Zipadee-Zip Review
In this Zipadee-Zip Review I compare the Zipadee-Zip to the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. Both products are designed to transition a baby out of a swaddle blanket. Here’s my story.
After Mercy was born I swaddled her using my old standby, The Miracle Blanket. Girlfriend started rolling over around 4 months old which forced us to find a nighttime solution that wasn’t a death trap. Le sigh.
After the Miracle Blanket we transitioned out of the swaddle using the Magic Sleepsuit. After I wrote our review of the Magic Sleepsuit many readers contacted me saying, “you MUST try the Zipadee-Zip!!”. At first I was disinclined… another magical blanket promising better sleep??
But Mercy wasn’t sleeping that great which meant I had nothing to lose.
And so I tried the Zipadee-Zip on Mercy at 7 months old… and here’s what I thought.
Cute Patterns
One of the biggest issues I had with the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit was it was so fugly. The colors. The pattern. The logo. But you know, if it helps us to sleep better, I’ll let it go.
However, the patterns for the Zipadee-Zip are actually cute. Every time someone saw Mercy wearing the Sleepsuit I felt like I needed to explain and make excuses. With the Zipadee-Zip, there were no explanations necessary.
It does help if you have a cute ginger-baby. She makes stuff look good. And no, she’s not wearing lipstick. It’s elderberry syrup for babies.
Allows for Stomach Sleeping
One of the things Mercy did the first night in the Zipadee-Zip was flip over and sleep on her stomach. She slept so good that night. It was amazing. I had no idea she wanted to sleep on her stomach!
As parents we’re trained that “back is best” so I was afraid to try stomach sleeping prior to the Zipadee-Zip. I even read that the risk of SIDS goes way up if you put a baby to sleep on its stomach that typicaly sleeps on the back. So I definitely wasn’t willing to try stomach sleeping if Mercy didn’t initiate it. (After a baby learns to roll over it is safe to let them sleep on their stomachs. We are still supposed to place them to sleep on their backs, but it’s not necessary to flip them back to the back sleeping position if they flip to their stomach. Clear as mud?)
Except in the Magic Sleepsuit Mercy couldn’t roll over. Not easily, at least. With the Zipadee-Zip Mercy was able to sleep in the position she chose, while still in a cozy blanket reminiscent of her swaddling days.
This is a picture of Mercy not sleeping and me wishing I was.
Lightweight
The Zipadee-Zip is thinner and therefore better suited for warmer climates like Florida where I live. When I first tried the Magic Sleepsuit it was starting to get cold (yep, it gets cold in Florida) so the thick, heavy fleece actually worked out well, but there would be no way that I could use the sleepsuit in the spring, summer and fall.
The Zipadee-Zip is thin cotton and perfect for my North Florida climate. I could see us using this product into the summer. I imagine we would likely just wear it and a diaper and it would work great.
Access to Hands
Another great aspect of the Zipadee-Zip is that baby can access their hands. Kinda.
After putting Mercy in the blanket I noticed that she immediately was putting her hands via the blanket in her mouth. So much so that the blanket was damp when I took her out.
It’s such a natural thing for a baby to do – everything goes in the mouth. It makes sense that giving baby access to their hands (kinda) is helpful because it allows them to self-soothe.
Use in Carseat
The final thing I’ll mention in this Zipadee-Zip Review is that you can use this product while baby is in the carseat. Now, before I get yelled at that it’s not safe, let me tell you that this fabric is pretty thin and I did not need to adjust the straps to put Mercy in her seat with the Zipadee-Zip on. Therefore, I am thrilled that this is an option.
The other night I had to go pick up a placenta (I encapsulate placentas for a living) and needed to take Mercy. I put her in the seat with the Zipadee-Zip on and she slept the entire trip – even when I took her in to the grocery store to get some produce (she never does this). There’s no way this could be done with the Sleepsuit.
Another Zipadee-Zip Review
Zipadee-Zip Review Conclusion
All in all, I think the Zipadee-Zip is a great product that is helpful for swaddle transition. It allows for considerably more movement than a swaddle, but still keeps baby more confined than no blanket. Stomach sleeping is now an option!
