Strollers-on-the-Go

In my five years of parenting and three children, I have owned a fleet of strollers: a couple umbrella strollers, a single jogger, a single travel system stroller, a double all-terrain stroller... I have gotten rid of strollers, bought new strollers, and at this point I don't feel like I have one stroller that meets my needs best. What is my point? When you go to buy a stroller, you need to take many things into consideration for you. Your best friend may tell you that x is the best stroller in the world for a list of reasons and it may be a great stroller, but it may not be the best stroller for you.

You need to think about number of kids, stroller purpose(s)-travel, are you on-the-go, your size and stride, storage space, vehicle space, where you will use it, weight of the stroller, accessories/options... And you thought deciding to have a baby was a difficult decision.

Here are a couple of stroller options that may be right for you. All of these strollers take travel and sleep-on-the-go into consideration. Don't miss a nap! You can easily create a sleep environment similar to yours at home in a cozy bassinet attachment by adding a sound spa for white noise, a blanket for darkness, a swaddled baby for comfort (or unswaddled for our older travelers) and off you go into the world of well-rested baby while not missing out on the family vacation or other summer outing.

One option, the Micralite Toro has many great features that could make it the stroller for you: It is a great looking stroller, with great color options, and waterproof woven fabric. It has a nice, smooth ride which is great for sleep. It is light weight, a mere 19 pounds- weight is a big consideration when stroller shopping, especially when travel is considered. It easily folds up and stands alone with a locking feature for compact storage- great when you are staying in a hotel or filling a car with all of vacations' necessities. You can easily steer with one hand- a must when you have another child or luggage in tow. It fits through small spaces nicely and turns around tight corners. The seat moves from a full recline to upright. You can also use your Maxi Cosi car
seat with it, or buy an adapter to use other car seats, after removing the standard seat. It also has optional all-terrain wheels if you want to travel with four
all-terrain wheels instead of just two. It comes equipped with air
pump, all weather hood, foot muff, and zip on rain cover.

The Toro has an optional, cushy carrycot for sleeping or newborn comfort- imagine your baby sleeping soundly as you meander through an art museum or antique shop or walk along the beach or stop at a cute little cafe for some brunch. The mattress is large and nicely padded. It comes with a boot-like cover and has a shade. Not only can you use the carrycot for sleep on-the-go, you can also use it as a travel bed for non-rolling babies at a hotel, while camping, or a nap at grandma's house. The carrycot really makes it a great travel option.

Some things to consider that may not make it the match for you: It is pricier- but after all my stroller purchases, I have come to realize that you get what you pay for! The sun-shade is short. The basket is on the smaller size (but honestly I have never been that impressed by many stroller baskets size or accessibility- especially when you are looking for a more compact stroller). The seat is smaller- yet my 3 year-old and 5 year-old both fit in it. You have to use a provided Allen wrench to adjust the handle bar height. It does not have drink or snack trays for adult or child. You should check out how it works with your walking stride, especially if you plan on using it for exercise. It worked fine for me, but there is a chance you could kick the tires since they are set close together.

Sleep Tip: Get the carrycot! Use the boot, cover, and a lightweight blanket to make the ultimate sleep environment. Add a sound spa for added effect and lasting sleep.

My favorite things about the Toro: Narrow frame, overall look, handle bars- easy to maneuver and push with one hand, nice ride, and the awesome carrycot!

If you decide that the Toro is the stroller for you, you can buy it online or at a store near you.

Another "On-the-Go" stroller option is the Bumbleride Queen B. It is a pram style stroller, that comes in ruby and lava. It has great handling on and off the road thanks to the fully inflatable wheels- the front wheels rotate while the back wheels are stationary- it also has amazing shocks. As you meander through your neighborhood or town feel free to stop at the grocery store- it has a huge storage tray- you could squeeze three bags of groceries in easily. And if you are planning on having more children you can actually turn the B into a double stroller by adding on the toddler seat attachment. Another unique feature, that I always dreamed about having on a stroller with my first child is a reversible seat- face you, face out- and it is easy to adjust!
The seat fully reclines and the foot rest can be put down or all the way up- making a somewhat bassinetlike space. It also has a full covering sun shade- a great feature! You can also use many
car
seats with
it, It comes equipped with rain cover, footmuff, bumper bar, cup holder, and infant seat safety belt.

