How to stop using a sleep pod or nest

There are so many different sleep positioners, pods, nests etc. on the market. You might have heard of the Sleepyhead and DockATot brands, but there are many more available.

Like many things to do with sleep and parenting, these types of sleep supports can be a divisive topic.

As sleep consultants, we don’t recommend the use of these sleep items. Instead, we follow safe sleep guidelines which recommend ‘the safest place for a baby to sleep is a separate cot, crib or Moses basket, with a firm, flat, waterproof mattress’.

That said, we know many families do rely on these positioners and might feel nervous about removing them as they are worried about their little one taking a backward step with their sleep.

That is where we can help!

Are you thinking about getting rid of your sleep nest? Perhaps your baby has grown too big for it, or you have researched safe sleep guidance and have decided it’s time to get rid of it?

It can be a daunting prospect if your baby is sleeping fairly well, but it can only benefit your baby going forward to take steps to remove it sooner rather than later.

You will be able to relax knowing they are in a safe, clear cot and they will have the chance to practice moving around and making the most of their freedom. We all move around a bit to get comfy right? Babies don’t want to be restricted as they grow. As soon as they are able to roll, we need to allow them to practice this.

So how do we do this?

You can decide to take the nest/pod/positioner straight out and see what happens (baby might surprise you!), or you can use this gradual approach:

Step 1:

If your nest has an inner tube, take it out and put it under your baby’s sheet, or roll a towel into a sausage shape and put that under the sheet. This gives the feeling of the nest, but with a little more space than usual.

Step 2:

The next night move the sausage shape further out so that baby has a bit more space. This gives them a chance to get used to being able to move around a little more.

Step 3:

Remove the sausage! It’s time to go cold turkey. Baby WILL still sleep. It is not the pod that does this – babies are all born with the ability to sleep, it’s just been part of their sleep environment that they are used to.

You can see our Instagram video below to show you these steps in practice:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rosey Davidson (@just_chill_mama)

How can I help my baby sleep better?

We know that making changes to how and where our little ones sleep can feel a little daunting at times, but don’t panic. As our babies and toddlers grow and develop it is natural for their sleep needs and routines to develop too.

If you feel like you’re struggling with your little ones sleep, then we are here to help! Our online sleep courses include suggested schedules for every age & stage and guide you through how to create a routine that works for your baby or toddler’s current sleep needs. The key to finding a routine that works for your child is understanding their needs and how you can support them to get the sleep they need.

They cover everything from understanding the science of sleep, creating a great sleep environment, forming a predictable nap routine and creating approaches to settling that are sustainable for your family.

Check out the courses and we’ll show you how…

CHOOSE YOUR SLEEP COURSE...

"I thought the course was easy to follow. My 10 month old wouldn’t fall asleep unless rocked. It got to a point where she would wake when transferred into the cot and I would have to start the rocking process all over again. After a week of following this course she now falls asleep by herself within minutes without crying!"

"Have recommend this course to all our our friends it’s amazing! Our little boy has gone from multiple wake ups through the night and wouldn’t settle without being rocked, to sleeping 7-7. We are all getting more sleep and are so much happier! The course gave us the confidence to help our son self settle but not feel like we were leaving him to cry. Thank you so, so much!!!!"

"When I bought your course I was in a desperate place. My daughter had been a bad sleeper since birth but from 4 months had gone to waking every 45 mins and co sleeping. From night one of following your techniques we went from 8-10 wake ups a night to 1-2 in her own room. Thank you, you’ve given me my sanity and life back."

"The course was a game changer for us. Loved the videos and the confidence, I really felt like I could do it and I knew the time was right for us to make some changes. I found the daytime routine guide so helpful too as well as smaller things like the bedtime routine, the course goes into so much detail."