Sleepyhead

[gkeal3]

Reviews please. Are they worth the price tag?
I've seen so many people using them and I was adamant I wouldn't spend so much on it and use a Moses basket as I have with my other babies. Should I rethink?!

I've machine washed and tumble dried our cover loads and it's been fine (spitty up baby!). I hadn't actually read the cleaning instructions It is a bugger to get back on though - that's always Dad's job!

Please don’t buy a second hand sleepyhead, OP. The same rules as buying a second hand mattress apply ie that there is an increased chance of SIDs.

We got the sleepyhead grand for when my DS grew out of Moses basket (which happened st 3 months - long baby!). He slept in it soundly in a travel cot in the bedroom plus it then helped with transition into his cot. We also used it for day sleeps. It was fantastic and I will use it for No 2 when he or she arrives.

My baby is nearly five months old and so far is crap at sleeping. Out of desperation I bought a second hand sleepyhead and it made zero difference. I wouldn't bother!

Sleepyheads are called Dock a Tots in the US and they are the same thing. They are not approved for sleep here and are totally banned in Canada. Yes maybe you press your adult face against the side and you can breathe, but now imagine you're a baby with no neck control, and you're completely stuck there maybe for hours? How about that? These things are not safe for unsupervised sleep and if you've used it so far without incident with a baby of under 6 months I was say all you've been is lucky.

They didn't exist when DS1 was born so I didn't bother getting one, but full disclosure, I have co-slept with both of my babies.

There is no guidance about not getting them second hand because they aren't a mattress, they are a pillow. Which is also why they are not recommended.

I have noticed a bit of a shift - when DS1 was little all the forum posts from parents desperate to sleep were asking "Is it really that bad if I put the baby on its front to sleep??" Now they ask "Is it really that dangerous to use a Sleepyhead?" So perhaps if co-sleeping isn't for you and you're thinking about taking other risks using this product is a less-risky strategy - but I do think if you've had babies without it, you won't miss it.

Hardly just lucky when there never been any fatalities linked to Sleepyhead in the world... There's no need to be hysterical about it, it doesn't really help your argument.

In fact, the Lullaby Trust themselves said their guidance is related to positioners, not nests, and they have no reason to believe they are unsafe.

Also the US has had tiny babies sleeping slumped in those godawful Rock and Play things where babies have actually died, so I think they would have been better off focusing on those! At least they've finally been recalled.

We had one for our first baby and yes, it really was very good. Our child loved it and struggled to sleep without it. We almost bought the larger version for when he moved from crib to cot, but it was too expensive for us.

However, I will not be getting one for this new baby, as the new information regarding SIDs states that they are not safe.

Lots of products are sold that aren't safe, because people want to buy them. E.g. Cot bumpers are dangerous, but people still buy them.

I would not buy a second hand Sleepyhead either as it would be the same as using a second hand mattress and you are meant to use a new one for every child.

No, the recall in the US (pre rock n play) was sleep positioners rather than nests, but a more recent Lullaby Trust statement:

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/sleeping-products/

Puts "pods and nests" as the first thing they don't recommend.

It's more they have no reason to believe they are safe - particularly as they contravene the guidance for a firm, flat sleeping surface (which is a reason to say they may be unsafe). A Sleepyhead is the opposite of firm and flat, it's soft and contoured.

Lots of mixed messages in this thread.
No one has highlighted that one of the risks of these is that the baby is unable lie with their arms out in their usual flexed position - arms up towards their head. This is how they regulate their temperature so there is the risk of overheating (same principle as why swaddling isn't recommended) which is also a risk factor for SIDS.

My DD sleeps with her arms up every night (she sleeps in an arms up swaddle bag overnight)- the Sleepyhead is plenty wide enough for that (and she is a chubby baby!). I can't speak to other brands though, so some might be narrower and softer.

Interesting, never come across that arm theory before.

As a PP said one of the main issues with them is they are a soft surface and there is a link between soft sleeping surfaces and SIDS. Babies need to sleep on a firm mattress .

I won't be using one

@Teddybear45 Please don’t buy a second hand sleepyhead, OP. The same rules as buying a second hand mattress apply ie that there is an increased chance of SIDs.

