When it comes to their baby’s sleep, the most common questions new parents ask are: How do I get my baby to sleep in a crib, and, how do I get my baby to sleep through the night? Thankfully, the answer to both questions is the same: baby sleep aids.
In this article, the experts at Newton Baby list some of the best baby sleep aids you can use to help your newborn fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Safety First
Safety should always be at the top of your list when it comes to baby sleep aids, or anything related to your little one’s sleep, for that matter!
Experts recommend that you avoid placing additional objects in the crib — including blankets, pillows, top sheets, bumpers, and, yes, loose sleep aids — until your little one moves into a toddler or regular bed (usually around 18 months).
This helps protect your newborn from getting tangled in extra crib items and stuck in a position where they can’t breathe.
While your baby is sleeping in a crib, bare is best!
What Is A Baby Sleep Aid?
A baby sleep aid is any object that makes falling asleep easier without your presence or assistance.
For older babies, a favorite stuffed animal or blankie may serve as a sleep aid. For newborns, a night-light or noisemaker (outside their crib) may lull them to sleep better than anything else.
So, let’s get straight to it and talk about some of the best baby sleep aids for children of all ages!
Baby Sleep Aids
1) Breathable Mattress
A good night’s sleep starts with a comfortable mattress. In fact, a 100 percent breathable mattress — like those from Newton Baby — is one of the simplest and best baby sleep aids you can buy.
Newton Baby mattresses are also the safest mattresses for your newborn. Thanks to our Wovenaire® Core and Breath-Thru technology, you and your little one can rest easy knowing that, should your baby roll facedown, they’ll still be able to breathe.
2) GroHush Baby Calmer
Source: Gro.co.uk
The GroHush Baby Calmer is an ideal baby sleep aid for newborns and children of all ages. It’s small and portable, so it’s great for on-the-go or anytime you need to calm your baby. And it’s super easy to use!
Simply slip the soft pad around your fingers and hold the GroHush close to your little one’s ear to deliver soothing sounds at a safe volume that will have your baby back asleep in no time.
3) Vtech Safe & Sound Storytelling Soother
Source: Vtechphones.com
The Vtech Safe & Sound Storytelling Soother sends babies off to dreamland with pre-recorded stories, lullabies, and soothing sounds built right in.
Download new material anytime with the free app for your phone, tablet, or mobile device. You can even record material in your own voice.
Add to that the night-light’s comforting glow and your baby will be drifting off to dreamland before you can say “Vtech Safe & Sound Storytelling Soother!”
4) Baby Shusher
Source: Babyshusher.com
Created by parents, for parents, the Baby Shusher uses rhythmic shushing noises to settle your little one even at their most fussy times.
This portable, easy-to-use baby sleep aid is great for travel because it allows you to adjust the volume so your baby can get to sleep without keeping everyone else awake.
What’s more, the 15- to 30-minute timer and 10-hour battery life mean you can get even the most resistant newborn to sleep in no time.
5) My Baby Soundspa On-The-Go
Source: Homedics.com
This baby sleep aid is a must-have for busy parents! It plays four different soothing sounds, including:
- Heartbeat
- White Noise
- Ocean
- Lullaby
The MyBaby Soundspa On-The-Go also has an adjustable volume control so you can get the sound just right. The adjustable clip attaches to strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and more, and it's small and lightweight enough to slip into a purse.
Finally, the auto-off timer can be set to 15, 30, or 45 minutes, making it perfect for nap time!
6) Swaddles
Swaddling your newborn at night or during nap time is another simple and effective baby sleep aid — no batteries necessary!
The swaddle mimics the warmth, comfort, and coziness of your arms so your baby feels comfortable enough to fall asleep as soon as you put them down, not 20 minutes later after a lot of crying.
The ideal swaddles — like those from Newton Baby — are hypoallergenic, 100 percent breathable, 100 percent washable, and hypoallergenic so you don’t have to worry about anything interfering with your newborn’s slumber!
