Skin to skin tops - opinions please

[MiracleBaby2022]

I'm thinking of buying one of those Seraphine skin to skin tops, can I have some honest opinions on them please? Are they really as good as they seem? I've seen a couple of reviews saying they're only suitable for the first month and that they're not very practical either. I like the idea of them though, so I'd love to know what others who've had them think.

I did skin to skin with mine in bed or with my warm dressing gown on, I’m not sure you need a top specially for this as you would typically do it at home. I had nighties that buttoned down so could pop the baby in there too. I could be wrong but you only really need to do skin to skin in the first few days/weeks to encourage breastfeeding

I've not seen the top but I don't understand... skin to skin is just laying a bare baby on your bare chest so why do you need a top. We used to lay and watch TV or id read with a blanket on top of baby.

Surely a cami or spaghetti strap vest would do? Don't think it needs a special top.

I think the idea is that you can do skin on skin while carrying on doing stuff in the house, make a cuppa tea, have a friend pop in - that kind of thing - and still keep the baby close. It's not a baby carrier but it does give you a bit more freedom to do a few things from what I understand.

Your house would have to be boiling hot to have a half naked baby tucked down your jumper. Just do skin to skin on the mornings/evenings when snuggled up in bed and have the wee soul in a sleep suit the rest of the time.

Seems like a waste of money to me.

Definitely just trying to get your money!

That’s one of those things designed to fleece first time parents of their cash! Don’t buy one

I had one of these and it was really nice in those first few days… but apart from that, entirely unnecessary!

It’s not strong enough to act as an actual sling so you couldn’t make a cup of tea with it on, and as PP say, you could just use your dressing gown instead

That said, the actual top is really nice, stretchy and BF friendly and I wore it for about the first year, just didn’t have the baby in it

If you want one, check on eBay as I’m sure you could get a cheap one that’s been barely worn

I'd go with a vest with stretchy, low neckline and a shirt over the top. It'll last for ages. But if you like the top and can afford it why not treat yourself?

@MiracleBaby2022

I think the idea is that you can do skin on skin while carrying on doing stuff in the house, make a cuppa tea, have a friend pop in - that kind of thing - and still keep the baby close. It's not a baby carrier but it does give you a bit more freedom to do a few things from what I understand.

Please read the warnings on the product listing. You CANNOT use this top to make a cup of tea or get things done around the house - it explicitly says it is for seated hands-free use only. You need a stretchy sling for what you envisage.

Dressing gown, put baby inside, done. You can't use these to make a cup of a tea, of all things to suggest doing with it definitely not the one with boiling water! Skin to skin is done in bed, after/in baths, on the couch, not carrying baby around. Get a sling for that.

For what you are thinking a sling would be what you are after for carrying baby round.

Mostly I just used a dressing gown/blanket tucked round us if I wanted skin to skin on the sofa. My one expecting to not vying the skin to skin top would be if my LO ended up in NICU then I would purchase one and pay extra for the quick delivery at the time. I wouldn't order in advance though.

You can do skin to skin with baby in a stretchy wrap though! DC2 had a bit of this as I was on my feet with DC1. I feel all nostalgic now - skin to skin was one of my absolute favourite things about having a newborn. Enjoy!

I was going to suggest a stretchy wrap and then wear a cardigan over your arms

I have one and don't rate it. Only wore it about twice!

I have one, never got used. I don’t even have the excuse of being a first time mum and not being sure about what I would need, I bought it for baby no 3! It was admittedly with the intention I could snuggle the baby in and sit on the sofa with the older children as i was worried about my middle child in particular feeling left out but it never got used. I’d say eBay if you’re desperate for one.

You have so much time to do skin to skin the normal way I really wouldn't bother. You could just buy a stretchy sling and use that for when you're wandering around at home.

I was so hot with my baby on me all the time we were both sweaty 🤣 and it was January!

Also if you're breastfeeding your boobs will be exploding and leaking milk everywhere so you couldn't keep this on long term without a bra.

You can't do things around the house wearing one of those. You still need your hands to carry the baby! The top doesn't do that for you!

And as PPs say, you do skin to skin by putting baby against you while your are sitting down not usually with a friend visiting and certainly not while making a cuppa.

I used a sling or woven wrap to do skin to skin, naked too and nearly nude baby (nappy on) spent the days in the house with her strapped to me! Bliss😍