A sleep “prop” is something to help your baby/toddler fall asleep. There are two categories of sleep props, the kind the baby/toddler controls and the kind parents provide for the child. Can you guess which kind is good and which is not so good?
For newborns, almost every prop is good. Skin to skin contact, feeding, rocking, holding, swaddling, and using a pacifier are examples of positive types of sleep props. Having your newborn in a separate sleep space near your bed can be great as well. Bed sharing is not recommended because I advocate for not only a restful night sleep for your infant, but also a safe sleeping experience.
Examples of good sleep props for babies (4-17 months) are: a sleep sack, white noise machine, sucking on their fingers, rolling, and total darkness. Not recommended sleep props would be anything requiring you – the parent – to do for or with them. Some examples include: a pacifier you are having to put back in baby’s mouth repeatedly, any kind of patting, rubbing, or rocking you believe your baby needs in order to fall asleep.
For a toddler, positive sleep props may include: a blanket, 1-2 special “loveys”, mom or dad’s t-shirt on their pillow, as well as white noise. Typically, a toddler’s not so good sleep prop is when he wants to have mom or dad lay with him or wants to sleep in their bed.
Overall, when properly used, sleep props can have a very positive effect on your infant, baby, or toddler’s sleep. You have the power to assist your baby in taking charge of their own sleep once you understand these guidelines of empowering them from newborn stages well. Everyone in your family will benefit from higher quality sleep without the stress of being woken by a crying baby.
If you need assistance in properly utilizing sleep props, or are finding yourself beholden to unproductive sleep routines, please review my baby sleep packages and let’s get you started with the virtual support needed to take control over your child’s nighttime routine.
Here’s to great sleep,
Michelle Read
SleepSense™ Certified Consultant
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