When I was pregnant, I was undecided between a pump by Avent or one of the many Medela pumps. After asking my mummy friends, I decided to purchase the Medela Swing, a single electric pump. I was tempted to get the Freestyle which is an electric double pump but I had no idea what this baby was going to be like. Was baby even going to take to breast feeding? So therefor, would it be worth investing that much money when I wasn’t sure of the outcome.

I was originally going to get the Mini Electric and then decided I would spend a little bit more and invest in the Swing and I am really glad I did!

The pump has been following me everywhere – to work events, to shopping malls, to other people’s homes on play dates. Yes, I’ve been pumping (as much as I can) for my little milk monster at home.

What I love about the Medela Swing…

• The 2-phase expression is absolutely wonderful! It mimics the sucking of a baby to stimulate more milk production.
• It is quiet so the whole world won’t hear when your pumping.
• It is portable and you can opt to use batteries or electric. Perfect for busy mums who are always on the go.
• Simple to use, wash, and assemble.
• You have an option to convert it into a double-pump. DIY yourself and refer to the Medela Youtube video. It is very simple.

Alternatively, drop into Just Kidding for some friendly advice before deciding on which pump would suits you best.

I had used a cheaper model in the past and not been able to pump enough. Now, I have no doubt that for the last few weeks I have been using this pump and obtained vast amounts of milk it could simply be coincidence. Perhaps over-full boob, right time of day, etc . However there does seem to be something that it does that the other pump does not. Maybe it’s the funnel part which is all soft and warm and feels nicer than the rigid, avent funnel; perhaps it’s the way that they’ve designed this pump is so that you don’t have to lean forward (awkwardly I might add) or it could be the type of suction, long sucks rather than shorter sucks, that make me so happy.

I haven’t figured out why! I just know this pump floats my milk expressing boat!!

Love, Helly x

Pretty positive this will be my most used baby apparatus – Ever!

I have used it multiple times a day, almost every day in fact since we came home from City Hospital. Never has something been recommended to me so many times, by so many different people and never have I recommended a product to so many people in return!

The Sleepyhead Deluxe is a fabric-covered “pod” marketed as a deluxe portable baby bed. It has a flat bottom section with a firm bumper around the edge that cocoons you’re baby. The pod is breathable, the filling in the pod and mattress has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and the cover is 100% cotton and machine-washable and honestly – It has been in and out of my washing machine like a yoyo with no troubles.

What does the Sleepyhead actually do?

Listening to thousands of happy reviews by parents online then it’s the one stop sleep shop for newborn babies. It’s a convenient sleep solution because it’s portable, and you can put the baby down in it safely whether it’s on the living room floor as you catch up on some work (catching up slowly) or next to you on the bed as you catch up on some well deserved sleep!

I know so many Mother’s who have said that their babies will sleep soundly in their arms, but become restless when placed into the crib. The Sleepyhead seems to have solved that problem.

 I must admit that before I had Fiadh-Belle I honestly couldn’t see what all the fuss was about when it came to the Sleepyhead – I had my bedside crib and couldn’t imagine that I would need anything else. After deciding to put the Sleepyhead into the bedside crib (just to make everything a bit more snug) I feel annoyed I didn’t have it on Cadhla-Rose and Aoibhie. People could say that Fiadh-Belle would have started to be more settled anyway at a certain week but the difference in sleep was almost instant. No problems with placing her down – it felt much more natural popping her into something cosy than straight into the cot and I loved that the bumper around her made a comfy rest for my arm so that I could pop in her dodi (pacifier) or stroke her if she stirred.

Even after having two little’s previous and assuming I now “knew it all” I was confused by new baby items on the market that “I must buy or else!” It was frustrating trying to figure out what would actually be needed and what was a fad!

After using the Sleepyhead non-stop since January. This is what I have found…

PROS

• It seems to help babies settle, perhaps because they feel more secure!? I’ve been told that in hospitals they sometimes use rolled up towels inside the cots of premature babies to reduce the size of the space and make it more snug. So it makes sense that a baby would feel secure inside it.
• The fact that it is portable. Perfect for expat life, you can even buy a sleepyhead bag if you want to keep your suitcase space.
• My favorite is that it works well inside the bedside cribs. FYI the Sleepyhead fits perfectly into my baby bay crib (another love of mine which happens to be on sale in Just Kidding at the moment) and clips to my bed very easily.

CONS

Thinking very hard about the cons (because I am now a total Sleepyhead convert) so I guess they’re not truly cons, but it will depend on your point of view.

• Firstly, you could say that it is quite pricey for what it actually is, which is a long piece of mattress, a flat piece of mattress and a cotton cover. The spare covers are also pricey and you really need at least one spare. You are paying for the idea and the convenience. There is no way I would have thought up something so creative. I’ve seen comments from people (who haven’t bought one) saying they could easily create a version of the Sleepyhead. I certainly would prefer to purchase an all in one product that has been through all the appropriate safety steps than spend hours rolling blankets and towels in an effort to make something that resembles this product.
• Secondly – (and lastly) I’m not convinced that the Sleepyhead will last the full eight months. It’s marketed as being suitable from 0-8 months but looking at Fiadh-Belle (10weeks now) and quite tall and chunky for her age I am currently not convinced we will get to 8months? I can undo the clasp at the bottom of the pod to give more room when she becomes taller. However there is a “Grand” version and I will 100% be buying that when it is needed regardless of the cost. After all… Who can put a price on sleep?!

Has anyone else used the Sleepyhead? What did you think? At what baby age did your little love stop using it? Can you add any Pros or Cons to our list? Comments below, please!

Disclaimer: I was able to write this in bed whilst Fiadh-Belle happily slept in her Sleepyhead!

It just so happens to be on sale at the moment at Justkidding! Click here to purchase!

Happy Sunday…

Love, Helly xx