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We also used it and it worked! We only had to use it for a very short time, maybe a month before he started rolling.

@cake2017: they can’t suck on their fingers easily in it. That’s pretty much when we transitioned out of it- once she was trying to get her hands to her mouth and would struggle with the sleep suit, it seemed to do more harm than good at that point.

Sleep is my nemesis. Honestly if could pay $40 for a month of sleep from my 4 year old would do it in a heartbeat.

I wrote a post on the Merlin versus Zippadee! http://www.hellobee.com/2016/10/07/merlin-magic-sleepsuit-versus-zipadee-zip/

@cake2017: We really liked the Merlin for our second. She needed something else once she started busting out of the Miracle Blanket. We were comfortable using it until she could roll *in the Merlin* - even when she could roll, it still took her a while before she was strong enough to roll in the giant puffy suit. She couldn't suck her fingers in it (that's not really her thing) - but we did use a paci, and the Merlin was a lifesaver for that, because without it she would just bat the paci out of her mouth and cry.

We loved the Merlin for transitioning out of the swaddle, but, we only used it from about 4-6 months then went to just PJs after that. I think since your son is already 5 months and on the large end, I would just skip it and drag through the process of having him learn to go to sleep with just PJs (maybe try a Halo sleep sack?) and also in his own room. It may be a rough transition period but at 5 months he's old enough for it.

@cake2017: have you tried a sleep sack? We had the kind with Velcro straps that you could use to swaddle the arms down, or have arms out and just pull the straps tightly around her chest. So she still got the snug feeling around her chest but her arms were free to push her head up if she rolls over. Like this one
Halo SleepSack Swaddle Wearable Blanket, 100% Cotton (Small, Birds) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E74ULEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6o0aAbVVG4XZ5

My almost two year old still sleeps in a sleep sack- it’s an extra layer of warmth and a sleep cue for her. She can walk in it in her crib even though it’s not the footed kind.

@cake2017: Have you looked into a love to dream swaddle? They can self soothe in it, but not sure it would help with your leg situation. We loved that thing, but again, you need to unzip the arms (if you buy one, get the 50/50 version) once they start rolling.

@cake2017: No, I never had any issue with that. I think there are different types of Zippadees, but the one that we used didn't seem to have a way for the fabric to get in the face (the arm fabric was too short for that to happen).

@cake2017: I’m currently in the throes of crap night sleep because of a similar situation and baby just wanting to be held. The startle reflex is finally dying down, but he wants to be held all night and it’s killing me because I want to sleep by myself in our bed. The crib is right beside me and I put a pillow on top of his legs...it has helped lengthen his sleep sometimes. Sometimes I tuck a breastfeeding pillow around his legs on the bottom to try and mimic being held on the sides. If I had money I’d probably buy a dockatot to try even though people say they’re not the safest.

I did the arms up swaddle briefly, came to it too late and it didn’t seem to help much. He sucks his hands and I think might start sucking his thumb so I don’t want to take that away from him.

He’s just in a regular sleep sack, grobag which seems to have just a touch of weight at 2.5 tog. Not enough to stop the leg flailing...hence the pillow. I tried it early on when I found it tbay restint my hand on his legs would get him to settle sometimes.

Hope you find something that helps. It’s all tribal and error and it’s baby sleep is mind boggling to me and this is my second. My first was a great sleeper so this babe is putting me through the ringer.

@cake2017: The Merlin might help with his legs, as it keeps the legs and arms somewhat in place - have you tried it yet?

@cake2017: You can't use it if they are rolling. My second loved the Love to Dream Swaddle up, which is a tight sleepsack. It won't help with his legs but that's just something he will grow out of.

I do! Used it for my first, loved it. She wasn't a huge baby, so we used it from like 3 to almost 7 months! It helped her a ton and we were able to transition out after just fine. With my 2nd we didn't end up using it.