things we love…
HATCH BABY
This little gem does it all! It includes a soft, glowing nightlight that won’t disrupt melatonin levels and white noise settings, which are crucial when you’ve got a colicky baby that’s hard to calm or you need to block out environmental noises while baby is trying to take a nap.
The best part about the Hatch is that you can create and control your child’s sleep environment from your smartphone - so you never have to worry about having to sneak in and out of your child’s bedroom like a freakishly acrobatic ninja - just to make an adjustment to the sound machine. Whew!
I love the Hatch and I think you will, too!
BLACKOUT EZ WINDOW COVERS
If you want to prevent early morning wake ups and help your child take longer naps, a dark sleep environment is crucial. The problem with blackout curtains is that light can still creep in over the top of the curtain and even the teensiest bit of light can be enough to disrupt sleep.
You know how you might wake up at 5:00 a.m., look at the clock and then roll over and go back to sleep? Babies can’t do that! Their brains recognize the dark as a signal that it’s time to sleep - and any light as a signal that it’s time to wake up. One of the most important things you can do to promote good sleep is to make your child’s sleep environment as dark as possible.
There are a few ways to do that, but Blackout EZ window covers are my fav because you can put them up or take them down easily whenever you want and that makes your life easier!
BITTA KIDDA
Did you know that Lovies aren’t recommended for babies under 12 months old? This is a bummer because Lovies can definitely help little ones soothe themselves to sleep, but not to worry! Bitta kidda came up with a genius solution: a wearable Lovie! BittaSack is the safe way to provide babies over 3 months old a Lovie that’s always within reach and can't be lost or tossed out of the crib.
The adjustable diaper cover keeps the sack securely positioned so it never gets twisted up and the diagonal zipper makes diaper changing simple.
It’s made of 100% natural cotton and is best used as a cozy blanket layer over sleepwear. If you try it, let me know if your baby thinks it’s as cool as I do!
SLUMBERPOD
Hotel rooms. Camping. Grandma’s house. Alaska. Wherever you’re going that might make room darkening at bedtime tricky - this is the solution!
SlumberPod is a quick-assembly privacy pod that helps babies, toddlers and their parents get a good night's sleep - no matter where you are! It fits over a pack-n-play, travel cribs, cots and inflatable mattresses and in just a few minutes you’ve got a completely dark sleep environment that helps your child fall asleep anywhere.
See their website for a complete list of compatible play yards, cribs and cots.
This is a parenting win all day everyday and twice on Tuesdays!
ZIPADEE-ZIP
I personally think that the Zipadee-Zip is the best transitional sleep sack. If your little one loves the swaddle and is over 12 weeks old, it’s time to switch! Swaddles become a safety issue as soon as baby begins trying to roll over - and that can happen as early as 3 months. The Zipadee-Zip provides the cozy, enclosed feel and sensation of the womb or swaddle but offers a full range of movement to push up and roll over, keeps a little one’s hands warm all night long and prevents a baby from scratching their face (which is great for babies with eczema!).
This is great for older babies, too. Got a crib climber? Try this out!
SNOOZESHADE
Sometimes we just can’t make it home in time for a nap. Whether it’s because there are errands to run, school pickup lines to wait in or a long day of travel ahead, naps on the go are less than ideal.
SnoozeShade offers several options for different strollers and carseats that provide a dark environment and will protect baby from up to 97.5% of UV rays, gusty winds and chilly days. A soft mesh window also opens up to allow baby to see while blocking 80% of UV rays and opens fully for easy access to baby.
Give it a try and let us know what you think!
LOVIES FOR BABIES
Once your baby reaches 12 months of age, a Lovie can be just the thing to help them self-soothe and snuggle into sleep. Babies often wake up at night looking for that thing they need to fall asleep, which is usually you! Introducing a Lovie can be a great way to give them something that’s comforting - but they don’t need you to provide every few hours.
I found this little shop on Etsy that makes these adorable personalized Lovies for a great price, but any Lovie you find will do the trick.
Pro Tip: When you do offer a Lovie, make sure that it stays in the crib until it’s time to sleep. This will help your child recognize that it’s what they use to get to sleep and it’s not a toy.