The Magic Merlin Sleep Suit is often used as a transitional piece between being swaddled and using a regular sleep sack.
This is because sometimes babies have a hard time making that transition easily out of the swaddle at a young age so the Merlin suit acts as a good in between until baby is a little bit bigger!
It can work like a dream until baby is a little older and has outgrown their Moro reflex.
Per the manufacturer, a baby can wear/sleep in the Magic Merlin Sleep Suit when they are over 12lbs and other safety measures include ensuring the fabric lays on their chest, not near their face as well as being able to see their hands and feet outside of the suit.
A baby can also wear the Merlin Sleep Suit until they can physically roll in the suit. At that time, you would need to transition them into a regular sleep bag.
First, what can we expect when we transition out?
Unfortunately, a little bit of a regression. The Merlin Sleep Suit has become their sleep association so it will take a little bit of time for them to adjust to sleeping without it into something else.
It’s similar to making the transition out of the swaddle!
When you’re ready to transition out of the sleep suit, you have a few options (but it also depends on your child’s mobility-- if they can roll IN the suit, then you have to drop it cold turkey).
It’s best to make this transition at bedtime first, when their circadian rhythm and sleep pressure/drive to sleep is at the highest. This makes them more motivated to sleep even without their favorite sleep prop.
If your child is not yet rolling in the Merlin Sleep Suit, you can practice the partial night transition, which is where you get them to sleep without it at bedtime and then put it on at their first night waking. With this option, we would want them to gradually spend less and less time in the suit overnight/go longer and longer stretches before you put them in the suit.
As always, you can expect some resistance no matter what! It just takes time for them to adjust to sleeping in something new. But their Kyte BABY sleep bag will be so cozy and soft, they will hardly miss the sleep suit!
Author Bio: Ashley Olson is a certified pediatric sleep consultant, owner of Heaven Sent Sleep, and passionate about helping new parents, experienced parents, desperate and sleep-deprived parents form healthy sleep habits for their children.
She has over 3 years of experience in working with families and has completed over 150 hours of coursework plus continuing education related to infant and toddler sleep. The focus of her work is on fostering a routine that grows your bond with your child while improving their sleep habits. She specializes in custom sleep plans and one on one support in changing sleep practices!