7) Baby Dream Machine
Source: Thebabydreammachine.com
This cute all-in-one baby sleep aid offers multiple options to quiet your little one faster.
Its red-light therapy helps your newborn’s body produce melatonin, which helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. The unit’s sound machine mixes high and low frequencies to improve sleep quality and duration.
And, lastly, the cool-mist humidifier, night-light, and aromatherapy create an optimal soothing environment for your baby to sleep in.
8) Dohm
Source: Yogasleep.com
Beloved by generations of new parents since 1962, the Dohm is the original white noise machine.
The Dohm features a signature fan-based natural white noise that produces the soothing ambient sound of rushing air, without the disturbance of actual moving air or other irritations.
With two speed options for adjustable tone and volume, the Dohm makes it simple to create a comforting sound environment that masks background sounds and soothes your little one to sleep faster.
9) Lulla Doll
Source: Lulladoll.com
This baby sleep aid for little ones 18 months and older imitates the closeness and comfort of a caregiver with its soft feel and the soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat.
For an added bit of comfort, you can even keep the doll close to your body for a while before giving it to your baby so that it takes on your unique and familiar scent.
10) Comfy Mattress Pad
Another simple and easy-to-use sleep aid is a comfortable mattress pad, like those from Newton Baby. The right mattress pad adds another layer of softness and breathability, leaving your little one feeling comfortable, cool, and cozy all night long!
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, safety should always take precedence when it comes to your baby’s bedding. The mattress pad should fit securely around the mattress so there is no loose bedding in the crib.
Newton Baby’s mattress pads provide a secure fit on any crib mattress, with the added benefit of a layer of airflow over any sleep surface for increased safety in the crib.
11) Music & Lights Elephant
Source: Fisher-price.com
This adorable and calming baby sleep aid helps you set a serene mood in your little one’s nursery with four soothing sound options: white noise, ocean, rain, and nature sounds.
For added comfort, select from 20 classic songs and lullabies and turn on the soft-glowing star night-light. You can even customize the options so that the gentle music and sounds play for 20 minutes, 120 minutes, or all night long.
With tons of soothing settings, this sleep aid is a sweet little addition to your baby's bedtime routine!
13) Rest+
Source: Hatch.co
The Rest+ baby sleep aid has five key features to help your little one get better, longer sleep:
- Sound machine with white noise and lullabies
- Night-light with adjustable intensity as well as a variety of rainbow colors
- Two-way audio monitor so you know when your newborn is fussing
- Time-to-rise feature (for older children)
- Clock
Your newborn won’t need the last two features until they’re older, but the first three features are enough to help even the fussiest baby quite themselves and fall sound asleep.
14) Ewan The Dream Sheep
Source: Mumsgrapevine.com.au
Cute, cuddly Ewan The Dream Sheep attaches securely to your baby’s crib and plays real heartbeat and womb sound combinations that mimic the noises your little one heard inside the womb.
These comforting sounds are proven effective for settling and calming even the most restless newborns as they make the difficult transition from womb to world.
Even better, Ewan has a choice of three more "pink" noise sound combinations. These three sounds are fantastic for older babies and toddlers and help them develop a good sleep routine well into their preschool years!
Comfort And Safety For A Good Night’s Sleep
By far, the best thing you can do for your little one to help them fall asleep faster — and stay that way longer — is to provide a safe, comfortable sleeping environment.
And it all starts where your sleeping baby spends the most time — in their crib!
A firm, breathable mattress from Newton Baby coupled with soft, organic cotton sheets (also from Newton Baby) is the epitome of comfort and safety for newborns, toddlers, and children of all ages.
We even offer 100-percent breathable, waterproof, and machine-washable mattress pads for added peace of mind. With Newton Baby, your little one’s crib is all the sleep aid you’ll need for a long, restful slumber every time!
For more information on helping your baby sleep through the night and to check out our crib mattresses, sheets, pads, and swaddles, visit NewtonBaby.com today.