FAQs
WHERE CAN I BUY BILLIE + BOBBIE PRODUCTS?
QLD
Lolopops Baby Gifts 5A/77 Oxford St, Bulimba (*selected styles only)
Currently we are stocked in the following online stores:
www.frankiegeneralstore.com.au
WHERE ARE YOUR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED?
All our products are proudly manufactured in Australia. Read more about why buying Australian Made is so important here
ARE BILLIE + BOBBIE PRODUCTS SAFE FOR SLEEP?
Safety is at the forefront of our mind when designing any Billie + Bobbie product. All of our products go through a product safety standard review and where applicable have been tested through an independent laboratory to ensure that they meet Australian standards AS/NZS 1249:2014 for children’s nightwear. All products are designed for safe sleep following Australian SIDS guidelines.
It is important to select the right style and size swaddle or sleeping bag for your little one's weight/size and developmental stage.
We recommend the Red Nose Australia website to follow the latest guidelines for safe sleeping: Red Nose Australia
DO YOUR GARMENTS ALLOW FOR NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HIPS?
Yes, all of our garments allows hips & legs to move freely to promote healthy hip joint development as guided by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. When swaddling your baby it is important to allow room around the hips for movement.
WHAT AGE CAN MY BABY WEAR IT FROM? WHEN SHOULD I STOP SWADDLING MY BABY?
We recommend our Joey Merino Wool Swaddle Sack or Swaddle Wrap to be used from newborn until your little one has outgrown the swaddling phase. It is essential to discontinue swaddling as soon as baby starts showing signs that they can begin to roll, usually between 4-6 months of age but sometimes younger. The sleeping bag is suitable to be used from around 3 months upwards (min weight 4.5kg). Refer to our size guide for weight guidelines.
HOW DO I SWADDLE SAFELY?
- The neck must be fitted to avoid a baby’s head slipping down into the swaddle. To check for the correct fit, you should be able to fit two fingers in the neck hole when being worn.
- Swaddles should allow for full chest expansion when breathing
- The hips and legs need to be able to flop outwards into a natural position while the baby sleeps. Tight swaddling across the hips that hold the legs together is thought to contribute and increase developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
- Babies don’t regulate their body heat very well and rely on their coverings to keep them warm but not hot. Do not overdress a baby underneath their swaddle and never cover their head at sleep time (e.g. with a hat or beanie).
- Swaddling needs to be secure, without any chance of fabric draping over the baby’s face.
CAN MY BABY SLEEP WITH THEIR ARMS UP IN A JOEY MERINO WOOL SWADDLE SACK?
A baby won't be able to get their arms all the way up to the sides of their head in a Joey Merino Wool Swaddle Sack. Instead, our swaddles are made from a stretchy fabric to allow for natural arm movement. We find that babies will wriggle their arms and hands into a position that is most comfortable for them.
WHAT IS A BABY SLEEPING BAG OR SACK?
A baby sleeping bag, also called a wearable blanket or sleep sack, is a bag-like garment or covering worn by infants for sleeping. It replacing loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby's face and interfere with breathing. Red Nose recommend that it should be fitted around the neck, and baby’s arms fully out of the bag for safe sleeping.
WHY USE A SLEEPING BAG INSTEAD OF REGULAR SHEETS?
Safety - Sleeping bags are secure around the neck/armholes which means that they won’t be able to cover your baby’s face while sleeping unlike traditional blankets.
Sleep association – the sleeping bag becomes part of the bedtime routine and so your child learns that when the sleeping bag comes out, it’s time for bed!
Less waking during the night - They ensure a better night’s sleep for all the family as they can’t be kicked off leading to waking in the night because they are cold.
WHAT SHOULD I DRESS MY BABY IN UNDERNEATH THE SWADDLE/SLEEPING BAG?
Refer to our temperature guide for what to wear underneath the Joey Merino Wool Swaddle Sack or Sleeping Bag.
WHAT WEIGHT DO I NEED?
You can choose which weight is suitable based on the temperature of your baby’s room following our temperature guide.
WHAT IS A TOG RATING?
