Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit Review + FAQ
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Find yourself being woken at 3 a.m. every night by your tiny human? Being up all night doesn't have to be your new normal. With the right kind of baby gear, you and your little one can sleep soundly. At GoodBuy Gear, we like to give you the inside scoop on all of the products we sell, and when it comes to a product that can actually help babies sleep, we aren’t quiet about it.
Enter: the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. Said to be a miracle worker on your little one’s sleep schedule, but is it up to snuff? Our gear experts have tested and tried the Merlin Sleepsuit so you know exactly what you're getting. In our honest Merlin Sleepsuit review, we dive into that, plus how to transition into and out of the suit.
What Is the Merlin Sleepsuit and What Does It Do?
The Merlin Sleepsuit is a patented swaddle transition product designed to provide your little one with the same warmth and support that comes from swaddling, with the added freedom to move arms and legs as they wish. It was created to replicate the cozy feeling of a swaddle in order to aid in transitioning kiddos from a bassinet into a crib. The Magic Merlin Suit is designed to be introduced at around three months old, or when your little one is transitioning out of the swaddle and into a crib.
This Magic Sleepsuit was created by Maureen Howard, a Pediatric Physical Therapist and mom of 4. She created it for her own kids when they were struggling with sleeping for long periods of time during the swaddle transition.
Our Review of the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit
So, does this magic sleepsuit actually work, and is it worth the hype? We asked our in-house gear experts to give their honest Merlin Magic Sleepsuit review.
Key features:
- Scooped neckline to protect baby’s face
- Double zippers for easy changing
- Zipper covers to protect baby’s face
- Padded sleeves to muffle Moro reflex
- Sleeves are hands-free so baby can work on grasping and gripping
- Open feet to help with temperature regulation
- Outer layer is made of jersey cotton or microfleece
- The inner layer is made of polyfill
Things to keep in mind:
- While the double zippers help take baby in and out, it still takes some effort to remove their legs which could result in them waking up during a midnight diaper change
- Make sure your tiny human has a safe sleeping environment before using
- Baby Merlin recommends placing your kiddo in supine position for every sleep when using the sleepsuit
- Every baby is different and while many parents have said this helps their little one sleep better, it’s not the end-all be-all for a perfect night of sleep
Size options:
- Small: For babies 3-6 months or 12-18 lbs
- Large: For babies 6-9 months or 18-21 lbs
Although the sleep suit looks thick and warm, it’s very breathable and can be used year-round. Unlike a sleep sack, it’s designed with open hands and feet that regulate body temperature. We recommend putting baby in a onesie to keep them extra warm during winter or just a diaper during hot summer months. If you’re afraid of baby overheating, always check their temperature by feeling their back or stomach.
One of the best parts of this sleepsuit is that the padded sleeves are meant to muffle the Moro reflex—also known as the startle reflex. The Moro reflex is a normal reflex in a newborn that happens when they feel as if they are falling or startled by something like a loud noise. This can cause baby to wake up in the middle of the night—interrupting your sleep schedule as well. The padded sleeves prevent baby from waking up but also gives them the option to self-soothe so they sleep soundly throughout the night giving you peace of mind.
Is the Sleepsuit Safe?
Yes, the sleepsuit is safe for babies when paired with a safe sleeping environment. Always remember to contact your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns as every child is different.
Our Wingmoms agree, while this suit may not be a “magic” fix to your baby’s sleep, it is an awesome sleep tool. If you’re a tired parent looking to help your little one sleep better, this baby sleepsuit is a must-try.
When to Transition to the Merlin Sleepsuit
The Merlin Sleepsuit was designed to be introduced at around three months of age or when your little one starts to show signs they want to break out of the swaddle. However, you should always check with your pediatrician to determine the best time to transition baby from the swaddle to the sleep suit.
How Long Can You Use the Sleepsuit?
The sleepsuit is designed for babies 3-9 months of age. However, the Merlin team has said that your little one can use the Merlin sleepsuit as long as they're back sleeping comfortably while wearing it.
When to Transition Out of the Merlin Sleepsuit
When babies begin roll over and show that they are ready for more freedom of movement in their sleep while wearing the Magic Sleepsuit, it is time to transition them out. They typically show signs that they are ready to roll by moving onto their side or scooting around the crib.
When making the transition from the sleepsuit, some parents have layered cotton pajamas with a sleep sack on top (depending on the temperature, of course) to help mimic the feeling of the Sleepsuit.
Is the Merlin Sleepsuit Worth It?
Yes, the magic sleepsuit is worth a try if you’re having trouble getting baby to sleep through the night and want to transition them out of the swaddle.
It’s important to remember that every one of our children is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all advice for new parents. Children benefit from routine—especially a sleep routine. As soon as you find out what works best for you and your little one, try to stick to it the best you can. However, remember to not beat yourself up when occasional breaks from those sleep habits are necessary. Babies are resilient!
If you’re still on the fence about purchasing the sleepsuit, we hear you. Making an investment in a product for your tiny human is a difficult decision—you want to make sure it’s perfect. That’s why we offer quality baby products at affordable prices, so you can shop the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit risk-free.
We’re on a parenting journey with you and we’ve got the gear you need to help your little one reach their full potential. If you’re looking for other sleep essentials to help baby sleep through the night, check out our sleep collection.
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