If you’re a new or expecting parent, then you know how important sleep can be — for both you and your little one. The good news is that there are hundreds of products on the market promising better sleep for both parents and babies. Unfortunately, many of those products are a bit too ambitious, and little more than an expensive sales ploy.
That’s why Top Value Reviews went on the search for the 30 best products to help baby sleep. We polled hundreds of parents to find out which products have been most helpful for their families, and heard these items over and over again. We also considered Amazon sales and reviews to help narrow down our list. To make our list easier to sift through, we organized our sleep products by category. While it’s important to keep in mind that all babies are different, these 30 products are some of the most respected by parents who value sleep and happy, healthy babies.
Bassinets & Other Safe Sleep Spots
Dock-a-Tot Deluxe+
$175.00
Parents love the Dock-a-Tot Deluxe+! This baby docking station is carefully designed with padded “walls” along each side. Not only do these sides ensure the baby is safe within his or her own space, they also make the baby feel as secure as if they were back in their mother’s womb. Many parents even mentioned that they love that Dock-a-Tot can be used for tummy time, and that it can travel with them. While the Dock-a-Tot Deluxe+ is recommended for infants 0-8 months, the Dock-a-Tot Grand ($290) is suitable for children ages 9-36 months.
Fisher-Price Deluxe Rock ’N Play Sleeper
$74.99
There is a lot to love about Fisher-Price’s Deluxe Rock ’N Play Sleeper. This adorable product provides both a safe place for baby to take a [supervised] nap and a place to hang out and be entertained by the gentle rocking motion. Parents also like that the Rock ’N Play sits Baby at an incline, an ideal feature for those suffering from reflux. While the Rock ‘N Play is great for drowsy or napping babies, be aware that it is not recommended for any sleep that is unsupervised.
HALO Bassinet Sleep Glider
$159.99 (Non-Swivel) or $299.99 (Swivel)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a parent sleep in the same room as the infant for the first six months to one year of the baby’s life. The HALO Bassinet makes room-sharing easier. This lightweight sleeper is equipped with a retractable wall that moves the bassinet away from the bed and back again in smooth, soothing motions. The feet of the bassinet are thoughtfully designed to tuck under the bed, allowing the parent to remain as close to the baby as safety allows. The HALO comes in two styles — swivel or non-swivel.
SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet
$1,160
Don’t let the price fool you. This incredibly popular bassinet is brilliant. BabyList even calls it a “miracle worker.” Invented by Dr. Harvey Karp, author of the bestselling book The Happiest Baby on the Block, the SNOO is equipped with sensors that detect when a baby is restless or unhappy, and responds with various sounds and movements meant to remind Baby of life in the womb. Not only does this smart sleeper keep Baby happy, it also keeps parents happy and well-rested. Priceless.
Snuggle Me Organic
$139.98
Like the Dock-a-Tot, the Snuggle Me Organic is another baby docking product that parents and infants love. As its name suggests, the Snuggle Me hugs the infant into calmness and relaxation. Parents love that the Snuggle Me is made of safe organic materials, that it is high quality, and that it’s easily portable.While the Snuggle Me sells for much lower than the Dock-a-Tot, parents point out that their babies only use it for the first few months of life.
Crib Accessories
Keep in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the interior of the crib be free of any loose objects (including blankets, bumpers, and stuffed animals) for babies too small to roll over on their own. Keeping a baby’s crib clear is an effective way to decrease the chances of death by suffocation or SIDS. The following products should be used as suggested, or saved until the child is old enough.
Lulla Doll Sleep Companion
$85.99
The Lulla Doll Sleep Companion was thoughtfully designed by two grandmothers from Iceland. This unique and attractive doll imitates an actual heartbeat and human breathing to remind Baby of life in the womb and encourage relaxation and sleep. A single press of Lulla’s heart begins eight hours of soothing. Interestingly, Lulla is made with a soft exterior of natural cotton that is designed to pick up the parent’s scent as it’s used and provide additional comfort. Though it’s been found to help infants, and especially preemies, sleep better and longer, it’s important to remember that safety standards suggest the Lulla Doll Sleep Companion be used just outside of the crib.
