The Zipadee-zip

This one got bumped to the top of my list because it really came to my rescue last week! 

The Zipadee-zip is a clever twist on the sleep sack to help babies sleep better.  It was designed as a transition for babies that struggle to stay asleep without a swaddle. The story is explained more in-depth on their website, but basically the zippy (as we call it) gives the baby boundaries for when they wake and feel like they're falling. Many have given rave reviews about how it instantly helps their baby sleep through the night, but I was not so lucky.  However, we still LOVE the zippy!

My son slept without a swaddle in our room (and sometimes our bed) after the first two months or so, but when the dreaded 4 month sleep regression wore me down, we decided to move him to his own room. The problem was, if he even cried for 30 seconds, he scratched his face so badly that it left scabs! He could get socks off of his hands, so I ordered the zippy out of desperation to keep him from hurting himself. For that purpose, it worked like a dream.  He very quickly learned to put himself to sleep, and I don't have to worry about what injuries he could inflict during my walk to his room for feedings overnight. It would have been nice for it to solve all of our night-waking problems, but I'm still a very satisfied customer.  He can roll around and grab his pacifier just like if his hands were uncovered. It's especially nice during the winter when we needed an extra layer. 

This past week, we were in New Orleans with my husband on business, and it was unusually cold while we were there.  I tried taking my son to do some sightseeing, but it was hard to keep him covered and warm (especially when I didn't expect that kind of weather). I often wear him in our ErgoBaby carrier, but his pants ride up, exposing bare leg, and once again, he wouldn't leave socks on his hands. Zippy to the rescue! 

We walked to dinner each night like this, and he was as content as could be. We had a beanie on his head, so all I had to worry about was his nose. I am so grateful for this bonus use of a product we already love and bring everywhere!

Pros: Hands (and nails!) covered for warmth or protection, covers whole body securely, safer than a blanket, helps baby feel secure, supports a small mompreneur business

Cons: a little pricy at about $37, hard to get quickly if out of stock, not available in stores

Tips for the Zipadee-zip if you're looking to buy one: 

-Sign up for email notifications from the company. They sell out of smalls and mediums as quickly as they restock. They'll let you know when they expect a restock so that you can be prepared. 

-Smaller is better.  You want it to be a little snug, and even at 9 months, my son still wears a small.

-If you have a friend who wants one, combine your order and split the shipping. They also offer discounts from time to time for ordering more than one!

-Singing Zipadee-doo-dah as you zip your baby up will make you both smile.  Ok, well us anyway :-)

Thanks for reading!