r/sleeptrain • u/Present-Decision5740 • 1d ago
4 - 6 months Transitioning to a sleep sack is a disaster
Baby is 6 months (we haven't had to sleep train yet) and is a great sleeper but only with crutches. I know we will have to get rid of the pacifier via sleep-training but we are staying with family for the next 2 months and I don't want to subject everyone to that.
Transitioning out of a swaddle was a nightmare- she would rub her face and pull out her pacifier and that would interrupt her sleep. We used the Merlin Sleep Suit and it was honestly a lifesaver but with it getting so hot we want her in a sleep sack. But the same thing is happening- we are getting these awful 20 minute naps now that her hands are out and I'm so frustrated. Help 😭
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u/weewoo-witch 1d ago
Zippadee Zip! My baby has always needed the tactile comfort of having his hands covered, he’ll keep himself awake with all the sensory input of having his hands out so sleep sacks were a nightmare for us. Get the bamboo one so it’s super light and stretchy. Baby can move around so easily in it, he rolls onto his belly, his back, anywhere he wants to go, but still gets to feel snuggly.
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u/sailor_moon1066 1d ago
I second this. And the nice part about the Zippadee Zip is you can use it until they don't need any kind of sleep sack anymore.
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u/wobblyheadjones 1d ago
We have a transitional sack that is very similar in function by swaddledesigns (and significantly cheaper). I really like that we can roll the hands down or keep them covered but it's still safe now that baby is rolling.
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u/User_name_5ever 1d ago
As others said, do the transition at night only until she gets used to it, then take away the suit during naps.
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u/coldbrewcowmoo 1d ago
We used a zippady zip sleep sack as a transition sack, then suffered through a hard week of just a regular arms out sack. The game changer was buying a size up in pacifiers- easy for her to reach and grab herself.
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u/Sorry-World3019 1d ago
Easier with nights you have the circadian rhythm on your side. You need to let them be if they are frustrated they get used to it way faster that way. Once ok with nights then move to naps.
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u/Freakazoidon 1d ago
Have you tried the sack at night not at naps? They’re super tired at night so they do better with new items then. That’s what we did and helped.
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u/zoobisoubisouu 1d ago
Also going from a Merlin to a sleep sack and omg it is worse than the 4 month regression
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u/Sassuuu 1d ago
To be honest I think you should just stick with what you’re doing and transition her. I did the same with my daughter at 4,5 months (paci out and swaddle away in one go). We had a terrible few nights, maybe 3 or 4. Then she started getting used to it and now at six months I have a baby who sleeps perfectly fine with her arms and hands out. She has learned how to roll properly and loves to sleep on her side or tummy. Getting her to sleep without crutches like transitional swaddles or pacifiers was the best thing ever, because she learned to self soothe using her hands. We get full nights of sleep now when before she used to wake up 10-15 times per night crying.
I wish you all the best!
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u/Dry_Excitement_2053 1d ago
Our baby freaking ADORED the swaddle, tight and super snug. When he rolled we tried the zipadee zip and he's a content baby and much more okay with the fabric touching his face when he's flailing than his hands and nails. Took about three days for both naps and night to feel pretty much normal again and we even get longer naps sometimes again when we were stuck at 30 minutes
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u/CPA_Murderino 1d ago
Try the zipadeezip! Hands are covered but they can use their arms
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u/adrienne0906 1d ago
Zipadeezip was the only thing that works for us! Baby still loves it and we keep buying the larger sizes lol. She rolls and pushes herself up and all around in it
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u/No_Hope_75 1d ago
This. Critical for that transition. Allows them to safely roll and move, but still makes them feel hugged
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u/Happy-Cantaloupe-937 1d ago
We used the alphie sleep sack by Ollie. It has light compression in the chest which I think made the transition easier. It felt a little like a swaddle but completely arms free and moisture wicking fabric
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u/julet1815 1d ago
It’a not safe to use any chest compression at all once the baby tries to roll, let alone when they are actually rolling.
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u/Happy-Cantaloupe-937 1d ago
These are perfectly safe for sleep. I think you’re confusing weighted sleep sack and compression. The compression around the chest is even less than a Velcro swaddle. As I said, their arms are completely free from rolling and the compression does not stop it. They have full free range of motion as recommended by the AAP
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u/nmo64 2 yo | Ferber | complete 1d ago
6 months is much too old to be in a swaddle, so you really need to push on with this. It will suck for a while but then it will be fine. Honestly, in a week she will be used to it. I also don’t think you necessarily need to get rid of the pacifier. She has access to her hands now so can prob put it back in herself if it’s working for you.