My Top 5 Favorite Sleep Products
Let’s be real, as a new parent you are constantly advertised an every growing list of “must haves” and and baby registry items that you simply cannot live without. It can feel overwhelming to choose what exactly you truly need (not to mention what fits in your budget) and how to know if it’s really worth all the hype.
As a long time childcare professional and a gentle sleep coach, I have had the pleasure of caring for many children from infancy through toddlerhood. I also had the opportunity to familiarize myself with SO many products that each kiddo brought with them…
From pacifiers to swaddles, sound machines to rain boots, I’ve tried and tested many of the different brands out there and, after years of trial and error, have developed my personal and professional preferences.
And listen, I am an avid thrifter, a DIY queen, and value bringing quality and meaningful items with intention into my home over jumping to whatever is the newest, shiniest “next best thing.” Do you need everything on this list? Probably not. Every family dynamic and baby preferences is different! Take what you need and leave what doesn’t feel necessary right now.
So, without further ado, here are MY top 5 sleep products that I believe are worth the hype.
Let’s be honest, when it comes to swaddles, the search for the perfect one can be SO exhausting! Endless scrolling through Amazon and suggestions from your mom friends has left you feeling overwhelmed and second guessing. Plus, every baby is different, and you wont know how baby will respond to the swaddle until you try it.
While I do love a classic blanket swaddle for soothing a fussy newborn, the Love to Dream Swaddle UP is by far my favorite when it comes to sleep! My favorite feature with the this swaddle is the wing design, which allows baby to sleep in their more preferred sleeping position with their arms by their cheeks. While this swaddle still has the snug fit that helps calm baby’s nervous system, in my experience, babies have an easier time transitioning from this swaddle to the sleep sack because they are already used to having their arms less restricted. For older newborns getting ready to transition out of the swaddle, the Love to Dream Transition Swaddle can be so helpful in making this transition easy and smooth.
Here are a few more things that make my recommendation for the Love to Dream Swaddle Up a no-brainer.
What I love about it:
Keeps baby safe, snug, and cozy
Swaddle helps calm the startle reflex to keep baby sleeping soundly
Wing design allows baby to sleep in a more preferred sleeping position with their arms up
Swaddle Up does not restrict arm movement, which can be frustrating for some babies
Features a dual zipper for easy midnight diaper changes
Zipper garage protects baby’s face from irritation
Easy to use! Get baby swaddled in in 3 seconds
*Safety tip: Remember to STOP swaddling when baby starts showing signs of rolling. If you are wondering if it is time to stop swaddling to sleep, check out my recommendations for gently transitioning out of the swaddle.
Woolino Sleep Sack
All I can say is “I wish they had it in my size!” Woolino is by far my favorite sleep sack I have ever come across. The incredibly soft, 100% Merino wool makes for 4 season temperature control to keep your little one cozy all year long. My other favorite feature? Woolino sleep sack is long lasting and made of high quality material, fitting your 2 month to 2-YEAR-old!
Sleep Sacks are a safe sleep option for babies who are under 12 months of age, but can be used well into toddlerhood (really until they physically grow out of it). If you are using a swaddle and your baby begins to show signs of trying to roll (typically around 2 months), its time to transition to the sleep sack!
Like swaddles, there are SO many options out there. Not only does Woolino offer incredibly soft, breathable sleep sacks, they also come in the most precious colors and patterns!
I’ll be honest, this is one of the most expensive sleep sacks on the market, but the fact that you don’t need to continue sizing up helps make up for that initial investment. However, if you’re looking for a little more variety and assessing your options, I’ve compared my 4 favorite sleep sacks just for you.
What I love about it:
100% Merino wool for optimal temperature control (1 sleep sack for all seasons!)
Universal size from 2 months to 2 YEARS (i.e. spend less in the long run with a sleep sack that lasts into toddlerhood)
Double shoulder snaps and 2 way zipper for easy dressing and diapering
Soft, durable and long lasting (perfect for growing families)
SlumberPod
I’ll be honest… when I saw my first SlumberPod, I thought it was a little extravagant. Now, I cannot recommend it enough!
If your baby is sensitive to light when they sleep (as many babies are), you know the struggle. I have seen it all, from trash bags duct-taped to the windows, to layers of blankets cascading over the curtain rod. But what do you do when you’re out of town for the weekend? Or traveling to multiple locations not knowing what the sleeping quarters will be like in each place?
The SlumberPod is perfect for families who travel and is especially helpful if you will all be crammed in a hotel room or another small space with your little one(s). Never again will you be tiptoeing around your dark hotel room, or worry about the light creeping in when you open the door. With the SlumberPod, you can keep baby’s sleep space completely blacked out while you move around the room with ease (and the lights on)!
What I love about it:
Portable and packs easily
Safe for 6+ months
Completely blacks out child’s sleep space
Compatible with a variety of sleep spaces (portable playards, mini cribs, toddler cots, toddler inflatable mattresses)
Additional compartments for fan and baby monitor
Ideal for travel
Ideal for room sharing (with parents, siblings or both!)
Stretchable material (while it’s a very snug fit, I’ve even seen it used with standard cribs in baby’s regular sleep space!)
Machine washable
Hatch Rest+
Everyone has sleep associations. Whether you’re 4 months, 4 years, or 40, everyone develops at least one association with sleep! Maybe you need your favorite pillow or a good book to settle in. For me, listening to 5 minutes of an audiobook will knock me right out.
For babies and toddlers, developing healthy and sustainable sleep associations and habits is key to restful sleep! One of my favorite associations I suggest for parents is incorporating sleepy sounds, and specifically using the Hatch Rest+ sound machine. Keeping a consistent, low volume sound throughout baby’s rest not only helps to block out other sounds that might be going on throughout the home, but when used regularly, signals to baby that it is time for sleep.
What I love about it:
Portable and light weight
Easy for kids to use and be a part of the bedtime routine with simple touch activation
Features 11 soothing sounds to choose from
Customizable nightlight with multiple color options (red light is of course my favorite as a sleep expert)
Time-To-Rise feature helps toddlers know when it is still time to be in bed and time to be up for the day
Free app allows multiple caregivers to control Hatch remotely with iOS or Android devices
8 hours of battery life for when you’re on the go
Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain
These. Are. A. Game. CHANGER!
When even the slightest amount of light can signal to baby that it’s time to be up for the day, black out solutions become a must.
What I love most about Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtains is that… they actually work! Who else has wrangled with the traditional hanging blackout curtain, trying to tuck in the sides with the diaper bin or box of toys laying around to block out those little slivers of light creeping through? Yeah. Can you tell how familiar I am with this move? 🙃
The Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtains are incredibly user friendly, only taking a few minutes to hang and are PORTABLE. No need to drill into the wall, just stick the strong suction cups to the window and snap on the curtain. If you’re like me, you value natural light during the day. These curtains make it easy! Simply remove the curtain to take in the daylight and hang it back up on the suction cups when it’s time for nap.
What I love about it:
Blocks out outside light to black out child’s room
Easy to install and uninstall
Works with different sizes of windows and are adjustable
Blocks heat and sound
Portable
SO easy to pack and travel with
Light weight (under 2lbs!)
Compatible with decorative curtains
Machine washable
Conclusion
There are so many options out there and finding the right products for your family can include a lot of trial and error, but I hope that these recommendations help narrow your search! Whether you already have one of these goodies or are adding them to your cart, I hope you found my insight helpful and are on your way to restful nights.
Sweet dreams,
♡Rhaine
*This page contains some affiliate links
