Sleeping and Swaddling

There are many suggestions for this aspect of the OI baby life.

Currently, Isaiah sleeps on a standard crib mattress (and loves it) that has a reflux wedge underneath of it. (Side note, we actually have two wedges.  One stays under the crib mattress and the other travels with us and Isaiah uses it for tummy time).  When Isaiah has a break, we pull out one of his old mattresses, and he sleeps on that for the first few nights of healing, but once he grows out of that, we'll get a standard foam mattress topper.

 This practice of using a standard crib mattress, adding a topper as needed, is common among many of us.  Many recommend a special foam called Geo-Foam.

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Don't forget our babies sweat a lot, so have a plan for switching things out at least daily.

I use sheet savers.  We had luckily inherited them from our friends and I just love them bc they just make life easier when it comes to sweat, drool, and the occasional leaky diaper.

I'll be honest though- I don't tie them down and I have it flipped 90 degrees so Isaiah is on the whole thing.  He's comfy cozy and his sheets last longer. ;-)

An amazing sheet that I didn't know existed is the QuickZip sheet, makes switching sheets out super easy!

One thing that many OI parents swear by is the Nap Nanny...but that got recalled.  whomp whomp.  This Daydreamer Sleeper is very similar and worth a place on your registry.

One spot Isaiah often slept was his swing.  I really padded the seat with receiving blankets though- it was a deep bucket and could cause compression fractures of the spine.

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When it comes to swaddling your baby....

Don't be afraid to do it.  It is a very comfortable way for them to rest, especially in the beginning.

When Isaiah was in the nicu, he was often swaddled with the flannel receiving blankets...and he sweat like crazy.

Get the muslin blankets! (Trust me!)

Halo Sleep Sacks , swaddle version, are an alternative if you are scared to swaddle (I was scared so they are what I used in the beginning).

 Get the cotton only; no fleece!  Seriously, you will look at the fleece and think how snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug your baby will be but in reality you will put your baby in there and he will sweat his face off.   And he won't sleep.  And you will both be cranky.  (Not that I speak from experience or anything...) Save yourself the money, the frustration, the storage space....just go with the cotton.  Especially the ones with the arm wraps. :)

More to come...updated: 11-4-14