Product Review and Giveaway - Halo Sleep Sacks

October was National SIDS Awareness Month.  As a company dedicated to raising awareness about safe sleep for babies, HALO asked bloggers to spread the word about SIDS prevention.  There was a delay in receiving my sleep sack, so I wasn't able to post my review in October, but I think this is such an important issue that it really deserves to be mentioned continually year round and not just have the message confined to one month anyway.  
HALO recently conducted a study into different attitudes to safe sleep across the generations.  The study revealed that parents and grandparents disagree on how to keep babies safe while they sleep.   According to the survey, grandparents are more likely than parents to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, and are more likely to place unnecessary and potentially dangerous objects in babies’ cribs, increasing their risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation.


Survey Results
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.



About HALO®
HALO® was founded by Bill Schmid, who began researching sleeping environments after he lost a daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1991. Since 1994, HALO has worked to develop products that encourage healthier and safer sleeping as well as bring peace of mind to your home.

The HALO® SleepSack® wearable blanket replaces loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby's face and interfere with breathing. No wonder it's the #1 trusted choice of hospitals and parents alike. In addition to sleeping safer, the HALO SleepSack wearable blanket helps babies sleep better too. It's a warm, cuddly blanket they can't kick off, ensuring baby sleeps soundly throughout the night. And when baby is sleeping safe and sound, moms and dads can rest easy.

A percentage of HALO Innovations' profits are donated to charities that help in the fight against SIDS.

HALO is also working with hundreds of hospitals nationwide via our Safer Way to Sleep® Initiative to educate parents on safe sleep practices and provide HALO SleepSack wearable blankets to NICU and hospital nurseries to model safe sleep practices.


My Review:
I received one of the new cotton sleep sacks to review:


I love that the Newborn Sleep Sack is a two in one product - a swaddle blanket for those first few weeks when baby is needing that extra comfort, and then the swaddle wings can be removed and it is still a wearable blanket!  One of the things that I love about the new Cotton sleep sack is that it's not nearly as heavy as the original Sleep  Sacks that are made of heavier material, so it would be great for people that keep their houses warmer or for babies born in the Spring and Summer!  Another feature I love is that the zipper opens from the bottom up, making it simple to do diaper changes without having to completely unzip your little one!


My one complaint is that when you wash the sleep sack, the velcro tends to get caught on baby socks and other stray laundry items, although this can be mitigated by washing the sleep sack inside out.


The other great feature is that the sleep sack comes with a Back to Sleep reminder embroidered right onto the front of the sleep sack, so if you are leaving your little one with a babysitter or relative, it will remind them about how to safely put your baby to sleep!


Where can you get your Sleep Sack?


HALO SleepSacks are now available in Target stores and you can get the same style as I did here, or check out the many other styles available!


You can also win a cotton Newborn Sleep Sack here at Acting Balanced!

This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and will end on December 4th at 11:59 PM EST.
Mandatory entry must be completed before any other entries count.
The winner will be chosen by random.org from all comments left and the winning entry will be verified, published on the blog and the individual emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or they will forfeit their prize and a new winner will be drawn.

Mandatory Entry:
Visit www.halosleep.com  and tell me something you learned or another product you'd like to have.

Bonus Entries:
+ 1 Bonus entry Follow HALO on Twitter (leave twitter name)
+ 1 Bonus entry Like HALO on Facebook
+1 Bonus entry for tweeting this giveaway (can be done daily, leave a link)
   suggested tweet: #WIN a HALO Sleep Sack from @halosleepsack and @chascouponmom http://bit.ly/cm70HT #giveaway ends 12/04 
+ 1 Bonus entry Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter (leave twitter name)
+ 1 Bonus entry Follow Acting Balanced on Google Friend Connect
+ 1 Bonus entry Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 
+ 1 Bonus entry Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email (must be complete)



Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review and giveaway Disclosure.Sponsored by Tomoson.com