Need help with sleeping bag thingys

[Bloom]

So I'm confused about those "gro-bag" style sleeping bags.

Can I use one from birth? Can I swaddle baby AND use one?

Are the brand-name ones any better than the bonds/other brand ones?

We are planning on using a bassinet till baby grows out of it (quite a large bassinet on a stand). Can I still use a gro-bag in a bassinet? If I don't use a sleeping bag thingy, then will I need to buy special sized bassinet blankets? I tried today to make up the bassinet with bassinet sheets and a smallish cot blanket, but it seems a bit bulky once everything is tucked under - not to mention a pain to tuck back in during the middle of the night

BTW - bubs is due in early September and we live in south east Queensland.

Thank you so much for your help!

[Cassius2]

i guess many of the questions do come down to personal choice.

my DD was born on the 2 sept and for the first 5-6 months we just swaddled her. so no need for sleeping bag (or blankets). i probably wouldnt recommend doing a sleepbag at the same time as swaddling - not sure if it is totally safe and on a more practical level could be a PITA to change nappies at 1am, 3am, 5am in a sleepy state with all those layers to get through...but i am unco at the best of times LOL!

the grobags i have heard are great. exxy though...we have used the bubbaroos. about $20 cheaper on average and have been perfect for both summer and winter uses.

the bonds winter ones we have also used when DD was in the 6-12 month range but this was only before we got the bubbaroo (i kinda felt that they werent warm enough...we lived in canberra without central heating though). the Bonds worked fine though and we have no complaints.

HTH!

[Bloom]

Thanks for your reply Cassius. It was very helpful! A few more questions for you: So when you swaddled your newborn, did you also then put her under blankets as well? Did she wear a fuzzy/fluffy suit as well as swaddling? What kind of wrap did you use to swaddle? (Am I annoying yet? LOL)

[Cassius2]

ha ha! no not annoying at all!

we just swaddled DD for the first few weeks and occasionally had a sheet tucked over her to prevent her from unswaddling/rolling as she got a bit older.

we tended to do a double swaddle (that is use two wraps). this helped keep her swaddled as they tend to be houdinis...and also gives extra warmth if cool weather ITMS.

we didnt use a sleepbag with the swaddling. there was no need. once you have their nighty/wondersuit on etc and a wrap or two they are warm enough. overheating is something to keep an eye on.

we used a range of wraps. for summer it was those thin muslin wraps (the ones without much stretch) and for cooler weather we used thicker, stretchier wraps (the best ones we had were bubba-blu - i think - they came in a pack of 3 from target).

[Doing my best]

Hi Ruth,

My DD was a November baby and we used long sleeve jumpsuits with no legs and swaddled her..

This time round we are planning on using the full jumpsuits (feet and all), swaddling, and if cooler after the late feed, putting another wrap over as blanket (much cheaper than buying cradle sized blankets. I have plenty of wraps if you want some (some are a bit girly, but I figure at night at home, it isn't an issue)

Most babies love the swaddling and we started using sleeping bags when DD was about 3 months, firstly for day sleeps, then gradully at night as she rejected the swaddling..

[Bloom]

Thanks Heather for your advice!

So maybe if I put on a singlet, a Bonds wondersuit and a waffle wrap my little man will be warm enough for September? And then I can just tuck a blanket over the top if needed. And then I can buy a summer weight sleeping bag for when he hits around 3 months...

Thank you so much for the offer of the wraps - I got a good supply at my baby shower - so no need to deplete your supply. But it's very kind of you. (Hope you can make it tomorrow!)