Baby & Toddler Sleep


More in Baby & Toddler Sleep:

I hope your babies are the world’s best sleepers! Even if they aren’t, a little planning and preparation can make a big difference.

Sleep Safety

Infants should be swaddled and placed on their backs to sleep. Back sleeping reduces the risk of SIDs and suffocation.

Avoid putting anything in bed with your infant besides pacifiers. Blankets, toys and pillows can be suffocation hazards. Also avoid bumper pads and overly soft mattresses for the same reason.

Older cribs may have been painted with lead-based paint which is not safe for babies, so it is best to stick with a newer model.

Preparing for Sleep

Developing a consistent routine that includes feeding, and play and tummy time will help your infant develop a rhythm of sleep. Having bath time before bed can help baby learn to get ready to sleep.

Swaddling your baby with a swaddling blanket will give them a snug, secure feeling consistent with their fetal position in the womb. A good, but not overtight snuggle can keep baby sleeping longer.

When your baby learns how to turn themselves over from back to front, you should no longer swaddle. This will better allow baby to adjust their body so they don’t end up face-down.

While it is important for baby to be warm, overheating can make her uncomfortable and interfere with sleep.

Sleep Strategies

Loss of sleep is one of the most difficult challenges for parents of infants. Strategies to help baby get the best sleep include:

  • A dark room
  • White noise
  • A consistent feeding, play and sleep schedule
  • A warm but not overheated nursery
  • Pacifiers
  • Soothing routines like bathing, singing or rocking

Getting baby to sleep isn’t the only milestone. You’ll want to read about:

  • How to transition baby from a bassinet to a crib
  • Getting baby to nap longer
  • How to keep toddlers from crawling out of cribs
  • And how to get kids to stay in bed

Bassinetts and Cribs

Bassinets allow you to safely put baby to sleep wherever you choose to place the bassinet. This could be near your bedside at night or in other living areas during the day.

Most bassinets are designed for babies up to 15 pounds or so. After that, you may want to use a pack ‘n play or playard for daytime naps and transition to a crib for nighttime sleeping.

The best cribs are made to convert from a baby crib to a toddler bed, a daybed and finally to a full-size bed. Many cribs have built-in changing tables and a set of drawers to store baby clothes and paraphernalia.

Cribs do not need and shouldn’t have box springs. A firm mattress and sheet are all that is needed until the crib is converted to a bed.

Sleep Gear

Most families will need these items for a successful sleep experience:

Nursery Gear

Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the nursery, it’s important to plan for someplace comfy to sit. Rocker gliders make a wonderful addition to the baby room for those hours spent feeding and nursing.

You may choose to have a loveseat or sofa so other kids and your spouse can join you in the nursery.

Depending on your heating situation, you may need to have a space heater for the nursery. You may not want to raise the temperature of the whole house just for the sake of baby’s room.

More in Baby & Toddler Sleep:
toddler sitting in crib

How To Convert Crib To Toddler Bed

Newborn girl asleep in small crib

How Long Can a Baby Stay in a Mini Crib?

baby laying in crib awake

Is It OK To Leave Baby In Crib Awake?

crib in nursery

Does A Crib Need A Box Spring?

baby laying in a white bassinet

How Long Can a Baby Sleep in a Bassinet?

two teddy bears sitting on a baby quilt

What is the Size of a Baby Quilt or Baby Blanket?

mother laying her baby down in a cozy crib

The Big Move: When to Move Baby to a Crib

graco 5 way pack n play with baby inside

How Long Can Your Baby Sleep in a Pack 'N Play?

Little swaddled baby in white bed

When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby: The Signs Every Parent Should Look For

Two Sleeping Toddlers Sleeping in Toddler Bed

What Size is A Toddler Bed? Dimensions, Styles, and More

baby sleeping on their back

How To Get Your Baby To Nap Longer

portrait of toddler boy napping on pillow

When to Drop to One Nap

Little girl ready to sleep in her bed

How to Keep a Kid in Bed

woman putting mosquito net on baby stroller

How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Baby at Night

Swaddled Newborn Baby

How Long Should You Swaddle Baby?

