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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
poweredbyplants · 15/03/2022 16:29

Regardless of whether they're "safe for overnight sleep" or even "save for supervised sleep" the lullaby trust recommends no sleep nests/positioners supervised or otherwise so it's just really not worth the risk.

RicStar · 15/03/2022 16:33

I had a purflo i would never recommend it to anyone as I can't say its safe, but I also checked and to date o bought it no incidents of sids etc have been recorded with these, and you have to make your own decisions as a parent based on a balance of needs and risks imo. My baby spent time in NICU where they were swaddled up as per PP of course they are also attached to monitors and watched 24hrs per day so I am not saying this is good for home either but DS seemed to like being cosy to sleep. We also used swaddle bags from grobaby which were amazing.

Poppoppogo · 15/03/2022 16:39

We bought the purflo nest and then immediately returned it. It was very odd.

  • The base is hard plastic with just a very thin layer of foam on it, so not very comfy for tiny babies.

-they're very large and not snuggly and cosy like other ‘napping’ pillows (like the sleepyhead)

  • it was so big that we couldn’t actually find anywhere practical to put it. It was too big to go in our king sized bed with us in it, so unsuitable for cosleeping. Wouldn’t fit in the sofa for naps, so the floor or dining table were the only places it would go.

In the end we just used a Moses basket for daytime naps, it was the same size and more practical as it had a stand, more comfortable and waaaay cheaper.

FilthyforFirth · 15/03/2022 16:47

We used a sleepyhead for supervised sleep for DS1 and moses basket for night. At 7 months he went straight into his cot. Dream sleeper really.

DS2 has been a different ball game. Initially hated the sleepyhead, though I think really he hated sleep, so we didnt use it supervised sleeping or otherwise. However, just as he was outgrowing it, he started to nap it in. We jumped on that and bought him the grand. He now sleeps on that overnight in his cot. Has done from 10ish months and is now nearly 17 months. We still use the monitor obviously.

In my experience sleepyheads are safe. Though I must stress that is my personal experience.

Ownedbymycats · 15/03/2022 19:10

The sleepyhead was used by my niece for 100% supervised sleep within their living room.The baby tended to drop off easily in the living area whilst having a bottle and it worked well but the baby was observed at all times .She was a difficult baby but the sleepyhead certainly helped.

TabithaHazel · 15/03/2022 19:16

We spent loads of money on a sleepyhead and extra covers when DS was a baby and he hated it, so that was a colossal waste of money. I honestly wouldn't bother if I were you OP, just get a decent Moses basket.

OfstedOffred · 15/03/2022 19:18

Safe sleep guidance says the baby should sleep on their back on a flat surface in an empty cot.

And yet when you are in hospitals with a tiny baby, they swiftly acknowledge that plenty of babies refuse to sleep like that, and promptly do the following:

  • put babies to sleep on their tummies
  • roll up towels & other blankets to create a sort of cocoon/nest

I know this gets justified by the rationale that the baby is hooked up to all sorts of monitors/alarms - but surely experts must at least acknowledge that theres a reason these nurses and doctors do this. Its because they know half the babies won't damn well sleep at all if placed on their back in an empty cot, and they know how essential it is that they get enough sleep.

I just wish safety experts would acknowledge - many babies do not sleep well placed on their backs in empty cots.

jgjgjgjgjg · 15/03/2022 19:36

Could I suggest that you ask the manufacturer who 'certified' the product and what the criteria were? I think that will tell you a lot.

Mayblossominapril · 15/03/2022 19:46

I debated a sleepyhead or similar for my second but decided against it. In the end I used a baby sheepskin in the Moses basket.
And that really helped her sleep. When she grew too big for the Moses basket she slept in the carry cot part of an old silver cross pram with a new mattress and the sheepskin. I think the size was just right enough room yet secure. My eldest would sleep in the silver cross pram really well as well. I used it as a pram for him.

Chasingaftermidnight · 15/03/2022 20:08

I just wish safety experts would acknowledge - many babies do not sleep well placed on their backs in empty cots.

Agreed. We used a Sleepyhead with our first because he was one of those babies. It was the only way he could be put down. After I fell asleep holding him one night, we evaluated the risks and decided a Sleepyhead was considerably safer than being held by an exhausted parent.

I’m sure an empty firm flat cot would have been safer but that option wasn’t available to us!

TaraRhu · 15/03/2022 20:12

We had a pureflo. Son slept in it every night until he was about 4 months. It's a personal choice - I didn't think there was much risk.

Sotired22 · 15/03/2022 20:16

I used a sleepyhead and liked it, baby slept great in it. A firm flat surface is of course preferable safety-wise but like PP’s have said some babies just will not sleep like that. It’s hardly surprising when they’re used to being squished up in your womb, to go from that to a hard flat surface is quite a shock and doesn’t feel safe or comforting to them. So if it works then great but if they won’t sleep like that and you end up falling asleep holding them because you’re so tired then a nest is infinitely better. I haven’t used or seen the Purflo in the flesh so I can’t comment there but I’ve looked at it online and can’t see that it’s any different to the rest really.

stuntbubbles · 15/03/2022 20:28

Much cheaper, and safer, to breastfeed and cosleep. The night wakings era is short-lived (well, in the grand scheme… Grin my 3yo still wakes up but at least can get up and climb into bed with me), I chose to just battle through it in survivor mode rather than risk the odds with sleep aids like nests.

luxxlisbon · 15/03/2022 20:32

I think they are much the same thing imo. The lullaby trust doesn’t recommend either but imo they set very strict guidelines that aren’t even used in hospitals.
They roll up towels and put it under the sheets in most childrens wards and down the country.

