Miracle Baby Sleep-Trainer mattress by Jacqui Nancey review

The American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued a recent report urging parents not to use these products as they may cause suffocation.

However, we at MadeForMums spoke tothe Lullaby Trust, who clarified the issue by saying sleep positioners are different to baby nests/pods:

"It is our understanding that sleep positioners are straps or wedges that hold a baby in place. The evidence shows that the safest way to sleep a baby is on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in a cot or moses basket and we would not recommend any sleep surface that does not conform to these guidelines.”

As baby nests and pods do not have straps or wedges, they are safe to use.

Still, we always recommend you follow manufacturer instructions and check out the safety tips on co-sleeping, or the The Lullaby Trust's guidelines for sleeping safely and the NHS guidelines on how to reduce SIDS.

As this Miracle Baby Sleep-Trainer mattress does have an incline, it could be considered a baby wedge. While the Lullby Trust do not recommend wedges as a sleeping solution, they still can be used for shorter periods, when you are supervising your baby.

If you're looking for more baby sleeping solutions check these out...

• Enfant Terrible Sleepyhead Grand Baby Pod
• Enfant Terrible Sleepyhead Deluxe Pod
• 10 of the best baby sleep time aids
• 7 of the best co-sleepers

Jacqui’s approach is simple: a well-fed baby resting in the optimum position will sleep the best, although it takes a lot of tips and help regarding feeding to achieve that. At least it did for me anyway!

I was lucky enough to have a one-to-one session with Jacqui in which she showed me winding methods which made sure my newborn son Rafferty was completely full. She then swaddled him and laid him down on the Miracle Baby Sleep Training Mattress – entire sleep training system.

Unfortunately every purchase doesn't come with the full nurse Jacqui experience but you will get a booklet with all the information she shared, when you buy the mattress.

Saying that, it’s a shame there are no videos available yet to accompany the mattress, it would've been really great to show the techniques in action but they're not far off.

Whenever I used to lay Rafferty down on a flat mattress, he would start with his legs snuggled up to him but as they fell straight it would seem to startle him and wake him up.

That’s not an issue with this mattress, as it offers my son the optimum position. It supports under his bottom and he brings his legs up in front of him and seems very settled.

What do you think of the curve and saddle in the mattress?

I like the fact the mattress is quite firm, it seems very supportive yet there are areas such as where the head sits that dip in slightly to make it more comfortable and it makes it easier for him to turn his head.

Does it help relieve the flat-head syndrome, colic and reflux?

Neither of my sons have had flat head syndrome but it makes sense that the design of the Quiet Mark Miracle Baby Sleep-Trainer mattress would stop a baby’s head developing flat areas as it molds around the head.

While Rafferty doesn’t have reflux or colic, the mattress sits at an angle, which suggests it would help ease these symptoms because lying flat can aggravate them. Rafferty is certainty lying more comfortably than he does when he’s on a flat surface.

Does your baby sleep quickly and for longer periods of time when on the mattress?

Yes! Rafferty definitely slept for longer periods during the day when I employed the whole system and even at night when I didn't use the mattress, using Jacqui’s tips have definitely helped get him to sleep better.

I had previously thought it was great if Rafferty fell asleep while feeding but Jacqui explained that unless you wake them, wind them and feed until they are full they will just wake a little while later wanting more milk (which did actually happen all the time).

This is all explained in the book, which, I must admit, looks a bit basic and lets the system down a bit. There are also times when I think bits of information might be a bit confusing if not demonstrated in person or via video. Saying that, it carries a lot of information which is extremely useful.

Does it give your little one the support needed?

It certainly does, my son is very well supported, more so than with a flat mattress or the Cocoonababy which we tried out a couple of weeks ago.

Does it fit all crib sizes?

Unfortunately, it didn’t fit my John Lewis gliding crib. However, it fits other cribs from the same retailer. It does come with a travel carrycot but while the sides stand up quite straight they aren’t rigid (Jacqui says this is being remedied at the moment).

My son Rafferty isn’t rolling yet but because of these two reasons I preferred to use it for naps while I was in the same room rather than for overnight sleeping.

Is it waterproof?

No but you can put waterproof sheets on it or wash down the fabric of the mattress.

What do you think of the design?

It doesn’t look as stylish as the Cocoonababy but I think it’s more practical. Its oblong shape means it fits snugly into certain cribs. It also means you can use regular fitted sheets rather than specially made ones.

How robust is it?

The mattress itself seems very durable and the fabric of the carrycot seems very strong, it’s just a shame it’s not rigid. (this is being fixed).

Would you recommend this mattress?

I would but more so for people who have a crib it fits so they can get more use out of it.

What’s in the box?

• The Miracle Baby Sleep-Training Mattress along with a brown canvas travel carrycot to put it in.

Do you need extra accessories?

• No, regular fitted sheets work with this.

Is the product value for money?

Yes! You get all the great tips and information from Jacqui and you don’t need to buy special sheets for it like the Cocoonababy. And at £120, it’s cheaper than the Cocoonababy's £129.95 price tag.

MadeForMums verdict:

A great product especially for babies who suffer from reflux and Jacqui’s system definitely helped my son Rafferty sleep better and it’s great news the carrycot is being altered to make it rigid. However, it’s an expensive option and I believe it would be of much more use if it fits perfectly into your crib.

Bedtime, we've got that covered….

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