TOG stands for ‘Thermal Overall Grade’ which simply provides a measure of warmth; the higher the number, the warmer the garment. You may have noticed that our sleeping bags are not TOG rated like most other brands but instead have a temperature guide. That’s because Merino Wool has unique thermo-regulating properties that respond to the environment, keeping your baby warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. This is also the reason why our regular sleeping bag is suitable for use over all seasons (effectively the TOG rating changes depending on the external temperature), whereas with TOG rated garments you are most likely to need various weights to cater for different temperatures.
WHY DOESN'T THE SLEEPING BAG HAVE SLEEVES?
This is to aid temperature regulation to ensure safe sleeping and avoid overheating. We recommend layering garments to ensure your child is perfectly adapted to their environment. The best way to measure your babies temperature is to check behind their neck. So long as their core temperature is okay, it is ok for hands to feel a little cooler.
DO I NEED ANY OTHER BEDDING?
There is no need to use extra sheets or blankets making it a safe-sleep option. Simply add layers underneath for extra warmth if required.
WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT FIRE LABELS MEAN?
To give you peace of mind we have explained what each fire label that we use means:
This label has been used on items classified as ‘category 1’. In simple terms category 1 refers to garments made from fabric and trims that have low flammability (Merino Wool is naturally flame resistant therefore we don’t need to apply harsh chemical flame retardants):
This label has been used on items classified as ‘category 4’. In simple terms category 4 refers to garments that don’t meet the requirements of category 1 (2 and 3 are not mentioned here as they do not apply to the Billie + Bobbie range) but still meet some fabric, size and burning test requirements:
HOW MANY SWADDLES/SLEEPING BAGS DO I NEED?
We recommend to have 2 swaddles/Merino sleeping bags so that you have a spare when one is in the wash (or needed for sleepovers at grandparents etc). Most climates will require both all season and winter weight sleeping bags but please refer to our temperature guide to check what your baby’s room falls under. Check out our value bundle sets here to save when you buy 2.
WHAT SIZE SHOULD I BUY?
You can refer to our handy size guide here
MY CHILD HAS ECZEMA - WILL IT BE IRRITATED BY WOOL?
Clothing type and overheating can both contribute to the cause of eczema. Dermatological trials have shown that eczema sufferers wearing superfine merino garments next to the skin had reduced symptoms when compared with wearing cotton. This is due to its ability to manage moisture levels next to the skin – it draws moisture away preventing any clamminess.
Source: Murdoch Children's Research Institute
WHY IS MERINO WOOL BETTER THAN SYNTHETICS AND OTHER NATURAL FIBRES LIKE COTTON?
We can tell you all about why Merino Wool is the best here.
ISN'T MERINO WOOL TOO HOT FOR WARM TEMPERATURES?
Wool is often associated with winter or colder climates but in fact Superfine Merino Wool is ideal for a wide range of temperatures due to its ability to regulate body temperature. It wicks moisture away from the skin as your little one heats up during the night and perspires. Synthetic fibres like polyester (which is used as a filling in the majority of kids sleeping bags) traps the moisture leading to clamminess, which can cause your little one to become cold during the night as the temperature drops as well as contributing to skin conditions like eczema.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY ITEM?
Merino Wool
All our Merino Wool is machine washable. Though did you know that due to its natural ability to prevent the build-up of bacteria and repel odours it really only needs washing when it has become ‘soiled’ – which makes it even easier to care for – better for you, better for the environment! Whilst it’s always better to dry naturally if you can, our merino wool can even be tumble dried if required (always follow the label on the item though). It is important to use a mild liquid detergent that is suitable for wool - detergents containing enzymes will damage the wool fibres.
Linen
Our Linen is machine washable, and will last it’s longest when washed on a gentle cycle using a mild soap without bleach or brighteners. Dry cleaning is not recommended as the chemicals used in the dry cleaning process can weaken the fibres. Overdrying can make linen brittle over time. We advise against using a tumble dryer but if absolutely necessary it’s best to use a delicate setting and remove from the dryer while still damp then allow to finish drying off naturally.
Hint: To ensure your linen lasts, try to avoid exposure to direct sunlight over long periods of time.
Organic Cotton
All our cotton is suitable to be washed in a regular machine wash.