Is buying a second Sleepyhead sensible or wasteful?

[SunshineAndFizz]

DC1 got loads of use out of her Sleepyhead - slept in it every night (inside her Next To Me and then in her main cot when she moved to her own room), not to mention lots of use during the day too.

We're expecting DC2 and I was planning to use the existing Sleepyhead and just get a new cover. It's in great condition, been stored well (and DC1 wasn't a sickly baby so it's not stained or anything).

DH is outraged we're not buying a brand new Sleepyhead for DC2 - his argument is it's an important item the baby will use everyday for months and should be clean and fresh for new baby. He's a second child himself and hated getting hand-me-downs and openly admitted he doesn't want DC2 to feel like that if we can afford it (I'm the youngest of 4 kids and well used to sharing/getting hand-me-downs and just think it's wasteful if we don't totally need it).

AIBU for wanting to re-use it?

And hand-me-downs/reusing stuff is one of the perks of a second child. A baby doesn't care! We are reusing almost everything from DD1, clothes, pram, cot, etc. The only thing we've replaced is infant car seat and that's only because it got damaged when we were putting it in the loft, or we would have reused that too. Use the saved money for DC's piggy bank and that will have much more of an impact on their life than a tiny baby having all-new things. And much better for the environment!

I did buy a new crib mattress for my second DD as I wasn't 100% sure that we'd stored dd1's perfectly. We didn't bother replacing the cot mattress that she used from 6 months though as it had always been covered completely in a waterproof cover.

The only issue is, if the mattress/sleepyhead got wet with wee and then went mouldy it could potentially release harmful chemicals. If it's been stored well it will be fine.

Please dont buy them or use one. Ive sadly read some heartbreaking stories of parents that have used them in next to me cots, normal cots and for babies to sleep in at night in relation to SIDS. I dont use them for my children.

As others have said they should be banned and not sold.

I never used a sleepyhead. Probably fine during the day when you are keeping an eye on the baby though so don't feel judged by all the anti sleepyhead posts!

I agree with pp who say second children exist to disprove everything you think you know - if you buy a new one dc2 will scream every time they're anywhere near it 😉I'd reuse it at first and see if it's likely to get much use. You'll be able to sell them on, so you'll get some money back that way.

Where are those stories?

www.madeformums.com/baby/are-baby-sleeping-pods-and-nests-safe/

'As of 2020, we haven’t been able to find any evidence of reported cases across the world of babies’ deaths specifically involving a sleeping pod or nest used outside of a parent’s bed. We found 7 non-UK cases where a baby had died while co-sleeping in their parents’ bed when sleeping in a pod or nest. Medical reports suggested the deaths were linked to bed sharing rather than the nest itself.

We did find one case of a baby suffocation death in Australia in 2016 linked to a portable sleeping space – but this was a padded portable crib rather than a pod or nest. We will update as soon as we hear of any incidents involving these product'

So if there are multiple stories where they have been proven to be the reason for a baby's death I'd be interested to read those. I can't find any.

Reuse everything you can, your DH sounds ridiculous. However, I would be cautious about anything sleep related (and yes, I would avoid the sleepyhead - but then mine never bloody slept so maybe I shouldn't have!).

Reuse it. It was a life saver with dc1. Without it I would have fallen asleep with her on me on the sofa (and did before we bought it) as she would not sleep anywhere else, so as much as it's not advised to use one, for us it was safer to the alternative.

However mindful of the sids risk I tried not to use it with dc2 apart from daytime naps where I was constantly in the room. He was much happier being laid down (I couldn't believe it!)

They go against all safe sleep advice.

See lullaby trust and Tommy's.

I honestly think these things should come with a warning.

I’ve never been able to find any evidence that a baby has died in a sleepyhead.

Put ot in the bin and don't by another one.

They are really dangerous

Interestingly, in the NICU they make nests for the babies like the sleepyhead. It helps the babies feel safer and more comfortable in the harsh environment. Now, the babies are often on SATS monitors and have 121 or 122 care, but I found it interesting. When my kids came out, they would cry in regular cots because they were used to the nest. They settled in Moses baskets luckily.

I had a NICU babay and they told me not to replicate the nest at home as my baby was HIGHLY monitored by lots of staff 24/7

Still, the sleepyhead seems amazing but if lullaby don't like it I wouldn't re-use

Agree with the pp’s saying not to use it at all OP.
I had one for DC1 (no mention of them in guidelines then, either for or against). By the time I had DC2 they explicitly said not to use them (I believe there were deaths linked to them in the US) so we haven’t. Better safe than sorry.

Absolutely

Not recommended by lullaby trust. That includes the new branded supposedly safe ones.
Any soft surface a baby can turn head into poses a risk of reducing oxygen and increased risk of smothering.
Do the best for your DC2 and do not buy one and get rid of old one.

Nothing wrong with reusing things for your own children when stored correctly. However. I personally wouldn't use the likes of a sleepyhead due to the risks of SIDS. I never used one so my kiddo didn't miss it

@TolkiensFallow because there isn’t. I researched this extensively and read absolutely all the credible sources and there weren’t any cases where a direct causal link to sleeping pods like a Sleepyhead were established, they were one of many factors implicated.

In neonatal units yes they do make nests and place babies on front. But they are monitored, with highly trained nurses , oxygen and suction on standby. .Never do at home what is done in hospitals, also anyone who has spent time on a neonatal unit will have seen babies have apnoea episodes and how quickly they are delt with. Do you honestly think you can deal with a floppy not breathing baby at home without oxygen bag and mask? They make it look easy in the hospital but it's not.

If that was to me, because I made the NICU comment, I was probably the wrong person to say that to because I have had to resuscitate my own child in the past and it was an incredibly traumatic experience. I also had to be trained in using a suction machine and had one in my home, as well as a paediatric sats monitor and feeding tube and pump. That’s probably not the point you were making but I found that comment a bit unpleasant.

Not once has a Sleepyhead ever been linked to any death or increased risk of SIDS. NONE. NOT EVER.

The Lullaby Trust will never endorse a particular brand no matter how safe due to cheap and possibly unsafe replicas in use. That is the only reason.

I used one with DS, it was the only way he'd sleep. He came out of it and bedshared. DD wouldn't sleep in it overnight but loves her day time naps in it, she climbs in herself and cuddles in. She's far too big for it now, but loves it.

SIDS is terribly sad, and tragic. It happens in bare cots when following all the guidelines. But has never happened in a Sleepyhead. To call them incredibly dangerous really makes zero sense and isn't even logical.

I'd re use OP but this thread will now turn into people accusing you of all sorts of nonsense for using one at all.

YABU to even consider using a sleepyhead in the first place.

Firm, flat mattress.

SIDS is such a scary prospect, I really don't know why anyone would raise the risks.

Some severe denial on this thread eh?

If there's no evidence that they are harmful why does every health organisation say they're not?

Just for a laugh?

Hmmm... Should people listen to a random person on the internet, or a national charity that exists purely for baby safety? Let me think...

www.google.com/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/parenting/mums-warning-over-sleep-pods-20545402.amp

It's a known risk for a number of reasons. Real reasons. Real risk. It's just not worth it.

@Llamasally exactly!

SIDS happens in cots too…and car seats…and co sleeping…and the list goes on…but actually a sleepyhead has never being identified as the cause.