Newborn baby sleeping in baby swing

Graco Soothe My Way Swing and Rocker Review

graco 5 way pack n play with baby inside

The 14 Best Pack 'n Plays for Baby in 2022

Baby asleep in sleeper pajamas

How to Dress Your Infant for Sleep

Mom and toddler sitting on couch with toddler drink

Similac Go And Grow Toddler Drink Review

graco 5 way pack n play with baby inside

The Best Graco Pack N Play of 2022

baby climbing out of his crib

How To Keep Your Baby or Toddler From Climbing Out of the Crib

how to get baby to sleep when overtired

How to Get Baby to Sleep When Overtired

baby nursery room

The Best Crib With Changing Table of 2022

how to use a baby wrap

How to Use a Baby Wrap

best baby swing for big babies

The Best Baby Swings For Big Babies of 2022

baby crawling on a rug

The Best Rugs For Baby To Crawl On in 2022

little girl on bean bag chair in the grass

The Best Bean Bag Chairs For Kids of 2022

how to get baby to sleep until 7am

How to Get Baby to Sleep Until 7am

Chicco AlfaLite with side open

Chicco Alfa Lite Playard Review

fisher price soothing motions bassinet review

Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet Review

how to get baby to sleep in the crib

How to Get Baby to Sleep in a Crib

baby girl laying on pillow

The 14 Best Baby Pillows of 2022

Sleeping baby in white bassinet

The 4moms Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet Review: Is it for You?

how much weight can a crib hold

How Much Weight Can A Crib Hold?

how to keep baby warm in a crib

How to Keep Baby Warm in a Crib

toddler laying on pillow

The Best Toddler Bed Rails of 2022

best nap mat for toddlers and kids

The Best Nap Mat of 2022

moses basket

The Best Moses Baskets of 2022

baby sitting in baby swing

The Best Baby Swing of 2022

baby lounging at the beach

Best Baby Lounger: Keeping Your Baby Cozy and Safe Virtually Anywhere

Baby Jogger City Suite Playard Review

Baby Jogger City Suite Multi-Level Playard Review

Sleeping baby in pack 'n play

Graco My View Bassinet Playard Review

plaid baby crib bumper

The Best Crib Bumpers - Decorate The Nursery Safely

co-sleeping family

A Real Wakeup: Online Calculator Adds Up Lost Sleep for Parents

baby sitting in a rocker playing with mobile

The Most Affordable Baby Swings, Bouncers, and Bassinets

a changing table in a nursery

The Best Changing Tables: Diaper Duty Made Easier

baby nursery room

The Most Affordable Baby Cribs and Furniture

image of the graco anywhere dreamer playard

Graco Travel Dome LX Playard Review

The Safest Cribs, Mattresses and Bassinets for Safe and Sound Sleep

marpac dohm classic

A Comparison of the Marpac Dohm vs Rohm vs Hushh Sound Machines

Family of four co-sleeping in one big bed

Why Modern Parents Should Embrace Co-Sleeping

best nursery temperature for baby

The Best Room Temperature for Baby - Safer Baby Sleep

Baby wrapped in blue blanket

Best Baby Blankets: The Perfect Blanket for Every Occasion

delta children's crib

The Best Mini Crib for the Nursery, Travel, and More

baby crib

Best Baby Cribs 2022: Reviews and Buyer's Guide

Baby cot over white background

The Best Crib Mattress For Babies and Toddlers 2022

Lulyboo Baby Lounge To Go Review

Lulyboo Baby Lounge to Go Review- Why You Need It Now

baby laying in a white bassinet

2022's Best Portable Bassinets for Baby

Tired parents when their baby is still awake

Everything You Need to Know About Sleep Regression Ages

Halo DreamNest Open Air Sleep System Review

HALO DreamNest Open Air Sleep System Review: A Legit Travel Crib/Playard?

