Sleepyhead help

[Bettythevampirslayer]

My DS was born at 36 weeks weighing 4 lbs (IUGR) he refused to sleep anywhere but on me or DH. When he was 4 weeks old I discovered and purchased a Sleepyhead, he started sleeping happily in it in his cot.

Now he’s nearly 7 months old and 17 lbs he has almost grown out of the Sleepyhead. All attempts to get him to sleep without it have resulted in him lying in his cot and startling himself awake, tears and an overtired baby. If he does manage to sleep we have repeated wakings (in it he only wakes once at night, for milk)

I could buy the next size up, but money is tight as I’m still on mat leave and I feel like if I did that we would be in the same situation in a few months anyway.

Anyone have any ideas on how I can wean him off his Sleepyhead?

We had a similar problem, but at 6 and a half months my DS just decided he'd had enough of the sleepyhead and wouldnt settle properly and started sleeping much better in his cotbed. It seemed to be when he became very practised at rolling so he could get himself in his favourite position (which is on his tummy). I was terrified taking his sleepyhead away on the first night as it hadnt worked when he was younger but this time it worked brilliantly. So hopefully he'll get there soon all by himself!

Yes, that's a good point PinkFrenchFancies. He is rolling at the moment but not a lot. Maybe when he gets a bit more into it he'll just naturally be more comfortable without the Sleepyhead. Will give it a few more weeks then try again.... Thank you!

The other option is buying the larger sleepyhead.... The grande I think it's called... John Lewis sell it. I'm in the same boat.... Considering cold turkey or buying the larger mattress!

Sorry! Just read you've considered this already and not an option! Ignore me

We rolled up blankets in a sleepyhead shape once she had outgrown it.

If you roll towels up and put them under the sheet you get the same kind of effect. We bought the big ones though - sold the first size ones on eBay and did quite well. Hoping to use them into beds as guards/help with the transition.

Towels are a good idea. Will give it a go tomorrow as he's getting bigger everyday but still won't sleep without it no matter how tired!

I'm sleepyhead weaning at the moment. I have now put baby in a sleeping bag in his cot when he first goes down for the night as thats his deepest sleep then after his first night feed back in the pod. Im hoping small steps will work!! I wish I'd bought the grande in the first place but i suppose its better to do it now than struggle with that one in a few months time. Good luck

The problem with towels as a substitute is that they are not made of a breathable material like the sleepyhead. My DC sleeps with his head against the side but can breathe fine. Are you confident you can breathe through a rolled up towel

Hi all! I'm having problems with weaning my little one off the sleepyhead too. She's currently been without it for a week but sleep has been a bit all over the place! The only thing that has worked is using the long pillow from inside and placing it around the cot. She just likes something to snuggle to! After reading these, I'm thinking the towel idea might be better. Or maybe putting the long pillow under the sheet in the cot?! Does that seem safe?? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

LJ x

I bought the bigger one and when he had had enough of that I tried to move him into the cot but he still wasnt keen. In the end I bought a toddler duvet and put it on the mattress with a fitted sheet tightly over the top. He went down in the cot like that straight away with no issues and we havent looked back from that perspective. The sleepyhead is really very soft so there probably does feel like a big difference to their little bodies

I feel your pain. I brought the bigger size one in the end and its been great. the old one sold really well on gumtree.