HALO SleepSack Review + {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

I think ever parent I know is concerned about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) with their newborns and babies. It's the scariest thing ever to think about your child dying. And we, as parents, try to do everything we can to protect our children and keep them as safe as possible.

Sadly there are still babies dying from SIDS every year. A good friend of mine from church just lost her only grandchild to SIDS only a few weeks ago. It was sudden and tragic. I know their family will never get over the hurt and loss of their precious 9 month old son and grandson. Even though I never met my friend's grandson, I still feel the loss for her. In fact I've had a hard time bringing myself to write this review and put it off because of this tragedy. I was already going to do this review before his passing. It just made the SIDS issue way more real and alive in my life.

So, how can you help to prevent SIDS? There are several important things that you can do. First, always put the baby "Back to Sleep". I think this is ingrained in most new parents. Babies should sleep on their backs. But do your caregivers know how important it is to lay your baby on his/her back too? My parents let us sleep on our tummies. As parents, we need to make sure that everyone who cares for our child takes care of our child like we would. If that means teaching them about "Back to Sleep", then please do that.


HALO was founded by a father who lost his daughter. They have made a great product that helps to prevent SIDS. The HALO SleepSack keeps your baby warm and snug in bed without the use of loose blankets. Your baby can't kick this blanket off, so you won't have to worry about them getting cold during the night either.

HALO SleepSacks are now available in Target stores. They carry several varieties and sizes. They have the SleepSack Swaddle in cotton for newborns available in dot and dog patterns. The SleepSack Swaddle in micro fleece is in cream-colored newborn size. In size small they have the SleepSack in cotton and microfleece in the same colors/patterns as the other. And in medium they have the SleepSack in cotton with the chose of pink dot or blue dot and in micro fleece with the pink burnout or blue burnout pattern. These and many more can all be found at your local Target store or at Target.com.


We got to try the SleepSack in blue burnout micro fleece size medium for my 5 month old nephew. I babysit for him 4 days a week and I always lay him "back to sleep". With the warm fuzzy SleepSack for these cooler days, I know he will stay warm for his naps without extra blankets around him. And he is notorious for kicking off his blankets, but the SleepSack is snug around his legs for extra warmth. I think the SleepSack is great, and it is definitely a must have with any baby. I will be sure to get the SleepSack
Swaddle when we have another baby.

Here are some statistics and tips for you and your children's caregivers:

HALO’s survey of more than 1,000 parents and grandparents revealed the following:

•    58% of grandparents agreed that “babies are babies; what worked years ago when my children were babies is still fine today.” Conversely, 60% of parents disagreed with this opinion.

•    Parents are more likely to say that it’s best to place a baby on his or her back to sleep than grandparents (77% vs. 59%). Grandparents are more likely than parents to think a baby is safest sleeping on his or her side (21% vs. 12%) or stomach (16% vs. 8%).

•    Grandparents are also more likely to believe it is safe to have loose blankets (49% vs. 31% of parents) and a baby monitor (23% vs. 12%) in the crib with the baby.

•    82% of parents say they swaddle their baby for sleep compared to less than half of grandparents who swaddle their grandchildren (46%).

Safe Sleep Practices

•    Place baby to sleep on his or her back at naptime and at night time.

•    Use a crib that meets current safety standards with a firm mattress that fits snuggly and is covered with only a tight-fitting crib sheet.

•    Remove all soft bedding and toys from your baby’s sleep area (this includes loose blankets, bumpers and positioners). The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.

•    Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, introduce pacifier after one month or after breastfeeding has been established.

•    Breastfeed, if possible, but when finished, put your baby back to sleep in his or her separate safe sleep area alongside your bed.

•    Never put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (adult beds, sofas, chairs, water beds, quilts, sheep skins etc.)

•    Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep room temperature 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

•    Never allow anyone to smoke around your baby or take your baby into a room or car where someone has recently smoked.

There's not much time left, but I wanted to make sure to post this. HALO is donating $1 to SIDS Awareness for each new fan to "like" HALO on Facebook in September and October. And even if you miss out on that, you can connect to HALO on Twitter and Facebook.


 
Buy It: HALO SleepSacks are now available at your local Target stores, Target.com, as well as other retailers and online too.

Win It: You can win a HALO SleepSack of your choice (a limited availability).

To Enter: Tell me what your favorite HALO product is from their website. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*"Like" HALO on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. I love new friends! (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Follow HALO on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a HALO SleepSack from @HaloSleepSack & @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/262f6gm #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, November 14th. I will post a winner on Monday, November 15th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*