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Baby shuffling/waking at night - tie the grobag to the cot bars?

54 replies

doingflips · 09/01/2014 19:21

I'm interested to see if anyone has heard anything negative about the effect on a baby's development if their grobag is tied down at night.

Our baby (now nearly 6 months) has always moved a lot during the night and used to wake himself up, so we started clipping the end of the grobag to the cot bars to stop him shuffling up to the other end. We also recently started clipping one side of the bag to the bars (low down so he can't reach the clip too easily) as he kept shuffling to the same one side and waking himself up with his face pressed up hard against the bars (he was also developing a bruised eye from doing this).

We use mitten clips (short ribbon with clip on either end) like these: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/113935272/monster-mitten-clips-or-choose-any?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted_en_gb&utm_campaign=children_low

We tried different methods before using clips, such as cushioning the end, tucking a sheet tightly over him etc. but only the clips seem to work. If we're using a particularly long grobag we can tuck the end under the mattress instead.

Does anyone think this is a bad idea? Do babies need to move freely around the cot at night? I just don't want to be doing him harm!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Ledkr · 09/01/2014 19:26

Are you kidding?

Orangeychoc · 09/01/2014 19:26

Is this a joke?

Orangeychoc · 09/01/2014 19:27

If not, then why would you think tethering your baby up like a dog outside a shop is a good idea?

Saucia · 09/01/2014 19:28

Why not just duct tape him down?

Ledkr · 09/01/2014 19:28

He could strangle o. The "tethers"
I'm worried this isn't a joke.

Bearandcub · 09/01/2014 19:28

I don't really understand why you want to restrict him tbh. He's a wriggler, he's developing his muscles and motor skills- just not on your timeframe.

I'm sure I'm missing something here though as I genuinely don't understand why you want to do this, sorry.

CheeseandGherkins · 09/01/2014 19:29

Oh wow, you're actually serious aren't you?! Yes it's a bad idea.

FoxyRevenger · 09/01/2014 19:30

You what now? Honestly?

Ledkr · 09/01/2014 19:30

Ok. Sarcasm aside, please stop doing this.
He's fine moving around. What you are doing sounds cruel abs dangerous.

Saucia · 09/01/2014 19:31

My first thought was strangulation too.

ParenthoodJourney · 09/01/2014 19:32

WTAF

summerlovingliz · 09/01/2014 19:32

Very strange idea!! Who doesn't move around in their sleep!? Shock

Fairylea · 09/01/2014 19:35

You're being daft.

Let him move about! He'll learn eventually to move if he's not comfortable!

Madness and a safety hazard too!

scratchandsniff · 09/01/2014 19:35

Not a good idea. It's normal for them to start to shuffle about in their sleep at this age. He will probably find a position that he finds most comfy, on his front for example. So, I wouldn't restrict his movement. Could be dangerous too.

ShadowFall · 09/01/2014 19:39

Yes, this is a bad idea.

quietlysuggests · 09/01/2014 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FamiliesShareGerms · 09/01/2014 19:43

Hang on, are you saying that before you started clipping his grobag down your DS used to wake up with a bruised face?

TeaAndFag · 09/01/2014 19:46

Oh Christ. This is not right at all. How would you like it if you were strapped to your bed each night!! Stop it!!

Ledkr · 09/01/2014 19:49

Where is the op.
I hope it's not real.

BettyBotter · 09/01/2014 19:49

Sounds bloody high risk to me. Please dont. Shock

doingflips · 09/01/2014 20:41

LOL ok so that's a no! FamiliesShareGerms, yes he would sometimes have a bit of redness under his eye when he was waking himself up pressed against the side of the cot.

Does anyone have any good alternative suggestions for preventing him from waking himself up banging his head on the bars? His arms get out between the bars too..

I am really offended by some of the comments here btw, I am genuinely looking for advice and I love my little boy dearly, hence the posting on here for advice.

Bearandcub - yes I was worried about him not developing his motor and muscle skills enough, that's why I put the question out there so thank you for your point. The reason for trying the clips was so we could get some sleep and our baby too, as he keps waking himself up.

Anyone have any good ideas?

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catsdogsandbabies · 09/01/2014 20:46

Use a breathable cot bumper like airwrap to stop his arms coming out and will cushion the bats a little. Stop tying him down or you will simply slow his development (rolling etc).

catsdogsandbabies · 09/01/2014 20:46

Bars a little that should read

IglooisnowinSheffield · 09/01/2014 20:47

What on earth possessed you to think this was acceptable?

I really think you should speak to your HV if you can get something like this so wrong perhaps you need some parenting guidance.

This is me being polite, I really hope this is a wind up.

doingflips · 09/01/2014 20:58

Thank you catsdogsandbabies, I'll look into the Airwrap, though at first glance it looks a bit too thin to stop him waking himself up by banging, but anything is worth a shot.

Can the trolling stop please? We all make bad judgements sometimes.

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