My Sleepy Girl Loves Her Merino Kids Toddler Sleep Sack

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

My 3 year old daughter Sophie is definitely a Daddy's Girl in every sense of the word. She loves chocolate as much as her Daddy. She is silly, again just like Daddy. And when she sleeps, she tends to wake up a hot mess. Literally. Like her father, she wakes up dripping with sweat, no matter how cool the room is. (We have spoken to our pediatrician, and apparently, this is just the norm for her.)

So we have struggled to find ways to make Sophie more comfortable at night. Unless it's the dead of winter, sleepers are just too much. Even in the summer, she prefers to sleep wearing just a diaper or a light nightgown. Of course then I worry about her becoming too cold, so I end up checking on her multiple times and replacing the blankets that have been kicked off.

We've tried a few different types of wearable blankets, or sleep sacks. Most of them are wonderful, but didn't stop my Princess from becoming a sweaty mess. Even some cottons were too much at times, depending on the thickness of the garment.

So when I learned about the sleep sacks from Merino Kids, a New Zealand based company, I was definitely intrigued. You see, this kiwi brand has an amazing reputation overseas, and is now available to US consumers. What makes them unique? They use Merino fibers. This has been called a "miracle fiber", and has been proven to have many benefits. If you haven't heard of this before, here are some quick facts about this amazing fiber. (They also offer Organic Cotton products, which I will be featuring in my review. Merino is just too cool not to share, too!)

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About Merino :

Unlike most synthetic fabrics, merino is able to breathe and control moisture. This results in a regulated body temperature for your baby and a comfortable micro-climate between body temperature and bedding. When it’s cool, the fabric naturally works overtime to keep baby warm, and when the temperature drops, the fabric insulates to keep baby warm.  It also absorbs and releases moisture far better than synthetic materials, keeping baby comfortable and dry.

Merino, unlike other wool products, is silky soft against the skin, and is hypoallergenic. This makes it a wonderful choice for those with skin sensitivities or even conditions like eczema. It also doesn't require constant laundering, since it contains a protective layer that naturally repels stains and odors. Of course this is machine washable, so it can easily be washed when necessary.

Other benefits of Merino are really quite unbelievable. Did you know that swaddling a newborn in this fabric can greatly reduce the risk of overheating? Also, low birth weight and preemie babies have been shown to gain an additional 2.5oz/week when sleeping in Merino.

But the best benefit of all? Well, babies who sleep in Merino are happier and get a better nights sleep. (And happy baby means happy Mom and Dad!) Comfortable babies fall asleep faster with less fussing, feed better, and experience more consistent weight gain. Pretty neat, right?

About Merino Kids :

Merino Kids is an internationally award winning textile company from New Zealand that specializes in using 100% natural fibers, for newborn, baby, infant and toddler sleepwear. Amie Nilsson founded the company in 2003 and has since grown Merino Kids to become one of the global leaders and commentators of using natural fibers for young children.

"When I first started Merino Kids back in 2003, it was born out of necessity for my first daughter Lillybelle. As a mother researching the availability of baby, infant and toddler sleepwear products I was shocked at the number of synthetic products that were flooding the market. More-so I was dismayed at the size and state of the unregulated global industry"

"Using my background in textile design and my knowledge of merino as a 100% natural wonder fiber , I decided to make a difference."

The mission at Merino Kids is to make a difference to the lives of all families with young children. They want parents and care givers to feel good about the choices that they make. Merino Kids is passionate about bringing you only the safest, functional yet innovative and beautiful products, made from only nature’s best 100% natural materials.

My Review of the Organic Cotton Toddler Sleep Sack :

The generous folks at Merino Kids sent us an Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Sack For Toddlers 2-4 years, in the beautifully gender neutral Moss Green color scheme. (Yes, they have organic cotton options as well as Merino. Organic Cotton is ideal for summer!)

This arrived very quickly, and was packaged quite impressively. The sleep sack came in a pretty bag that even has embroidery on it, as well as the adorable Merino Kids logo!

The organic cotton used to make this sleep sack is far more luxurious than I had expected. It is mid-weight, and is very, very soft. It reminds me of my favorite old t-shirt that has softened due to years of love and many, many washes. So of course, I knew that Sophie would be quite comfortable wrapped up in this product.

I can also feel good about this product because it's all natural, so no chemicals, pesticides, or other icky things come into contact with my baby's skin. As a matter of fact, the organic cotton used to make this sleep sack is GOTS-certified.

The colors are also wonderful. The red, green, and blue are nice and vibrant, and are suited to either gender. This is great, since my son Xander will be able to use it, too.

The construction of this sleep sack was obviously very well thought out by its designers. There are so many convenience features that make Mom or Dad's life easier. For one, diaper changes are quick and easy, thanks to the fact that there is a full length, self-locking zipper for easy access. The zipper is actually built into the seams, so there will be no scratchiness for baby.

There is also a patented safety belt aperture that allows quick transition to a car seat without disturbing a sleeping baby. (And we all know how awful moving an already snoozing child to a car seat can be.) This aperture is very simple to use, and is compatible with pretty much all car seats and safety belts.

Another thing I love about this product is the fact that it's generously sized. This fits my daughter with plenty of room to spare. I will admit, Sophie is rather petite for a 3.5 year old. She is on the short side, and weighs about 32lbs. But even for larger kids, there would be plenty of room since this product is designed to be non-restrictive and give kids a free range of motion. While this is definitely roomy, it's also very secure and baby will not be able to wriggle out of it. My daughter actually walks around wearing it! (I was a little worried she would trip at first, but this has not happened yet, knock on wood!)

Sophie absolutely loves her Merino Kids Toddler Sleep Sack. She wears it around the house often, whether she's tired or not! She has told us that it's very "soft and comfy" and that she adores the stripes.

But the best testament to this product can be seen while she's sleeping. My daughter, who has always seemed to have a built-in furnace, is waking up dry. In 3.5 years, this is a rarity. But obviously, the organic cotton is quite breathable, and it keeps my little girl comfortable, allowing her to rest easier. I no longer need to rush her to the bath in the morning because she's a sweaty mess. It doesn't get much better than that! (Or maybe it does? Hmm...Maybe I will have to purchase one of the Merino varieties to try in cooler months!)

The catch? Well, there is another difference between this and other sleep sacks on the market. Yes, they are a bit pricier. (These range from $79.99-$159.99)

But, like with many things, you get what you pay for. Many sleep sacks last only a few short months. They either wear out, or a child outgrows them. Sleep sacks from Merino Kids are incredibly durable, and are designed to last for years. Also, the materials used are far superior quality to most traditional sleep sacks as well. So your child will certainly have a much more comfortable night's sleep nestled in these luxurious fabrics. Add to that the fact that these are made from organic materials and contain no chemicals or pesticides, and you will see why Merino Kids is the natural choice. This is definitely an investment that is worth every penny.

How to Connect :

You can check out the awesomeness that is Merino Kids on their website.

You can also connect with them on Facebook, on twitter, and on Pinterest to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!