Sleepyhead Deluxe Review

I’ve been asked by a lot of new and expecting mums whether I think the Sleepyhead Deluxe is worth it’s price tag and my response is always the same – Abso-bloody-loutley!

In fact when it comes to a new baby and sleep there is no price too high, just ask any parents trying to survive on two hours sleep a night. Knowing now how much the Sleepyhead has helped us I would pay double, even triple the price because this thing really is priceless.

Whilst we were planning for baby’s arrival we kept looking at the Sleepyhead Deluxe, and I was adamant we didn’t need it and couldn’t possibly justify the price. It wasn’t until we were given an induction date that we decided to go for it.

Suddenly the reality that our baby girl was going to be born in 3 days lit a fire under our arses and we suddenly thought to ourselves, oh god! What if this thing is some sort of magic and we don’t get it.

We started using it from the moment we brought her home from hospital, and she slept in it for hours during the day. At first she was so tiny in it but she must have found the cushioned sides to be very comforting because she seemed to love it. We have used it every day since she was born and I honestly believe it is the reason she sleeps so well at night now that she is a little older.

The downside we faced was that it wouldn’t fit inside her Moses basket and boy she didn’t like sleeping in there at all. After about 4 weeks of trying to swaddle her (failing mostly) we gave up on the Moses basket altogether and bought a smaller cot that would fit in our bedroom and fit the Sleepyhead inside. What a difference! She started falling asleep much quicker and only waking up once in the night for a feed.

I genuinely believe too that the Sleepyhead is the reason we were able to move her to own room in her big cot at 6 weeks old, you see once she is inside the it, it doesn’t matter where you put it; she has slept perfectly in it on the sofa, on the floor, at friends houses, at my parents, wherever you lay it down that’s her bed, her safe cushioned cosy place.

We have also been very lucky to avoid the need to rock or soothe Amelia to sleep and I am sure the comfort of the Sleepyhead has played a role here. Every night she goes to bed awake, snuggled in the cushions and by the time Ewan the Dream Sheep has finished his cycle she is sound asleep. This is such a huge relief to me as a first time mum, I was so worried that I would accidently create a habit for her where she would need to be held or rocked or sat with until the fell sleep and I am delighted that this is not the case.

I am putting it all down to the Sleepyhead Deluxe (oh and Ewan the Dream Sheep but more on him in another post), it is THE best £110.00 we have ever spent!

Things I like about it:

• She sleeps, ultimately that is the reason for buying it. You want your baby to have somewhere soft, secure and comfortable to sleep in. The cushioned sides I think feel like they are being cuddled and if your baby sleeps well in it then it pays for itself in hours of sleep as far as I’m concerned!
• It’s 100% breathable, nothing is more scary to a parent than the thought that their baby can’t breathe freely during the night. The cushioned sides of the Sleepyhead are completely breathable which is a big worry off your mind.
• It’s portable, it has a handle at the top and side so you can carry it around (obviously not with baby in it). Chuck it in the car and take it with you, on holidays, to friends and family’s homes, wherever you’re going.
• It has multiple uses, it’s not just for sleeping. It can also be used for tummy time, or for providing a small relatively contained place to play in once your baby starts to sit up on their own.
• The cover is removable and machine washable, any little accidents needn’t ruin your investment, just chuck the cover in the wash and it’s good as new.

Things I don’t like about it:

• You can buy additional covers for it, some are really cute patterns but at around £50 (depending on the pattern) it’s a bit ridiculous given you have already paid £110 for the Sleepyhead Deluxe itself. To combat this we use an extra large aden + anais swaddle blanket to cover our. That way is any accidents don’t go directly on the white cover and you can just quickly change the sheet for a clean one.
• When you do wash the cover the whole thing comes apart and you can’t use it so you have to wash and dry the cover in one day – I’ve been hanging it in the airing cupboard to get it dry in time for her bedtime.
• The Sleepyhead Deluxe is only designed to last up to about 8 months or until your baby can’t lie down in it comfortably. Then, if you want to continue with the Sleepyhead journey you have to buy the next size up (the Sleepyhead Grande) which will set you back another £165 and should last from 8-36 months. I can see why they have done this as if a new born were placed in the larger size they would be so lost that it wouldn’t have the closeness that makes it so successful but it is a little painful on the bank account.

I hope this has been helpful if you are considering whether or not to invest in the Sleepyhead Deluxe, personally I would recommend it 1000% because it has worked for us! An absolute must have as far as I am concerned!

Rachel xx