Is it possible to introduce the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap to an older baby over 12 – 18 months?

Yes, provided positive, relaxed, skilled settling skills are used together with the introduction of the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap. In our experience it takes at the most six sleeps for babies aged around 9 months of age and older to like and benefit from the Sleepwrap sensation when used consistently and with loving, nurturing parenting skills.

Using ‘education through play’ with a favourite toy in a relaxed way with older babies has proven to be very effective. See https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0223/2655/files/Transition.pdf?18266022899632035649                                                                                        

Significantly the Sleepwrap is designed to ‘help’ settle and reassure baby and also to give parents a few extra moments to attend to their waking baby. It seems the sensation of being ‘held’ often helps both young and older babies to settle, including during the developmental stage of standing up. Therefore after all loving parenting settling skills have been deployed and baby is relaxed and lying down, some mothers use shushing and/or the same soft piece of music or white noise and gently but firmly (without playfulness or too much eye contact) gently place their hand on baby’s torso for a few moments to help them settle. Then after a few moments leave their older baby to find his/her desired sleep position. For easy, practical sleep tips see our Baby Wisdom book - https://www.safetsleep.com/products/baby-wisdom-book?variant=19770021061

If your baby is a little ‘Jack-in-the-box’ simply repeat the loving firm scenario just deployed. You can use this ‘broken record’ technique until baby settles, eventually consistency will win provided all other needs have been met. https://www.safetsleep.com/collections/sleepwrap-baby-swaddles

Although the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap was ‘originally’ designed for babies 7months of age and older, it has been used extensively since 1992 to help prevent young babies creeping into dangerous and potentially suffocating positions, which are largely the cause of Cot Death/SIDS/SUDI.

The Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap was invented and developed by Miriam Rutherford-van Gisbergen for her own children, a mother with a nursing background having nursed a beautiful 10 ½ month old little boy who became permanently severely brain damaged after climbing and falling from his cot/crib. See FAQ#2.

For many babies in the ‘learning to stand’ stage (around 7months old and upwards) there is an approximate period of six weeks where the brain doesn’t relay how to sit or lie down again. This is a period which is very difficult for parents and caregivers as sleep patterns also become disrupted and when most climbing and falling injuries occur. Statistically in most ‘developed’ countries nearly one in seven 0-2year olds who are hospitalised from falls are from cot/crib and bed falls (even cots on low settings and low beds).

Hundreds of thousands of caring parents and carers worldwide choose to introduce newborn and older babies to the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap and little HEADwedge for the following reasons:

https://www.safetsleep.com/collections/all-safe-t-sleep-products

A. Safe sleep for baby, extra comfort, security at home. Convenience and ease of visiting or travelling with baby: The Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap  is the most practical, compact, economical addition OR alternative to a portable cot – literally a bed in a bag! – will fit around most mattresses anywhere in the world, and takes up a lot less space than a portable cot. Wonderful on boats, camper vans, holiday homes, caravans etc. So convenient for travelling, boating, visiting with babies from newborn-2years old. Warm in winter, cool in summer. https://www.safetsleep.com/collections/sleepwrap-baby-swaddles

B. More comfortable, restful, longer sleep for baby: See previous questions.

C. To help prevent Flat Heads ensure a nicely shaped head for baby with a Sleepwrap and little HEADwedge combo.

D. To help prevent cot/crib falls. Nearly one in seven babies aged 0-2years old, who are hospitalised from falls, are from cot/crib and bed falls. Low beds and having cot/crib sides down are often not enough to prevent serious injuries as it is ‘how’ baby falls. See: http://www.safetsleep.com/pages/product-knowledge

E. To help prevent cot/crib and bed accidents. Baby’s upto 12-18months of age: often only have a one-way-no-reverse-gear creeping ability, which often places them with head, legs or arms jammed into awkward, cold and/or dangerous positions.  Some often ending up underneath bedding or freezing cold without their covers on. Because the Sleepwrap will comfortably help secure the baby’s position in the bed (while still allowing flexible, natural movement) these often dangerous or simply awkward positions don’t tend to happen and babies sleep more restfully as well as more safely.

F. To help keep blankets on. Many babies love the feeling of being ‘tucked under’. Tuck a large sheet and/or breathable blanket right underneath the sides and bottom of the mattress. Then give the linen a little tug so as to allow natural feet movement. Consider the Safe T Sleep Baby Wisdom book on tips for better, safer swaddling and sleeping. https://www.safetsleep.com/products/baby-wisdom-book?variant=19770021061

G. Transitioning baby more easily from bassinet to cot/crib and then from cot/crib to ‘the big bed’.

H. To aid with safer sleep positioning in various medical situations and/or recovery, see http://www.safetsleep.com/pages/hospital-special-need-uses. Neonatal nurses and midwives observe babies to be physiologically very agile at a younger and younger age, some as young as just three weeks old! Prevention is always better than cure.

I. Ease of visiting or travelling with baby: The Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap product is the most practical, compact, economical addition and/or alternative to a portable cot – literally a bed in a bag! – will fit around mattresses anywhere in the world, and takes up a lot less space than a portable cot. Wonderful on boats, camper vans, holiday homes, caravans etc. So convenient for holidaying, travelling, boating, visiting and flying with babies from newborn-2years.

J. We are told that the Safe T Sleep Sleepwraps are fantastic on boats, where it is used with or without a leigh for newborn up to 5-6years old!  See: 

https://www.safetsleep.com/collections/sleepwrap-baby-wraps

http://www.safetsleep.com/blogs/news/tagged/boats  http://www.safetsleep.com/blogs/news/tagged/safe-sleep

K. Extra Peace of Mind for parents, grandparents and caregivers.