I have a 2nd hand one so I asked them about this, please see response from Sleepyhead:

Thank you for your message.
It is safe to use the pod (all parts thereof) for a second, third… baby. Or to buy second hand.
As it's fully washable, washing is enough. NB: Please make sure to follow the care instructions.
We have taken great care in selecting high-quality Oeko-Tex certified materials from European top suppliers in order for the pod to last.
However, if it still does not feel, smell and look clean, then we would recommend buying 'spare parts', available from our flagship webshop
www.sleepyheadheadwebshop.com.
Also, the mattress pad must not be creased or worn out. If it is, I should be replaced.
We hope this helps. Best wishes,
The Sleepyhead® Team

If you're looking for something that will feel swaddle-like and cosy, have a look for Love to Dream swaddles (available on Amazon). They zip up and swaddle the baby with its arms above its head. The material is tight but flexible, so they are still able to do those little micro jerks of their arms, which can sort of restart their breathing if needed. And they're hip-safe. They were an absolute dream come true for us. I've bought them as baby gifts for all my friends! As they get older, you can zip the arms off once they're rolling, and transition into normal sleeping bags.

I had no idea about any of this and was considering asking for a sleepyhead as a birthday present from my parents - definitely won't be now! Also big thanks for sharing the info about the lullaby Trust, really useful for someone like me with no idea what they're doing

Sleepyhead was definitely the most useful baby item I had and worth every penny. My newborn slept 2-3 hours inside (instead of less than 1 if not being held) and that saved my sanity. I placed it next to me on the bed so I could sleep without worrying about rolling on her. It‘s not approved for overnight sleeping but all the alternatives in my sleep-deprived state would have been far worse.

I would recommend buying a new one if at all possible, or request it as a gift. Newborns produce A LOT of body fluids and my DD pooped and puked regularly all over the Sleepyhead. Everything is washable but the inner bits are very hard to clean thoroughly. I contemplated selling or gifting after she outgrew it but couldn‘t bring myself to do it knowing its “history“. I ended up throwing it away as it felt like the only correct option for hygiene reasons.

@MrsPatrickDempsey my baby sleeps in it with his arms up above his head

Just wanted to correct a misconception made by a few posters that Sleepyheads are soft.
They may look a bit pillowy in photos but in reality the whole thing, including the bumper are very firm, at least as firm as a cot mattress.

I cannot see any way a baby could get in trouble in one. They are firm, the sides are not high enough for a baby to get stuck, there is space for them to raise their arms etc.

If anyone is considering one, I'd urge you to go see one for yourself rather than making assumptions or listening to people who have obviously never seen or felt one in real life.

As someone said above, no fatalities have been associated with the use Sleepyheads. Thousands and thousands are safely used every day and have been for years. If they truly are dangerous then surely there would be some evidence for this?

Rock n plays were used for years as well, so were cots with a side that goes up and down and the list goes on.

I have seen and felt one, thanks very much though.

A few of my friends have got one and they seem nice but I really love our Next 2 Me.
We have a Poddle Pod for naps which I personally think does the job a lot better than the sleepyhead and with less risk

In an ideal world all babies would sleep in an empty cot on a new, firm mattress. The problem is that not all babies (and certainly not mine!) are on board with that!

The guidance is great and it's important we have it but no-one tells you what to do if your baby just won't sleep in the "approved" place.

I used a sleepyhead with DS1 3 years ago. Tried not using one with DS2 as the guidance had changed. Baby slept no more than 45 mins in the cot. I was post surgery and wrecked after a week. Introduced the Sleepyhead and he started doing 2/3 hour stretches.

I would imagine that falling asleep holding baby is the most risky scenario so in my view if a Sleepyhead avoids that it's worth considering especially in light of the fact that there have been no reported issues with them.

Everyone has to weigh up the risks and make the best decision for them.

Fantastic. I thought they were a new fad before DS was born so didn’t buy one but he refused to sleep in his Moses basket at all and wanted to be next to me. Decided to buy one and he’s still in it in my bed now at 8 months . I have the grand version in his cot waiting for him to make the move but we haven’t dared try it yet...

@Sunshinegirl82 that's probably the most reasonable comment about baby sleeping I've ever seen on MN, congratulations