Graco Sense2Soothe Swing Review by a Real Mom

baby sleeping

Best Sleep Sacks for Baby 2022

papablic 2 in 1 bonni bassinet, bedside sleeper

11 of the Best Co-Sleepers and Bedside Bassinets of 2022

nursery dresser

The Best Baby Nursery Dresser and Chests of 2022

baby sleeping in a baby cradle

The Best Cradles for Your New Baby

child laying on pillow with teddy bear

The Best Toddler Pillow of 2022

twin bed for toddler

The Best Twin Bed for a Toddler - 2022 List

Newborn asleep in bassinet

Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper Review: Best Bedside Bassinets?

baby laying in bassinet

The 12 Best Baby Bassinets in 2022

Sleeping baby in portable bed

Snuggle Me Organic vs DockATot

Laughing toddler in outdoor swing

Best Toddler Swings for Outdoor Fun this Season

Big brother with baby who is in baby swing

Graco DreamGlider 2 in 1 Glider Swing and Sleeper Review

soundspa lullaby sound machine

The Best Baby Projector Soother and Night Light to Help Your Baby Sleep

Swings

Graco Duet Sway Swing With Removable Rocker Review

Graco Playard, black friday deal image

Graco Anywhere Dreamer Playard Review

baby laying in crib with crib toy

The Best Crib Toys of 2022

Leachco Podster Vs Boppy Lounger Comparison

Chicco FastAsleep Playard Review: Play Pen with Changing Table and Napper

vava egg nursery night light

Best Nursery Night Lights for Babies and Toddlers

Snuggle Me Organic Sleeper

Snuggle Me Organic Review: Low Down on the Co-Sleeping Lounger

Lasko, great space heater for a nursery or baby room. Upright, cool to touch, ceramic heater.

Best Space Heaters for the Nursery - Keep Baby's Room Warm this Winter!

Review of the Graco Quick Connect Pack n Play Playard

Graco Quick Connect Pack n Play Playard with Portable Napper Review

Graco soothing vibrations bouncer

The Best Baby Bouncer to Keep Baby Happy and Calm

Newborn Napping Schedule

Baby Nap Schedule by Month

baby sleeping on white sheets

Best Pack and Play Sheets

Mom and baby in rocking chair in nursery

Best Baby Glider: How to Pick The Right Gliders and Rockers for Your Nursery

Close up of baby toes

Ingenuity Inlighten 2-in-1 Cradling Swing Review

Ingenuity ConvertMe Ridgedale Swing-2-Seat Review

Ingenuity ConvertMe Ridgedale Swing-2-Seat Review: Convertible or Confusing?

4moms rockaRoo bouncer review - plain and patterened covers shown

4moms rockaRoo Review - The Best Baby Rocker?

sleeping dark haired baby in infant swing

A Real Review of the 4moms mamaRoo Baby Swing by a Real Mom

Sleeping baby's hand in Mama's hand

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet Review: Swivel It or Quibble It?

Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Cradle 'n Swing - side view in living room

Fisher Price’s My Little Snugapuppy Cradle ‘n Swing Review

interactive baby sleep chart

Baby Sleep Chart by Age - How much sleep is Normal?

A cot in a dark bedroom. How dark should the baby's nursery be?

How Dark Should Baby's Room Be at Night?

High view of mom and dad peering in crib at baby

Crib vs Bassinet vs Baby Lounger: What's best & safest?

Pregnant Mom Preparing for Baby's Sleep

Pregnant? - Let’s prepare for your Baby’s sleep!

Baby girl sucking her thumb while asleep

Using White Noise To Help Your Baby Sleep

Sleeping Baby with Pacifier

Should I Let My Baby Sleep with a Pacifier?

Mom and daughter reading together before bedtime

Finding the perfect bedtime routine

Sleeping baby with green background on green pillow

Understanding Your Baby's Sleep