Let me tell you, when my youngest daughter was riding around in this stroller she was as happy as a clam- she was well supported in a Lazy Boy like seat, up high where she could see everything. She really felt special.

The Queen B has an optional bassinet for sleeping or newborn comfort. It is very compact and also comes with a boot-like cover and has a shade. Since it is nice and compact it works well for travel with or without the Queen B tagging along.

Some things to consider that may not make it the match for you: Again, it is
pricier. It does not have drink or snack trays for adult or child. It is heavy- 31 pounds- like most prams are, but it is also extremely sturdy. It is not a tight turning stroller- you will get used to this and this is pretty standard for prams. This is not a compact stroller when folded or up.

My favorite things about the B: Amazing storage tray, great height for child's viewing pleasure, reversible seat, bassinet for sleep!


Sleep Tip: The bassinet folds up small making it great for bringing on trips or wherever you need a sleep-on-the-go option.

If you decide the Queen B is for you, you can buy it online or at a store near you.

Sticking to Our Guns

I was having a conversation the other day with a friend. She was telling me that on her camping trip that past weekend her 22-month old learned how to climb out of her pack n play for the first time. After trying once and succeeding, she did it repeatedly throughout the night and became unable to settle herself to sleep. A few days after they returned home, her daughter climbed out of her crib once too when aggravated. (They immediately set up
a crib tent to nip this behavior in the bud, which the little girl accepted basically without complaint.)

At different ages and stages our children discover new talents/abilities/skills/self-decided privileges and like to practice these to the chagrin of the parents. It seems to be often unpleasant to guide them back into "correct" behavior or adequate sleep as my experiences relate. We parent may have to endure "crying it out" or protests or tiredly staying consistent to help our children move past these disruptions in their sleep. It is hard to avoid wavering from our decided path and falling into the path of just doing whatever to avoid conflict or crying.

But, I do implore you to be deliberate in the decisions you make about sleep at 1pm when you put your two-year old down for their nap, as well as at 3am when your child wakes up with a variety of requests. If your child begins to try something new, you also may need to try something new and establish new boundaries that fit the situation. If your child starts climbing out of his crib before you feel he is ready for a bed, put on a crib tent on it- even though it may cause your child to protest. If your child gets sick and subsequently gets in the habit of looking to you to soothe them in the middle of the night- allow them the chance to rediscover how to soothe themselves and not look to you. If your child takes hours to fall asleep at night because they have requested you leave a light on in their room, turn it off.

As parents, we need to figure out what is best for our children and be deliberate and intentional about our follow-through. If we decide that sleep is very important to our child's health, brain development, attitude and emotions, and the sanity of our home we need to deliberately strive to get our little ones the sleep they need, even if it means they cry, or whine, or yell no. Stick to your guns.

Summer Pajamas

My kids love new jammies. With their quick growth we are always needing more jammies for each season. So, here are some great summer pajama finds for your perusing... New Jammies sells 100% Organic Cotton pajamas that are delicious! New Jammies has a concern for the material that touches your child's skin and eating right. They are concerned with childhood obesity, child eating habits, and the lack of fruits and veggies in the American child's diet. They have a whole line of pajamas that literally cover your child with the fruits and veggies that we should all be eating daily. (They also have a cute Nature's Critters line and a Sporty Kids line). "Available in sizes 12 mo-6, these
snug fitting jammies are all natural and are designed in accordance with consumer safety products
regulations for untreated snug fitting sleepwear." For the warm summer nights, they have cute short sets. They come in a draw string bag with a little book about fruits and veggies. My kids have asked for me to read this book every night for the past week. They would definately make a cute gift as well as a great addition to your summer pj wardrobe. These sell for $32. New Jammies is offering Lullaby Luna readers 20% off your purchase of short pj sets, use the code: LUNAPJS49 (this code is good for one month).


