Monday, October 21, 2013

Sleep, Where Art Thou, Sleep??? Enter Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit : Product Review

Christian was back to his birth weight before he was even a week old and once we didn't have to wake him up every 3 hours to eat, he immediately started sleeping 6-7 hours straight! This kid was a pro sleeper...just like his mama! I love my sleep, so I was a very HAPPY mama too! 

I used to joke that "God knows I can't handle not getting sleep, so he gave me a good sleeper." 

Then it happened...I put his "Slept through the Night" sticker on his calendar the day before he was 12 weeks old... and then he STOPPED sleeping through the night!

I think I jinxed myself because at this point this kid was sleeping 9-10 hours straight on a consistent basis! I was in love with swaddles and swearing by them, even buying all my new mom friends a SwaddleMe for their newborns! 

But also right around the 12 week mark, our little guy started trying to roll over from his back to his tummy and was often getting to his side...so we decided it was time to part ways with the SwaddleMe and break out the Halo Sleep Sacks and just swaddle him arms out. 

The first few nights it wasn't a major difference and decided we would just keep trying it. Then time got away from us and it was nearly a month later and we were realizing that Christian was waking up
 A LOT! 

In fact, a few nights he was up every 1-2 hours! This kid had NEVER done this even as a newborn. What was going on!?! We tried swaddling him arms in again and our sleep still didn't returned...at least not in his crib. 

So I got desperate. Despite our Pediatrician recommending waiting until 6 months to start rice cereal, we started rice cereal at 4 months. And the night that he had his first taste of rice cereal (and loved it by the way) he was awake FOUR times! That surely wasn't the answer. So whoever says cereal will make your baby sleep through the night is not always right....

We returned to some of our old sleep practices of napping in the swing...and even sleeping in the swing at night. While the swing gave him some better naps during the day, it didn't get me more than 2.5 - 4 hour stretches of sleep at night. 

Here is what we had done for sleep: 

Black out curtains in his bedroom 

White Noise

Swaddled arms out 

Swaddled arms in (used to get 10 hours until we switched to arms out)

Sleeping in his swing 

We had tried EVERYTHING...and our 10 hours straight had yet to return. 

I'm not even sure how I heard about this miracle product, but I am SO excited to be able to share it with you!! I really believe that this Sleepsuit is the answer to our sleep prayers! 

Here is what our nights would often look like BEFORE the Magic Sleepsuit:
(I tracked Christian's sleep for a few nights so I could really see the change) 

Night #1 - Bed at 8:45pm, Awake at 1:30am, 5:30am, Up for the day at 8:30am
Night #2 - Bed at 9pm, Awake at 11pm, 12pm, 2am, 4am, 7am, Up for the day at 9:20am
Night #3 - Bed at 9:30pm, Awake at 11:45pm, 4:55am, Up for the day at 9am

Some nights were better, some nights were worse...but NEVER was it as good as when he was swaddled arms in. 

And AFTER the Magic Sleepsuit: 

Night #1 - Bed at 9:15pm, Cried at 4:27am and gave pacifier and went straight back to sleep, then awake at 7:37am to eat and back to sleep until 11am!!
Every night since - Bed by 9/9:30pm, awake between 6 and 7am (about a 9-10 hour stretch) and back to sleep until around 11am!

Magic Sleepsuit During Nap Time: 

BEFORE:
(When swaddled arms in and in the swing)
Nap #1 - Usually about 1.5 hours from 10am-11:30am
Nap #2 - Consistently about 2 hours from 1pm-3pm

(When swaddled arms out)
Awake for an hour
Nap for an hour
Awake for an hour
Nap for an hour
This was our routine...all.day.long.

AFTER:
(with Magic Sleepsuit)
Nap #1 - About 2 hours from 1pm-3pm
Nap #2 - Not always consistent yet as we are still trying to figure out the new schedule but usually around 4pm for up to 2.5 hours!