Tranquilo Soothing Mat
$99.99
Like the Snoo Smart Sleeper bassinet on our list of the best baby sleep products, the Tranquilo Soothing Mat is designed based on the Happiest Baby sleep method and Dr. Karp’s five Ss (swaddle, side or stomach position, shush, swing, suck). Featured on Shark Tank and awarded the 2017 Family Choice Award, the Tranquilo Soothing Mat is a roll-up mat that soothes babies using heartbeat pulses and three different vibration modes. The mat is washable and water resistant, and can be used safely in the crib, bassinet, pack ’n play, stroller, and car seat.
Sleep Sacks and Swaddles
Aden & Anais Metallic Skylight Birch Swaddles
$45.00 (Pack of Three)
According to the parents we asked, swaddles are a must have, and no swaddles are better than those by Aden & Anais. While this popular baby company produces a number of different muslin swaddle types, we find the Metallic Skylight Birch Swaddles to be superior. The metallic swaddles are made of high-quality, breathable bamboo fabric to ensure Baby never gets too overheated while sleeping. Parents also like that these swaddles are affordable and come in packs of three different designs.
HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket
$24.99
Everyone seems to agree that sleepsacks are a must have for any baby who has trouble sleeping through the night. The HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket sets itself apart from the crowd by allowing the baby to keep her arms free. This means Baby can move around as freely as she wants while sleeping without waking herself up due to her newly discovered reflexes. The sack part of the HALO SleepSack is also roomy enough to allow legs to kick freely during the night.
Magnetic Me Sleepers
$22.99 — $35.00
Whether Baby is squirmy or sleepy, Magnetic Me sleepers are thoughtfully designed to make changing clothes as easy a task as possible. Instead of snaps or zips, this unique line of infantware consists of magnets (don’t worry, they’re safely sewn into the material) which open and close the clothing easily. This means a middle-of-the-night diaper change doesn’t have to be a battle. Sizes range from newborn to 4T, while styles vary from footed, to nightgowns, to heavy overcoats.
Merlin Magic Sleepsuit
$39.95
Even infants who have been sleeping through the night begin to regress and experience middle-of-the-night wake ups once they begin to discover their newfound reflexes. Many of the parents we asked swear by the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit to help their babies transition from swaddling and regain their good sleep habits. This unique suit is especially designed to keep Baby warm and secure, while also allowing for the movement of arms and legs in hopes that the baby can avoid startling awake. The Merlin Magic is available in sizes 3-6 months and 6-9 months, as well as a variety of colors.
The Zen Sack
$37.99
Sleep sacks are all over the market, and for one very good reason: they work! The Zen Sack by Nested Bean offers something a little different: a weighted “bean” on the front of the sack emulates the parent’s hand on the baby’s chest — a tried and true method for calming and soothing babies to sleep. The Zen Sack is also unique in that parents will not need to buy multiple sizes as their little one grows. The Zen Sack is equipped with adjustable shoulder tabs to ensure a child gets as much use as possible out of one sack.
Zippadee-Zip Sleeper
$38.95
Though a number of similar products exist on the market, few sleep sacks are as effective as the original Zippadee-Zip Sleeper. The Zippadee-Zip first gained attention on Shark Tank, though today it’s the go-to sleep product for millions of parents around the world. This unique sleep product acts as a wearable blanket, ensuring Baby has enough room to move naturally without waking himself up. Even children who aren’t having trouble sleeping through the night benefit from the Zippadee-Zip, as it’s the ideal product for keeping Baby warm during colder nights. The Zippadee-Zip Sleeper comes in myriad designs and sizes, and is approved by pediatricians and sleep experts.