Kushies just came out with an adorable and modern new organic line on top of their pre-existing products. They have Safari Organic pajamas, onesies, gowns, and more for babies. They are 100% organic cotton and very soft- just what you want for your little one. They are cute and come in great color options: "Safari animal
embroideries and appliqués along with soft solid colors and yarn dye stripes
embellish each style of this environmental organic layette collection. The collection is offered in Green, Pink, Blue or
Mocha." These come in Newborn through 12 month sizes. They retail for $18. Kushies is offering Lullaby Luna readers a 10% discount on your purchase, use the code: ll10 (good only for shipments in the U.S.).

Sara's Prints are imaginative, great quality, fun pajamas- they come in a variety of prints your kids will love- mine do! I found out something new while reviewing Sara's Prints, "All loose-fitting children's sleepwear from size 9m to size 14 is
required by law to be flame resistant. So far, so fair. So we set
about finding a way to make the best fire-safe pajamas. And now we’re
going a step further: our new cotton/modacrylic pajamas and nightgowns
are super-soft, colorful, breathable and inherently flame resistant so
they do not go through a flame resistant
chemical treatment! To insure top quality, consistency, and
durability, we use cotton that is grown right here in the USA. We take
great care to insure that all of our sleepwear meets very strict
quality standards so that you and your loved one can sleep well tonight." I was actually not aware of this- this is why many pajamas make a big deal about being tight fitting- then, they don't have to be treated with chemicals to be fire resistant. But, think about your little girl's nightgowns... there is a chance they have been chemically treated. Sara's Prints gives you another option- environmentally friendly since no chemicals are used, breathable material, naturally anti-static, regular laundering. They retail for $26-$39 depending on what you are getting. Sara's Prints is offering Lullaby Luna readers a 15% discount on orders of $50 or more, use the code: luna.

Flame-Resistant Jammies

Q: What are the regulations for pajamas and flame-resistance?
A: Cotton garments are approved for sleepwear if they are snug fitting- meaning they eliminate airspace between skin an fabric which reduces flammability. These pajamas are labeled "wear snug fitting." If they are not snug fitting they need to be deemed flame resistant.

Q: What fabrics are used for pajamas?
A:

• Polyester (inherently flame resistant because "flame retardants are chemically inserted during the manufacturing process and become part of the molecular composition of the fabric. There is little likelihood that any chemicals could be released." All synthetic fabrics either have a flame resistant inserted into the fabric or are treated by a chemical on the outside of the fabric.)
  
• Treated cotton (Some companies are "marketing 100% cotton flame retardant pajamas. Most are using a treatment called PROBAN"- which is a flame retardant added after the pajamas are finished. "Studies show the fabric has a low release of chemicals and does not cause skin irritation, yet some customers still have concerns about the THPC used in the process...")
• Untreated cotton (These are snug fitting. These are a good choice and eliminate any concerns regarding chemical treatment. You can even buy organic cotton for a more pure cotton.)

Q:What are flame resistant fabrics treated with?
A: If they are not inherently flame resistant, they are treated with a chemical.

Q: How can I find out if my child's pajamas have been treated with a chemical?
A: Read the label and/or call the company. And try to keep up to date on the latest in chemical treatments, so you can make the best choice for your family. Also, try to choose the best option for your child. Consider: your worry and the danger of fire in your home (think about candles and other small "fires" we innocently burn... And consider the concern of possibly dangerous chemicals.

Q: Are the chemicals used safe?
A: It depends on who you are, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, yes. According to the EU and the Environment Working Group there are serious concerns. More research is being done to see the effects.

Resources:
The Environment Working Group
Environment California
Article, "Flame-Resistant Baby Pajamas Controversy" by Lisa Prague
The Consumer Product Safety Commission

Ewww! Bed Bugs Beware?!

