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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if the new Purflo nest is really suitable for unsupervised sleep? How is it different to a Sleepyhead?

44 replies

Llamasally · 18/04/2021 04:48

purflo.com/the-sleep-tight-baby-bed/

I have been looking at these and having never seen one - or a sleepyhead- in RL am interested in what makes one safer than the other. And does this then negate the benefits of the sleepyhead (ie more comfortable/cosy)?

Does anyone have one, or both, and can explain? As advertising the Purflo as ‘certified safe for overnight’ is quite a claim given all the controversies over nests and SIDS risk. For full disclosure I am probably going to buy either a Purflo or Sleepyhead and would prefer to be able use for overnight if needed.

OP posts:
Randomness12 · 18/04/2021 06:26

This doesn’t look much different to the sleepyhead at all. When my DD was a baby the sleepyhead was “the” thing to have but I didn’t like the look of it, and I understand they’ve since been prevented from selling for overnight sleep.

I wouldn’t buy this. The SIDs recommendation is that baby should sleep on a solid flat surface with nothing even close to their face.

It suggests safe for unsupervised sleep from birth to 8 months - by which time they are moving their head and/or rolling. Plus baby should always be with an adult for sleep up to 6 months, never unsupervised, to help regulate their breathing according to SIDs guidance.

Ginuwine · 18/04/2021 06:56

I wouldn't buy either of those, for the very reasons of doubt you have intimated in this OP.

whatswithtodaytoday · 18/04/2021 07:00

I haven't seen a Purflo, but I did stuff my face into a Sleepyhead in a shop to see if I could breathe easily, and I couldn't. So I would never buy one.

shouldistop · 18/04/2021 07:02

Is your baby here yet op? I've never needed anything like that for either of mine. I know some people feel like they need them but you might not.

RobertaSloth · 18/04/2021 07:07

However it’s advertised, midwives and HVs don’t recommend things like the purflo for unsupervised sleep (I.e. sleep when you are also sleeping). They present a SIDS risk. Safe sleep guidance says the baby should sleep on their back on a flat surface in an empty cot. Alternatively you can co-sleep following the lullaby trust’s guidance on minimising the risk of co-sleeping.

Your baby won’t necessarily like or want anything like this, so don’t feel it’s an essential. Imo it’s not worth risking SIDS over anyway.

imabusybee · 18/04/2021 07:10

I absolutely would not buy one of these. My baby is 3 months old and wakes 2-3 times per night which is normal for his age.

On the Purflo website they state multiple times that they are certified but fail to name a body which certified them. This raises massive red flags to me for something aimed at babies. Surely if the product is as safe as they claim they wouldn't struggle to get endorsed by the Lullaby Trust or another recognised safe sleep advisory body?

I would also recommend you read this.
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/the-lullaby-trust-issues-warning-about-some-popular-baby-sleeping-products-sold-in-high-street-stores/

I would never take risks with my child's welfare.

To ask if the new Purflo nest is really suitable for unsupervised sleep? How is it different to a Sleepyhead?
Megan2018 · 18/04/2021 07:17

I wouldn’t touch either with a bargepole.
Overpriced rubbish, and I doubt the safety claims. I wouldn’t put my baby in one.

SeaTurtles92 · 18/04/2021 07:21

I think because Purflo has a breathable mesh where as sleepyhead is just foam and fabric.

Their new design is the very first baby bed to be certified safe for over night sleep.

But they do worry me.

SeaTurtles92 · 18/04/2021 07:24

Well they claim it is anyway Confused.

minniemomo · 18/04/2021 07:40

You do not need these gimmicks, ordinary cellular blankets are perfect and can be layered as temperature requires whilst tiny, once mobile a fleece onesie makes sense as they kick blankets off (they still had a light blanket for comfort). This is how I was cared for and my children - these products sold now are £££ and only last a few weeks at most

Thatwentbadly · 18/04/2021 07:46

@SeaTurtles92

I think because Purflo has a breathable mesh where as sleepyhead is just foam and fabric.

Their new design is the very first baby bed to be certified safe for over night sleep.

But they do worry me.

@SeaTurtles92 but certified by who and by what criteria?

