Sleep like a Baby?!
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a sleep expert!!! In fact there are many times when Quinn still has issues going to bed, staying asleep, or getting up WAY too early. But I do have some products and resources that I love, and that’s what I am sharing today :)
My Favorite Reads:
Moms on Call: we live by this schedule and started Quinn on it right before I went back to work (around 3 months), so we plan to do the same with Baby Girl! The greatest thing about it is how quick of a read it is, and also includes resources on First Aid, Feeding, Nursing and so much more. Easily could be read after you have Baby.
On Becoming Babywise: this book is a great resource to teach you HOW to schedule a baby’s day, what a good routine does for them, and how it helps the household in general. I recommend reading it BEFORE Baby comes!!
This recent article from The Every Girl shares some of the Babywise method, along with the important (for us) training that is letting your child fall asleep on their own. Even though I already practiced this with Quinn, of course it doesnt work every time…but is a good reminder that humans CAN and WILL self-soothe once you give them that training :)
SIDS Risk Reduction Articles:
National Institute of Health - Article on preventing SIDs
Mayo Clinic - Safe Sleep Tips
Takeaways - NOTHING in the crib!!! Just Baby. No blankets, no stuffed animals, no crib bumpers! Lots more but those are such easy things to implement to keep your loved one safe.
Sleep Essentials
Baby Shusher - Ever heard of the “5 S’s”?? Well “shushing” is a big one and if you have never done it before, its at the least annoying and at the most makes you light headed! My friend Jill bought this for me and it is seriously my #1 recommended product to new parents! What a lifesaver.
Noise Machine - There’s a lot of options out there but I liked this one so much for Quinn that I ended up getting the same one for us. They also have a travel version called “Rohm” that we bring any time we are staying elsewhere.
Sleep Sack (I have tried TONS of different brands, these are my favorites)
For newborn/infant
Splurge - this one is great because Baby cannot get arms out! Con is that its expensive and the velcro can curl so I’d recommend no dryer for it. It’s by far the easiest to get Baby in and out of though, and gives them lots of breathing room through the ventilated panels.
Save - we used these in the very beginning when we were going through a swaddle or 2 a day because of pee/poop/spit up. Better to save the more expensive ones for when Baby is sleeping just a LITTLE more. :)
For Baby & Toddler (once they start rolling and you are ready to stop swaddling). These are the softest and comfiest sacks I have found! Plus they’re nice and long so your Little One doesn’t feel cramped. They have different thicknesses (“togs”) based on your climate or what temp you keep your home. Love their PJs too, but they are on the pricier side!
Black Out Curtains - Admittedly, haven’t tried this one yet. But I just purchased them for Quinn’s new room since it is a lot brighter than the nursery, and I hope this helps him sleep a little later!