgehog https://wedgehog.co.uk/?cmpid=1585890172&adggid=61508389124&kwd=cot%20wedge&device=m&gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyNcfHYoSINPz01wDOmoHkACimdPWsYkdcPTD55zR0yzIRrTOtViOxoCtJUQAvDDBwE
We found it better than just tilting the next to me as it sits their little body up more stoping the acid reflux.
I just popped a rolled up blanket by DS fees to stop him slipping down and used a grobag so he couldn't slip under the blanket.