How do you use your Sleepyhead and is it safe?

[GBBO45]

I am reading so much conflicting information. Some say that the Lullaby Trust have stated that items such as the Sleepyhead increase the chance of SIDS, yet many say it is a life changing item they cannot live without. I am contemplating using it for daytime naps as we will have a bedside crib for night, but can’t understand if it is safe to use on a sofa or should it be on the floor? The guidance is very vague, and I just wondered how other people use theirs? And are you not concerned with the supposed risks?

Young babies have very heavy head and moving them to one side causes them to roll which is why a baby of any age should not be left unattended at a height. I personally wouldn’t take the risk of using them. SIDS is on the increase in the U.K.

The lullaby trust won't recommend anything except their own firm flat mattress for a baby to sleep on, as that is safest.

Many people use sleepyheads and similar products though, as they are not aware of the risks, or think they are minimal.

Definitely do not place it on a sofa, sofas are very dangerous places for babies to nap as they can get wedged against the sofa cushions and suffocate, or fall off.

It should be fine to use one the floor, although not as safe as sleeping in a cot or moses basket or such. Much safer than sleeping on a sofa though. Just stay in the room with the baby if they are napping in one, which you should be doing anyway if they are under 6 months.

Nothing other than a flat clear mattress will ever be recommended. Difficulty you have is what you do if your baby won't sleep in an "approved" place!

Neither of mine would sleep in a cot or Moses basket, I used a sleepyhead for all daytime naps and generally co slept at night. It was that or stay awake 24 hours a day holding them.

There is a new pur-flo sleepyhead type bed that is approved for overnight sleeping that you could look at?

There’s no conflicting information. The Lullaby Trust advise not to use them. The Sleepyhead instructions state not to use it for unsupervised sleep (I.e. overnight).

People choose to use them as they feel comfortable with the risk and feel the benefits outweigh the risks, however the fact remains that they are not approved for overnight sleep. It’s only a choice you can make.

Personally I won’t use one. Remember there’s a risk of overheating as well as suffocation.

Love to Dream swaddles are great and do a similar job (keeps baby feeling snuggly and womb like). They zip on easily, single layer so reduced risk over overheating, natural arms up position so baby can soothe by rubbing face and sucking fists and they’re hip friendly. Personally I think they are a better option than Sleepyheads or conventional swaddles.

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

There is a new pur-flo sleepyhead type bed that is approved for overnight sleeping that you could look at? is this true?
Due DD2 and questioning a sleepy head but not comfortable. The unsupervised sleep thing- what if I day nap with my LO- that’s no diff from night time at the beginning is it?!

I've linked to it above, I'd have probably gone for it if it existed when DS1 was born!

Thank you Sunshinegirl82 - I do wonder why this is certified safe when a sleepyhead isn’t- what’s the difference ?

I had a purflo thing that was safe for overnight sleeping. It was deemed safe because it has a hard flat surface rather than the flimsy surface the sleepybead has. It was good, my son slept well in it but tbh what I think made the difference was the Love To Dream swaddles. I cant rate them highly enough.

I'm not sure, possibly the firmness of the sides?

The purflo website is a bit odd - it doesn't say who exactly has signed the nest off as safe but references UKAS a few times. If you go onto UKAS website there are no results for purflo. Does anyone know any more about purflo?

Purflo will not have been approved for overnight sleep by the Lullaby Trust if it has raised edges and is not totally flat.

We used a purflo nest it is bigger and more breathable. Wouldn't of survived without it our baby loved it.

Sleepyhead is called “Doc a tot” in the US and it’s been linked to two deaths.

The Lullaby Trust are a charity so I'm not sure if they would actually be responsible for approving anything? I know they advise against anything other than a clear, firm mattress which I understand but with the greatest of respect to the lullaby trust I'm not sure that will always be achievable.

