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. 

Then entered Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.

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! 



Website // Facebook // Twitter

**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.**

Preparing for Daylight Savings Time

At 2am on Sunday, November 3, 2013, Americans will be turning their clocks back 1 hour marking the end of Daylight Savings Time. 

This has been a day that I have looked forward to for as long as I can remember.

Until I got pregnant. 

I remember savoring that extra hour of sleep last year as a sleepy, sick preggo mommy to be. 

At the same time, I was grieving over my last year of getting an hour of extra sleep. 

Well, friends, I'm doing my very best to make that NOT be true! 

Although our schedule is sometimes more of a "routine", we do do our best to have a consistent, set bedtime for Christian. He has went to bed at about 9pm ever since he was about 1 month old. 

After Daylight Savings Time, 8pm will really feel like 9pm. 

Since our hope is to keep Christian's bedtime at about 9pm (so he can have more awake time with Daddy after he is home from work), we are attempting to slowly shift Christian's bedtime to 10pm pre-Daylight Savings and turning our clocks back. That way, 9pm will still be his right bedtime after Daylight Savings. Or, who knows, the kid may always end up deciding that he is ready for bed at 8pm anyway! Babies sure keep you on your toes! 

So basically our attempt is to shift Christian's bedtime by 15 minutes every week leading up to November 3rd. 

Week of October 7th - Bedtime 9:15pm 

Week of October 14th - Bedtime 9:30pm

Week of October 21 - Bedtime 9:45pm 

Week of October 28 - Bedtime 10pm 

This has been working great for us so far! However, a later bedtime works for Christian since I stay home with him and we don't have to worry about him getting woke up in the morning to get to day care. As his bedtime has been moving later he is now sleeping until almost 11am most days. But this works for us. 

Keep in mind, you could also slowly shift the bedtime AFTER Daylight Savings as well! 

Fingers crossed that this will work and I won't be surprised with a baby up at the crack of dawn! :) 

Here's to an extra hour of sleep!
But maybe not... 

Are you doing anything to get ready for Daylight Savings Times? Do you have any tips? 

Following Babywise: Schedule Schmedule ....

Before Christian was born, I did a bit of reading on baby scheduling...specifically how to follow Babywise. 

My mom bought me this book and I was convinced this was going to be the way to get our little man sleeping through the night...ASAP! 

Well, well, well. 

I thought I was prepared and that it would be like magic. Christian would sleep, eat, and play all on my schedule and be a happy camper complete with great night time sleep. 

Now, don't get me wrong. Christian was sleeping through the night by the time he was about 2 weeks old. So maybe this whole "Babywise" schedule has some merit. 

As soon as Christian was born, the nurses told me to not let him go more than 3 hours without eating, so be sure to wake him up to eat. That was all the instruction they gave me. So, in true Babywise fashion, I fed Christian as soon as he would wake up and this would usually consist of his awake time, but other times our alert little boy would be awake for awhile after as well. Then he would doze off to dream land for awhile and it would start all over again. 

Sleep, Feed, Play = Babywise

I tracked his patterns for quite awhile using an app on my phone. I didn't want a screaming baby, so I followed his cues and fed him when he was hungry and let him sleep when he was tired. Maybe that's where I went wrong...or right. 

By the time he was 2 months old, I felt that maybe, just maybe there was a consistent pattern starting to emerge. By this time I was tracking his every activity on a color coded spreadsheet.

 {This was my very goal oriented, business man of a husband's idea}

I have to be honest and say that the work of actually getting into a schedule was stressful! But not having him on a schedule or any sort of routine was pretty stressful for this Type A mama too! 

The spreadsheet my hubby developed was actually pretty helpful! By the time Christian was 3 months old, I thought I had his schedule figured out. 

8:30am - Wake up and Eat

9am - Bath/Play time

9:30am - Nap 

11am - Eat 

11:30am - Play

12pm - Nap 

1pm - Eat

1:30pm - Play 

2pm - Nap 

3pm - Eat

3:30pm - Play 

4pm - Nap 

5pm - Eat

5:30pm - Play 

7pm - Eat

7:30pm - Nap 

8pm - Play 

9pm - Eat and Bed time 

Well, shortly before his 3 month birthday, Christian STOPPED sleeping through the night. His naps started to be way off and he wasn't seeming as hungry when I would try to feed him. It seemed he was just snacking all.day.long. 

