The Zipadee Zip vs Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – both the Zipadee Zip sleep sack and the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit are popular swaddle transition products to help your baby sleep longer at night. But, do you need both? Is one better than the other for your baby’s sleep? In this article, you’ll learn about both products and which I recommend as a sleep consultant for 15+ years!
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
Some babies really struggle with stopping the swaddle. Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is a great swaddle transition product to help your baby sleep better. The tighter feeling will help your baby gradually get used to not being swaddled anymore.
One reason this is a great choice for a swaddle transition product is that it’s SAFE! Once your baby is rolling or breaking out of the swaddle, it’s time to stop swaddling. It is unsafe to have loose fabric in the crib with your baby and it’s not safe to roll onto their tummies when they’re swaddled. With Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit, your baby is safe from loose bedding or fabric and it helps to keep them on their back to sleep. That is what is safest to reduce the risk of SIDS. Yet, your baby will be comfortable enough to sleep through the night.
The sleepsuit is available in cotton or microfleece which are soft and breathable. And, the double zipper design makes diaper changes so much easier!
Zipadee Zip Swaddle Transition Sleep Sack
We have been recommending the Zipadee Zip for a long time, even before they were on Shark Tank. The Zipadee Zip, created by a company named Sleeping Baby, is a really great invention to help your baby sleep better when it’s time to stop swaddling.
The “wings” of the Zipadee Zip stop your baby from feeling like they are falling when the Moro reflex is still strong. Many babies are ready to transition away from the swaddle before the Moro reflex has gone away, which is where the Zipadee Zip shines. It is safe for sleeping especially when a baby is rolling over and otherwise can’t be swaddled. And, it’s also good for when your baby doesn’t like to be swaddled, yet can’t seem to stay asleep without it.
If your baby has eczema or otherwise scratches herself, the Zipadee Zip will protect the skin. I was always terrible at keeping baby’s fingernails clipped!
There are many different styles to choose from for the Zipadee Zip. And, although you won’t need the wings as your baby gets older, so many babies like this sleep sack that they make toddler sizes as well!
Zipadee Zip vs Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – Which is Better for Baby Sleep?
Both the Zipadee Zip and Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit are great products. But, which is better for your baby’s sleep?
We have worked with many families who have used both and clients love both products! As a sleep consultant for over 15 years, I can tell you that either product would be a good choice. However, there are a few things to strongly consider:
Your Baby’s Age
Keep in mind that both Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and the Zipadee Zip are designed for babies 3 months and older and at least 12-18 pounds. If your baby is younger than that, you should NOT use either product and should consider a swaddling product such as the Love to Dream Swaddle Up.
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Baby Sucking on Pacifiers
If your baby has a pacifier, unfortunately, both products will possibly give you issues.
With the Zipadee Zip, your baby may find it difficult to hold the pacifier in their hands since their hands will be covered. On the other hand, with Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit, the arms are so tight that it can make it difficult to bend their arms enough to reach their hand to their mouth. Therefore, you could be popping in the pacifier for your baby all night anytime it falls out or between your baby’s sleep cycles no matter which product you use.
You should consider that some babies suck on their pacifier as they fall asleep but then don’t need it again. That would make either product work just fine and make this point moot. However, if your baby needs the pacifier to connect sleep cycles, you may want to consider an entirely different sleep sack.
Baby Likes to Suck on Thumb, Fingers, or Hands
For the same reason as with the pacifier, if your baby likes to suck on their thumb, fingers, or hands, both products could be problematic.
Some babies will simply suck their hands through the cloth of the wings of the Zipadee Zip. However, if your baby likes to really feel their fingers or thumb inside their mouth mimicking a nipple, this might not work out very well. Some babies will adapt while others will struggle. This can lead to excessive crying during sleep training.
Similarly, with Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit, they might struggle to reach their hands/fingers to their mouth which can be frustrating. It can make it almost impossible for your baby to self-soothe.
Again, if your baby sucks their thumb or fingers, you may want to consider a different sleep sack altogether.
Baby Gets Hot
The ideal room temperature for your baby to sleep is usually 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If your baby tends to run warm, we have heard parents report their baby gets extra hot in the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. Keep in mind that the makers of the Magic Sleepsuit “do not recommend any more than one layer of light cotton” under the product and “should be used in a room at the AAP recommended temperature for babies”. Simply make sure you do NOT overdress your baby and it should be just fine!
Baby Likes to Roll or Crawl Around or Stand Up
If your baby is rolling in the Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit, it’s time to transition to another product entirely and the Zipadee Zip or a different wearable blanket would be good options.
If your baby likes to crawl around or stand up in the crib, it can be a little harder while wearing the Zipadee Zip. We don’t hear too many complaints about it so it could be a minor issue. However, it is difficult for babies to stand up in the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. In that case, you’d want to buy Baby Merlin’s Dream Sack Walker.
Zipadee Zip vs Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – Which to Buy?
If your baby is 3-4 months old and you still don’t know which product to buy, I highly recommend you buy Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. If your baby is 5+ months old, I highly recommend you buy the Zipadee Zip. This is based on 15+ years of working with families and getting reports about which products their babies love. I know based on the experience of many families that your baby is most likely going to LOVE it!
Of course, your baby’s sleepwear is only one variable that impacts your baby’s sleep. And, that’s what we do here at The Baby Sleep Site!
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