I think safe sleep is a bit of a tricky topic to be honest. There are lots of people (myself included) who tried really hard to follow all the guidance to the letter but have babies that just won't accept the guidelines! It worries me that people have started to feel quite judged about safe sleep.

You could use a sleepyhead for supervised daytime naps but you have the risk of you falling asleep at the same time, especially in the first few weeks when you need all the sleep you can get. Also if baby gets used to sleeping in it at daytime and then all of a sudden at nighttime you won’t use it? Could be making yourself more trouble?
It goes against all SIDS and cot death guidelines but the companies have a target market and of course sleep deprived parents will try anything to get some sleep! There are tons of products out there that are not safe/needed but they appeal to people.
I personally would never use one or anything similar but it’s down to individual choice.

Last time I used this- kind of helped
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/babymoov-cosydream-d3178.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw97P5BRBQEiwAGflV6QJ0WCWa_fvMO8y4ptIdSuhwpmyaRjahQhKKrR7YS0JJSnjRG1-EHxoCNo0QAvD_BwE

@Sunshinegirl82 surely parents should feel judged about "safe sleep?" Charities like The LT have been set up to inform and guide parents and of course won't recommend anything that isn't safe.

I had one for naps with my first. I worried constantly, even though I was in the room. Putting it on floor didn't seem right down there with the dog, but on the sofa it was slightly angled so didn't work. Baby would put face to the side and was a chunky thing, I worried they were breathing Co2. I sold it on, but obviously they are very pricey. I don't think ANY bed nest is considered safe. I do however co-sleep (safely as possible.) Pick your level of risk.

A cheap Moses basket prob would of been better, if they let you put them down( mine did at the start.) Then at least you can nip to the loo or do a few bits checking them every minute until they reach six months.

@CostaCosta

What I mean is that there is now this mantra of babies must sleep in a clear cot on a firm mattress. That is the only acceptable "approved" place. So what do you do if your baby just won't sleep there? As a first time parent I nearly caused myself quite serious mental harm trying to comply with the guidelines. I was awake about 22 hours in 24 for weeks. I was hallucinating.

I think if you are anxious anyway (as most new mums are) it can be a real flash point mental health wise.

People need to feel able discuss sleeping arrangements without just having "clear, firm mattress" parroted at them. That isn't actually that helpful a lot of the time.

@Sunshinegirl82 but that mantra is important and saves lives! I completely understand how hard it is with lack of sleep, I just think it's irresponsible for companies to be praying on this and promoting items that are not safe.

When I was pregnant with DC1 I got all the lullaby trust info and dutifully had a flat firm mattress in the next2me ready for the baby to sleep in.

Only problem was that DC1 didn't get the memo and would only sleep in arms. Every time he was put down he screamed. We tried everything. Eventually taking it in turns throughout the night. DH fell asleep several times whilst holding him from sheer exhaustion. Meaning I was terrified to sleep when DH had him so got no sleep whilst also trying to recover from surgery and establish feeding. We were really struggling.

Our only options were unsafe sleep.

No one (midwives, health visitor, bloody lullaby trust) would say anything other than to put him down on a firm, flat empty mattress. It was only when friends recommended the sleepyhead that were both able to actually sleep for the first time in weeks.

I understand that the safe sleep info is the gold standard and everyone should absolutely do it whenever possibly but there needs to be some practical advice for parents when it just doesn't work that way.

@CostaCosta

So what would you have suggested I did? Stay awake 24 hours a day for 6 months?

We need to be realistic, it's a risk assessment like any other.

@folkloreore

Precisely. I'd have loved it if either of mine had ever countenanced spending any time in a cot at all! I'm typing this with my 15 month old in the bed with me as co-sleeping is still the only way I get any sleep! I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep in 4.5 years. Not a single one,

Caveat - I cosleep with bith of mine and dd is still in my bed!

Could you not just have a mose s basket for daytime naps? I was always nervous about the sleepy head, wanted to get one but never got round to it.

Haven't slept through the night for a year though so not really sure I should be giving advice 🤪