One of the hardest things to get used to as a new parent is the lack of sleep. Thankfully after the first few months, there are many things that you can do to help your baby sleep better. While creating a great bedtime routine is key, there are also several items that you can put in your child’s nursery that will help make for a more peaceful nights sleep for baby. Which ultimiately means a good nights sleep for you too.
1. Sound machine
Adding white noise to the room can help eliminate outside noise and is also comforting to young babies. You can start using a sound machine from the day that you have your baby throughout the toddler years. We recommend getting a sound machine that is also easy to travel with so that you can take it along with you when you leave for family trips. We love the Marpac Zohne sound machine because it’s great for at home use and easy to travel with.
2. Black out curtains
The darker the room, the easier it is for your child to fall and stay asleep. Have you noticed that your kids have a harder time going to sleep during the summer months becuase the sun stays out so much longer? Eliminate that problem by investing in a great pair of black out curtains. There are black out blinds and curtains avaiable on the market, so you are sure to find something that will fit your needs for the room. If you want a temporary solution, we also recommend taping black trash bags to the window to get the same effect. It’s not asthetically pleasing, but it gets the job done! There are several sites including Amazon, Overstock, and Diapers.com that offer a variety of black out curtains.
3. Soothing bedtime books
Many parents read books to their little ones as a part of their bedtime routine. Try picking out a book that will help your child calm down, rather than an interactive book that will get them overly excited. Many of the classic children’s books are our favories. We love Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and Guess How Much I Love You.
4. Lovey/security item
Many times our little ones will wake up in the middle of the night and call out for us for comfort. If your child has an item that provides security or comfort to them, let them sleep with it. In the middle of the night when they wake up and need comfort, that item is right them for your child to grab on to and cuddle with back to sleep. Make sure that your child is old enough before putting anything in your child’s crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child be at least 12 months of age before putting anything in their crib for them to sleep with. Bunnies by the Bay has an extensive line of lovies and security blankets for your little one.
5. Digital Thermometer
You can your baby’s room to be cool at night. The experts at Dream Team Baby recommend the room be anywhere between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Having a room that is cool reduces your childs risk of SIDS and also helps them sleep better and for a longer period of time. The aden + anais Serenity Star tells you the temperature of your baby’s room and more!