Mamas! When it comes to sleep and our babies (and the best sleep aids for baby), we could all use an extra pinch of sleepy dust, am I right?
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When I first brought home Peanut, Nugget was 15 months old and still nursing.
I quickly discovered that the best sleep aid was tandem nursing. Or just nursing in general.
It was my #1 secret weapon. (Intrigued? Read more about how to tandem nurse like a boss.) As a new mom of two under two, having both babies fall asleep at the breast felt like I had won a gold medal. In fact, it still does! Yay, breastmilk!
My absolute favorite thing in the world, though, is to snuggle and hold Nugget and Peanut to sleep. In fact, I do this as often as I can.
Best sleep aid #2 – mama’s or dada’s arms.
There is nothing sweeter than holding your sleeping baby in your arms.
After Hubs went back to work, I struggled with the logistics of putting a toddler and a baby down for a nap simultaneously.
When tandem nursing didn’t work, this was an absolute lifesaver (best sleep aid #3):
Graco Simple Sway Swing
It swings either side to side or back and forth, depending on the setting you choose. It plays a variety of sounds/songs and has a cute mobile that can spin or remain stationary. I would put Peanut in the swing while I tended to Nugget. Once Nugget fell asleep, I would take Peanut out of the swing and either nurse her or put her in bed already asleep, thanks to the swing.
I discovered early on that both of my babies love motion.
Even before Peanut entered the scene, Nugget was a huge fan of the yoga ball. Somehow, the straight up and down bouncing motion is hypnotic and soothing to her. She knocks out almost every time on this! Best sleep aid #4:
Of course, no sleep aid is foolproof 100% of the time. For times when walking/pacing is absolutely necessary, babywearing is the way to go. I love the wrap for when baby is itty bitty and the SSC (soft structured carrier) for when they are past the newborn stage (though both work for either stage). Best sleep aid #5:
Boba Baby Wrap Carrier Original Baby Carrier Wrap Sling for Newborns Baby Wearing Essentials Newborn Wrap Swaddle Holder, Newborn to Toddler Infant Sling (Grey)
LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier Newborn to Toddler with Lumbar Support for Children 7-45 Pounds 360 Degree Baby Wearing Inward & Out...
Sometimes, a little background noise helps.
Kind of like having the TV on but less distracting! Best sleep aid #6:
Yogasleep Dohm Classic (White) The Original White Noise Sound Machine, Soothing Natural Sounds from a Real Fan, Sleep Therapy for Adults & Baby, Noise Cancelling for Office Privacy & Meditatio...
Wrap it up!
Swaddling is not recommended if you bed share (which we do, so we don’t swaddle). (Read more about my accidental journey into bed sharing.) I have friends who swear by swaddling, especially in the early days! (Just be careful of baby’s hips.) This is the one my friends swear by. Best sleep aid #7:
HALO SleepSack, 100% Cotton Wearable Blanket, Swaddle Transition Sleeping Bag, TOG 0.5, Heather Grey, X-Large, 18-24 Months
Remember, Mamas, the days (nights?!) are long but the years are short. With the help of some of these aids, hopefully, you and your littles are well on your way to some good sleep!
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Wishing you lots of sleepy dust,
These are great sleep aid tips! I have tried some of them successfully to help our babies get to sleep, but I’ve never tried the exercise ball or the white noise machine. I’ll try those!
Thank you for your input! The exercise ball is my older daughter’s favorite. 🙂
All helpful tips for when you have a fussy little one with FOMO. I did the baby carrier with my firstborn many times and could also get some chores done. The only challenge was getting yourself back up after squatting down to take clothes out of the dryer. 😉 Swaddles were a great investment for us as well.
Oh my goodness, yes! I often find that if I go towards the ground, I don’t come back up…LOL. Especially while wearing baby!
I agree with so much of what you recommend for helping a baby sleep! My son lived in his Sollybaby! I loved every second of it.
I love babywearing too. 🙂
Those days of endless sleep with babies…I do remember those days well at least I think I do. I was sleep deprived for sure! Holding them and rocking or the swing was what got ours to sleep most often. It was the staying asleep after we moved them to their bed that was the problem.
Yes! Transferring can be so tricky!