At about 4 months old, Christian needs approximately 14-15 hours of sleep per day. Our sleepy little guy is now getting about 16-18 hours of sleep per day! So either he needs more sleep than most (like his mama), he is growing, or he is catching up on his lack of sleep before the Magic Sleepsuit!

He now falls asleep happy and wakes up just as happy!




When swaddling is no longer safe, I'm a believer that Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit is the key to a silent night! 


via
Available in blue, yellow and pink. 

You are probably wondering, "Where can I get my own Magic Sleepsuit!?!?"

1. On the Magic Sleepsuit website
*A few options here: 'gently used' option for 50% off the full price and the '2 Sleepsuit' Deal*
*Be sure to like Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit on Facebook to receive 15% off your order*

2. On Amazon

3. Through Isis Parenting

4. At Amma Parenting in Edina, MN

These are just a few ways you can make your purchase. Visit Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit on Facebook to find even more locations that are selling the sleepsuit!
The Magic Sleepsuit is currently available at retailers in the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

My Favorite Things About Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit

1. Christian is sleeping through the night again
2. He falls asleep happy (on his own)...no fussing or crying
3. He takes good naps
4. It's safe to use once baby can roll

One other thing you may be wondering is, "Will my baby overheat?" or
"Can he just sleep in his snowsuit?" 

As thick and bulky as the sleepsuit looks, it is very breathable. Christian has been wearing his regular jammies (a sleeper and a onesie) to bed and not once has he woken up sweaty or overly warm. There have actually been times that he has seemed almost chilly. With the breathable neckline, open hands and open feet, heat is able to escape and keeps baby from overheating. I feel that the sleepsuit is comparable to a sleepsack or swaddle when it comes to warmth. While I have not used the sleepsuit during the heat of summer, I think that most babies would be fine when dressed in only a onesie or even just a diaper with the sleepsuit during warmer months.

As far as just letting baby sleep in his snowsuit...I would be more concerned about baby overheating this way. Snowsuits are designed to keep baby warm and cozy. The sleepsuit is designed based on the coziness of a snowsuit, but with breathability. I would feel that the sleepsuit is a much safer option as well.

It's important to also point out that the sleepsuit does not prevent night waking from teething or sickness. Sorry folks.

It is also best introduced around 3-4 months once baby is breaking out of the swaddle or starting to roll.

Also, in addition to the sleep suit, a good sleep environment is also key. The Sleep Expert, Kim West, also known as "the sleep lady," has partnered with Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.  She mentions the Magic Sleepsuit in her article, "How to Wean Your Baby From Swaddling".

In keeping with good sleep habits, here is what we continue to do in addition to using the Baby Merlin's Sleepsuit.

1. Bedtime Routine

2. Black out curtains

3. White Noise

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit was actually designed by a mom whose baby slept great until about 3 or 4 months when he no longer fit the swaddle. Her baby would sleep great if he was in a stroller, car seat or snowsuit...so she created a sleepsuit of her own! That sleepsuit is now available to you as Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit!

The main purpose of Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit is to help babies transition from the swaddle. 
And just like "magic" that's what it does! 


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I'm not the only one who has had this magical experience.
Sarah Ivens and Ali Landry have both shared about the Magic Sleepsuit on their blogs. The Magic Sleepsuit has also been featured in several magazines and even NBC 10 News!

You can also read TONS of testimonials on the Magic Sleepsuit website. I always question "testimonials" but I'm here to tell you THEY ARE TRUE for the Magic Sleepsuit!

We have experienced this magic and hope you will too! 



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**I received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review,
but all opinions are 100% my own. I received no other compensation.**

4 comments :

  1. This is awesome! Wish I had known about this with Joseph! Thanks for sharing.
    Ourhumblewebb.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad we found this before it was too late that's for sure! :)

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  2. I am glad you found something to help!! I have never heard of this product, but maybe for the next child I will have to remember it! I remember transitioning from swaddling was a hard time because I REALLY think swaddling is the answer for newborns!

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    Replies
    1. Swaddling really is the best! And the transition is hard. Definitely worth the investment in my experience!

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