Check out my lists on 6 Best Postpartum Products and 7 Best Pregnancy Products if you find this list helpful.
THE COCOONABABY NEST
We used this great product from the day Zayd was born until he turned about 4 months old when he outgrew it and we transferred him into a nest instead. We were really fortunate to be able to borrow this product from cousin whose son also used it and loved it.
PROS
- The Cocoonas ergonomic shape reassures baby and is made to emulate the womb promoting deep sleep, and also limits the effect of the (moro) “startle” reflex.
- It is portable and can easily be moved from one room to the next keeping baby close, comfortable, safe and in sight.
- The movable wedge under baby’s knees can be adjusted as he grows, and removed when baby no longer needs it. Also, the tummy band helps baby stay in an ideal position without impending his freedom of movement.
CONS
- The Cocoona can only be used until baby can roll over or until about 4 months of age.
- It’s on the higher end price-wise and will run you about $220 USD. A bit much for a product that will only be used for a few months. (If we weren’t able to borrow it, I don’t think I would have spent the money on it even though I think it really did help Zayd sleep like a baby)
- It needs a special fitted sheet. It comes with one, but will cost another $40 USD for a second one! (and we all know that a second sheet is a must when you have a newborn)
LOVE BIRDS SEWING CO. BABYNEST
Baby nests are great, portable, familiar spaces that can be used at home or on the go. They are made to make baby feel comfortable and secure as if he were still in the womb, and simulate the coziness and warmth of a parents arms.
Unfortunately I didn’t purchase one of these beautiful nests when Zayd was born because I opted for a cheaper option that I found on Etsy. It did the job, (and we still use it day in and day out. We’ve traveled all around Asia with it too!) but the padding isn’t as thick as I would have liked it to be and the overall finishing just feels lacking.
PROS
- These nests are absolutely beautifully made. In addition to the BabyNests they also offer WilderNests for families who enjoy being outdoors and need a heavier more durable cotton to take along on their adventures.
- The nests come in three sizes, Baby Nest (birth to about 1 year), Toddler Nest (1 year to about 3 years) and a Toddler Plus Nest (2 years to about 8 years)
- These nests are also considered to be on the expensive side but, they can last for years if you opt to get a nest that’s bigger than your child. I really think it’s worth the investment as it can be used a long time, is easily machine washable and is a great way to always have your child’s familiar sleeping place with you no matter where you are.
- They also make a great canvas bag that can be used to transport the nest wherever you’ll be taking it!
CONS
- There are people who can be concerned about their child sleeping in a nest and potentially rolling up against the edge at night and not being able to breathe. If this is a concern for you, this may not be the type of sleeping product you want to purchase. Or you may opt to buy one and use it for naps during the day when you can keep a close eye on your little one.
- Because you can use a nest for years, it’s price can be justified more than if you were to purchase a cocoonababy nest for example.
- If you choose to have your child sleep consistently in a nest as opposed to in bed with you, it may end up being a hassle for your family to always have the nest with you if you move around or do a lot of traveling.
ADEN + ANAIS SWADDLE
These are the best swaddles/blankets in my opinion. We swaddles Zayd for every nap or night time sleep from the day he was born until he was about 6 months old and started to pull his arms out and get loose. I definitely recommend swaddling baby to help them sleep and feel the security of being in the womb. Click here for a video on how to swaddle.
PROS
- Swaddling can help calm babies, stop them from startling themselves with the “moro” reflex (when their arms shoot up and wake them) and make them sleep for longer stretches at a time.
- Swaddling is one of the 5 S’s in Harvey Karps book “The Happiest Baby on the Block” that triggers the calming reflex. This is done by imitating the sensations of the womb. Check out this book. It will be one of the best books you read before or after you have your baby. To watch a short video summary on the book click here.
- Swaddling reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It makes it hard for newborn babies to inadvertently cover their heads or face with bedding and decrease their ability to turn over on their stomachs, which have both been linked to higher rates of SIDS in newborns.
CONS
- In my opinion there aren’t any cons to swaddling newborns, however as baby grows and can turn on his belly by himself, that is a sign that you should stop swaddling. For more on when and why to stop swaddling check out this informative article.
SKIP HOP NIGHTLIGHT & SOOTHER OWL
When Zayd was first born one of my biggest challenges while nursing and changing him in the middle of the night, was being able to see what I was doing without actually waking us both up. After doing some research and trying to find ways to fix this issue, my sister got us this great nightlight owl. I initially used it for the dim night light but soon discovered the various white noise options and we were hooked! We only use one of the sounds (the heartbeat) but we have used it every night (and afternoon) since Zayd was a couple months old, and we still use it today!
PROS
- The dimmable nightlight option emits a warm glow making it easy to see what you’re doing with baby in the middle of the night without waking you both up.
- The baby soother plays eight gentle melodies including nature sounds.
- There is a small adjustable lens at the top of the owl that projects a starry nightscape onto the wall or the ceiling to help calm your little one.
CONS
- It’s a little big in size and since my family and I are big travelers, we probably would have opted for the smaller, more portable option.
- The product is a little on the pricier side for a sound machine because it plugs into power. Skip hop does offer other soother/night light options that are more affordable, but they are mainly battery operated and portable (Find them here).
- Some people may not find the idea of a sound machine to work well for their family and that is fine, however the night light option is still a very useful feature that I do recommend.
GROBAG SLEEPING BAG
Putting Zayd in a sleeping bag has worked out really well for us. I decided to look into this option after he stopped wanting to be swaddled. I noticed when I would cover him with a blanket he would soon turn over and the blanket would be at his feet. Using a sleeping bag has given us peace of mind knowing Zayd’s warm and cozy all night no matter what position he’s in. Grobag UK has some really great sleeping bag options, from Groswaddles for newborns to Grobags for babies and kids to Grorompers for toddlers.
PROS
- Baby sleeping bags are designed to keep your baby warm and comfortable without needing additional bedding. This makes sure your baby wont kick their bedding off at night and wake up cold.
- A sleeping bag is a safer sleep environment since there are no loose sheets or blankets for baby to suffocate underneath.
- By putting your baby in a sleeping bag to sleep, he will quickly develop a sleep association with the sleeping bag, meaning the bag will become a strong cue that it is time for sleep.
CONS
- I can’t really think of any to be honest.
Check out my lists on 6 Best Postpartum Products and 8 Best Pregnancy Products if you found this list helpful.
Bohemiano Arabiano 