SLEEP STAGES
DRESSING GUIDE
WHY SWADDLE
SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES

READY FOR A BETTER SLEEP?

Big Tips For Littlies Sleep

At Bubbaroo, we’ve got you covered throughout bubs early sleep journey. Newborn bubs start with our Joey Pouch® to wrap them up for better quality sleep. Once baby is rolling onto their tummy, it’s time to transition to the Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle Bag or directly into a Joey Swag® Baby Sleeping Bag which is specially designed for baby to move freely while staying covered. Our four Swag sizes will take bub from Newborn to 6 years. A little Bubbaroo goes a long way toward better sleep.

DRESSING GUIDE

WHY SWADDLE

• Sleep baby on back from birth, not on tummy or side
• Sleep baby with head and face uncovered
• Keep baby smoke free before birth and after
• Provide a safe sleeping environment day and night
• Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult care-giver for the first six to twelve months of life
• Breastfeed baby

For further information regarding the safe sleeping recommendations please refer to www.rednose.com.au

We have compiled the below video on setting up a safe sleep environment for your baby below.

BABY SLEEP STAGES

0-3 MONTHS

You're getting to know your baby. Whether you’re following an adaptable routine or being guided by your baby, the key at this sleep stage is to learn to spot the ‘sleepy signs.’ When you identify one of these small-scale signs, there’s a tiny window to calm stimulation before overtiredness sets in.

3-6 MONTHS

At around 4 months, baby can now tell night from day and starts to establish ‘normal’ sleep cycles. This means it’s time to teach good sleep patterns by implementing routine nap and bed times, adhering to a bedtime routine and making sure when they wake during the night, it’s quiet and dark.

6-9 MONTHS

Just when there was some smooth sleeping, baby’s waking again and is now taking more than an hour to go back to sleep. The most important factors during this sleeping hiatus is keep the slumber environment quiet and dark, encourage and re-establish self-settling.

9-12 MONTHS

Try to continue with the bedtime routine - bath, baby sleeping bag, book then bed. Patience and repetition will be required to arrive at successful sleeping. Every child is different and while it won’t happen overnight, you’ll eventually have sleep success. Remember little ones can start waking up after illness or changes like holidays but if you broadly stick to your routine you will get back on track in no time.

12-24 MONTHS

It’s true that the more baby sleeps, the more baby sleeps. The better the quality of your baby’s daytime naps, the better they’ll sleep at night. It’s worth persisting with naps, even if it’s one super-sleep in the early afternoon. If baby protests – persevere because their night-time sleeping will speak for itself.

2-3 YEARS

You’re not alone. 40% of kids from 2-3 years sleep poorly and still wake up once or twice per night. This can make bedtime a nightly battle. At this stage, when baby is overtired, they’re actually over stimulated and find it hard to wind down and become calm. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine is paramount so your little one knows what to expect.

BUBBAROO DRESSING GUIDE

PLATINUM JOEY SWAGS IN 3 DIFFERENT WEIGHTS OR WARMTH RATINGS (TOGS)

2.5 TOG All year round - Ideal for Autumn, Winter and cooler Spring days for rooms of 10-20°C (50-68°F)
1.5 TOG Summer and daytime naps - Versatile - for warmer weather and in rooms of 20-23°C (69-74°F)
0.5 TOG Summer - Hot weather and very warm rooms of 24-27°C (75-81°F)

The table below provides a guide to what TOG/weight Joey Swag® can be used and suggestions of the clothing baby can wear with their Joey Swag®. Once asleep, check baby's temperature by placing a hand on baby's chest to ensure baby is comfortably warm and not too hot.

Joey Pouch Swaddle Wrap

Room Temperatures Clothing Additional Bedding

28°C+ (82.4°F+)

  Singlet or just a nappy No additional bedding

26-28°C (78.8-82.4°F)

  Singlet  No additional bedding

24-26˚C (75.2-78.8°F)

  Short sleeved body suit or Short sleeved pyjama top No additional bedding

22-24˚C (71.6-75.2°F)

  Short sleeved body suit & singlet  No additional bedding
20°C - 22 (68-71.6°F)
 		 Long sleeved body suit & singlet  No additional bedding

18 -20°C (64.4-68°F)

 Long sleeved romper or Long sleeved pyjamas Bubbaroo® Blankie

16 -18°C (60.8-64.4°F)

  Long sleeved romper & singlet or Long sleeved pyjamas & singlet          Bubbaroo® Blankie

Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle Bag

Room Temperatures Clothing - Swaddled Additional Bedding Clothing - baby sleeping bag(both arms out)

