At 6 months, Junior still wakes every 3-4 hours to breastfeed during the night. I’ve gotten used to this and am ok with it. The cuddling is adorable and it feels good being able to provide him with the nourishment and comfort he needs. There was a period of time, around 2 months of age, where sleep was rough. He was transitioning out of swaddling, but had an incredibly strong startle reflex. While this reflex is natural and protective, it was disruptive to his sleep. The movement of his arms in his sleep would startle him over and over until he woke up. This would happen every 30-60 minutes. Needless to say, Mommy was tired and needed a solution.
Today, I’ll be reviewing a product a dear friend of mine (an ANGEL!!!!!) recommended I try, the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit.
The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is a product for babies ready to transition from the swaddle, usually around 2-3 months, but who still need the secure feeling of the womb that the swaddle provides. It’s meant for back sleeping, in a bassinet or crib, with no loose bedding. Since the Magic Sleepsuit is available in fluffy cotton or microfleece, it provides the comfort of a blanket, but is recommended to be used at a temperature appropriate for baby, usually 68-72°. Once baby can freely roll while in the Magic Sleepsuit, it’s time to transition out of it for more freedom of movement in their sleep. It’s available in sizes small, 3-6 months & 12-18lbs, and large, 6-9 months & 18-21lbs.
So, is it really Magic? Junior loved his Magic Sleepsuit! He was never really fond of the swaddle, preferred freedom of movement in his arms, often sleeping with them straight over his head, but just couldn’t settle with his strong startle reflex. The Magic Sleepsuit provided a welcomed solution. He was able to feel the freedom if his arms being loose, but the weighted blanket-like bodysuit calmed his startle reflex and allowed sleep in stretches up to 5-7 hours! What a dream! It was a great addition to our sleep routine too. He started associating it with sleep and knew once it was on, it was time to settle down to sleep.
Junior has since transitioned out of the Magic Sleepsuit, but we got a good 2-3 months of use out of it before he started rolling from his back to stomach with ease. He now prefers sleeping on his side and wakes when he needs to eat. He settles back to sleep pretty easily once he’s fed. And yes, he still loves throwing his arms over his head in his sleep. My wild child.
Safe Sleep Environments
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a safe sleep environment reduces the risk of SIDS, and includes:
– Placing baby on their back to sleep on a firm surface
– Avoiding soft, loose bedding like blankets, bumpers, pillows, and plush toys
– Sharing the same room as parents, but on their own sleep surface for at least the first 6 months
– Avoiding baby’s exposure to smoke
Overall, I’d recommend the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit to anyone in the phase of transitioning out of the swaddle, but who needs some way of mimicking the coziness of the womb. Other sleep aids claim this, but don’t really meet the standards recommended for safe sleep. The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is available online and at select retailers in the United States and Canada.
Let me know how your transition from swaddling went!
Melanin Mommy Magic 