Keen sleep ideas to help you get through the night

So go ahead and call me slow, but at about 12-months, I finally decided to throw my whatever-baby-schedule to the wind and try a good, old-fashioned routine. I really didn't think the classic "bath, book, bed" trick would actually work with Buttercup, who fought her sleep on a nightly basis like a warrior child from another dimension (You'll never take me alive!!!), but just a few days later, I was wondering why no one had bothered smacking my upside the head for not doing this sooner.

Now, you may be asking, "What exactly were you doing?"

My answer? "Whatever."

See, I work from home, so I stay up until 3 writing, after Buttercup has gone to bed. And we both usually get out of bed about 10 a.m. I've never been one for schedules, but I really was only getting maybe 2 hours worth of blogging work done each night since Buttercup was hanging on for dear life until the wee hours of the morning every single night.

Not exactly a prime situation for getting anything done.

Then, the magical routine happened, and I suddenly gaained a happily sleepy baby who gets her bath, wrapped up in a Grobag Baby Sleep Bag from Keen Distribution, a few books, and then she is off to la-la land by 10:30. It's amazing.

I really do think that the Grobag is part of the magic. These U.K. best-sellers retail for $34.99 and $39.99, and come in a variety of thickness, sizes, patterns, and are great for every season, and for every child from newborns to thirty-six-months. It is very easy to use, unzips in all the right places for night-time changes, and has turned into a trusty little piece of nighty-night comfort whenever we happen to bed down at a relative's for the night.

It works great for now, but I do have reservations about the feasibility of a sleeping bag for a mobile toddler, who may try getting out of a toddler bed for a night-time visit to mommy's room. But for children in cribs, I think this is a wonderful item to use in place of blankets, which should not be used for newborns, anyway, or which can be kicked off by older babies.(Keen, however, makes a great point that the sleeping bag not only protects baby's feet and legs from getting stuck in crib bars, but it also makes it difficult, if not impossible, to try to climb out of the crib. so majoe points on that one.)

Another great find from Keen is the new (to the U.S) Grobag Egg Room Thermometer, a color-changing digital thermometer retailing for $29.99. The egg has a beautifully soft glow that changes color according to the temperature in the baby's room. Yellow means that the room is in the appropriate temp range of 61 to 67 degrees F, which can help reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Just a peek into the nursery will tell you if you need to adjust the temperature, or at least the baby's clothing or bedding if temperature adjustments are not possible.


Want to try it out for yourself? Keen Distribution has generously offered a package of one Grobag Baby Sleeping Bag and one Grobag Egg to one lucky winner!

To be considered for the random drawing, visit their site and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what other product you are interested in trying out. One extra entry is available if you decide to choose one of the following:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so (new subscribers only!)
* Add my button to your sidebar and comment (I'll check!).
* Blog about the contest and link to the giveaway.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my button and place it on your sidebar, linking to Berrie Sweet Picks.
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
Please note that non-bloggers MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing!
I'll pick one name at midnight (EST) on Aug. 11 and post their name to PRIZEYWinners and on my left-hand sidebar. The winner has four days from the announcement date to contact me, or an alternate winner will be chosen.
See you soon with another berrie sweet review and contest!