What does a newborn sleep in?

[FinallyPregnant23]

Currently due my first baby at the beginning of June and I’m worrying about what to put my baby in to sleep!

I don’t like the idea of swaddling, I’ve read that blankets are a SIDS risk and sleep sacks aren’t suitable until she’s 8.8lbs so I’m not sure what options that leaves me! Especially as the English weather in that time of year could be cold, warm or anything in between 😅

What did you use for your newborn? She’ll sleep in either a Moses basket downstairs or we have a snuzpod for her upstairs too.

[JandL2020]

Following due April and wondering the same 😊

[Mrssheepskin]

Vest and sleep suit and yes we had to use blankets as mine were both small so was a month or so before I could put them in sleep bags! I also didn’t like the idea of swaddling so never did it with either. Make sure you use cellular blankets with the little holes in, tucked in and the usual advise of feet to the end of the bed etc. I still worried though and constantly checked they the blankets weren’t over their face and felt much better once they were in the bags!

[shellyleppard]

My eldest would only sleep when he was swaddled.... took me six weeks of sleepless nights before we discovered this 😔 he had a moses basket next to the bed and when he was old enough a cot in his own room X now 18 year old lol

[anon2022anon]

I think these type of pouch things are suitable from birth, we had one from boots. https://www.ergopouch.co.uk/cocoon-swaddle-bag-1-0-tog-daisies
But to be honest we went for a warm top layer, such as a cardigan or thin fleece suit, and then a cellular blanket, which are perfectly safe because theyres not great expanse of fabric to go over babies face.

[FizzyStream]

I used something like this. Not as tight as swaddling but not movable like blankets.

https://lovetodream.com/gb-en/all-products-uk/swaddle-up-original-cotton?v=11946&gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqpSwBhClARIsADlZZTne8jjlKLOpc0DZDJFGGI9XWOe2e7CewDU4gAiFdL9Dswzq1mExo8kaAgIoEALwwcB

[popplego]

Cellular blanket tucked in firmly and feet at the bottom of the crib as a newborn, then into sleeping bags when they're big enough

[Mushroo]

We used the purflo and tommee tippee swaddle sleep bags (preferred the Purflo one). It’s suitable from birth (well, above 6 pounds I think) and you can have their arms out if you don’t like the idea of swaddling.

Our LO slept SO much better being swaddled though so don’t rule it out. We switched to arms out when she turned about 8 weeks

[bakewellbride]

Cellular blanket tucked in. But realistically newborns only want to sleep on you and it's a real killer! Be prepared to sleep for 2 hours while your partner or whoever holds the baby then swap and repeat. Its exhausting.

[110APiccadilly]

I used blankets and was very careful about how I tucked them in. I think the Lullaby Trust have advice on how to do it, but basically blankets mustn't be too high up their torso and need to be well tucked in so they won't come loose. Your midwife should show you how to do it if you ask as well.

[Overthebow]

We used a newborn love to dream bag which was from 5.5lb, so most newborns can go in them.

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

Sleep suit or just a vest if hot and then a cellular blanket tucked in tightly around feet and torso.

[TimesChangeAgain]

Blankets aren’t a risk if used properly - baby’s feet to the foot of the cot, blankets tucked in firmly, not too many to overheat.

Love to Dream do a newborn swaddle (including one which has their arms up naturally) which is suitable for smaller babies.

[AnnaTortoiseshell]

I had Tommee Tippee sleep bags which were suitable for newborns. I found a sleep bag helpful as babies don’t get cold when lifted for a feed, and when trying to put them down sooooooooo carefully you don’t have to worry about rearranging blankets. Didn’t make a blind bit of difference with one DC as she was so sensitive. But with the other it was great.

[PoppingTomorrow]

Blankets tucked in atbthe bottom and then under the arms.

Mine is now 9 weeks, we didn't swaddle as I'd read mixed opinions on it.

Main thing I wish I'd thought about was making what goes underneath them warm and snuggly while still being safe. Compared with sleeping on you, lying on a cooler cot sheet is bound to make them startle.

For sleeping sacks, make sure you get the ones with popper or zip at the shoulders so you don't have to get their head and arm through holes when they're asleep.

[PickledScrump]

Always used sleeping bags straight away. Check individual restrictions as some vary by height and some by weight but you can most definitely get them suitable for use straight away. In June you will likely only need a thin one. They’re great.

[EarringsandLipstick]

Cotton sheet plus cellular blanket. Baby in vest & babygro.

However, as PP said, baby will spend a lot of time feeding / sleeping in you, in the early weeks.

By the time they settle a bit, a grobag will be possible.

[Always28]

The Lullaby Trust website has all the safe sleep guidelines, so that’s worth a look too.

[Winnipeggy]

We swaddled with a large muslin in the summer, and with a blanket for colder nights. it was the best way to keep her calm. I understand there is a lot of scary statistics for every aspect of becoming a mother but honestly swaddling is absolutely fine if done properly. It will depend also on your baby and what they are happy with, some love it, some won't have it at all.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

We used sleep suits and the traditional little cotton blankets with holes for both of ours, in their Moses baskets. They’re adults now.

[Pearlyclouds]

Wow I never knew that about sleep sacks! Used them for all 3 of mine from newborn. Obviously the 0-3 months sized one with the extra poppers.
And one of my babies was only 6lbs at birth.. the sack fit her fine tho.

[Suchardchoccy]

I'm due DC3 in June and I'm wondering the same (DC1 was October and DC2 was February) June can be roasting in the UK so I'm worrying about what to put her to sleep in.

For the first few weeks I've always used a cellular blanket tucked into the mattress, feet at the bottom of the cot and blanket under armpits. But it's a nightmare and still a worry so it's a relief to finally be able to put them in a sleeping bag - DC2 still uses one and she's 13 months!

Obviously we don't want our June babies to be cold but also don't want them to overheat because of SIDS 😫 I suppose it will make more sense when the time comes

[Caluse]

I coslept with both of mine so they just wore a vest (summer babies) and slept on it with me.

[EarringsandLipstick]

@Suchardchoccy

I'm due DC3 in June and I'm wondering the same (DC1 was October and DC2 was February) June can be roasting in the UK so I'm worrying about what to put her to sleep in.

For the first few weeks I've always used a cellular blanket tucked into the mattress, feet at the bottom of the cot and blanket under armpits. But it's a nightmare and still a worry so it's a relief to finally be able to put them in a sleeping bag - DC2 still uses one and she's 13 months!

Obviously we don't want our June babies to be cold but also don't want them to overheat because of SIDS 😫 I suppose it will make more sense when the time comes

If it's v hot, a vest plus cotton sheet will be fine. I had a couple of summer babies.

[MammaTo]

Normally vest and a baby grow with a celluar blanket. My biggest regret was not swaddling, my HV advised against it due to hip dysplasia and being an anxious FTM I followed the advice. But in hindsight I think my newborn wanted that security of being tucked in tight into a swaddle.

[PansyOatZebra]

We used a cotton breathable blanket.

Sometimes swaddled, if done right it won’t become undone and loose on baby.

When we didn’t swaddle we tucked blanket firmly under the mattress (we have a snuz pod too).

Shes 11 weeks now and around 6 weeks she fitted in the sleeping bags and that’s so much easier. I think it also helps with routine in that she recognises it’s night time when in her sleeping bag.

If you’re worried about blankets then you can get swaddle bags - think they’re ok from birth but not too sure. Think a popular make is Love to Dream.