Hi ladies,
We've been gifted a Sleepyhead sleep pod, and at our first NCT class yesterday the midwife said they aren't advised as babies shouldn't have anything surrounding them while sleeping.
Does anyone use one of these or have any opinions? Both my sister and my sister in law used them for both kids and were really happy with them, but now my OH is freaking out about using it...
Thanks in advance xx
Hi Millbanks,
I am in a similar situation in that my MIL bought a pod without consulting with us first and exactly the same as you, all of my antenatal classes and midwife convos say they're against up-to-date safe sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Pods look very good and I am confident they work well to comfort baby but my Husband and I have just decided to tell MIL that with everything we've been through to get this precious baby (6 years!) we're not going to risk going against current medical professionals guidance and will avoid anything other than a safe/flat surface for baby's sleep and rest time.
I think if they were truly unsafe they wouldn't be on the market and so popular but it's very much a personal choice eh 😊 xx
Hi lovely, hope you're doing well!
That sounds fair enough - they just look so comfy!! I want to get in it myself 
In fact the cats love it (still in it's plastic).....
Thanks for your message xxx
Haha sounds like someone will get the use out of it whichever way you decide 😍😍
I'm good thanks - due any time within the next week 😬❤ crazy eh!
Hope you're keeping well yourself lovely. Xx
It will definitely get used
Oh wow!! Eeeeeeeek! How are you feeling?
All good here thank you - just trying to get the last few bits prepped before baby time! xxx
I am very over being pregnant now 😂 (as grateful as I am to be here).
I know the feeling & it feels like the organising is endless, doesn't it! Hoping to have everything ticked off in 2 days so I can just relax and wait for baby. Wishing you all the best for baby's safe arrival 🥰 xx
I would also suggest because they are so comfy it could also be something to do with heat around the baby, at least if their lying flat they can get a good source of airflow around them
We waited 6 yrs for our miracle snd wasn’t going to risk it either
That's it really isn't it - when you've been through so much to get to this point you just want to minimise risk xx
Hey lovely,
I said I wouldn’t use one because I’d heard similar however fast forward to about 7/8 weeks and a very wriggly baby with a very tired mumma. I tried the rolled up towel trick and she slept much better so I got a sleepyhead and honestly she slept amazing in it. We were using an owlet sock as well so I felt comfortable with using it as I could see her oxygen and heart rate.
I also found it very handy to just pop on the sofa next to me for little naps etc. Much easier to move around then a Moses basket.
I’m not advocating for using one, just sharing my experience. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable xx
Hello love! Hope you're well 
That's really interesting to hear. I've never heard of an owlet sock so will have a look at that too - it's a minefield isn't it!!
In my head I was thinking of using it for naps then swaddling in the next-to-me at night, but I guess we'll play it by ear.
Thanks for your experience - it's so good to hear what others think xxx
Good! Getting bigger and slower by the minute 🥴Honestly the owlet was a lifesaver for me. It’s not cheap but it gave me peace of mind so I could sleep. Definitely using it again this time! It is up there with my top three baby buys 😂 xx
Hi lovely! All of our friends used the dockatot and advised us to get one so we did thinking we’d just use it when he naps in the day so we can keep an eye on him. Fast forward to the little man being born and he hated sleeping in the crib (we had a next to me) because for them it’s such an open space and not what they are used to - so we used it for his sleep and naps and honestly for us it was a lifesaver the first few months.
He outgrew it quite quickly (it says it lasts til 8 months but I don’t think so!) so at 3 months we removed it and his swaddle and it was a tough few days as he adjusted but now sleeps perfectly fine on his own. So that’ll be the only thing to highlight if you do decide to use it.
It’s a personal preference of course and do whatever feels right for you, hubby and bubba - I totally get both sides of the argument and like most things in parenthood, you know what’s best for your own baby xxx
Hey! Thanks so much for the info - I think that's why they are popular right, as they are so snuggly and womb like - must be reassuring for them.I look at it and just want to curl up in it!
I guess we'll have to see how we get on... do you know how early on you can swaddle from?
We have a velcro one which I feel might be good xxx
Yeah they love to snuggle and feel secure in them! It was a godsend for us
You can swaddle from day 1! When you give birth, the midwives will swaddle the little one up for you as well - we didn’t swaddle at home for the first week as we thought ‘he didn’t like it’ but the startle reflex is crazy and wakes them up constantly otherwise lol so we then started to swaddle - we used a mix of the Velcro ones (which are great!) and the love2dream one which also has a transition one when the little one can start to move and roll around! We had some swaddle blankets too but I didn’t like them as I was never fully sure that I had swaddled him properly and his legs were ‘frog like’ so I’d recommend the Velcro and the love to dream ones - now we are on the sleeping bags 🥺 they grow out of them so quick!
