Sleeping Bag for Newborn?

**alimumma** · March 21st, 2008, 11:47 AM

I am considering using a sleeping bag when my bub arrives in April (probably Grobag 2.5 TOG).

Has anyone used a sleeping bag from birth or is it better to wrap bub until a couple of months old? I am in a southern climate so need the warmth.

**butterfly*kisses** · March 21st, 2008, 12:01 PM

I used a sleeping bag with my first, and it was fabulous.

I wrapped the others (but they were born in tropical climates....too hot for sleeping bag)

**alimumma** · March 21st, 2008, 12:29 PM

Thanks for quick reply.

Did you find the sleeping bag warm enough or did you need to add extra clothes underneath or still use a blanket over top?

Also, do newies hate their arms flying about - I read lots about how they love to be wrapped up as they feel more secure...I guess you didn't have a problem with this as your baby settled in a sleeping bag from birth?

**Pandora** · March 21st, 2008, 07:47 PM

.

Did you find the sleeping bag warm enough or did you need to add extra clothes underneath or still use a blanket over top?

You arent supposed to use any other bedding at all with a grobag.
There is a lot of labelling on the packaging that will indicate this and it is described (with reasons etc) on their website.

.
Also, do newies hate their arms flying about - I read lots about how they love to be wrapped up as they feel more secure...I guess you didn't have a problem with this as your baby settled in a sleeping bag from birth?

This depends. DS was wrapped from birth but he hated his arms being wrapped in. If he let me I did it, as it enabled him to sleep a bit longer as hwasnt woken up as often by the startle reflex.

Mostly though he would get them out and spend a lot of time fighting to do so, so I eventually wrapped him with arms out,a nd he would sleep on his backwith his arms up over his shoulders near his head.

I put him in a grobag from 5 months. It took a few days to get used to but he loved it. I also found it a very easy transition when he changed to blankets as he got older.

**LuluHB** · March 21st, 2008, 07:57 PM

I used a grobag on my DD from about 2 weeks of age, but still wrapped her arms so she wouldn't flap around and wake herself up. I also tucked her under a wool blanket when it was really cold at night (like the nights I stayed at my folks' house in Harvey - brrrr!) and a lighter flannelette when it wasn't so cold (the lighter just so she felt more secure). They do say on the packet you're not supposed to need anything else, but I found she did for both warmth and security for her - she wasn't going anywhere so there was no danger for her. As for clothes underneath, she had on one of those bonds grosuits with either a short or long sleeved bodysuit underneath, depending on the weather.

I found them invaluable - getting up at 3am when it was freezing and being able to pick her up without having to really take her out of her nice cocoon of warm air - she stirred far less with feeds and got back to sleep very quickly. Definitely a nice thing for a sleep deprived mummy!

**LimeSlice** · March 21st, 2008, 08:27 PM

I wrapped Charlotte for the first 2 days and then she started breaking out! lol She hates having her arms restricted, so we would wrap her legs and arms loosely and then by the time she was a couple of weeks I gave up altogether and put her in a "sack" lol just a cheapie from target with arms and a sleeping bag bottom - I really dont see the point in spending $50+ on a "grobag" the one we had worked just fine. And she could still kick her legs which she loves and I didnt have to worry about her being cold.
You'll find out when she's born pretty quick what she likes and doesnt like - they let you know about it! lol Good luck

**Beach Mama** · March 21st, 2008, 12:29 PM

I wrapped from birth to about 8 weeks, we found that because they don't tend to move a great deal you can keep them warm by wrapping with nice stretchy wraps and then tucking them in with layers over the top. I also found that by wrapping we stopped her waking herself up from the startle reflex which they lose from about 8 weeks. Some of the grobags for newborns are to be used from a certain weight only so be sure to check that too. We are in Melbourne and Izzy was born at the start of winter so it was a worry making sure she was warm enough! Remember too that bubbys will let you know if they are too cold, but overheating can be dangerous. Good luck!

**alimumma** · March 21st, 2008, 12:36 PM

Thanks Tan, not sure what to use now...maybe will just have to try both and see which works, although I was hoping to get bub used to the one thing from the beginning.

I am in Southern WA (first winter) and am told that it gets quite cold but I have lived in Melbourne and regional vic/nsw and don't think it would be as cold as over there.

Maybe a good idea is to wrap at first until bub is a bit older? I think sometimes I can get a bit paranoid about the whole overheating thing and being a first time mum not sure about baby's temp and how to dress them etc.

**Beach Mama** · March 21st, 2008, 12:40 PM

No worries! It is so hard wondering if they are too hot/too cold etc!!! You can always see how you go, and change over if you need to! Wrapping does make them feel secure because they have such a tight fit in the womb! Some bubs dont like being wrapped either though.. we found in the weeks leading up to 8 weeks old that she would struggle and fight to have her hands out and then would fall asleep so we figured she was ready for the bag.... Her nursery was kept at 16 degrees too, we had a little automatic heater in there, but as you said Im not sure if southern WA gets as cold as over here?

You will work it out and even if you don't use the bags straight away you will find that you will use them eventually! Izzy has only just outgrown her newborn Grobags!!!
Good luck and Im sure you will be fine and will work it all out pretty quickly!