Baby nests: everything you need to know
The first time I heard of a baby nest, outside the context of a little bird, it was 2017. I was pregnant and reading through a list of ‘must-have’ baby products in the comments of an Instamum’s post. The Sleepyhead came up time and time again. Parents called it a lifesaver and an absolute essential. Then in 2018, the Lullaby Trust deemed them unsafe. So should you get one? Are they safe? And why are they still so popular? Here’s everything you need to know.
What are baby nests?
Also called baby pods, sleep pods and sleeping pods, they are like a little cocoon for your baby to sleep in. They consist of a base mattress with wraparound padded sides. The original baby nest is the Sleepyhead (now called DockATot). This was the brainchild of the Swede, Lisa Furuland Kotsianis. She wanted to create something comforting and womb-like for her babies. The assumption is that these sides make your baby feel as happy and secure as they did in utero. Which is great, unless they hated being in the womb. But to discover that they’d have to do a womb regression later on. (Yes, that’s really a thing.)
Are baby nests safe?
Not according to The Lullaby Trust. They are a British charity set up to promote safer sleep for babies in an effort to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In 2018 they published a report stating babies should only ever sleep on a firm, flat surface and that baby nests do not meet these criteria.
However, as they are relatively new, there has not yet been direct research into the safety of these pods. We do know that there has never been a death or injury caused by a baby nest in the UK. In the USA, between 1997 and 2011, there were 13 deaths due to sleep positioners. Most of these were after the baby had been positioned on their side.
There is a small but significant difference between positioners and nests. Sleep positioners, as the name suggests, keep the child in a certain position with a strap or wedge. An example of a sleep positioner is the Cocoonababy and the Babymoov Cosydream.
The Lullaby Trust still insists that the surface a baby sleeps on must be firm and entirely flat. They cite a study in the U.S. that showed a soft surface increased the risk of SIDS by five times. A soft surface was defined as the baby’s head sinking down one inch or more.
A baby in a Cocoonababy.
how to use a baby nest safely
Firstly, make sure it has a firm mattress. Your baby’s head should not sink down more than a few millimetres and you should check regularly that their face is not up against the side padding. The baby’s feet should be placed at the bottom of the nest.
Obviously, your baby should always be placed on their back. This is the most significant thing you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS, whether the baby is in a cot, nest or you are co-sleeping.
If you need to cover your baby for warmth, use a sleeping bag. This is because there is not really anywhere to tuck a blanket in and loose covers may go over your baby’s head. Check regularly that they are not overheating. Do this by touching the back of their neck or chest. It should not feel hot and sweaty. Try and keep the room temperature at 16ºC-20ºC.
The nest should always be on a firm, flat, stable surface from which there is no possibility that the nest or baby can fall. Ideally, keep it on the floor. And while they may be very portable, never carry a nest with a baby in it.
CAn baby nests be used for overnight sleeping?
It’s best to use baby nests just for daytime naps so they can be supervised. I have to admit that my son slept at night in a Sleepyhead in the bed next to me for the first few months and then in a Sleepyhead in a bedside crib. I’m not sure I would risk it now that I know more. But sometimes you have to weigh up the risks and then take the right decision for you. My son would only sleep on me or in a Sleepyhead so I decided the baby nest was the safer option. I was probably too sleep-deprived to find another solution. I am also a non-smoker, wasn’t drinking alcohol and was breastfeeding - all of which reduce the chances of SIDS.
Two of the most popular baby nest brands are DockATot (formerly Sleepyhead) and Purflo. Here is what Dockatot say about their newborn nests and overnight sleeping.
Deluxe+ docks are not intended for overnight sleep.
You should always supervise your baby in the dock, whether awake or asleep.
Purflo call their nest a ‘baby bed’ as it has been certified for unsupervised, overnight sleeping from birth. This has been certified by a UKAS-approved laboratory. So if you want to use some kind of nest at night - this is the only one where it is considered safe to do so.
Definitely not a safe, flat surface.
are there any other pros and cons of baby nests?
Yes. Here’s one of each.
PRO: As well as being cosy, comforting places for your baby they are really good for tummy time. Put your baby on their front with their armpits over the rounded padded end and their arms out in front of them.
CON: It might be annoying if your baby becomes overly dependent on a baby nest. While they are light, they are quite cumbersome and I wouldn’t want to take one on holiday, for example. Although you can buy a travel bag for the DockATot.
What are the best baby nests to buy?
As already mentioned, two of the main brands are DockATot (formerly Sleepyhead) and Purflo. They are both companies that specialise in sleep products. Koo-di sell a wide variety of baby products and now a breathable nest is available. Here are the products from these companies that are suitable for newborns.
DockATot Deluxe+
When can it be used? The Deluxe+ can be used from birth until 8 months old. It is not recommended for overnight sleeping.
Features: Air permeability and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 certification materials. Available in a variety of colours and patterns.
Is it washable? Yes, every part of the Deluxe+ is washable. The covers can be machine washed and the padding can be hand washed.
Spare covers: These are available to buy.
Accessories: As well as the travel bag, you can also buy a Cabana Kit. This is a UV50+ SPF protection shade with a protective bottom sheet and foldaway mosquito net. You can also get a toy arch, which turns the nest into an activity gym.
Koo-di day dreamer breathable nest
When can it be used? This nest can be used from newborn up until six months old. It is not suitable for overnight sleeping, just for supervised naps.
Features: It has breathable mesh and air permeable base and sides. Designed for maximum ventilation and heat regulation. 100% cotton cover. Can be folded. Comes with a travel bag. Available in different colours and prints. Award-winning.
Is it washable? Yes, the cover can be machine washed.
Spare covers: Yes, spare covers are available for £27.00.
Purflo Sleep Tight Baby Bed
When can it be used? This can be used from birth until 8 months old. It has been certified for unsupervised overnight sleeping from birth.
Features: It has a firm, flat, waterproof base and firm, breathable sides, which make it suitable for overnight sleeping. It also has a fully breathable base, to help regulate your baby’s temperature.
Is it washable? Yes, the cover is machine washable. The mattress base can be wiped clean.
Spare covers: These are available to buy.
Sustainability: The filling of the bed is sustainably sourced. It is made from Dupont™ Sorona®. This has a unique molecular structure and contains 37% plant-based ingredients.
These nests and baby bed were chosen after research into the best-selling, award-winning, most-recommended and best-reviewed baby nests. If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
Hopefully, all this information will enable you to make a decision as to whether you choose to buy a baby nest. Despite safety concerns, they are still very popular and 30% of our Get Get Got panel used one with their newborn baby. What do you think? Will you buy one? Did you use one? Let us know in the comments below.