It’s also a nice cue for bedtime when you pop on the swaddle and they know it’s time to sleep 👍🏽 Xx
Oh that's good to know! We have a velcro one from my sister and it looks so much easier than trying to wrap a muslin - I've tried that before and it was a disaster!
OMG the sleeping bags are so cute - I really want one myself.
Thanks so much for the info xxx
We were also gifted one by a family member who lives in America, they have much more lax recommendations with regards to SIDS prevention there so she'd never heard that these weren't recommended for sleep in the UK. We just didn't feel comfortable using it for overnight sleeps, in the UK they don't advertise it for this purpose, just as a 'lounger', I don't think I've actually seen them even mention using for naps during the day when you'd be supervising them. I wonder if this might be part of why they rebranded from sleepyhead to Dock a Tot. Almost all the reviews I read were from America, even on the JL website so I didn't feel like I could gauge well how useful people found them in the UK for use just during the day.
Since we didn't want to use it overnight, we felt it was overpriced for daytime 'lounging' or even napping & decided to spend the money on something else. We returned it and got a John Lewis gift card to spend on other things.
The family member had it delivered to us & said they wouldn't be offended if we returned it if the baby didn't like it, (apparently in America you can use things & then return them for a full credit just because your baby didn't like it!?), so we just said thank you but it's not suitable & returned.
It's a personal choice obviously, and since it's a gift, you could always just keep it for daytime use if you decide against using it for sleeps.
How they are branded, so not for overnight use etc, will be the companies get out clause when something goes wrong, and the parents try to sue them
Let’s face it, who really every properly reads terms and conditions?!
I was too scared to have anything in the cot, even a comforter to begin with. We just swaddled (the midwives in tbr hospital showed us how after asking them) and the babies slept really well....albeit there was two of them in the cot but it's a massive one - a cotbed. I felt the less things to adjust to the better to keep it as simple as possible. Like everyone else said I guess its fine to how you feel.xx
So fair - thanks for your experience!Can you swaddle from birth then? xx
Hi Millbanks, yes you can. My daughter was swaddled by the midwives in the hospital and the first few nights when we got home were terrible because we tried to lay her on her back without swaddling following all the recommendations to prevent SIDS.
We noticed a massive difference when we started swaddling her. It is still hit or miss as my baby girl loves cuddles especially at night but she certainly sleeps better and longer when she is swaddled.
I am crap at it though 😢 Hubby on the other hand is a dab hand at it. Another little trick a community midwife shared was to make the mattress warm with a hot water bottle. My daughter will sleep very comfortably when being held but will wake up immediately you put her down. So swaddling and hot water bottles have made it that bit easier on us.
All the best hun x
Oh that's great to know - thank you for the tips!!We've actually got a velcro swaddle which I think is a lot easier
Hope all is going well for you!
xxx
Apparently so! I didnt question it as the midwives were all for it in hospital!!xx
Hi
I was told by the health visitor not to use one because of sudden infant death syndrome, that’s all she said about it.
Having looked at the cost of them - there was no way I was going to buy one as I’m not having any more children.
We had one and it was probably one of our most used items! We never used it in his cot at night but I found it really handy to just have on the sofa or even in the kitchen so I could keep an eye on him while he napped. He didn’t nap in his cot until much further down the line and was practically wearing his Moses basket within a few weeks so it certainly served it’s purpose for us 😂
We were told not to use them for sleep by various healthcare people after the birth but I know a few people use them for daytime hanging out (awake) and love them. The midwives swaddled babies in the hospital from a few hours old and so we have continued to do it at home, and he sleeps in his snuzpod beautifully in his swaddle (we just use a relatively thin cellular blanket as they did in hospital). They will show you how to swaddle in hosp. Not all babies like it but maybe as he was swaddled from the get go that’s why he does. We don’t swaddle for daytime naps (just use a blanket under arms), which hopefully will stop him being too dependent on it. Not long to go for you now! I also had a planned C-sec and can’t believe how fast I recovered. Hope all goes well xx
That sounds ideal to be honest - thanks so much for sharing! Sounds as though you are getting on really well
And that's so great to hear about the c-section - I literally cannot wait now xxx
I used it for day time naps during day on coffee table whilst I was in room when he was tiny and slept anywhere. I think I even used when he was newborn for some nights next to me in crib but quite early on transferred to crib mattress when he started moving head around a lot. Makes sense could be a suffocation hazard I guess perhaps that is why she told you not to use …
I’ve never heard of them being a risk to babies, so this is an interesting thread.
