When it comes to sleep training and encouraging healthy sleep habits in general, there are a few tricks of the trade that make the process easier.   These aren’t necessities, but will aid your child in falling asleep easier and staying asleep longer 90% of the time.  Below you’ll find a few of my most favorite sleep promoting items that I recommend to my clients and that I’ve used with all of my children to increase the probability of successful sleep.

1.  Black out curtains/liners:  When light, especially sunlight, enters the retina of our eyes, it decreases the production of an important sleep hormone called melatonin. If melatonin is suppressed, our bodies do not “turn off” or settle into sleep mode easily.  The light also causes us to wake from sleep faster and earlier than our bodies would naturally in the morning.  Blocking out all light helps children fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer!

• • These are great to hide behind your existing curtains and can be placed on the same rode or a second rod. Ultimate Window Liner
  • If you’re crafty, here’s a DIY option. Room Darkening Shades DIY
  • This link will take you to blackout curtains that are sold at target/amazon/etc., but unless you get the ones with dark fabric on the outside you’ll need an additional blackout curtain behind it. Eclipse Blackout Curtains

2.  White Noise/Sound Machine: White noise is wonderful because it removes the nuisance of outside sounds that will       interrupt your child’s sleep.  The main issue with disruptive noise is not that your child will have trouble falling asleep, it’s that after they fall asleep and transition from one sleep cycle to the next they will go in and out of a light sleep state. During this state, if something were to distract them or bring them fully out of sleep, they will have a hard time falling back into the next sleep cycle. To ensure your child gets the sleep he needs and wakes up when his body naturally needs to, white noise is your best bet.

• • I love this one made by Homedics because it’s small and can get super loud if you need it to. It also has more than one sound to choose from along with a battery only option. Homedics SoundSpa

3.  Lovey/Transitional Item: A comfort item is very important for 2 reasons. 1.) It aids in the bedtime routine and serves as a sleep cue. 2.) It adds to your child’s comfort level, enables him to self soothe, and reminds him what to do when he wakes in between sleep cycles.  I always introduce a lovey to my children around 4/5 months of age and recommend this to clients as well. The only pre-requisite is that the baby must have good head control, meaning he can lift his head and move it from side to side. Make sure you choose one that is not “stuffed animalish” and that allows your child to breathe well if it were to be placed over his mouth/nose.

• • This is the type my kids have always loved: Angel Dear Lovey

 

 

• • These are great too and come in multi-packs. The material is soft, breathable cotton, so they are very safe. Gerber Cloth Diapers

 

 4.  Pacifier: Pacifiers can be such a help to newborns and young infants who soothe themselves by sucking.  After 4 months, the pacifier isn’t developmentally necessary, but before that point it brings comfort, aids in digestion, lowers the risk of SIDS and encourages sleep! 

• • These are my favorite: Hawaii Medical Gumdrops

 

5. Swaddle Blankets: Swaddling is loved by most babies and mimics the feel of the womb.  It also discourages spontaneous reflexes from waking him up prematurely. I recommend swaddling young babies until around 3/4 months (as long as they like it!) or until they begin rolling. 

• • The best in my opinion: Woombie Swaddles

• • Love these, but be careful because they really hold in the heat! Dress your baby in light cotton clothes if you use this swaddle blanket. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets

6. Baby Carrier: When babies are very young and not yet on a schedule (1-4 months), sometimes the only way they’ll fall asleep and/or stop crying is to be held. If you have older children, this just isn’t possible at times! I love wearing my babies and believe it aids in bonding and promotes healthy sleep habits in the early months.

• • This wrap is wonderful and holds the baby super close without danger of his chin resting on his chest. It keeps newborn heads supported in the upright position.  Moby Wrap

 

• • Here’s a DIY option which I did and LOVE. Super cheap and easy!  Purchase 5 yds. of jersey knit material from a fabric store/Hobby Lobby. Wash it and then cut it in half LENGTH wise.  You’ll end up with 2 wraps! It feels like a lot of material, but when you wear your baby in it you’ll see that it’s just perfect. Here’s a link to learn how to use it after you make it. How to Wear Your Moby Wrap This is a picture of me with my youngest soon after she was born!  I got creative and sewed a decorative pocket on the outside.

• • I also have and have used this one as they’ve gotten older when we’re out and about: Ergo Carrier

 7. Video Monitor: These are so helpful during the sleep training process and beyond!  Not only do they offer peace of mind for parents, but they also allow you to catch toddlers in the act before things get out of control! 🙂

• •  This is the one I have and recommend highly.  It’s well worth the investment! Motorola Video Monitor 

8. Toddler Sleep/Wake System: For toddlers, this is a MUST HAVE. The importance of a sleep cue gives toddlers comfort and helps them understand exactly what’s expected of them. This product helps with early risers and bedtime battles. Of course I’m impartial since I invented this one! www.sleepbuddy.com

9. Crib teether pads: This one may seem a bit random, but many babies and toddlers pull themselves up and gnaw on their crib rails. It’s typically out of boredom, anger or frustration – which all can be aspects of sleep training. If your child gets into this habit, protect his teeth and your furniture!

• • These are the ones I have and my children have never been able to remove them. CribWrap
  • Or you can make your own (I’ve heard) with towels and zip ties.

10.  Crib Sheets: When it comes to healthy sleep, the smallest distraction can lead to an even bigger sleep debt. If your baby vomits from crying, wets the bed during potty training or spits up after a feeding, changing the crib sheets can take a long time and really stretch out your child’s wake-time in the night or before a sleep period.

• • I love the Ultimate Crib Sheet (above) because they make it so easy and fast! I literally can switch out old for new with the child still in the crib. (it takes practice but it can be done!) Ultimate Crib Sheet

11. Sleep Sacks: I’m a huge fan of sleep sacks for many reasons. First, they are a wonderful way to transition babies from the swaddle, they lower the SIDS risk, they keep babies warm, and they allow enough movement for the child to roll around, walk, etc. yet prevent toddlers from climbing out of the crib. I really can’t say enough about them and kick myself for not inventing them first. 😛

• • This is a sleep sack swaddle that allows the legs to be a little bit more free. A great way to get him used to kicking but still allowing him to be comforted by the swaddle. SleepSack Swaddle
  • This is the classic wearable blanket with sizes from newborn – 24 months. SleepSack
  • And here is the SleepSack for older children where their feet are exposed.  Big Kids SleepSack

There you have it! My favorite sleep items our family couldn’t live without! What’s something you to use with  your family to encourage healthy sleep? 

 

**I in no way endorse these products or receive payment for recommending them. I simply believe they help children sleep well! **