28°C+ (82.4°F+)

  Singlet or just a nappy No additional bedding Singlet or just a nappy 

26-28°C (78.8-82.4°F)

  Singlet  No additional bedding Short sleeved body suit or Short pyjamas

24-26˚C (75.2-78.8°F)

  Short sleeved body suit or Short sleeved pyjama top No additional bedding Short sleeved body suit & singlet

22-24˚C (71.6-75.2°F)

  Short sleeved body suit & singlet  No additional bedding Long sleeved body suit & singlet
20°C - 22 (68-71.6°F)
 		 Long sleeved body suit & singlet  No additional bedding Onesie & singlet or Long sleeved pyjamas & singlet

18 -20°C (64.4-68°F)

 Long sleeved romper or Long sleeved pyjamas Bubbaroo® Blankie Onesie & long sleeved body suit or Long sleeved pyjama & long sleeved body suit

16 -18°C (60.8-64.4°F)

  Long sleeved romper & singlet or Long sleeved pyjamas & singlet          Bubbaroo® Blankie Onesie & long sleeved body suit & singlet or Long sleeved pyjama & long sleeved body suit & singlet

WHY SWADDLE?

Midwives, friends, and your Mum all know the secret… just ask them. Swaddling is the timeless practice of wrapping a baby to recreate the security of Mum’s womb. It’s been around since dot and for good reason. Safe swaddling comforts and secures baby from their own startle reflex or moro reflex, without restricting natural movement. For healthy development, newborns need to breathe freely, have movement of their arms and be able to naturally move their legs by kicking and frogging their little legs.

Recent studies show incorrect swaddling can be harmful. This research centres around tight binding techniques which restrict movement and can even reduce full lung expansion. ‘Straight-jacket’ wrapping carries with it the risk of newborns developing hip dysplasia due to the lack of natural joint and bone movement through the hips and pelvis.

Bubbaroo stand by the benefits of swaddling where the correct technique is used. We know firsthand the difference it can make in bringing solid slumber and peace during the first months of parenthood. But will it stop the crying? That’s what every new parent wants to know.

Babies are natural wrigglers, moving arms and legs like athletes. Jolting movements cause them to startle and this repeated startling creates overstimulation. Crying is a baby’s way of trying to stop the stimuli. Studies reveal that swaddling results in fewer sleep interruptions and fewer tears. Sleep quality is also a swaddle-strength. Swaddling is most successful when implemented for babies 8 weeks or younger when sleep patterns are in 3 to 4-hour intervals. It can help increase newborn REM sleep meaning your baby is in deeper dozing and may not fully wake when roused. Less bedside parental pilgrimages mean happier pilgrims!

Parental anxiety is high around all things sleep and anything that eases a running mind is a welcome tool. Safe swaddling has been proven to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research indicates swaddled babies experience higher quality sleep with less squirming and therefore less possibility of rolling onto their tummy. The combination of a crying baby and an exhausted Mum can also be a common trigger for Post Natal Depression (PND). With the increased sleep swaddling can bring, reduced chances of PND following suit.

Swaddling can aid in the early stages of breastfeeding. The Joey Pouch or Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle can also be used for night feeding or dream feeds so you don’t even have to disturb baby by unswaddling them.

Bubbaroo’s 100% cotton fabric helps keep your baby covered and warm without the risk of overheating. Sharp newborn nails paired with constant jolting movements means babies can end up with awful scratches on their face – the Joey Pouch® or Joey Pod helps tame little ones’ talons and makes bub easier to pick up!

When done right, swaddling can be an effective and safe way to keep your newborn covered, comforted and calm while sleeping. That’s the Joey Pouch®, Joey Pod and the Bubbaroo difference.

SWADDLE WITH BUBBAROO

Concerned about the restrictive nature of many swaddle products on the market, we developed our Joey Pouch® and Joey Pod with a unique bell-shaped bottom to ensure full hip flex and freedom to kick for newborns. The Joey Pouch and Joey Pod allow baby to sleep as they wish without forcing their arms up or pinning their arms down.

We’ve made safe swaddling easy with our Joey Pouch® – just 3 simple steps to simply, safely and effectively wrap your bundle. The Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle can be used to transition your baby out of swaddling. We use a beautiful lightweight 100% knitted 100% cotton waffle that can be used all year round by simply adjusting baby’s clothing. With this versatile fabric, baby can still self-soothe by sucking on their fingers and hands through the swaddle. All our swaddling products include in-depth information, instructions and a convenient door-hanging temperature guide outlining what to wear with the Joey Pouch® or Joey Pod depending on the temperature of baby’s room. Checkout if your baby is too hot or too cold for sleep?

