hopefl: Re: [at-l] Children's sleeping bags

[hopefl@juno.com]

Hey Redhead. When our kids were small we had some "snow suits" that were
given as presents. They had hoods and little mitts that were attached and
the bottoms unsnapped along the legs for changing diapers. We found these
very good for the kids to sleep in because they couldn't wiggle out from
under the covers. All 3 of our boys used these in hand-me-down fashion
and I think Diana finally gave the suits to a friend or put it in the
good will box. So, they seemed to last and wear well.

Seems to me that Diana also got heavy pj's for the kids. ( Our daughter,
being the oldest was too big for the snow suits we had. ) I think she
called them "blanket sleepers" or some such name because they were made
from much heavier material than the usual flannel sleepers. These also
had attached feet but no mitts or hoods. These came in large enough sizes
that our kids could use them to about age 4. They slept in a sock hat and
mittens when using the blanket sleepers. Maybe Diana but their flannel
pj's on under the blanket sleepers. 

I can't recall where I got this tip but somebody used an adult size coat
as a sleeping bag for a child. They put the child in warm pj's and then
zipped them up in the coat. I think they safety pinned the bottom to keep
the chill out. I believe this would work. Kids grow so fast that it seems
a poor investment to buy a child size sleeping bag. The few I've actually
looked at didn't seem to be good for anything but slumber parties on the
living room floor. I think an adult coat coupled with warm pj's and a
good insulating pad to lay on would work just fine. Our old Boy scout
manual told us to have 3 times as much insolation under us as on top of 
us. I believe this is a valid rule of thumb. Those closed cell foam pad
work great. They are cheap, light weight and can be cut to size.

I bet you think I am the cheapest man on earth. I'm not. I remember one
time Diana and I were discussing something and I told her that I wasn't
being cheap, that I am just an economical sort of man. She looked at me
and very lovingly and kindly said, "Honey, trust me. You are cheap." 
What ever. I hope this idea is useful to you. If you share if with
anybody, don't tell them where you got. My reputation is bad enough
already.  Hopeful
--------- End forwarded message ----------

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