It can be so hard trying to decide what to buy for your new baby with the millions of new items on the market. I researched what seemed like every item on my list, but when it came down to it, having my actual baby home with me those first few weeks proved to be the true test of what I needed and what we could live without or never even used.
I recently created a post on The Top Three Medical Things I Purchased for My Newborn that we just couldn't live without the first month, and wanted to do the same for sleep related products.
Trust me, sleep will be one of the only things you'll think about and want those first few weeks. So below are the top five things I recommend and we used every day to help our baby sleep.
A Sound Machine
Did you know that in the womb the sounds of a women's body reach close to the sound level of a vacuum cleaner. So, for babies, sleeping in silence isn't always ideal. Instead, they'd much rather sleep with white noise in the background, reminding them of the sounds they heard in the womb and comforting them. We love the Yoga Sleep Portable White Noise Sound Machine best. It has 3 sounds and an adjustable volume as well as a great battery life and a rechargeable plug. So set your bedtime routine, and make sure turning your sound machine on is a part of it, cueing your baby that it's time to sleep. (Note: It's also recommended to leave this on all night, as it blocks out other noises and helps your baby fall back asleep when they wake up during the night.)
The Ollie Swaddle
Another thing babies are use to in the womb, are their very tight living quarters, hence hospitals and parents constantly swaddling newborns. Babies are also know to startle in their sleep as a normal reflex, but those hand and feet jolts are also often a cause of waking them. So wrapping your baby up to make them feel warm and enclosed is super helpful in comforting them and helping them to adjust to the real world. We have swaddles of all shapes, sizes, weights, and colors, but the best one is not your typical swaddle, but The Ollie Swaddle. Instead of a regular blanket like swaddle, this swaddle is simply a soft stretchy square with velcro. The Ollie Swaddle is extremely quick and easy to put on, and additionally its custom fabric helps prevent overheating in babies at night. It even comes with it's own bag to wash it in so the velcro doesn't stick to your other items. Check it out!
Sleep Sacks
Although swaddling is our nightly go to, we started using sleep sacks during the day to help our baby learn to recognize the difference between night and day. Sleep sacks are also the next step once your baby begins to roll over and can no longer be swaddled so we wanted to start introducing them to him early on so the nightly transition wouldn't be as rough later. Burt's Bees and Halo have the best sleep sacks, and you can get them in three different weights making them good for all seasons and temperatures. I have the Quilted Sleep Sack for cold days, a Regular Organic Cotton Sack for most days, and a Muslim Sack for those hot summer days. Plus they have tons of cute designs and color combinations to go with any nursery theme.
A Birthing (Exercise) Ball
Another thing we couldn't live without, and probably my favorite thing is a birthing and/or exercise ball. We got the ProBody Ball off of Amazon. But why is this in the sleep section? Well, can't get your baby to sleep at night? Try holding your baby, sitting on the ball, and simply bouncing in rhythm. Slowly you'll start to see your baby's eyes close until they fall asleep. That simple and every baby I've ever met has loved this trick! The best part is it has a ton of other uses such as supporting your baby with tummy time (that's right hold them on the ball and give them tummy time from another vantage point) or helping you get yourself back in shape.
One of the most important things before buying yours though is making sure it is the correct size. I'm pretty tall, so had to buy one that was a little bit larger, where as my sister in law was able to get more of your standard size ball. I did find that sometimes when I'd use the one at her house my back would get a little sore, but while using the one that is the right size for me I've never had an issue. This ball has a sizing chart, so make sure you find your height to check what size ball would be best for you and your baby, since you may be spending a lot of time bouncing on that ball.
A Bassinet on Wheels
Our last bedtime essential was our bassinet. Those first couple weeks I slept whenever and wherever I could, but I also constantly wanted my baby with me, so having a bassinet with wheels that I could wheel wherever I went was great! We got ours from Delta Children, however they no longer have it in stock. This one is more expensive but very similar. Like ours, it was not only on wheels, but light, breathable, and had a half cover to make our baby feel more contained, as babies are use to tight spaces so like to feel enclosed their first few months. The added bonus features of a light for late night feedings, music, and vibration were great, as well as a mobile which our baby liked to look up at once he reached around 2 months. It also rocks, making that transition from your arms to independent sleeping even smoother.
Our sound machine, Ollie Swaddle, sleep sacks, birthing ball, and rolling bassinet are our top five must haves for a good night of sleep with a baby. You won't regret buying any of them! What things did you buy that you couldn't have lived without those first few months? Comment below! Or checkout my other posts that include the best things we bought for medical use, nursing, changing, and play!
Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the homepage to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on more exciting blog posts! And don't be afraid to follow and reach out via Instagram or Pinterest at @startedwithababy
Comentarios