I have a similar brand, the Cam Cam nest which is basically the same thing. My friend with twins had the grand size and said she used hers all of the time and then bought a second one for when they were bigger to nap in on their own, she also used them to transition them into their own room.
I originally bought one so that I could keep one twin in there whilst I changed the other but I’m about to buy a second one so they can each use it to nap in as an alt., to the next to me crib.
I am surprised they’d be for sale in the U.K. if they’re associated with being high risk to babies. I’m sure they come with guidelines and I’ve known a few other people who have used them safely.
My midwife also advised against swaddling babies, so that’s another interesting thing I’m reading on this thread. I have to say I was relieved when I was told I didn’t need to swaddle the babies as it looks fairly difficult. My mum (a retired midwife) advised that I just use a blanket and make sure it’s tightly tucked in and that’s what my siblings did with all my nieces and nephews too so I think that just comes down to preference.
I’m going to check in with my mum and friend (who is also a midwife) about the dock-a-tot as that’ll be on my mind now too! So much to think about.
I did also consider the owlet sock as well, but since decided against it as after reading many reviews, I think it will make me more anxious as a parent. But I can definitely understand the appeal of them. Xx
It’s so crap that they continue to sell things in the UK that are increased risk for babies sleeping , especially cot bumpers 🙈 it makes our life so much harder! I think the pods are on sale still as you can use them with naps during the day if you never leave them unattended without risk is how they get round it. The advise changes so much from one day to the next as well 🤷🏻♀️ But this one about these pods I have always been told not to use consistently xx
It is very confusing - I’ve just asked both my mum and friend for advice about them. And having just done some quick research, it does say they’re not safe for nighttime sleeping, but day time naps with you present and on a hard surface is okay. The Cam Cam is very firm, it’s why I liked it vs the Dock-A-Tot that’s softer but after reading this, I’m now questioning whether to get the second for the nap! I will still use it as a place to put one baby whilst I change the other baby, bur now nervous!
I also just checked the cost of the owlet sock for two babies and it’s so expensive so maybe I won’t be getting that!
All makes me very nervous xx
Yeah they are fine for day time 🤗 as we have our eye on them I was told. I was probably pretty lazy during the day and had him in a swinging seat thing that played white noise (he outgrew his Moses almost instantly) so he was strapped in with a lose blanket on him and loved it! He wasn’t as chuffed though when I transitioned him to daytime naps in his cot upstairs 😂 so I probably made a rod for my own back there but got months and months of lovely naps I think we just need to do what works for us and keeps us sane lol xx
Definitely agree, it’s all a learning curve! I also have the Tiny Love 3in1 rocker for day time use as well and that also plays soft music for naps. I was planning on letting them nap in the next to me in the living room for the first six weeks or so (as I’m in an apartment so all one level) and then separating them into their own little rocker/sleepers and then using the nest for changing and day time naps as alt., to the rocker. I’ve probably got so many options and know I’ve gone overboard but I just didn’t know what was best or what I wanted really! I like choice.
Hopefully instinct kicks in and I’ll know what works best for them both! 🤞🏻 Xx
I had loads of options too as you just don’t know what will work and sometimes what worked yesterday doesn’t today! And you will have two to please lol it sounds like the perfect set up 🤗 it will be adorable xx
Ps you can get the owlet second hand cheaper I believe but we decided against it as our guy was so wiggly I was scared he would set it off constant 🤣 and my nerves would be worse 😆
That’s what I’ve read too! That it can go off without proper reason which only serves to cause more anxiety… that was my hesitation with it as I’m already fairly nervous like any new mum-to-be (I’m hoping) is! Xx
Of course some babies are ‘absolutely fine’ and ‘love them’ but there was absolutely not a chance in this earth or any other that I would put anything in the cot that increases risk of SIDS, especially after 6 years of trying for out precious little man!
We swaddled for the first few months and then used a ‘Gro bag’/sleeping bag as he was kicking out the swaddle and he sleeps really well ( through the night from 10 weeks) the midwifes in the hospital were great at showing you how to swaddle nice and tight ☺️.
I did (and still do sometimes) check so many times a night that our wee one was okay so I think my nerves would have been shattered had I had him on somethjng with increased risk 😀 probably wouldn’t of got a wink of sleep lol x
Thanks Twiglet - I know what you mean - this pregnancy was so hard fought for!
