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Original poster

Sleepyhead vs Poddlepod vs Toddlepod

20 replies

missmargot · 07/09/2013 10:13

I'm looking at sleep options for our baby, due in a couple of months. I've heard really good things about the Sleepyhead and the Poddlepod/Toddlepod. The baby will hopefully be sleeping in a bedside co-sleeper cot to start with which is where I'd like to use it. I just wondered whether anyone had any experience of these products?

The Sleepyhead is much more expensive but is recommended for sleeping overnight, the Poddlepod isn't but at the same time it is recommended for co-sleeping . The Sleepyhead is about three times the price of the Poddlepod and reviews say that the Sleepyhead covers are very tricky to change and babies grow out of them quickly.

The Toddlepod is a bigger version of the Poddlepod and I'm not sure whether it's worth going for the larger one straight away.

Any advice much appreciated!

OP posts:

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grobagsforever · 07/09/2013 21:38

What?

grobagsforever · 07/09/2013 21:39

Actually my user names says it all! Sorry not heard of any pods, sound like a waste of money/gimic.

ScariestFairyByFar · 07/09/2013 21:58

Just use the arms reach co-sleeper you don't need anything else.

MB34 · 08/09/2013 07:37

I looked into the Poddle/Toddlepods and personally wouldn't use either for overnight sleeping. I emailed the company to ask about this and this is what they said

"Firstly I would like to point out that the Poddle/Toddle Pod is not and has never been referred to by us as a mattress. The Poddle Pod is a weight activated snuggle nest that was designed to place your baby safely whilst doing chores or to take with you when visiting friends/family etc. Many mums started using Poddle/Toddle Pods for overnight sleeping following fantastic results during the day, but we recommend that your baby is supervised in their Pod as it says on our website in the FAQ section. The centre of the Pod is not filled so if the baby is positioned in the pod correctly their back is straight and on a surface as flat as the Pod is laid on."

Although they do not say not to use it at night, it wasn't designed for that purpose and not marketed as such (so assuming they have not researched/tested its use at night). I am thinking of getting one if I get pregnant again but will treat it like a car seat - no longer than 2 hour stretches/only use if necessary and mostly for putting DC down for a toilet/tea break!

docsarah · 08/09/2013 08:13

We used a Sleepyhead and it was a godsend - DD hated the Moses basket as it felt too big for her. She slept very well in the Sleepyhead until she outgrew it at 12 weeks - we just put it on top of the cot mattress, which was joined onto our bed.

Noctilucent · 08/09/2013 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoniBottsBumgina · 08/09/2013 09:37

I used a co-sleeper cot and we just used blankets with it. I think if they are so close to you it's dangerous to use anything else.

Will have to google the products you mentioned because I have never heard of them.

YoniBottsBumgina · 08/09/2013 09:41

OK, after having googled, big fat no to both. (Sorry, assumed it was a sleeping bag type thing, not a sleep positioner) They look like a massive cot death risk to me. Sleeping on a firm, flat mattress is the best and safest thing for your baby.

Different in the day when you're around and awake, but not overnight.

Original poster

missmargot · 08/09/2013 09:43

We have the Arm's Reach co sleeper cot, however I bought it second hand so need to replace the mattress on it anyway.

I have heard such good things about the Sleepyhead used in the Arm's Reach cot, but from the sound of things the Poddlepod is very different although could still be useful during the day.

Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:

Terrapaw · 11/09/2013 09:25

We bought a sleepyhead recently when it was heavily recommended to us. Our DD sleeps so much better now and it has made me enjoy our days (and nights) so much more. However she is a small baby (5lb 11 at birth - 9lb at 10 weeks) so the crib (NCT bednest) is a lot bigger than her and therefore the sleepyhead brings the sides in a lot closer to her.. That said, the lady who recommended it has a DD who was 14lb at 13 weeks, much bigger than our little one, so it obviously works for bigger babies too! The review that clinched it for me said "for what it is, it's expensive, for what it does, it's a bargain" and I would agree. I suspect those parents who are more evangelical about it than others were possibly more sleep deprived in the first place! You might want to wait and see the size and sleeping habits of your little one before investing...a good swaddle might be sufficient.

Good,luck with the new baby, savour the milk drunk face ... it's gone by 12 weeks and was the funniest thing I'd ever seen!!! X

silvie77 · 21/10/2013 18:59

I have just bought a Sleepyhead bed for my baby! Hopefully will be lovely. I can't wait to use it as the reviews I have read are so good.

CleanAllTheThings · 24/10/2013 18:46

We have a Sleepyhead for our dd and it's been worth every penny! She wouldn't sleep in the babybay crib as it was too 'open'. She's two months now and quite long so I'm not sure how much longer she will fit but haven't needed to unclip the end yet. She sleeps really well and I'm worried this will stop when she outgrows the sleepyhead and goes into a cot!

Clare1811 · 11/11/2013 20:19

I have 2 poddle pods for my twins, they are 16 weeks old now and love them. I also bought 2 poddle rockers which are fantastic. They mean you can rock the poddle pod and transport the baby from room to room without waking it. Really worth a look...poddlepod.co.uk

Picklebean · 11/11/2013 20:50

Another vote for sleepyhead. The mattress part is directly in contact with the firm mattress underneath so I've had no worries from a support point of view. Bought it for DS2 and really wish it had been around last time!

blusue · 06/02/2014 22:59

My daughter had a Sleepyhead pod bought as a present for her son who was born last March and it was the best thing ever, he slept in it from day one up until he was too big to actually fit in it, it was so much easier to transport when staying away from home and can be put next to you in your own bed if the cot is not around, this is perfectly safe as they are in their own space and you cannot roll onto them and suffocate them as people fear when having babies in your bed at home (which is not safe) i would recommend them to anyone and say they are definitely worth the money and you can buy spare covers to change when you need to wash them.

EBWood · 10/06/2014 19:57

Sleepyhead bed was our lifesaver. My son hated being swaddled and grow bags, so the sleepy head made him feel secure without being wrapped up.

It is expensive but worth every penny. I recommend it to all of my expectant friends!

Lekerwood22 · 07/10/2014 20:45

Can you use the same sleepyhead on each baby or are they like mattresses and you have to replace them???

Heatherbell1978 · 08/10/2014 10:10

We bought the Sleepyhead when DS1 was 3 days old as he seemed a bit lost in our co-sleeper (Chicco Next to Me) and wasn't settling. It fits perfectly in the co-sleeper and DS drifts off to sleep no problems. He did a 4 hr sleep on the first night in it. Yes it's expensive but depends how much you value sleep!

We just drape a giant muslin over it rather than fork out for expensive replacement sheets.

Shaz180890 · 24/02/2015 22:36

Reading the small print on Sleepyheads website, it hasn't been tested for overnight use

splendide · 25/02/2015 08:58

I love loved my sleepyhead! Got it at 4 weeks and he went from sleeping 2 hours at the most in the co sleeper crib to 4 hour stretches. Best £100 I've ever spent. I use a fitted pram sheet as a cover.

He's just (17 weeks) stopped sleeping in it at night but still sleeps in it downstairs in the evening.

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