When it comes to caring for a newborn, one of the most critical aspects is ensuring they get enough sleep. Quality sleep is essential for your baby’s growth, development, and overall health. Newborns sleep anywhere from 14 to 17 hours a day, which plays a vital role in brain development and physical well-being. A well-rested baby is not only healthier but also happier, making bedtime a significant priority for new parents. Here’s my top 5 items to have on hand to hopefully promote a good night’s sleep for your newborn (and you too!).
#1: A good quality, sound machine
A white noise machine is a must. It helps drown out sounds that might disrupt your little one’s sleep. We went with the Hatch Rest 2nd generation sound machine. It comes with a ton of great options. We initially used “the heart beat” when our little girl was a newborn, then we switched to “beachy waves”, and now we use simple “rainfall” which has less variation. Not only is this brand a sound machine, but it also functions as a night light and a clock.
#2: Blackout curtains
Blackout curtains may seem like an unnecessary extravagance but keeping the nursery dark can really help your little one sleep better. Our little girl couldn’t help but search for any bit of light to fixate on instead of napping or going to bed, so these curtains became a lifesaver. We got simple pinks ones that were on sale at Target. You definitely don’t need to break the bank for this item. Just pick the length and color you want, and you’ll easily find some that will do the job nicely.
#3: Sleep swaddles
When your little one is fresh out of the womb, they’ll likely want to stay nice and cuddled up. Sleep swaddles are perfect way to help them stay cozy and feeling safe. Although the nurses at the hospital will be wiz-kids with a blanket, it’s okay to “cheat” and use a velcro swaddle. They’re truly the best invention. Once your little one starts rolling, they need transitioned out of their swaddle into a sleep sack (free the arms!). Depending on what time of year this happens, you can find sleep sacks made out of different materials. Halo makes great transitional sleep swaddles/sacks.
#4: Rocking chair
Most little ones prefer some type of motion to sleep when they’re very young. It’s all they’re used to when being carried about by mom for the 9 months. There’s a lot of really expensive options that have a lot of unnecessary upgrades. Although it’s nice to have automated recline feature or an attached charger, you just need a chair that rocks back and forth. You might be able to thrift something off facebook marketplace, or you can just go to a local furniture store. We got ours on sale at a La-Z-Boy store. It was great being able to try it out ahead of time, and I ended up sleeping upright in my chair for the last few weeks of my pregnancy when I couldn’t handle the heart burn.
#5: Patience
Okay this one isn’t a physical item. It’s just the gentle reminder that for the first few months of life, your baby has no idea that daytime and nighttime are different. They just know they’re either hungry, content, unhappy (likely from a soiled diaper), or sleepy. They have no idea it’s 3 a.m., and that you’re exhausted/frustrated. It might seem like obvious advice, but it’s okay to set your baby down in a safe space and walk away to collect yourself. At some point in your parenthood, you will get too overstimulated by an upset little one. There’s no shame in asking for help (if someone else is around/available) or at least giving yourself 5-15 minutes to decompress away from your little one. Shaken baby syndrome is a serious, potentially life threatening injury that can be completely preventable. Remember to be patient with your little one, and be patient with yourself.