Hellobee

I have been struggling with how I wanted to share all the things that I feel are important buys for your little one. I was planning on creating one giant post about it with numerous sections on each topic. Then I realized that you may have to read for a week just to get to the bottom of it, so I decided instead to do a series on my top ten picks for things in each registry category. Today, we start with the “sleep” section.

Sleep is one of the things that is on every parent’s mind before they have a little one. “Will I ever sleep again?” “What happens if my baby sleeps all day and is awake all night?” “Will my little one still be waking up to eat in the middle of the night in college?” Or was that last one just me? There are so many things that claim they will help your little one sleep more soundly,  for longer intervals and more comfortably positioned… the problem is finding the ones that work for your little one. Here are my top ten things that worked for Little Tea Cup in the sleep department.

1. Summer Infant Secure Sight Handheld Color Video Monitor

This is not the most expensive video monitor on the market, but it has worked well for us. I am able to see Little Tea Cup in her crib and hear her singing loud and clear whenever it is on. It does not have  a zoom function but I have never found that I needed one. It has excellent range as well. My only complaint with this monitor is that is does interfere with our wifi signal from time to time, so I need to be mindful when it is near our router.

2. IKEA Hensvik

We do not have a huge nursery, so I chose this simple Ikea crib because it is safe, easy to convert and has that darling little scallop at the top. Little Tea cup has slept in it every night and for pretty much every nap since she was 2 weeks old without complaint, so I figure she likes it too.

3. Aden and Anais Crib Sheets

I did not buy a bedding set for our nursery. I was not planning on using bumpers, blankets shouldn’t be used in the crib, and often crib sheets that come with a set tend to be rather rough if they have a printed design. I decided instead to slightly splurge on crib sheets. These sheets come in many patterns and colours and get softer and softer as you wash them.

4. Grobag Baby Sleeping Bag

These are quite pricey but by far the best sleeping bag we have found. They wash well, hold their shape and come in a variety of thicknesses for different weather conditions. Once we took away Little Tea Cup’s swaddle, these became number one in our home.

5. Carters Footed Sleepers

Little Tea cup lived lives in these. They are comfortable, tagless, cozy and perfect for both sleep and play. I avoid anything that has snaps on the back of the neck because I can not imagine it would be very comfortable to lay against.

6. Summer Infant SwaddleMe Blanket

I have a husband who is not a very good swaddler. Sorry dear Husband, but it is true. So unless I wanted to be the one who put Little Tea Cup down for every nap and bedtime, I needed to find a solution. These simple swaddles kept her warm and kept her arms tucked in gently so they couldn’t wake her up as often. They are generous around the hips as to not cause discomfort or injury.

7. Conair Sound Therapy Machine

Do not buy the children’s sound machines — the bright colours, lights and lower volumes just do not cut it. This little sound machine is powerful, simple, inexpensive and is my very best friend. Seriously.

8. Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifiers

These were on my newborn essential list as well because even though I am really not a fan of the pacifier, these did help in those early days. I wanted Little Tea Cup to learn to go to sleep without having to be nursed to sleep and these helped her do that. She would be looking for a little comfort when I put her into her crib so I would rub her back and let her suck on these. Within a few minutes she would spit them out and be asleep. As much as I am thankful that she stopped using these after about a month, I am thankful they were there in the beginning.

9. & 10.  Jolly Jumper Moses Basket and Basket Stand

These two items go together. The first week of having Little Tea Cup at home with us, she slept in this bassinet in our room. It is reasonably small in size, simple in design and has a removal pad just in case any accidents occur. You can remove the basket from the stand if you want and take it elsewhere, or use the stand to rock the little one to sleep. It’s not very expensive, and I think quite practical if you are planning on having your little one with you for a short time.

Okay it’s your turn…what are your must haves for sleep?