The best products for parents who desperately need some sleep, according to experts

by Lindsay Tigar, CNN Underscored

Updated: July 18, 2022

Source: 15 best sleep products for parents who need rest | CNN Underscored

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All parents must solve the age-old question of luring their babies and toddlers to sleep through any trick, routine, philosophy or product they can find. The tricky part about sleep is there is no one-size-fits-all method that works for every child.

It’s important to remember that average sleep totals vary significantly with age, says Rachel Shepard-Ohta, a pregnant mom of two and pediatric sleep specialist. For instance, she explains baby sleep is totaled over 24 hours, while toddlers have more consistent(ish) schedules. To know where your little one’s rest should average, check out the sleep totals from the National Sleep Foundation.

If you’re desperately craving improved sleep and you feel like you’ve tried everything, take a deep breath and press on. Here, we spoke with parents and experts on what helps babies and toddlers rest easier, and hopefully, some of their wisdom will benefit your family. Always check the Safe Sleep Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and consult your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.

The Ollie Swaddle

$59.99 at Target

In the first few months of their life, babies prefer to be swaddled like a tiny burrito when sleeping. How come? It reminds them of being in the womb where they were snuggly tucked in Mom’s tummy — and it cuts down on the startle reflex that usually wakes them up when they slap themselves. (Really!)

You can safely swaddle your baby until they begin to roll over, usually between 3 and 4 months. Swaddling is a top recommendation of Canclini-Mitchell. There are dozens of options available, with Ollie being one of the highest rated and recommended. Other contenders include the Happiest Baby Swaddle, the Nested Bean Sleepsack and the Halo Sleep Sack. Try a few to see what your little one prefers.