In our second sleep post we are looking at sleep aids, and there are plenty to discuss!!
From mobiles and specially designed toys, to musical monitors and innovative apps, which are the ones that will really help your baby nod off?
White Noise
White noise is by far our most favourite sleep aid, and it can often be created with things you already have at home - hoovers, washing machines, tv's or radios. Babies love background noise, and can often sleep soundly even with people chatting/hoovering/watching TV near them. We feel that it is important for babies to have their day time naps set to the normal family noises, even if they happen to be quite noisy! This way babies are able to then sleep anywhere - which is handy if you get caught out, and a quiet dark bedroom is not an option.
That isn't to say that we don't think white noise has a place in the nursery though - far from it! We believe that a low level of white noise along with low lights when getting your baby ready for bed, and in the dark when your baby is falling asleep, can really help to calm and settle your baby.
Starting with apps, there are many to choose from, so we would suggest finding one that you like the sound of. You could always try a free one first. It is important to remember that if you are using an app on a tablet or phone, that you turn off all notifications and lights, the last thing you want is for it to start ringing, vibrating or lighting up, all of which your baby will find very distracting.
On the toy front, there are a few, but the prominent two are both modelled on sheep. Having tried both, our favourite is Ewan by Easidream. Cute little Ewan is programmed with noises from the womb, as well as more traditional white noise, and also has an optional glow light. In our experience babies find him soothing and settle very quickly. He can also be easily secured with his velcro tail, ensuring that along with SIDS guidelines you don't have any cuddly toys loose in the crib. It also means he can go anywhere, and attach to almost any place your child takes a nap.
Mobiles and Music
The mobile has been a staple of the nursery for as long as most people can remember. From simple through to colourful, moving and musical, the mobile is designed to engage and mesmerise your baby, which is why the SWM team find it hard to understand their place over a cot.
Whilst we don't think a mobile will help your baby drift off quickly into a peaceful sleep, we definitely love them in the right place! We think the perfect place for a mobile is above your changing station. It gives your baby something pretty to look at while you change their nappy, it may even keep the more wriggly of babies still whilst being changed!
Music however, can be a very helpful aid. Not only can music soothe your baby to sleep. but it can endorse your bedtime routine and provide a signal for your baby that it is time for sleep. Soft, lilting and repetitive are generally the best kind.
Toys
There are lots of toys on the market which play lullabies and/or have a soft light. We don't usually recommend them for helping baby to sleep - they can be quite distracting, and cots and cribs should generally be kept as empty as possible to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Monitors
Some of the monitors available now have everything - including lullabies and light shows. They can certainly be handy. Soft lullabies can be a great way to help your baby get to sleep, but we would suggest saving the light show for the morning when you need to leave your baby and have them entertained for a few minutes.