Sleep bags / suits when to use

[baby1wanted]

Hi all just a bit of advice needed again!

I've been given a few of these sleep bags / suits (the ones that fit over their shoulders with wide straps, not sure I've got the right name for them!) as pressies / hand me downs.
The midwives told me not to use them with newborn but stick with blankets which is what I've even doing.
But now lo is getting stronger he can kick the blankets off even when they're tucked in. Our house is very cold at night and so I really need to keep him covered.
So I'm wondering when it's safe to start using them? Is it too soon? (He's 6 weeks on Wednesday).
Oh and he's still in a Moses basket where we put him feet to bottom of basket. If I do put him in a sleeping bag what do I do with the excess material at the bottom? Do I tuck it in? Is there the same risk of lo ending up with head down under the material or will the shoulder straps stop that?

Sorry for all the questions. As you can probably tell I'm a bit of a paranoid FTM!!

 

[Popples1]

Stalking as I've been given one too and aren't sure when to start using it!

 

[Sams123]

We used them from 6 week when imogen went in her cot. She was kicking her blankets off and getting cold. I think it says they are safe to use over 9lbs in most cases xx

 

[Miss_Cellany]

I think most have a weight guide on them? It's just so the size of the baby means they can't slip through the head hole and end up stuck inside. Otherwise it's up to you. I can't remember when I started using them to be honest (and my son is only 4.5 months old!). It was probably around 2-3 months.

This is from the GroBag website so I would imagine other sleeping bags are similar:
"Our 0-6 months Grobag Baby Sleep Bag can be used for a full-term, 8lb 8oz (4kg) baby from birth. However, if your baby weighs less than 8lb 8oz (4kg) at birth, we recommend you wait a short time, until your baby grows larger. For the first few weeks and for babies under 8lb 8oz (4kg), we recommend the Grobag Swaddle as a safe and easy alternative for your baby. Our 0-6 month size Grobag includes under-arm poppers to reduce the size of the armholes for babies up to 10lbs (4.5kg)."

 

[baby1wanted]

Thanks guys, I'm completely paranoid about SIDS... Sometimes once he's asleep I end up just staring at him to make sure he's breathing until I nod off exhausted.... Mad I know.
But it's due to be really cold tonight so I'm thinking the bag may help... Miss cellany I've just spent the last half hour on the gro bag website!!

 

[LittleNikki]

I've used a sleeping bag from about 2 weeks old for the same reason but my sone was 9lb4 born as long as their head cant go through the neck hole they can use them. I tuck any excess material under his feet since he is in moses basket too although now at almost 7 weeks there isnt a whole lit of excess material

 

[phoenix333]

I started using ours when DS turned 1 month old. I tuck the excess material under and still put him feet to foot. I much prefer them to blankets.

 

[pollydolly]

We've just started using ours, they say 8.8 lb on them but we waited until he was 10lb
He's in a rocking crib so bigger that Moses but i still put him feet at the bottom & move the excess so it's propped upwards on the bottom of the bed xx

 

[mum22ttc#3]

Ours are for 8lb 8oz, I started using ours as soon as LO hit this weight, about 2 weeks I think as I hated using blankets.

 

[Sams123]

Thanks guys, I'm completely paranoid about SIDS... Sometimes once he's asleep I end up just staring at him to make sure he's breathing until I nod off exhausted.... Mad I know.
But it's due to be really cold tonight so I'm thinking the bag may help... Miss cellany I've just spent the last half hour on the gro bag website!!

Not crazy at all hun, I still sneak in and watch Imogen now some nights to check she is breathing, and she has an angelcare monitor and a video monitor on her

 

[Perplexed]

I think I put my baby in one when she was 8 weeks. Didn't know about the guideline and don't think mine had such a guideline. I used to lightly swaddle her but once she started kicking the swaddle blanket away while I was asleep I decided to go with a sleep bag suit. However she's been sleeping without one for the last few nights as it's been a bit warm even though it was light.

 

[supertabby]

As others have said, check the label for a weight guide.

You don't tuck in the excess fabric (tucking in blankets is so they can't work their way up over baby's head but a sleeping bag that fits - ie weight minimum adhered to - won't do this.) It will restrict baby's movement if you tuck in, more so than blankets do.

Don't use any blankets with the sleeping bag, and google Grobag chart images for guidance on what baby should wear underneath so they don't overheat (often they don't need anything on their legs unless room is quite cold).

Going to put DS in Grobags this week I think - absolutely loved them with DD, they prevent that "cold sheet" feeling when you pop them back into bed so less likely to wake when you lay them down.

 

[Birdling]

Our son has been in them since birth, but then he was 10lb 5oz!
I agree with the pp that they are great for avoiding cold sheets after night feeds.

 

[Lawgirl]

Check which ones you have and check the weight guide. I know that gro bags and kiddicare ones are from approx 8lbs, but mamas and papas is from 10lbs, so they do vary.

Sleeping bags were the only thing that would make her sleep in her crib - thank goodness for them.