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite tonight. Bed bugs? What are they? Who has even gotten bed bug bites? Over a year ago my husband got bed bug bites when he was staying at a hotel in Los Angeles on a business trip. And then last summer he got them at a hotel in Panama. So, they really are a real thing that can effect you... and they are making a comeback.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, "Recently the little bugs have hitched a ride back to the U.S., courtesy of increased international travel."

You may be wondering, what are bed bugs? "According to the University of Kentucky, they are small, brownish insects with flattened bodies that hide close to where people sleep, like in mattresses, box springs, bed frames or headboards. Bed bugs feed on blood, and they are typically active at night. Bites can result in an itchy red welt or swelling, but some people have no reaction at all. (Unfortunately, not the case for my husband.)

And how do you get rid of them or avoid them?

• First, you can see them- so look around in all those places that they hide!
• If you are traveling take a look around the hotel room. Look for the actual bug and look on mattresses for dark spots- blood or fecal matter on mattresses (from the bugs) is another sign- report findings to hotel staff immediately and relocate!!!!
• If you get bed bugs while traveling- thoroughly examine your stuff when you come home- you can bring those breeding bugs right into your home.
• If you do have bed bugs in your home- call an exterminator and thoroughly clean (wash, vacuum and seal anything and everything- there are many resources online to help.
  

Sleeping Bags

Summer has officially started and hopefully with it vacations. If you are a camper and are ready to embark on your first camping trip with the little ones, you are going to have to invest in a sleeping bag of one sort or another. I suggest getting a 40 degree bag. This will work great for most summer camping- if you live in a colder region or classify yourself as more of the hardcore backpacker you may need to adjust your needs accordingly. But for the average "car camper", I wouldn't worry about the weight of the bag or invest in something much warmer than 40 degrees. But please get something warm enough- nobody sleeps well (including YOU) when the little ones are cold. There are many "cute" camping sets available that don't actually provide a bag that is warm enough- consider this when you are making your purchase.

Here are two great options to consider as you begin gearing up for that first trip:

LL Bean has a 40 degree Kids Camp Bag, Wildlife Print in a variety of great colors for $39. It fits up to a 4'6" child. It has a nylon shell with polyester fill. Polyester with cotton lining dries quickly in case there are any unfortunate accidents of one kind or another. You can machine wash it in a front-loading washer. It is sturdy, comfortable, soft, and warm. My son loves the wildlife camouflage print.

Sierra Designs has a 40 degree bag in either Dragonfly or Big Dog (girls and boys bags) for $70-89. They also have 20 degree options if you are in a colder climate. It is a light weight bag- 1 lb. 13 oz. It has a tricot-lined foot box for extra warm feet, and ergonomic hood, and a built-in pillow. It is made out of HeatSync Insulation- has a nylon shell and polyester liner. It is very comfortable. My daughter loves the pillow, the extra chest pocket for storing her flashlight or tucking her teddy bear in, the interior clothes warming pocket for those chilly mornings, and the attached stuff sack- no more misplacing that darn thing.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: My Weekend Camping Trip

This weekend our family went camping. Overall it was a pretty good trip and of course our kids had a blast- there is something about being outside 24-7 and dirt that just make them happy- a s'more or two and hanging out with friends help too.

So, how did sleep go on this trip? Great!

We got to our camp site late on Friday night- way past our kids bedtime- thankfully they slept in the car on the two hour trip before we stopped for dinner. We set up our tent trailer, got everyone's sleeping bags out, turned on the sound spa, and we all went to bed. My baby sleeps in a Kidco tent which is great, and my other two in 40 degree sleeping bags. I sometimes double up on pjs if it is really cold. And for my baby, I almost always double pjs and use a baby sleep bag.

Since, we had such a late night on Friday and a fun morning playing at the lake... all three kids took afternoon naps on Saturday (usually only my baby does). My oldest gets warm very easily, so she didn't want to sleep in the tent trailer... I reclined a camp chair and she slept for an hour or so on that.

And they all slept well on Saturday night- it was a bit cooler, so we turned on a borrowed tent heater and put it closer to the baby. Temperature can be tricky when camping- it is hard to sleep if it is cold. Try to make sure your kids are warm, and you will all sleep much better.