I used a sleepyhead and was comfortable with my decision. My baby slept considerably better in it for both daytime naps and overnight sleep. To me that was well worth the money.

Sotired22 · 15/03/2022 20:35

It’s not about expecting no night wakings though, of course babies wake at night. But if you have one who won’t settle on a flat empty mattress then you can be awake for hours on end through the night, or getting woken every 20-30 minutes. That’s not safe either because you’re so sleep deprived you just drop off holding / feeding the baby. That’s what kept happening to me anyway. I breastfed and was fine with night waking but you do need SOME sleep!

BertieBotts · 15/03/2022 20:37

It's highly dodgy!

If you're ever in doubt as to whether to trust claims made by marketers, remember the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper, sold in the USA, marketed heavily over the last 10 years as a great sleeping place for your newborn. Responsible for over 50 deaths, they knew full well it didn't meet safety standards for safe sleep and yet only recalled when they were forced to.

Purflo are very careful in their wording because they want you to believe they are responsible. The problem is it makes me suspicious.

The fact that no deaths have ever been directly associated with that specific product is not really relevant information considering it has not been out for very long. It's a bit like Lisa selling Homer the anti-bear rock in the Simpsons, because "Look, there aren't any bears here, therefore it works!" The fact is that deaths have been associated with infant sleep nest type products, although which ones specifically is never released because there isn't a public case being made about it. Anecdotally I've also come across reports as well but they aren't made public. That is likely because a single event is a tragic accident, you need several instances of the same thing happening to say that it's a fault or danger inherent to a product, and if these deaths all happen in different countries then the numbers are not always being counted together.

Saying something "meets all relevant safety certifications" can be misleading too - the fact is, because it is not classed as a cot or Moses basket, there are no relevant safety certifications, so saying it's passed all of them is a bit like saying "with all due respect" when you're trying to insult somebody. It has passed certifications relating to loose threads and swallowable parts - not especially relevant for sleep. There is a lot of word salad and waffle on their website about all the testing they do but they never actually explain what they are testing for directly, they just vaguely allude to important-sounding bodies and regulations that are not directly relevant to their product. They have a whole thing about breathability and thermoregulation and somehow make it sound like they are saying breathability tests the chance of suffocation, which it doesn't. Breathability in terms of testing and certification only applies to thermoregulation and preventing overheating.

I completely get the point that babies don't like to sleep in completely open flat cots in a cold temperature room without covers and without an adult next to them on their backs. Absolutely. And I understand why people would look for a product that makes their baby more cosy to sleep. I would just say understand the risks. I choose to co-sleep with my newborns, and I've always found they need to be warmer than guidance suggests. I understand the risks are higher with both of these things (at least until 4 months of age) and I accept that.

One thing I will say is 13 years ago when I had DS1 all the threads on MN were "My baby won't sleep on his back. Is it really that risky to put him on his front?" And today they are "My baby won't sleep in a cot. Is it really that risky to add a Sleepyhead?" It's worth understanding that parents have always asked these questions and we know the risks of front sleeping, but we don't really know the risks of baby nests (except that they are essentially pillows, and we know not to use pillows). It's also worth remembering that the majority of babies will be absolutely fine even if you do decide to break the rules. We are talking about tiny chances here. Absolutely tiny. But I think it is worth talking about them, and I would always be suspicious if a company claims to be the "only" product that avoids a known risk associated with others.

Chasingaftermidnight · 15/03/2022 20:48

@Sotired22

It’s not about expecting no night wakings though, of course babies wake at night. But if you have one who won’t settle on a flat empty mattress then you can be awake for hours on end through the night, or getting woken every 20-30 minutes. That’s not safe either because you’re so sleep deprived you just drop off holding / feeding the baby. That’s what kept happening to me anyway. I breastfed and was fine with night waking but you do need SOME sleep!
Exactly. Of course a baby will still wake for feeds if they’re sleeping in a nest - they don’t miraculously make a baby sleep through. But for us it was the difference between getting no sleep whatsoever (and risking falling asleep holding the baby) and getting 2-3 hour stretches.
Superhanz · 17/03/2022 05:15

@stuntbubbles

Much cheaper, and safer, to breastfeed and cosleep. The night wakings era is short-lived (well, in the grand scheme… Grin my 3yo still wakes up but at least can get up and climb into bed with me), I chose to just battle through it in survivor mode rather than risk the odds with sleep aids like nests.
Not everyone can breast feed.

And we're not just talking about night wakings though, my 4 month old will not sleep for longer than 45 mins unless she's held or wheeled in the pram so most nights I get zero sleep, I'm not talking being woken up several times a night, I mean no sleep not even 10 minutes. Being wakened every 2-3 hours sounds like fucking bliss to me. Thankfully I get a 3 hour long nap when my DH gets home from work but not everyone has that option either.

I haven't researched these because I'm somehow muddling along but just stating that everyone should just breastfeed and co sleep is a load of balls.

randomnewbornparent · 04/01/2024 23:10

I know this is from along while back, but it comes up in Google Search results and i felt it important to create an account and add some information to the great advice already found here.

As suggested by someone already, some of the claims by purflo need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

And now the UK Advertising Standards Authority has weighed in after another company challenged that Purflo's claims are misleading in their adverts. The ASA AGREED the adverts were misleading and that the certification claims in particular could be misunderstood.

Please read here direct from the ASA website to make up your own mind and get more information on the case:

Link: https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/weybury-hildreth-ltd-a21-1123068-weybury-hildreth-ltd.html

I'm not for or against the Purflo products, I myself am also researching what to use as a new parent, but I found it very interesting that an official body agrees the advertising is misleading.

Weybury Hildreth Ltd

https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/weybury-hildreth-ltd-a21-1123068-weybury-hildreth-ltd.html

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