Back To Sleep

A few months back, Gemma started climbing out of her crib whenever I put her down to sleep. This behavior continued for a little over a week, so I figured the confines of her being in a crib had come to end, and she needed a big girl bed. While buying a crib conversion kit, I became concerned because I thought it would negatively impact her ability to continue nap time in the middle of the day. I consulted our pediatrician, and she suggested trying a sleeping bag, because it would deter her from climbing out. I was very familiar with sleep bags for infants, but I wondered if companies offered them in her size.

While researching, I looked into Love To Dream, an Australian brand I was introduced to last year. One of the first things that turned me onto the brand was their unique approach to swaddling.  Two out of my three children were not fans of being swaddled, and Love To Dream offered a more functional and effective baby swaddling solution, I remember wishing I had these sleep bags for when my children were in their newborn stages.

When most babies are placed on their backs, it is natural for them to sleep with their arms raised over their heads. Traditional swaddling binds the baby’s arms across their chest or sides, so when they wake up and try to self-soothe they are unable to. Love to Dream swaddles with the arms up, giving babies the freedom to rub their cheeks or put their hands in their mouth. While those are great, I of course needed the next phase for Gemma. And as it turns out, Love To Dream just launched a Stage 3 of their “wearable sleeping bags”.

Since my big girl no longer needs to be swaddled, we are now in Love To Dream’s Stage 3 of their sleep system for babies and toddlers, ages 8 to 36 months. Two different styles make up the final stage of the Sleep Bags, the Inventa and Nuzzlin. The Inventa (pink) offers a cooling system to help moderate baby’s temperature, without disturbing their precious sleep, by simply adjusting the built-in zip as needed, creating a more even temperature & increased comfort. They super soft wearable blanket features a hypo-allergenic lining which is smooth, silky and breathable. The Nuzzlin Sleep (aqua) is ideal for the warmer months or tropical vacations, featuring an extra light 100% cotton knitted fabric. Both Sleep Bags are adjustable, according to the height of your baby. Gemma has been in her little sleeping bag for a few months now and is no longer climbing out of her crib. She enjoys putting on her blanket during bedtime, as this has now become a routine for her.

Love to Dream is also dedicated to safe sleep practices, and they have partnered with First Candle, to create their Safe Sleep for your Baby at home & in day care campaign, which educates parents looking for safe practices at home, and during day care for their children. First Candle is an organization dedicated to safe pregnancies and the survival of babies through the first years of life. Their main priorities are to eliminate Stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) with programs of research, education and advocacy.

Last October, I attended the First Candle Gala, co-hosted by Safety Mom’s own Alison and listened to her share her heartfelt story, about the loss of her first child to SIDS many years ago. Today, she dedicates all of her time to helping parents navigate their way through parenthood with research and tips, on how to keep their little loved ones safe. Tips like these are critical for any new parent. While raising my own children, I was made aware of the back to sleep philosophy, which is basically what it sounds like, put the baby to sleep on their back; but I can remember my mom especially saying they were told the opposite back when I was a child. New data and knowledge such as this is the backbone of the Safe Sleep Campaign and now it is accessible by ways of downloading literature from their website and sharing the info with anyone caring for your child.

As we become parents, there is plenty to learn, but it is important that the education is not limited to just mom and dad. Grandparents, caregivers and day care personnel tending to your child should be versed in these practices. Love To Dream’s partnership with First Candle provides such powerful information, and I hope that sharing this information with you, can make the baby’s lives in your circles, just a little bit safer. Click here to download the Safe Sleep for your Baby at home & in Day care” flyer.

You can find all of the Love To Dream styles and stages at Buy Buy Baby.