ZippyJamz Footed Sleeper Pajamas
$29.99
According to parents, a much-needed diaper change is one of the biggest causes of the dreaded middle-of-the-night wake up. The ZippyJamz footed sleeper pajamas make a wake up less likely, thanks to its one-of-a-kind dual zipper system. While one zipper zips from foot to neck, a second zipper zips along the inseam to make diaper access a breeze. This unique design allows the baby to stay nice and warm and drowsy throughout the changing process. The ZippyJamz is available in various sizes and style options.
Smart Products
Nanit Smart Baby Monitor and Wall Mount
$265.00
The Nanit Smart Baby Monitor is great for the sleep of both the baby and the parents! Thanks to the wall mount, the Nanit watches Baby closely at all times. In fact, the Nanit watches a sleeping baby so closely, its smart technology analyzes every breath and move, then sends a full report to the parents’ phones come morning.
Remi
$99.99
The Remi is one of those great products that can truly grow with your child. During the newborn stage, this award-winning product is the ideal baby monitor — it allows for two-way communication, can become an adjustable nightlight, and plays lullabies and other music. It even sends a nightly report of Baby’s sleep to the parents’ smart phones. Once the child hits toddlerhood, the Remi uses different colors and expressions to signal to the child when it’s time to sleep, and when it’s okay to wake up and leave bed. When those features are no longer needed, the Remi becomes an alarm clock and Bluetooth-capable speaker.
Sound Machines
The Baby Shusher Sleep Miracle Soother
$34.99
Fascinating studies have found that infants calm down when reminded of the womb. The aptly named Baby Shusher makes a rhythmic shushing noise carefully designed to replicate the sounds a baby hears whilst in utero. We found dozens of parents who swore by The Baby Shusher and who credit it with calming their restless and fussy infants into sleep.
Dohm Sound Machine
$46.99
There are dozens of sound machines on the market, but the classic Dohm continues to stand out above the rest. This great sleep product is deceitfully simple. Consisting of a two-speed motor and asymmetrical fan, the Dohm produces sound differently than some of the other fancier options. In fact, the Dohm is more in line with current safety standards, which suggest that louder white noise machines can actually be damaging to a little one’s ears. Furthermore, the Dohm is lightweight, easy to adjust, and works by plugging it into the wall.
Frankie the Fox White Noise Sound Machine
$34.95
The Frankie the Fox white noise sound machine is one of Amazon’s best-selling children’s sleep products. This thoughtful toy can easily be hung from the crib for infants, while toddlers and young children will enjoy snuggling with Frankie himself. Frankie comes with eight different soothing sound options, including a heartbeat and lullabies like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. If foxes aren’t your thing, this comforting sound machine is also available as a giraffe, bunny, monkey, panda, and lamb.
HoMedics MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby
$19.99
Touted by parents and BabyList, the affordable SoundSpa Lullaby machine offers parents of new babies a variety of features. The SoundSpa Lullaby comes with six different classic songs, plus a selection of calming sounds such as raindrops or waves. Additionally, this sleep-inducing product projects interesting images onto the ceiling for Baby to stare at while falling asleep. The SoundSpa Lullaby can run all night, or be placed on a timer ranging from 15 to 60 minutes.
Nighty Night Owl
$26.99
Sleep isn’t always done in the nursery. For those times when Baby needs to be soothed or put to sleep on the go, there is the Nighty Night Owl by Cloud b. This small and portable sound machine hooks to the side of the stroller or car seat with convenient velcro straps, then plays your choice of four soothing sounds: ocean waves, whale songs, a gentle stream, or light rain. Many parents report keeping the Night Night Owl in their diaper bag when it’s needed unexpectedly, or bringing it with them on vacations.
Other Accessories
Badger Night Night Balm
$9.99
Badger Night Night Balm, made by respected Badger Balm company, consists of an essential oils blend that works to calm and soothe even the smallest baby. This totally natural and USDA-approved product is made up of bergamot, lavender, balsam fir, and rosemary. There are no dyes, GMOs, synthetics, fragrances, or artificial ingredients of any kind. To use Badger Night Night Balm to help soothe your child for sleep, simply rub a bit on Baby’s temples, chest, or lips.
