Rock-a-Bye Baby (22 page)

—H. Jackson Brown, Jr
.

Luckily for the sleepless parent and baby, there are a number of products designed to break that wakeful cycle and get baby to sleep. Here are some that experienced parents have tried and found effective.

Slip your baby into a baby sleeping bag—half sleeper, half bag—to keep her from kicking off the covers and getting cold in the night.

(
My favorites:
www.babyinabag.com
,
www.sleephuggers.com
)

Buy a small, super-soft blanket with stuffed-animal head attached for baby to use as a self-comforter in the night.

(
My favorite:
www.baby-blankets.us
)

Provide a stuffed bear that plays lullabies, heartbeat sounds, even digestion noises, reminding baby of the womb.

(
My favorites: Slumber Bear at
www.dreamtimebaby.com
and the Original Slumber Bear at
www.drugstore.com
)

Try a preformed swaddling blanket to wrap up your baby and calm him down.

(
My favorites: Baby Swaddler at
www.thebabyswaddler.com
and Easy Wrap Swaddler at
www.babythisbabythat.com
)

Turn on a white-noise machine that helps mask other sounds. It will relax your baby and soothe her to sleep.

(
My favorites: Sleep Sheep at
www.sleepwellbaby.com
and Baby's First White Noise CD at
www.purewhitenoise.com
)

Some parents of especially fussy babies swear by motion beds and bassinets that gently rock babies to sleep.

(
My favorite: Amby Baby Motion Bed at
www.ambybaby.com
)

These specially designed wedges and forms help keep baby from turning over and waking up.

(
My favorite: Baby Be Safe Sleep Wedge at
www.gallerybcentral.com
)

Sometimes extra-cozy crib sheets can comfort baby to sleep. Warmer to begin with, they prevent baby from startling awake at the touch of cold sheets when you put him in bed.

(
My favorites:
www.fleecebaby.com
and
www.dreamsoftbedware.com
)

Make massaging your baby more fun by using kits that come with oils and massage techniques. Or make your own, by combining two tablespoons of safflower oil and five drops of lavender-essence oil.

(
My favorite:
www.mamaandme.com
)

If you prefer to have your baby in bed with you, buy a sleep nest that keeps your baby safe from being smothered by your body during the night.

(
My favorite: Snuggle Nest at
www.mommysthinkin.com
)

Some babies prefer a night-light to sleep with. Try one that lights up the ceiling with gentle shining stars.

(
My favorite: Twilight Turtle Night Light at
www.babybasket.com
)