Not my idea of a successful schedule. Babywise was not my favorite thing. And honestly, I was telling everyone that these "schedules" only work for some babies...not every baby! 

I was stressed about getting him to eat when he would wake up and if his nap would be long enough that he would actually be hungry when he woke up. 

Now, at 4 months old, I think Babywise might actually really work! And I think we have a schedule that we have been able to tweak so even when we get "off schedule" to go grocery shopping or meet up with friends, he is able to get back on schedule later in the day. 

Now, at just over 4 months, following Babywise, his schedule looks more like this: 

9am - Wake up, Eat, Bath, Play 

10am - Nap 

11:30am - Eat 

12pm - Walk

12:45pm - 2 TBSP Cereal for lunch 

1pm - Nap 

3pm - Eat 

3:30pm - Play 

4pm - Nap

5pm - Eat, plus 2 TBSP Cereal for dinner 

Might nurse again and snooze a bit at some point before bed...

8:30pm Start bedtime routine, eat

9pm - Bed 

He doesn't follow this schedule {exactly} every day, but its fairly close. The lengths of his naps are pretty consistent, though. 

Morning nap - 1.5 hours 

Afternoon nap #1 - 2 hours 

Afternoon nap #2 - 1 hour 

I'm now able to plan when to get my stuff done around the house. I spent a week tracking all of MY activities too and how long everything took. Now I have a schedule where I can plan each task into his nap schedule so that I'm able to get everything done I need to and still spend lots of quality time with my baby boy. 

Now, you might be wondering: 

Is Babywise really the key to your baby sleeping through the night? 

I have to be honest and say NO! 

#1. There are MANY other factors that play a bigger role in your baby sleeping through the night (see below) 

#2. Other sleep methods work too! 

#3. Do what works for YOUR baby. You know your baby and what he or she needs more than the author of some book. Remember, your baby is not the baby that they tested their "theories" on! 

Do we follow Babywise? I guess you could say we do! Christian sleeps, eats, plays, and then does it all over again...that right there is {Babywise}! And he's been sleeping through the night since he was 2 weeks old! 

But let me also say this... 

ENJOY your baby. No matter how scheduled or unscheduled he is! 

Thinking over the last few months, one thing that really sticks out is how stressed I was about getting Christian on a schedule. I enjoyed my baby and still do, but don't be afraid to let go of the schedule! Do what your baby needs and what you need and the schedule will come with time. 

With Baby #2 I think I will wait to try to figure out a schedule closer to the 4 month mark. But we will see! 

Anyway, in addition to whatever "sleep method" you choose to practice, I believe these things are also key to getting your baby to sleep through the night and fall into a schedule: 

1. Swaddle, Swaddle, Swaddle! 

You may have never met a bigger believer in swaddling. Specifically, I'm a major fan of the SwaddleMe or the Halo SleepSack Swaddle. We could always tell how tightly Christian was swaddled by the length he would sleep. Unfortunately, once your baby starts rolling, you can no longer swaddle your baby. I think my next love is going to be the Baby Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit. This gives baby the security of the swaddle but is safe to use once baby starts rolling. 

Product Review Coming Soon!!! 

{I'm SO SO SO excited to share this with you all!!!}

2. Good Naps

Make sure your baby naps during the day. Getting good sleep during the day ensures baby isn't too exhausted at night that he can't enter a deep sleep and stay sleeping for a long time. 

3.  Black Out Curtains or Blinds

Once baby is old enough to really recognize his surroundings, having him sleep in a room that is nearly pitch black will greatly help his sleep...at least it did in our experience. Christian went from all of a sudden being up every few hours at night, to starting to almost sleep through the night again. His naps also went from 45 min/1 hour to 1.5/2 hours for each nap! And yes, his night time sleep really DID improve! 

4. White Noise 

Just play it. Whether it be straight up white noise, Baby Mozart, a sound machine, or the radio. Background noise will keep baby sleeping. 

5. Good Feedings 

A baby with a full belly is a sleepy baby. So feed baby when he is awake enough to get a full feeding. 

{Thanks for reading} 

:)

Happy Friday! 

Here's to a lot more of this... 

and a productive mommy too!