Necessities: Sound spa, sleeping bags and/or some sort of baby sleeping device, warm pjs (multiple layers).. see tips from my last post on camping.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: How do you camp with kids, so they get the sleep they need?

A: I have friends that love to camp, my husband loves to camp... so when I was finally coerced to go camping with family in tow, I was a bit nervous and skeptical about how sleeping would go.

My only camping experience with kids had been when my oldest daughter was 1 1/2 years old- we camped in a tent, under a tree (where a branch tapped on the tent all night), near a train, and next to some noisy neighbors. We slept horribly, and I vowed to never camp again with kids.

Well, as things go, I decided to try it again. This time I was much better prepared and thought out the whole sleeping arrangement much more carefully (amazing what a few years of parenting under your belt will do for you). I brought an infant travel bed for my baby (who was only two months old at the time), and my other two children were old enough to sleep in sleeping bags. I also brought a sound spa (with extra batteries). It went pretty well. They took a bit longer to calm down at bedtime due to the excitement of vacation... but slept well.

Since, I have camped many times... naps, bedtime have all gone fine. I highly recommend giving it a try if you too are being coerced by an avid camper in your life.

Camping tips:
-Use a sound spa (bring lots of extra batteries).
-Bring an appropriate bed for your child: pack n play, Phil & Teds Traveller, Kidco Tent, infant travel bed, sleeping bag (choose an appropriate warmth for your location...).
-You can get tents with room dividers- they can be helpful. Tent trailers and trailers/motor homes are also a nice indulgence.
-Dress your kids for the temperature- feel free to double up on pajamas, try a baby sleep bag.
-Keep to your sleep schedule as much as possible- bank on tired kids- got to love a day outside.
-Have your kids practice how you want them to go to sleep.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: Questions for You

If your child fits into the 25% of children with sleep problems you may want to ask yourself a list of questions:

• Does your child get the appropriate amount of sleep for their age?
• What is your bedtime routine? Is it comforting?
• Do your evening activities include no TV or nonviolent programs, nonviolent computer games, reading, and a bath?
• Does your child have bedtime refusal, stalling, and/or difficulty falling asleep?
• Does your child have any sleep issues after going to sleep: confusional arousals, sleep terrors, nightmares? How many night wakings a week?
  
• Do they have any symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (snoring, gasping, breathing pauses, restless sleep)?
• Do your kids participate in weekday, night, or weekend activities that take away from adequate sleep? What activities do they participate in?
• Does your child take a nap? When? How long?
• When does your child eat? Do they take medications? How much caffeine do they consume and when?
• What signs of sleepiness do they show? Anything abnormal (falling asleep at inappropriate times, hyperactivity, irritability, behavior problems)?
• Is there any stress within your family?

If you are left perplexed and don't feel like you are ready to deal with your child's sleep issues alone please contact a physician, sleep center, or me.

And Our Winner is...

Tracy!
Congratulations- you will love the bag!

Travel on the Go: Graco Infant Travel Bed

Traveling with a baby? In search of a compact sleep solution?

Graco makes an Infant Travel Bed that is great for travel, nap time out or whenever you need a place to put your baby to bed. It is very compact- ideal for airplane travel as well as an already loaded car. It weighs under 5 pounds and has nice shoulder strap for comfort. You could also easily pack it in a larger suitcase. It is wipeable and comes with two removable, washable sheets and is extremely easy to assemble. This bed could serve your sleep-on-the-go needs until your baby is 5-6 months and/or the baby starts rolling/pushing up... I suggest keeping it on the floor for safety purposes.

Hotels, Grandma's, Sleep Overs: Sleeping Bags for your Little Ones

This summer you are going to grandma's house, you are staying at a hotel in San Diego, you are having friends visit from Oklahoma and need some extra "beds" for the kids. It is amazing how a good, cozy sleeping bag can make the kids feel special wherever you are going and provide them with a comfortable place to sleep. This doesn't have to be a bag that is geared up for camping- ready for 40 degree or 20 degree conditions. It just has to be cozy- and if it is a fun fabric that your child gets to choose or your child likes that is all the better!