See the image below to learn how to swaddle correctly using the Joey Pouch Swaddle Wrap

You may like to refer to our comprehensive blog on Swaddling and also how to Transition out of Swaddling

See the image below to learn how to swaddle correctly using the Joey Pouch Swaddle Wrap

3 Easy Steps to Swaddling with the Joey Pouch®

  • Step 1

    Place baby's back on the open Joey Pouch®

  • Step 2

    Pair text with an image to focus on your chosen product, collection, or blog post. Add details on availability, style, or even provide a review.

  • Step 3

    Wrap the outer flap around baby with baby's arms up; fasten the press stud; and zip the zip down and around baby. Tuck any excess fabric at the bottom of the Joey Pouch® into the cot or bassinette.

SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES

Bubbaroo supports SIDS safe sleeping recommendations and is passionate about communicating the safe sleep message. It’s hard for anyone to argue with the facts, that between 1985 and 2005, SIDS deaths in Australia have decreased by 83%. From 1989 to 2022 there has been an 80% decrease in SIDS deaths. These declines are directly linked to the public health campaign which promotes safe sleeping practices, and particularly the use of the back sleeping position. It’s important to note that fatal sleeping accidents have not decreased in recent years.

In the supine (back) position the upper respiratory airways are above the oesophagus (digestive tract), therefore regurgitated milk can easily be swallowed and aspiration into the respiratory tract avoided. When baby is placed on their tummy the digestive tract sits above the baby’s upper airways. If baby regurgitates or vomits milk or fluid, these substances are more likely to be inhaled into the baby’s airway and lungs.

Studies show that swaddling a baby from birth encourages baby to remain in the back (supine) position for sleeping and therefore decreases the risk of SIDS.

Research also suggests that swaddling promotes sleep and reduces crying time. Swaddling your baby can also help reduce baby’s response to pain and assist neuromuscular development.

Red Nose Guide: Best Practices For Safe Swaddling

Ensure baby is positioned on their back with feet at the bottom of the cot. Never place a swaddled baby on their tummy.

Ensure baby is wrapped from below the neck to avoid covering the face.
Sleep baby with head and face uncovered without doonas, pillows, cot bumpers, lamb’s wool or soft toys in the sleeping environment.

Use only lightweight wraps such as cotton or muslin (bunny rugs and blankets aren’t safe alternatives as they may cause overheating).

The wrap shouldn’t be too tight and must allow for hip and chest wall movement
Make sure that baby isn’t over dressed under the wrap. Use only a nappy and singlet in warmer weather and add a lightweight onesie in cooler weather. For more information on What to Wear refer to the TOG/Warmth button Click here for the Joey Pouch or here for the Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle.

Provide a safe sleeping environment – safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding and smoke free environment.

Baby must not be wrapped if sharing a sleep surface (including bed-sharing) with an adult.

When baby is able to roll from their back to their tummy and then onto their back again during supervised play (usually 4-6 months), the use of a wrap or swaddling product needs to be discontinued for settling and sleep. The child is now able to be placed to sleep in a safe sleeping bag.

SIDS and Kids. National Scientific Advisory Group (NSAG). 2005. Information Statement: Wrapping babies. Melbourne, National SIDS Council of Australia. This information statement was first posted in October, 2005.

Babies over the age of 6 months can usually rollover in the cot. Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids) recommend that once babies can roll, they can be placed in a safe baby sleeping bag (i.e. fitted neck and arm holes, and no hood such as a Bubbaroo Joey Swag baby sleeping bag).

Our Joey Swag baby sleeping bag does not have any sleeves which is a safe sleep recommendation by SIDS and Kids. Keep baby’s head uncovered when indoors or in a car. Ensure baby has no head coverings, such as bonnets, beanies, hats or hooded clothing. Place baby on their back to sleep but let them find their own sleeping position. The risk of sudden infant death in babies over six months is extremely low.

Safe Sleeping Recommendations

Sleep baby on back from birth, not on tummy or side

Sleep baby with head and face uncovered

Keep baby in a smoke free environment before birth and after

Provide a safe sleeping environment day and night

Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult care-giver for the first six to twelve months of life

Breastfeed baby

For further information regarding the safe sleeping recommendations please refer to www.rednose.com.au

We have compiled the below video on setting up a safe sleep environment for your baby below.

Setting up a safe sleep space for your baby

Bubbaroo. Helping Babies Sleep.

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