As I’ve thudded into the third trimester, I’ve all but given up on a proper night’s sleep. I’m now on my third brand of maternity pillow (finally settling on the Theraline - review HERE) and am up around fives times a night to empty my bladder. We’ve also now upgraded our double bed to a super king - this wasn’t even up for discussion, I just went ahead and ordered it at 4am after a particularly bad night a few weeks back. Craig’s face was an absolute picture when he came home and discovered I’d taken a sledgehammer to the bedside cabinets and bought smaller ones in their place. I simply couldn’t cope with another elbow in my face and now need at least the width of a double bed to myself to toss and turn in my sleep.
When I spotted that Snoozle were looking for pregnant women to road test their maternity slide sheet, I thought I’d give it a go. The website is full of claims it’s helped women with painful night-time maneuvers. It’s said to help with a zillion different pregnancy ailments including SPD and Sciatica (two things I’ve regularly whinged about during both of my pregnancies), and also non-pregnancy related arthritic pain or easing the discomfort of those recovering from back surgery.
So what is it?
It’s a 75×75″ ‘tube’ made from kind-to-skin cotton on the outer layer, and a satin inner fabric that is designed to slide comfortably with your every move. It’s incredibly simple, but often these are the very products that work the best. It’s a concept that’s worked a treat for Icelandic midwives for years and has now been recreated by Snoozle for all to benefit from.
The theory is that it makes your movements smoother and faster so you don’t need to put in as much effort when you toss and turn. This means you won’t use as many sore muscles and move as many painful joints. It’s ideal if you’re bed-sharing as it only goes on your side of the bed and is designed to be completely noiseless so as not to disturb your other half. Reportedly, it also makes rolling out of bed in the mornings that little bit easier.
It’s highly recommended during child birth when you’re struggling to change position (don’t worry, it’s washable at up to 60 °c), and equally useful if you’ve had a c-section and are struggling to sit up in bed to breastfeed.
So what did I think?
First up - I love the simple packaging. It came in a really pretty box which is handy to tuck away in your hospital bag if you’ve bought two.
I was sent a pink Snoozle (but it is also available in blue or grey) - the design is as simple as I’ve suggested above but I’m really impressed with the quality. The logo is embroidered so it doesn’t irritate you when in contact with your skin, and the outer layer (that you sleep on) is soft to touch.
You simply pop the sheet on the bed (on top of your regular bed sheet) with the satin trims beneath your shoulder and thighs. It’s very generously proportioned so you have plenty of room either side.
There’s no denying my movements were MUCH faster and smoother with the Snoozle. I’m also making far less noise when I toss and turn. I used to moan and whimper a bit as it was so painful. It’s also completely noiseless and hasn’t disturbed Craigy in the slightest. Having used it for the past 5 nights, I’m happy to report I feel much more rested in the mornings and my symptoms are better throughout the day as a result. If I have a bad day and Mini Madam pushes down on my sciatic nerve one too many times, I simply have a nap on my Snoozle and gain a few hours respite.
My only niggle (not a criticism of the product at all as this is completely unavoidable) is that after several turns from side to side, the Snoozle inevitably gets twisted underneath you. This shouldn’t wake you up at night, but does mean you’ll constantly have to straighten it out when you get back from every one of your many trips to the loo!
But that’s it! I can’t think of anything that would prevent me recommending the Snoozle maternity slide sheet to anyone who is struggling with sleep in pregnancy. It’s had a huge impact for many mums-to-be and is only a tiny £24.00. In fact, so convinced is Snoozle’s founder Lilja that it’ll help you, she offers a full money-back guarantee if it doesn’t!
DISCLAIMER: I was provided with a Snoozle for the purposes of his review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Linking to Tried & Tested by the lovely Kate at Family Fever and Colette at We’re going on an adventure.