Balm! Baby Bye-Bye Teething, Hello Sleep! Natural Teething Tincture
$14.99
Great Amazon reviews and lots of recommendations from parents can’t be wrong; Balm! Baby’s Natural Teething Tincture is definitely one of the very best products to help a baby sleep. The tincture is a safe, all-natural formula consisting of herbs and apple cider. A quick dab of Balm! Baby on your teething infant’s gums provides near-instant relief. Plus, it’s vegan!
California Baby Calming Shampoo & Bodywash
$15.00
Parents and sleep experts agree that one of the best ways to prepare a baby for sleep is to give him or her a bath. There’s just something about warm water that makes one want to close one’s eyes. California Baby Calming Shampoo & Bodywash helps speed the process along, but soothing the infant with a blend of essential oils and lavender. Best of all, this popular shampoo is free of sulfates, dyes, parabens, and phthalates. Parents can be sure they are using only the safest products on their little one.
Cloud b Twilight Turtle Plush Nightlight Projector
$31.95
Captivate your infant into calmness and then sleep with the Cloud b Twilight Turtle Plush Nightlight Projector. This Amazon bestseller and parent favorite calms even newborns by projecting onto the ceiling a starry night sky. The color of the turtle’s projections can be changed from blue, to green, to amber, and a timer can be set for 45 minutes.
Fisher-Price Calming Vibrations Cuddle Soother
$11.99
This adorable sleep product — available as a puppy or an elephant — is ideal for soothing a baby either at home or on the go. Parents can press the Cuddle Soother’s soft plush heart to turn on 10 minutes of gentle vibrating and humming. Parents say that the Fisher-Price Calming Vibrations Cuddle Soother works wonders while traveling in the car.
Gro-Anywhere Blackout Blinds
$53.99
Countless studies have shown that we — adults and babies alike — sleep best in total darkness. Gro-Anywhere Blackout Blinds are an affordable, easily transportable, and effective product that ensure total darkness is always available for sleeping children. The blinds are constructed of high-quality blackout material, and can be attached to any window with the included suction cups and velcro fasteners. Parents who recommend the Gro-Anywhere Blackout Blinds mention using this them while traveling and on those long summer nights during which bedtime usually comes before sunset.
Little Aurelia Sleep Time Top to Toe Cream
$33.00
British skin-care company Little Aurelia has won numerous awards for its thoughtful, safe, and effective products. This includes the Sleep Time Top to Toe Cream, which was recently hailed as the Best New Baby Product at the Mama & Baby Awards in Britain. Everything about this BioOrganic cream screams luxury. Consisting of calendula, starflower oil, meadowsweet, rosehip oil, rich shea butter, lavender, and chamomile, Sleep Time Top to Toe Cream is appropriate for sensitive skin types. It’s also effective in helping little ones fall asleep quickly. Little Aurelia makes a number of other products that we could have included on our list, including a Sleep Time Top to Toe Wash, a Sleep Time Pillow Mist, and a Sleep Time Bath & Massage Oil.
MAM Pacifiers
$5.99
Not only does repetitive sucking soothe a baby, researchers have found that allowing an infant to sleep with a pacifier reduces the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%! MAM pacifiers (along with Avent and Bibs) were specifically mentioned by parents as being favorites due to their easy cleaning, cute patterns, and thoughtful designs. MAM, for example, have been carefully designed by both parents and pediatricians, and are approved by orthodontists.
This Works Baby Sleep Pillow Spray
$29.00
This Works Baby Sleep Pillow Spray is a gentle and relaxing lavender-scented spray that, well, works! This pillow spray is 100% natural, so parents can be sure it’s safe to use around their baby’s space. The spray mainly consists of chamomile, vetivert, and lavender, all ingredients long associated with great sleep.