I reviewed a couple options that really are great and will make your child feel special in their "travel bed" while you are on vacation or wherever you need some extra "beds".
Land's End has a Kid's Sleeping Bag Set that is 26x66 and comes in Soft Jade Horse, Pearl Pink Floral, or Light Sea Blue Stripe. Great prints for boys and girls! It is a soft 100% cotton with 100% polyester fill. This cozy, cute bag comes with a coordinating pillow case and storage bag. I love that it comes with the matching pillow case! It is nicely quilted and very comfy- my kids love it. It needs to be commercial washed. The bag costs $59.50 and is worth the money. (They also have a Kids' Percale Applique Sleeping Bag in 3 colors).

Pottery Barn Kids has two great options. First, they have the adorable McKenna Sleeping Bag. It is 26x66 has a zipper closure with Velcro ties to secure it in a roll for storage. It is made out of organic cotton fabric in a "vintage floral print on a pink background with solid pink liner" and keeps your little girls cozy and warm. It feels like you are wrapped in a down comforter. My daughter just took hers to an evening movie night (it was in the
mid-50s outside) and stayed nice and toasty. The pretty fabric makes
any girl feel special.This bag can be machine washed on cold and dried on low heat. This bag costs $89.

Second, they have the Sawyer Sleeping Bag. It is also 26x66. It is made out of a nylon, polyester, microfiber blend with a soft cotton twill liner in "yarn dyed buffalo chick". It comes in red, navy, and chocolate. It is extremely soft- much like the feel of a microfiber suede fabric. My son has a chocolate brown bag- he will get it out of the closet and
lay on the floor in our room in the morning and read books- very sweet.
It has reinforced zippers with velcro ties to secrue the roll. It can be machine washed on cold and dried on low. It is also $89.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: How do you share a hotel room with kids?

A: Over the years, I have shared many hotel rooms with my children. I have had some good experiences and some bad experiences. Now, I have my set criteria on what the hotel must have for me to even go. I will seriously stay home and not attempt it if we can't meet my criteria. May seem selfish- but honestly- why go on a vacation if it is going to be miserable and no one is going to sleep.

Here are my criteria and some tips for making it work for you:

• Get a suite or two adjoining rooms- splurge or go to a hotel where all the rooms are suites. This is necessary unless you want to go to sleep when your kids do. Use the extra room to watch a movie, invite friends over, or just hang out in after the kids go to sleep.
  
• Use the bathroom as an extra bedroom- I have found that most bathrooms fit a pack n play if you go in, close the door and set it up. You can also unscrew the light bulb so just the fan stays on and you have a built-in white noise machine. Another added benefit of the bathroom is that they are dark!
  
• If you don't use the bathroom you can use the little hallway that leads to the entrance. Make sure you put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door whenever anyone is sleeping. I also like to use the extra lock feature for added safety.
• Decide if you want to bring a pack n play or if you are going to use a hotel crib- love the convenience of the hotel crib but many times they don't have bumpers and my kids legs end up getting caught in the bars. If they are used to their pack n play it may be an easier transition to sleep as well.
  
• Have older kids practice sleeping in the same room a few times before you kiss them goodnight.
  
• Try to keep things as similar to home as possible: same sound spa, same favorite blanket or stuffed animal, same bedtime routine if possible (it is vacation so things will vary- but try).
  
• Close the big curtains- hotel rooms are made to be nice and dark which is a huge benefit!
  
• Get a room on the first floor- in front of the pool if possible. This makes it easy to lug your luggage in, easy for room access, you can leave your stuff out there if it is nap time, you can sit on the patio and still enjoy being outside and around people during nap time or in the evening.

*A real indulgence- bring along a babysitter!!

Baby Sleeping Bag Discounts and Give-a-way!!

This past Monday I reviewed four potential baby sleep bags. Here are some discounts from the companies for my wonderful, LullabyLuna readers, and a special MerinoKids contest.

