Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ® — The A-B-C’s of Sleep

The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ® was designed by Pediatric Physical Therapist and mother of four, Maureen Howard. It was created with the ABC’s of Sleep in mind: Alone, on the Back, in the Crib.

The Magic Sleepsuit is patented swaddle transition product that provides babies with a cozy, calming and safe sleep environment. 

It is designed to muffle the reflexive startles of babies to aid in their sleep.  We have teamed with The Sleep Lady, Kim West, to answer the most common questions parents have when choosing the Magic Sleepsuit.

• When to use it
• How to fit it
• Recommended use and guidelines
• Transitioning out of the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ®

When Do I Introduce the Magic Sleepsuit?

The Magic Sleepsuit is designed to be introduced when babies are transitioning out of the swaddle, typically around 3 months of age.  Babies typically show signs that they are ready to move on from the swaddle.  The timing of introduction is one of the most important factors in the proper use and success of the Magic Sleepsuit. 

The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for a specific developmental window. If introduced too early (when baby should still be swaddled) or too late (when they have been out of the swaddle for a while and are ready for more freedom of movement) it will not be the right match.  

Want to know more about newborn and baby sleep?
Read: Newborn Sleep Schedule: What You Can Do for Some Sleep

How is the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ® Supposed to Fit?

The fit of the Magic Sleepsuit is the other key factor to its effectiveness and safety.  The Magic Sleepsuit has to fit properly so the baby should be at least at the minimum weight of 12 lbs. and at the right developmental stage as described above.  Our weight ranges are guidelines since all babies are different shapes and sizes.  We recommend parents judge based on the size clothing their baby is currently wearing. 

We don’t recommend sizing up with the Magic Sleepsuit since if it is too big, it will not do what it is intended to, and for safety reasons, it should not be so big that a baby could wiggle out of it and have something loose in the crib. Some signs that it is too big – baby can pull knees up into the body of the Magic Sleepsuit, baby can slides arms out of the openings or shoulders are popping out of neckline, zippers are up near the face/chin. 

The scooped neck is designed to keep fabric away from baby’s face, so when it fits properly the zippers should lie on the upper chest.  We tell customers they are always welcome to email us pictures of their babies in their Magic Sleepsuit and we will gladly give them sizing feedback.

The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is designed to be introduced when babies are transitioning out of the swaddle, which is typically around 3 months of age.

How Can I Safely Use the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ® ?

The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit ® is designed and recommended for back sleeping in the crib, the recommended safe sleep position for babies.  It is not recommended for co-sleeping, in the Rock N Play, or the DockaTot.  It is not recommended for side sleeping, tummy sleeping or inclined sleeping.  It should be used in a crib free of anything else such as blankets, positioners, stuffed toys, etc. 

The baby’s room should be at the recommended temperature — which is on the cooler side.  Like with any sleep product, parents need to make sure their baby is at a comfortable temperature.  We suggest just a diaper, onesie or a one layer cotton pajama. 

Do you have your baby in your room? For all the latest sleep recommendations for newborns,
Read: Room Sharing For The First Year: Is It Right For You?

We do not recommend anything more than one layer of cotton for breathability. Parents should monitor their baby’s comfort level by feeling their chest or back — hands and feet often feel cold and are not a good measure of body temperature. 

When first using the Magic Sleepsuit, parents may want to try it for a nap first to help judge how to best dress their baby under the Magic Sleepsuit.  Babies should not feel clammy or sweaty at all.  The hands and feet are open for heat dissipation and ventilation. 

Get the sleep help your family need with one-on-one help with a certified, trained Gentle Sleep Coach.

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Will My Baby Be Too Hot in the Magic Sleepsuit?

Even though The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit has some fabric thickness, it is designed with open hands and feet to for heat dissipation and ventilation. We often tell parents to think about the number of layers they were using with a swaddle — onesie plus pajama, plus multiple layers of a swaddle — and that the Magic Sleepsuit really isn’t any more than that, just all in one product.

As long as the baby’s room is kept at the AAP recommended temperature and a baby is dressed properly underneath, the Magic Sleepsuit can be used no matter the season. Like with any sleep product, parents need to make sure their baby is at a comfortable temperature.  We suggest just a diaper, onesie or a one-layer cotton pajama. 

The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit is designed to muffle the reflexive startles of babies to aid in their sleep

How Do I Transition Out Of The Magic Sleepsuit?

The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for a specific developmental window from swaddle transition until babies are ready for more freedom of movement. The exact age varies from baby to baby. The older they get, the more their reflexive startles diminish so they don’t need the Magic Sleepsuit physiologically the way they do as younger babies. 

We tell parents to look for signs that the baby is starting to “fight” the Magic Sleepsuit. This is similar to the way they start to fight the swaddle. They will squirm, scoot, try to roll while in the Magic Sleepsuit. These are all signs that they are ready for the next developmental stage of having more freedom of movement in their sleep, so you want to give it to them by transitioning them out.  

When making the transition, some parents (including myself) have layered some cotton pajamas with a sleeper (or sleepsack) on top (depending on the temperature, of course). This gives a little fabric thickness similar to the Magic Sleepsuit and still allows the baby to wear their warmth and keeps the crib free of anything loose, as recommended.

Typically, if babies are transitioned out of the Magic Sleepsuit when they are ready, the transition goes smoothly.

When it’s time to sleep coach, know all about The Shuffle. 
Read: The Sleep Lady Shuffle: How to Gently Sleep Train your Baby

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