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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sleeping bag or blankets?

29 replies

Luckyme30 · 09/07/2020 09:28

Hi all FTM here, just wanting to know what everyone uses for newborns? Do you use a sleeping bag or blankets? Or something else?

Having looked at the Lullaby Trust website I’m swaying towards a sleeping bag - baby is due end of October.

Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated! Thank you :)

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Felicityfi16 · 09/07/2020 09:39

Sleeping bags are a lot safer, especially when they start moving and rolling. I believe sleeping bags reduce the chance of SIDS too. My DD uses the bags now but when she was a newborn I always used blankets as she was not strong enough to kick them off and cover her face!

Congratulations on the pregnancy! X

LBB2020 · 09/07/2020 09:41

Blankets stressed me out with my DS! He wiggled around so much I was paranoid about him getting tangled under the blanket so we swapped to a sleeping bag when he was a couple of weeks old. I’m pregnant with DC2 and we’ll be using sleeping bags from the start this time!

beansontoast20 · 09/07/2020 09:41

Baby is 19 weeks today and we've started on sleeping bags for the past couple of weeks as he moved into his cot and was an amazing blanket kicker!

Whilst he was in the moses basket he had blankets, firmly tucked in.

BiggerBoat1 · 09/07/2020 09:44

Definitely sleeping bags - they are fantastic. Also, when you need to feed in the middle of the night your baby stays toasty because their bedding comes with them when you pick them up.

whatswithtodaytoday · 09/07/2020 09:44

Blankets at first as he was too small for the sleeping bag, and he didn't move around much anyway. They were ticked in very firmly, around his waist.

Sleeping bag since about 6 weeks I guess, when he got bigger and wrigglier. Still in one at 16 months, though I don't think he'll be in one by winter as he gets so annoyed not being able to stand up.

HarrietM87 · 09/07/2020 09:46

Sleeping bag definitely, but check them carefully as they have minimum weight requirements so some newborns can be too small. You need to make sure they’re tight enough at neck and arms so that the baby can’t wriggle down and get stuck.

mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2020 09:46

Sleeping bag all the way. You can get specific newborn ones which my tiny DS used. We now have a couple in different weights so we can put him in whatever works best that night. So easy. I don't know why anyone wouldn't (unless they had a baby who hated them obviously!)

happymummy12345 · 09/07/2020 09:50

Personally I hate sleeping bags so always used cellular blankets and the coverlet that came with the crib then the cot bedding sets.
Also my son hated being wrapped up (he was in hospital for 12 days and the nurses insisted on swaddling (I hate that as well), he never liked it.
Blankets were used fine for years before sleeping bags were a thing

Dyra · 09/07/2020 10:01

I used blankets until DD was at the minimum weight to go into a sleeping bag, and haven't looked back.

worriedmama1980 · 09/07/2020 10:05

I think there's a minimum weight and length for sleeping bags? We definitely did cellular blankets for about the first 12 weeks then switched to sleeping bags. The sleeping bag is a suffocation risk if it rides up the body, which it could theoretically do if it's too big: they all have a bonus button the side to help with this but have to be a minimum weight. The don't really wriggle when they're properly newborn so it's less of an issue.

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 09/07/2020 10:06

Wow thanks for all the responses really helpful to know!

Does anyone recommend a certain brand, I know that there are the Gro brand which I think the Lullaby trust recommend...

OP posts:

worriedmama1980 · 09/07/2020 10:07

I used only gro bags for the first year because I was paranoid and at the time I think they were the only ones certified/recommended by the lullaby trust, since then have used M&S and a mix. They can be expensive but you can get multipacks and sometimes they're reduced a bit.

Metallicalover · 09/07/2020 10:10

Sleeping bags and from newborn look into the gro snug I think they have to be over 5 or 6lb to use and you have the option to swaddle or have arms free. My daughter from being newborn always kicked blankets off x

marvellousmaplesyrup · 09/07/2020 10:11

DS born in January - we swaddled him with a blanket at first and then as soon As he was heavy enough we put him in a sleeping bag.

Metallicalover · 09/07/2020 10:13

Also I get them cheaper from TK Maxx. If your not bothered about pattern/boys and girls etc as I find their all unisex xx

mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2020 10:24

We used the grosnug for the first few months (suitable for babies over 5lb) and then switched to random brands as and when. Currently using some Asda ones. The best thing I found about gro bags though is they have lots of different weights which you can't always get from Asda/M&S etc. I've got some v light ones (0.2 tog) from them for when it's hot.

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 09/07/2020 10:28

thank you - I’ve just had a look on the Gro website - they currently have some on sale for anyone interested :)

My concern is will they get too hot in the grobag?! My baby is due end of October so I’m thinking I’ll need to go for a 2.5 tog but worried that will be a bit too warm - the room is usually 18 degrees in the evening...

OP posts:

mynameiscalypso · 09/07/2020 10:30

I think 2.5 will be fine - there's a chart on the gro website which shows weights and what to dress baby in depending on the temperature of the room. In warmer nights, you can always dress baby in a short sleeved vest for example rather than a sleep suit.

Pinkflipflop85 · 09/07/2020 10:32

We have babasac sleeping bags. They are great because you can change the tog rating just by unzipping the inserts. Works out cheaper than buying different togs.

Baby won't be too got in it in that temperature. There are loads of guides online about layers to wear with sleeping bags depending on room temperature.

Pinkflipflop85 · 09/07/2020 10:33

We started with swaddles when they were newborn though as they were too small for sleeping bags.

LilBee55 · 09/07/2020 10:33

Definitely think sleeping bags are better if they're the right size! There's a brand called love to dream who does these things that are kind of like a mix between swaddling and sleeping bags. Think they're called love to swaddle? Worth checking out

SleepingStandingUp · 09/07/2020 10:36

@Luckyme30

thank you - I’ve just had a look on the Gro website - they currently have some on sale for anyone interested :)

There's a chart showing you to dress baby in for the room temp. So if it's 21 it's say a 1 tog bag and a short sleeved vest but if it's 16 it's a 2.5tog with a vest and sleepsuit.

You can pay a fortune for them but I found Lidl and Aldi ones really good

PrayingandHoping · 09/07/2020 10:37

I swaddled for first few weeks then moved into grobags. I used a 2.5tog all winter and our room was around 19 degrees. She was a short sleeve and a long sleeve vest underneath

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 09/07/2020 10:58

Thanks for everyone’s advice - I’ve ordered 2 x 2.5tog and 1 tog just for when I have the heating on in the day (I tend to like to have the house quite warm in the winter) so thought it’s a good idea to get a lower tog for daytime naps.

I’ll probably end up buying the next lot of sizes once baby is here and will try out some of the other brands and supermarkets too :)

OP posts:

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 10/07/2020 00:01

Consider the Love to Dream arms up swaddles for the first 4-6 months, they’re brilliant. Then switch to sleeping bags when baby stays rolling.

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