Why the Bear Wrap isn’t for sleep

We sell a soft, hooded fleece wrap for babies, and we tell everyone not to let their baby sleep in it. Here’s why.

What safe sleep looks like

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ advice is consistent: babies sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface of their own, with nothing soft around them. Two more points apply directly to anything like our wrap. Avoid overheating. And keep the head uncovered: no hats indoors once you’re home from hospital.

Why a hood matters

Overheating is linked to a higher risk of sudden infant death. Thick fleece and a hood, on a sleeping baby nobody is watching, is the opposite of what that advice asks for. Product-safety regulators in the UK and Ireland have warned about hooded plush baby sleep bags for this reason.

So what is it for?

Being awake. Arms, prams, walks, the doorstep photo. An adult is there and can see the baby’s face the whole time.

When they nod off anyway

They will; fresh air does that. Take the hood off their head and open the front. When you’re home, move them to their own sleep space without the wrap.

Source: the AAP’s guide to safe sleep. Our own short version is on the safe use page.