I think we'll play it by ear and see how big he/she is - they might be so tiny that the sleepyhead gives lots of space and they wouldn't touch the sides anyway...
xx
Sounds like a good plan 🤗 I was probably a crazy neurotic mum 🤣 so you gotta just do what you’re comfortable with lovely that makes life easiest as sleep is defo the most important thing for you all xx
It's funny because I always thought I would be too - but I feel pretty chilled about it all.My OH on the other hand is freaking out about everything and he's usually the more relaxed!
xx
Aww that’s adorable 🥰 you must be so excited it’s funny I’m this house we are both a bit cautious and relaxed but about different things 🤣🙈 so I guess it gives balance lol xx
hehe!! Yes so excited now - only 5 weeks to go!! I can't really imagine what it'll be like to be honest (except being tired) but looking forward to finding out xx
Hey there,
In all honesty my lovely I think you have to see what you feel like at the time. My LG wouldn’t be swaddled and wouldn’t sleep in the Moses basket or the Snuz pod so I co slept with her until relatively recently. A lot of midwives would have a lot to say about this too 😉. We had a lactation consultant come to the house and showed us how to do it safely etc. My point is that I didn’t set out to co- sleep but it was the best thing for her (and me!) As long as you’re armed with common sense, intuition etc then you’ll make the right choice. Whilst SIDS is a risk of course, you also have to sleep occasionally yourself!! Many people are waiting in the wings waiting to tell you you’re doing something wrong but you will absolutely make the right choice for your little one.
Xx
Hi lovely! Hope you're doing well
I think you are absolutely right, we just won't know until little one arrives, what kind of sleeper we are going to get.... We have the option of a moses basket too (from my SIL) so maybe we get that and just see what works best.
I do feel like there is a lot of info out there and most of it conflicting - so I think you have to go with your gut. xx
The info is a minefield. I got myself in a pickle trying to follow it all but you sort yourself out I promise. We now use our snuz pod (like a next to me) for nighttime sleeps, I use the nest on the bed whilst I’m flitting around the bedroom during the day and is useful because she can roll. If you have the option of getting a Moses basket then I’d take it as you never know what might work best. It didn’t work for us but it does for loads of people.
You will sort it all out though 😊
Xx
That's kind of what I imagined - to keep the bubba safe and secure while I'm trying to do other things (I mean like 5 mins at a time )
Yes I think we will pick up the basket too - then we have all options at least!
Thanks so much for your support - I have no idea what I'm getting myself in to!
xx
I was so paranoid about following all the advice after an IVF pregnancy but after a short time with a baby who would only sleep when being held I found the sleepyhead/dockatot one of the most useful things I had. I wouldn’t use it for overnight sleep but found it perfect for putting him in during the day time when I needed to make a coffee or wash my hands after changing a nappy. Then once I got comfortable with it I used it for daytime naps, but only when I was in the same room and could supervise. Now he’s almost 5 months and I don’t use it as much but it’s still handy to pop him on briefly. There are so many rules and you can become paranoid about SIDS (I did) but I think as long as you are sensible then the actual risk of SIDS is very low. Enjoy your baby and this special time xx
Thank you! It does mention supervision which is why I wasn't sure about night time sleeping in it - although to be fair I doubt I'll be able to sleep much anyway!! xx
We had a purflo nest and must have used it about 3/4 times, baby didn't like it, he likes to be free!!
Hubby wouldn't let me use it over night due to sids risk so my thinking was to use it for daytime naps because it looked so comfy, but baby preferred his moses basket for naps than the nest.
We had a moses basket downstairs and a next 2 me upstairs. The next 2 me seemed massive and baby wasn't too happy in it first couple of weeks so we brought the moses basket upstairs of a night and put it in the next 2 me and baby slept really well so really got our monies worth out of the basket.
It's funny how baby has its own likes and dislikes once here, no matter what your plans!
Not giving advice, just what we did (and most we know).
We had a sleepyhead, used in our next to me for first few months as he wouldn't be put down in the cot at all. His daytime naps were only really ever on one of us but lots of friends said they used them a lot in the day for naps on the sofa or if they needed to move baby around the house. I was reluctant at first but I felt having one of us stood/sat with him at all times through the night was probably a bigger risk with the levels of sleep deprivation.
As others have said they don't last as long as they say, 3 months for us.
That's really good to know - thanks for sharing - I guess once we're a bit more comfortable with the baby and routines we'll have a better idea xx
We bought the Dock-A-Tot and have been using it since birth to now (4 months) for daytime naps only. We leave it on the sofa under supervision, and use a cellular blanket for little one. Overnight, we use the SnuzPod with swaddle and now sleeping bag.
eeeek skin problems!!
Bleeding/spotting
Am I overreacting? 
Rotavirus vaccine?????
How to tell my sister with fertility problems I'm pregnant
