Newborn sleep equipment
I am often asked for my recommendations for this, so thought it may be useful to include a list of some of my favourite newborn sleep equipment. It also shows really just how little is needed! There are SO many expensive gadgets out there that claim to help with babies’ sleep, but the reality is that if we empower parents with knowledge from early on, they are very unlikely to need these props.
These are my favourite sleep essentials for babies from 0-4 months of age:
1) Cot, Crib or Basket?
I often get asked this question – where will my baby sleep? This is really down to personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. In the first 3 months or so, when baby is not sleeping on someone, I like to have something smaller than a normal-sized cot that makes baby feel a little more cocooned inside, for example a moses basket or a side sleeper crib.
My preference was always a moses basket as although they are more old-fashioned, I like the way you can move them around the house to different rooms and they seem snugger for a baby who was used to being curled up inside you. ‘Next to me’ style cribs have also become very popular. It is of course always critically important for parents to read the instructions carefully and if attaching to the bed, ensure that they have done it correctly.
2) Something to sleep in
The time of year baby arrives will determine what they wear for sleeping. When sleeping on a parent, skin-to-skin is a brilliant way to encourage bonding and milk production, but when baby goes down to sleep they will need to be warm as they are not as efficient as us at regulating their body temperature. This also means that if they get too hot, they are not able to cool down as we can. Ideally, we want babies to be just right – which will mean using instinct a little and working out what works best for their baby.
In the summer, a vest plus a swaddle/sleep bag works well, but in the winter baby is likely to be in a full-length sleepsuit, perhaps with a vest underneath too.
It is worth noting the Lullaby Trust guidelines here, which recommend the room temperature for a baby to sleep in should be between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius and monitored with a room thermometer.
From birth onwards, I recommend swaddling babies. We will come on to how to swaddle later on, but if swaddling then you can:
- Use a swaddle sheet – these are large muslin sheets that baby can be wrapped in. My favourites are the Aden and Anais brand and Bamboo and Grey.
- Use a swaddle bag – this allows baby to feel cosy and in the swaddling type position, but with their arms above their heads, which some babies prefer. It is also easier to use than a muslin sheet. I love swaddle bags for the transition from full swaddle to sleeping bag..
3) White Noise
Whilst in the womb, babies experience the gushing of the blood through the placenta right next to their little ears. They are not used to being in the quiet. Investing in a good white noise toy or machine can be a great sleep support. I love the Avantek White Noise Machine, or the MyHummy White noise toys. More on white noise later in this module!
4) Black Out Shades
Although newborns are pretty good at sleeping in all environments, as they get older being in a darker room or space will be more beneficial to them. Over the years I have come to love the ‘Gro anywhere’ sticky blackout blind, which is great for travelling around, as well as the Snoozeshade
https://gro.co.uk/product/gro-anywhere-blind/ https://www.snoozeshade.com/ As you can see, babies really need very little kit and possibly only the first two items can be deemed essential. I like to keep things simple, the fewer items a parent ‘needs’ for their baby to sleep well, the easier it is to be flexible when away from home.