Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: Your Questions Answered!

The purpose of the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is to assist babies who are transitioning out of swaddles but still need some confinement while sleeping.

It is a thick sleepsuit with just enough heft to make your baby feel secure and keep them from startling easily. 

Magic Sleepsuit’s Best Features

  • Makes transitioning from a swaddle easier
  • Easy to put on and remove
  • Provides warmth and security
  • Limited freedom of movement 
  • Scooped neck keeps material away from baby’s face
  • Machine washable
  • Available in cotton and microfleece

Not sure if your baby is ready to ditch the swaddle? The Sleep Doctor reminds us that:

“If a baby rolls over while swaddled, they may become trapped face-down.

To prevent this from happening, stop swaddling your baby for sleep after the first time you see them trying to roll over.”

The bulky nature of the sleepsuit may discourage your baby from rolling onto their tummy while sleeping for a little while longer, but according to the manufacturer, babies should stop wearing the sleepsuit when they begin to roll over while wearing it.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit was designed by a mom who is also a physical therapist.

The purpose of the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is to give your child a feeling of comfort that will keep them from waking themselves up and flailing their arms and legs.

Because it is heavier than just a onesie and limits movement somewhat, your child won’t startle as easily and may be able to sleep longer.

The Magic Sleepsuit is also great for babies who don’t love to be swaddled but need the warmth and security a swaddle provides.

How It Works

You place your child in the sleepsuit by using the two zippers to open the front flap.

Then, just slip your child’s arms and legs in, and zip the flap back up. You can then follow whatever routine you have in place for naps and bedtimes.

The cozy security the sleepsuit provides should foster restful sleep and help your baby sleep longer than they have been.

Your baby’s arms and legs are not nearly as restricted as with a swaddle, but they still have comfort and security at a similar level. 

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit Pros and Cons

ProsCons
May help your baby fall asleep fasterFairly expensive
Can help baby sleep for longer stretchesCan make feeding difficult
Keeps your baby warmBaby will outgrow it within months
Helps your child transition from the swaddleBaby can overheat
Reduces the Moro reflexMakes sleep training harder
Can use other Merlin’s products when it’s time to transitionNo definitive recommendations about safety from the AAP

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit Safety

The sleepsuit can be safe if used properly, and no deaths have been connected to wearing the suit.

However, you should always follow safe-sleep guidelines, no matter what your child wears.

The makers of the sleepsuit say it should always be used in accordance with other safe-sleep guidelines, like putting your baby on their back to sleep and ensuring they are in their own crib without any blankets or other objects.

The temperature of your child’s room should also be cool enough that the sleepsuit doesn’t cause overheating.

That being said, the sleepsuit is designed for babies who are transitioning out of swaddles.

The reason babies transition out of swaddles is that a swaddle can impede an infant’s ability to roll, and infants can start rolling over at any time.

The sleepsuit can impede a child’s ability to roll easily when they need to, and this can lead to suffocation. 

You are supposed to transition your child out of the sleepsuit when they start rolling over, but that can happen in their sleep before you know it’s occurred.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and Overheating

It’s possible for babies to overheat if they are wearing too many clothes or wearing a sleepsuit in a very warm room.

However, the sleeves and legs of the Magic Sleepsuit are left open so air can circulate, making overheating less likely.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit SIDS

There are no independent studies to assess the sleepsuit’s safety in relation to SIDS. However, no deaths have occurred that are connected to the suit.

Is the Magic Sleepsuit Weighted?

No, the Magic Sleepsuit is not weighted. It is bulky and layered, but its materials are not the same as you would find in weighted blankets.

A baby sleeping peacefully with arms raised above his head.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit Age Range

The small sleepsuit is meant for babies between the ages of 3 and 6 months weighing between 12 and 18 pounds.

The large sleepsuit is suitable for babies 6-9 months of age weighing between 18 and 21 pounds. 

For the sleep suit to work its charm, your child needs to be snug inside of it. This won’t be the case until your child is around the 3-month mark. 

How To Use Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit

Place your baby in a diaper or a diaper and a thin onesie. Put your baby in the sleepsuit and zip it.

Make sure the fit is snug but that your child can still get airflow through the leg and arm holes.

Place your child on their back to sleep. Don’t use the sleepsuit until your child is 3 months old and weighs at least 12 pounds. 

What Should Be Worn Under the Magic Sleepsuit

Your baby does not need lots of layers under the sleepsuit. Just a diaper or one cotton onesie is enough. Anything else could lead to overheating.

Magic Sleepsuit First Night

Don’t expect everything to be perfect the first night you try the sleepsuit. Your child may still need time to adjust, so expect some resistance. 

Can Baby Self-Soothe in Magic Sleepsuit?

Your child should be able to self-soothe in the sleepsuit. Though the sleeves are bulky, they shouldn’t prohibit your child from sucking on his little hands.

Your child can still move their legs as well, so they can make small changes in position for comfort and soothing.

Sleep Training and the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit

It’s probably not going to be easy to sleep-train while your child is in the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit.

When your child is resting in a heavy suit, you need to check and make sure their cries aren’t because they are trying to roll over or are overheating.

Sleep training usually requires letting your child cry for intervals of time before interceding.

This can be difficult when sleepwear could be the cause of the crying. It can also be dangerous.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and Rolling

While the outfit won’t particularly delay rolling, you should not let your child practice tummy time in the sleepsuit.

The garment is just bulky enough for them to get stuck on their stomachs, and this is a safety issue.

When your child starts to try rolling over, you should no longer use the sleepsuit.

The Magic Sleepsuit is bulkier than regular clothes and can make it difficult for your child to roll back onto their back.

When To Stop Using the Magic Sleepsuit

You should not use the Magic Sleepsuit once your child can roll over.

The bulkiness of the suit could cause your child to get stuck when rolling, and this can lead to suffocation.

You should also stop using the suit when it becomes too snug or your child is fighting to get out of it.

How To Transition Away From Magic Sleepsuit

When your baby starts to roll over, outgrow, or struggle with the sleepsuit, try transitioning to the Merlin’s Magic Dream Sack.

This product is geared toward babies 6-12 months and will help your child make an easy transition.

Your child will be able to move more freely in a lighter sleep sack, but they will still have the familiarity of the sleepsuit.