No way I would use one of these.

Potentialscroogeincognito · 18/04/2021 07:51

DS is in a sleepy head, he’s 16months and has been since he was born.
I did A LOT of research. I dug out all of the info that were written and looked into all the certificates (for example BS 4758) and the data. I thoroughly went through all the risk and benefits. He had one for around the house and he slept so well supervised that I did the research and made the decision to use at night also. He stayed in our room till 6months and I still now have a video monitor on him all night.

I wouldn’t recommend either way having now having done it myself. I was comfortable with risk after doing my own research - but that doesn’t mean everyone should be.

The lullaby trust say no to all nests. They can also cannot say one “nest” is safe and no others are as that is endorsing one particular product over others - potentially just the most expensive one and not the cheaper ones.

The one you have posted about doesnt reference any data or certificates etc so that’s a bit strange, I would just do some reading etc.

Also I think sleepyheads are now “Dock-a-tots”

Sorry that doesn’t really answer your question!

Aliceandthemarchhare · 18/04/2021 07:53

I have both. They aren’t different really. My baby really won’t sleep in his crib otherwise!

marcopront · 18/04/2021 07:59

Unless they say who certified it, then the certification is meaningless.

Aliceandthemarchhare · 18/04/2021 08:11

There haven’t been any instances of SIDS involving nests. It’s just that it’s not a firm flat surface. This is the very reason that many babies won’t sleep, of course!

Ds did have a Dockatot (sleepyhead) but when I read that Purflo nests had a green light I got one of those instead. I’m not convinced they are different but it just made me feel better!

Original poster
Llamasally · 18/04/2021 09:00

@Potentialscroogeincognito can I ask where you found the research?

OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 18/04/2021 09:00

That’s kind of what I thought, certified by who?

OP posts:
Original poster
Llamasally · 18/04/2021 09:02

@Aliceandthemarchhare good to hear from someone who has both and that they are not really any different. I wonder why in that case the Purflo is advertising itself as safe for unsupervised but not the sleepyhead/dock a tot...?

OP posts:
Thehop · 18/04/2021 09:03

None of the sleep aids are safe for unsupervised sleep. None.

Pupster21 · 18/04/2021 09:04

The research for SIDS is very clear that for unsupervised sleep it needs to be a firm flat mattress so no nests, pillows or sleep positioners. Save your money.

Aliceandthemarchhare · 18/04/2021 09:05

@Thehop

None of the sleep aids are safe for unsupervised sleep. None.
None are endorsed by the lullaby trust, the problem is that when babies just won’t sleep in what they do endorse you have to get creative!
SunshineLollipopsRainbow · 18/04/2021 09:19

I didn't have either of these but interestingly...my baby was admitted to hospital as a newborn and the first thing the nurse did was get a towel, roll it up and curl it round into that shape and then lay a sheet over it all tucked in and told me that's what they do for newborns (she slept better there than she had in the few days at home truth be told so I did the same when we got her back home)

Original poster
Llamasally · 18/04/2021 09:24

@SunshineLollipopsRainbow that’s very interesting- so how is a rolled up towel any different to these types of products I wonder? Any midwives on here able to elaborate?

OP posts:
20viona · 18/04/2021 09:33

We had a purflo and absolutely loved it. She slept day and night in it like a dream. Handy to have on the sofa for the baby during the day.

Lauzg90 · 15/03/2022 16:22

@Aliceandthemarchhare

There haven’t been any instances of SIDS involving nests. It’s just that it’s not a firm flat surface. This is the very reason that many babies won’t sleep, of course!

Ds did have a Dockatot (sleepyhead) but when I read that Purflo nests had a green light I got one of those instead. I’m not convinced they are different but it just made me feel better!

Ooo this is really interesting to me. I had a sleepyhead with my first (I did a lot of research as others have said and was happy to use it) she slept amazingly when we started using it, she would actually allow us to put her down! Anyways potentially having a second soon and I was tied between another sleepyhead (which I know are good and I have spare covers for) or this purflo. I assumed the purflo wouldn’t really have a base or would be harder. Would you say it’s not then and it’s pretty much the same? Don’t know which to go for!