Baby sleeping bags - not for new-borns?

[Hoonette]

I'm pg with our first dc and a bit bewildered by all the differing advice out there. Baby sleeping bags look like a great idea, but I think I read somewhere you're not supposed to put new-borns in them; you should wait a few months. Anyone know if this is true? Do you recommend using them straight away?

i have put both of ours in sleeping bags although dd1 was too small at first. Dd2 went straight into a sleeping bag when she came home from hospital - she hated being swaddled.

ours are grobag grobags though if that makes a difference.

Yes, ours went straight into sleeping bags. I don't think it is a problem unless they are very small. Then again, not bags are entirely necessary because newborns don't move much when asleep.

i had a grobag for dd as a newborn but she preferred to be swaddled. you could try it, if he/she likes it, then great.

Congratulations on your pg! As the others say, only a problem if the baby's v small - I think the ones we have say only use them for babies 7.5lbs and over. The only other consideration might be that newborns don't have much control over their arms and can flail about a bit for the first couple of months and may wake themselves up as a result, so some babies like to be swaddled for a few weeks instead, to keep their arms quiet. But I've used them with both of mine from a couple of weeks old with no problems.

I think it depends on how big your baby is at birth. My first baby was a small one (5 lb 13 oz)and she looked "lost" in a sleeping bag so we used a blanket for the first few weeks until she reached 7.5 lb or so. I think blankets are cosier for the smaller newborns. If I have an "average" sized baby this time I will put him/her straight into a sleeping bag.

I think it depends on how big your baby is at birth. My first baby was a small one (5 lb 13 oz)and she looked "lost" in a sleeping bag so we used a blanket for the first few weeks until she reached 7.5 lb or so. I think blankets are cosier for the smaller newborns. If I have an "average" sized baby this time I will put him/her straight into a sleeping bag.

I think they say on them that the baby has to be at least a certain weight - I think this is so they can't wriggle inside and cover their heads. Personally I didn't like them at the beginning because they are a pain for night time nappy changes and my DS was a very sicky baby so I would have needed lots of them with all the washing that would have needed doing.

they have to be over 10lbs before you can use the 0-6month grobags.

they are brilliant by the way

i used a swaddling wrap at first, then only used a grobag when moved her to a cot (about 4m when outgrew the moses basket). By then the night time waking, feeding and nappy changing had reduced significantly so seemed to work well.

I used them, thought they were brilliant. DS was 6lb 8oz and found some at Asda for this weight, and they were much cheaper than the grobags.

Think that as long as you use the correct size for your baby and the tog for the weather then you will be ok.

DS HATED being swaddled but am going to try it again with no2, due in August. It may work this time, after all they are all different!

Have had a look on the SIDS website and can't see any warnings about using sleeping bags. I would always go by their advice if unsure as it is evidence based:

FSID Helpline
020 7233 2090
9am to 11pm, Monday to Friday
6-11pm on weekends and Bank Holidays

All calls are answererd personally by specially trained advisors. The Helpline is open to:

bereaved parents and their families
friends, neighbours and anyone else who has experienced the sudden death of a baby
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anyone else who has questions about the sudden death of a baby or how best to reduce the risk of cot death

We were told not to have them from birth because they can wriggle down inside them. It's the size of the neck opening I think makes the difference. Our ds went in one when he was about 11lb in weight and we've never looked back, he's a bit of a wus and loves to be warm, he's slept much better since he went in one.

you can get newborn ones now. i can't remember where i saw them but i'm certain i have. cos i thought to myself damn if only they had them 10 months ago when dd was born. google it, something may come up.

The white company do one for newborn babies and it's white waffle and very cute.

I used this for dd2 and it was very good

I found the transition into grobags easier at 2.5 months

that's the one i used too, was very easy.

mumtogeorge - as you have been there done that, any advice to a first timer about swaddling? Should I be concerned that an August baby might be too hot if swaddled?

I didn't use one at first for Ds because I had bought loads of blankets which I felt I should get some use out of - stupid idea as he hated being swaddled and kicked the blankets off from day 1 (who said newborns don't move much???) - I think I eventually gave in after a month, bought some and he slept SO much better.

kiteflying - look at my link - it does a summer weight

kiteflying, if it's really hot when LO is born, you can swaddle in a sheet instead of a blanket, and maybe lay a blanket over the top.

On sleeping bags, they are fantastic.

kitefying, I had an august dd and used to swaddle her but with a nappy and nothing else on underneath.

0-6 months Grobags are suitable from 7.5lbs now (was 10lbs when I had ds1) but they've modified them now. I didn't start using mine until about 5/6 weeks when they moved into the cot. I swaddled until then mainly, or just tucked them under a blanket.

Oh yeah, should have added that, kiteflying, I swaddled dd in a crib sheet rather than a blanket.

Hi Kiteflying

Must admit that I was a bit crap with DS and never really got the hang of swaddling. Hopefully, will be more prepared this time though! Think that as long as you are sensible and use lightweight fabric and check that the baby isn't too hot after 20 mins or so you should be fine!

I think baby sleeping bags could technically be used from birth BUT it really depends on the size of the baby's head and the fitted neck sleep bag you have. You must ensure the head cannot slip inside as it is a hazard. I only purchased fitted neck sleep bags for my kids, better be safe than sorry. Also always got them merino wool sleeping bags because it avoids overheating. After years of looking around I found a sleep bag (I'm sure there are more out there) made of just merino wool (mookiemerino) and I;m not looking back! Good luck and safe sleep!