What bedding did you use for your newborn?

[MrsPickwick]

Hello,

I'm due my first baby at the end of September, and am a wee bit flummoxed about nightwear and bedding. The plan is to have a snuzpod attached to the bed, but beyond that I'm not sure what he'll sleep in and have so many unanswered questions. For instance:

1. Gro snugs. We have one of these, but if he likes it and we use them full time, how many would I need? They only go up to 12lb, so don't imagine they last long, so:

2. Would a swaddle blanket be better? Either the gro-swaddle, the big ones from Aden and Anais, or similar? But then, isn't it a pain in the arse to have to unswaddle and re-swaddle for every night-time nappy change?

3. And do the above things get covered in poo? (Planning to use cloth nappies, so leaks are a concern). If so, would I be better buying swaddling blankets rather than the more expensive gro snugs, for laundry rotation?

4. Is the alternative to these just a cellular blanket up to nipple height? Do they need a sheet too? (autumn baby)

5. I have some second hand Gro bags, but understand they can't be used for newborns?

6. Do they wear sleepsuits (with sleeves and feet) underneath the swaddle, or is that too hot? Are sleepsuits only for if they're sleeping under a cellular blanket / sheet?

So many questions, I'm sorry. If anyone has any answers of any kind for me, I'd really appreciate it

I'm not sure I have answers on everything, but here are my thoughts on it:

1) Gro snugs. We have one of these, but if he likes it and we use them full time, how many would I need? They only go up to 12lb, so don't imagine they last long, so:

I've not seen these before, and may get a few for use with DC2 who is due in about 3 weeks. I would imagine you'd need at least 3 - one on, one washing, one drying.

2) Would a swaddle blanket be better? Either the gro-swaddle, the big ones from Aden and Anais, or similar? But then, isn't it a pain in the arse to have to unswaddle and re-swaddle for every night-time nappy change?

Not sure, I think if you get used to swaddling then you get quicker at it, much like nappy changing! The swaddle may also save a change of sheets should there be a nappy leakage incident, so that might be an advantage.

3) And do the above things get covered in poo? (Planning to use cloth nappies, so leaks are a concern). If so, would I be better buying swaddling blankets rather than the more expensive gro snugs, for laundry rotation?

Really depends on your baby, the nappies and so on. If you're getting lots of leaks it probably means the nappies aren't the right fit.

4) Is the alternative to these just a cellular blanket up to nipple height? Do they need a sheet too? (autumn baby)

Yes, you would use cellular blanket(s) instead of a swaddle. I just used cellular blankets layered as necessary, then when colder, more layers on the baby. When your baby is big enough gro-bags are great.

5) I have some second hand Gro bags, but understand they can't be used for newborns? Yes, there is a minimum weight for them I think.

6) Do they wear sleepsuits (with sleeves and feet) underneath the swaddle, or is that too hot? Are sleepsuits only for if they're sleeping under a cellular blanket / sheet?

It depends on the temperature of the bedroom. The Gro website has advice about this here:

gro.co.uk/faqs/about-the-gro-swaddle

So depending on the temperature, they might wear a bodysuit (short sleeves/no legs) underneath, or a sleepsuit (long arms and legs) or both together if it is colder.

I got the bedding pack from mothercare. It was a cellular blanket and just a soft, thin blanket . Cellular blankets are best

We use swaddle blankets with Velcro like this
here
We only have 2 but have a tumble drier which we use for all washing (dh has many allergies) so can have both clean each evening. Mostly only use 1 per night but wash after each wear.
Under - depends on the temperature - we've used just nappy (last week in the heat), short/long sleeved vest, sleepsuit or even sleepsuit and vest.
Over - it sometimes gets colder during the night so we sometimes add a blanket to her legs.
Then just a sheet and Muslin (where her head is tucked in) to lie on. We sometimes have to change muslin during the night if she's sick.
She is so settled in her blanket and they are easy to redo in the night plus she does the cutest stretch when we take it off in the morning!

Fitted sheet for crib
All in one baby gro as pyjamas
Gro bag (from 8lb but ours was 9lb born so straight away).

She absolutely hated being swaddled as she sucks her thumb.

We used cloth nappies and as far as I remember none of it ever got poo on. They stop pooing at night pretty early.

Merino Kids do a gro bag thing that can be used from newborn. Expensive but you can sell it on afterwards.

The minimum weight on branded gro bags is pretty low. Depending on your babies birth weight you might be able to use them from birth. If not it won't be very long at all before baby is big enough. They should have poppers under the arm which you can use to narrow the arm holes when the baby is small so they can't slide down into it.

I swaddled my first DC but wouldn't now because it's no longer recommended. If you do want to, a stretchy cotton blanket is fine, no need to buy fancy snugs or wraps. You can find videos online of how to swaddle.

Hello, I just wanted to recommend the Gro Snugs...my DD is 2 weeks and she loves these. We were using cellular blankets initially but as she's so active (even in her sleep) she just kept kicking them off no matter how tight we tucked them under her mattress in the Moses basket. With the Gro Snug she's still enclosed at the top half like a swaddle but her legs have room to move around which she likes but still constantly be covered. You get a clothing guide with the Gro Snug packaging which gives you a guideline what they should wear depending on temperature as they do a light or cosy version.