Merino Kids Sleep Bag Merino Kids is offering a Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag in your choice of French Navy or Fairy Rose Pink (a $117 value). To enter the contest visit www.babysleepbags.com to answer this question: "What makes the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag safer for your baby?". Answer in the comments section of this post (please include your email or make sure to check back on Tuesday for who the winner is- if it is you email me). I will draw for the winner this coming Tuesday. (Pass it onto friends)


Lullabag is offering readers a 15% discount until June 15th. Discount code: LL-52009

Dreambag is having a summer sale- 20% off any purchase- visit their site.

Article Review Day 12: Summary of the Study

You may think, "Hmm, my kids don't get that much sleep but I don't think they are tired. They don't yawn much, or fall asleep in the car or at school. And they have so much energy at night! How could they be tired?"

Well, according to the Sleep in Infants article by Davis, Parker, and Montgomery and my observations, "children often manifest symptoms that are paradoxical to sleepiness such as irritability, hyperactivity, short attention span, and low tolerance for frustration." Now, you may be thinking, "That sounds like my child." Let's remember that 1 in 4 children has some sort of sleep problem. "These indicators are often overlooked because children may have a long history of these symptoms or they may be mild in nature."

As parents, educators, people in contact with parents and children, we need to advocate for the importance and necessity of sleep. "Considerable clinical and anecdotal evidence supports an association between sleep loss and resultant cognitive and behavioral changes. Children's emotional and behavioral problems often significantly improve when underlying sleep problems are identified and rectified resulting in the attainment of adequate amounts of sleep. Furthermore, several studies have found a link between typical symptoms of inadequate sleep in children and symptoms characteristic of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)."

So, think again before thinking "Sleep, Shmeep". This is serious stuff- just increasing the amount of sleep our children receive could change our child's behavior, performance at school, emotional well-being, decrease kids accidents and injuries, and even answer some of the unanswerable questions regarding ADHD.

Product Review: Baby Sleep Bags

Even though baby sleep bags have been used for the last 25 years and are the norm in many European countries, I was not familiar with the "baby sleep bag" until I started to look for something that would work to keep babies warm while camping. I wanted something that would be like a sleeping bag with the goal of keeping them warm and be safe. Low and behold, I came across the baby sleep bag- not designed for camping specifically, but for keeping babies warm in their own beds. The baby sleep bag actually promotes safe sleep by taking the place of blankets that could be dangerous to a baby or toddler and allows the child to move around naturally in their bed avoiding getting caught up in blankets. It encourages back sleep (although my daughter will sleep on her tummy too) reducing SIDS risk factors and increasing safer sleep. They are made to keep a child at a comfortable temperature all night long making for better sleep. They are also safe because a baby can't slip down into them.

The sleep bag can be useful in a crib, while camping, some in a car seat, or wherever your child needs to sleep with extra warmth. And just like any commonly used sleep "extra" that triggers the thought "It is time for bed" a sleep bag can do that too. On first look, you may think the large size and length is odd (I did), but it provides for greater movement, and air circulation, so the baby does not overheat. As your baby grows up, starts standing in her crib, and just moving more overall, you can see the necessity for the size. My one year-old daughter can even walk around in hers.

A sleep bag is worn over pajamas. You will need to decide on the weight of the pajamas based on the temperature of your sleep environment. I reviewed four bags- many have similar characteristics, but you will have to decide which is best for you and your situation. I highly recommend trying one before you decide to throw a blanket in the crib for extra warmth.

MerinoKids Baby Sleep Bag

The Merino Sleep Bag comes in very cute prints and sizes for ages 0-4 years. It goes on easily and is made from a thin, soft fabric that wears well. It is a year-round sack. It is perfect for sleep environments of 65 to 75 degrees. They also have a winter weight bag for sleep environment temperatures of 59 to 68 degrees. You wear pajamas under, and Merino suggests avoiding synthetic fabrics that don't release heat or moisture. Merino Kids' New Zealand Merino wool fabric is unique to other sleep bags. It is made of natural merino fabric that readily absorbs and releases moisture to warm and cool a child and regulate their body temperature so they don't overheat or wake up cold as the temperature in their room changes through the night. For sleeping in a stroller or car seat it comes with a safety belt aperture. Another unique element of this bag is that besides being made of natural material, it is naturally fire resistant. You might think- wool? Allergies? Washing? I don't know? Well, it is allergy safe and can be machine washed. Another plus, is that Merino wool is naturally resistant to stains and odors and so washings can be less frequent if the bag is left to air.