However, if your baby needs to be more contained than the freedom a Zipadee-Zip allows, and the above downsides aren’t a problem, a Magic Sleepsuit might be a better option as it is very thick and it will keep baby still.
At 7 months old, I think Mercy prefers the Zipadee-Zip over the Magic Sleepsuit. However, just to be clear, she still doesn’t “sleep through the night”. None of my kids slept through the night before 1 year old and I don’t expect a blanket to make that happen for us.
Kallie says
I love that it lets babies who want to sleep on their stomachs do it safely.
Liesel says
I like that my little can wear the Zipadee-Zip in the carseat.
Kristi Smi says
Zipadee-zips look adorable, can be worn in car seat or at home, and I will definitely be trying them when our princess gets to that stage.
Lindsey Morrow says
First winner never responded. You’re the new winner! I emailed you…
kelly says
I like that the fabric is lightweight and good for Florida weather. Since I’m due in July, it will be hot!
sam says
I would love to try this cute sleepsuit for my baby who is also due sometime around July.
Jenny says
I like that it’s not as restricting as a swaddle but still keeps the baby covered.
Cassandra Eastman says
I would love to try a Zipadee-Zip for my son. He’s outgrown his Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit so I think it’d be perfect. I also love that it can be worn in the carseat since my son isn’t a fan, it might help him feel more secure and sleep better in the car as well!
Courtney says
My favorite thing is that it allows my little one to flip onto his belly!
JW says
I like that it is cotton and lightweight. Perfect for CA weather!
Caity m says
I love that my son can sleep safely on his side. He developed a bit of a flat spot from sleeping in the rock and play as a newborn with reflux. Once we transitioned to his bassinet he would constantly wake himself up from touching or scratching his face. The first night in the zippy he slept six hours straight!! And he can sleep safely on his side so his flat spot is almost fully resolved. We LOVE our zippy!!
Colleen says
I love that my little one can use his hands to self-soothe.
Amber S says
Oh goodness my favorite thing is definitely the option to chew on her “fin” of the zipadee-zip as my husband and I call it. Tonight I was nursing her to sleep and when I took her off she immediately put her hand in her mouth like, “Oh good Mommy is here.” LoL
Megan says
So excited to try the zipadee zip!
Kayla Bergstrom says
I love that they aren’t constricted but they still feel safe!!
Cat says
My son has eczema and likes to scratch his face so at 6months he’s still using mittens at night. I like that he can use his hands wo scratching himself! Thanks for the giveaway
Lindsey Morrow says
You are the winner!! Lucky #17!
Christina H says
I like that it’s more restricting than a regular sleep sack but allows for greater movement too. And it’s thin enough to be good for warmer weather. I’ve been wanting to try one for my little boy since he’s starting to move a bit in his sleep and his days in the Merlin sleep suit are numbered. Also it’s starting to get warm so it’ll be too warm for him to use soon and this might be a good solution. Thanks for the giveaway!
Caitlyn says
I love the cute prints and that they allow for tummy sleeping! Would love to try this with JL!
Stephany says
I love that they are cute and help the transition away from a swaddle as baby learns to roll over! Just what I need for my 4 month old!
Rebecca mahonY says
I like that it’s lighter weight for Florida!
Erika says
I love the Zipadee zip, too! And soon they will have customized ones with embroidered names.
Rebecca l says
What a great way to help transition my little guy from the cozy Rock N Play to the big, open crib. My favorite thing about these are the many awesome patterns you can choose from so our sweet babes are sleeping in style!
jackie says
i love the fact they can wear them in the car seat or stroller!
David says
We are going to try this for our 3 month old twin girls.I will follow up with how they work for us!
Lindsey says
Hi there. My son is 4 months old and 19.5 lbs. The small is too small, so I have put him in the medium the last few nights but it just seems too big. There is a big lump that he pulls over his mouth and face. Has anyone else had problems with the extra fabric being pulled to their face? I was just wondering if that is normal?
Thanks!