Cost: Even though the MerinoKids baby sleep bag is pricier-$119- than other sleep bags it can be used for a long time, is all natural, and has the special attributes of Merino wool. They come sized for newborn to 24 months or 2-4 years. That is a lot of use out of one bag with some unique features.



Camping tip: Try the winter weight bag with one or two layers of warm pajamas underneath depending on conditions.

Mom Story: "Both of my children sleep in the toddler-size Merino Kids sleep sacks
and love them. They are reluctant to take them off in the morning and
will sit happily playing in them. My children started with the Merino
Kids Baby Sleep Bag from the newborn age. and it was a natural
progression for them to move to the toddler-size."

Grobag Sleep Bags

"A Grobag Baby Sleep Bag is a wearable blanket that will keep your baby at a comfortable temperature all night long." The Grobag comes in different "togs" for different seasons as well as a variety of different colors and patterns. It is made out of 100% polyester fiber batting and is surrounded by 100% cotton. It has a full length zipper and zipper guard so zippers don't touch skin. It comes with a 2-way zipper on the front and back that works with stroller harnesses and 5-point harnesses. It is machine washable. Check out the Grobag site for some other safety tips while using your Grobag. Grobag is very interested in sleep safety and has partnered with the FSID (Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths).

Cost:$40



Camping tip: Try the 2.5 tog with 1-2 layers of warm pajamas underneath depending on conditions.

Mom Story: "I was given a Grobag when my son was three years old. We had previously not used anything like a baby sleep bag. Even though he was older and slept in a bed, he often woke up cold from kicking off all of his covers. Once, we started using the Grobag (which did take a week or so to get used to) he stopped waking up at night and woke up warm."

Lullabag by cloud b
"The LullaBag is a sleep bag that is specifically
designed to help babies sleep through the night.
With the LullaBag, baby stays at a constant comfortable
temperature, which greatly improves the quality
and duration of baby’s sleep, not to mention
Mom and Dad’s! Because the LullaBag promotes
back sleep and replaces loose bedding, it is a
safer way to put baby to sleep- reducing certain
risk factors associated with SIDS." It comes in two sizes: birth-9 months and 9-18 months. It comes in soft materials with simple embroidery or plain: Lightweight Cotton, Deluxe Fleece, Pointelle Cotton, or a New Bamboo material that is coming out this month. All bags the have a Polyester Innerfill.

Cost: $32-36



Camping tip: Try the Pointelle Cotton with 1-2 layers of warm jammies underneath depending on conditions.

Mom Story: "We live in a cold house; we only have wall heaters. After having my baby, I started searching for something that would keep him warm, so I wouldn't have to worry so much. I knew blankets were an unsafe choice. I ran across the Lullabag and have used it for the past couple weeks. It has been great and kept him warm."

Dreambag

The Dreambag comes in a variety of fresh prints with the goal of keeping baby safe and warm as he sleeps. It comes in 3 togs for the different warmth needs and 3 sizes (0-6 months, 6-18 months, and 18-36 months). The material all feels nice to the touch. The outside is 65% poyester and 35% cotton, the inner padding is 100% polyester, and it has a 100% cotton lining. It too can be machine washed.

Cost: $45-50



Camping tip: Try the 2.5 Tog with 1-2 layers of warm jammies underneath depending on conditions.

Mom Story: "I am always worried about my baby when we go camping- she sleeps in a little baby tent deal which is great. But, even with two layers of pajamas on, she doesn't stay warm all night. I tried using the Dreambag with a pair of warm pajamas the last time we went camping and it made a huge difference!"