Shopping·9 min read

14 Products to Help Your Kids Get a Little More Sleep

Products to help your kids sleep
Design: theSkimm | Photos: Warmies, Hanna Andersson
March 13, 2024

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Sleep is important for everyone’s health and happiness, and when your kids are sleeping more, you’re grabbing more Zzz’s, too. We can’t magically give you back every minute of REM cycle you’ve lost since your children were born, but we can offer these suggestions for products that should help babies, toddlers, older kids, and, yes, their parents, get a little more rest.

For more help falling (and staying) asleep, click here.

warmies
Warmies

A stuffed animal you can heat up…

These adorable stuffed animals are filled with dried French lavender and can be popped in the microwave for a soothing and sensory experience. They’re weighted, so holding and hugging them can also help ease anxiety. We’ve even used them ourselves to ease period cramps. Never too old for a stuffed animal. ($29.99, Warmies)

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weighted-blanket
Baloo Living

A weighted blanket that’s just the right size for a kid…

This blanket feels like a “gentle hug” and will make getting them to nap so much easier. It’s only nine pounds, so it won’t feel smothering, and stays cool and breathable. It’s machine washable and comes in three colors. ($149, Baloo Living)

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pillow
Purple

A pillow they’ll get excited to use…

Nothing like having their own special pillow to get them excited for bedtime. This mini version of the Purple Pillow is made of soft gel that forms to their head and neck. It’ll stay cool while they sleep and comes in cute colors like pink and light blue. It’s great for bringing on roadtrips, so they’re not asking “are we there yet?” every five minutes. ($99, Purple)

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lotion
Amazon

A calming lotion you’ll want to borrow…

When it’s storybook time, make it a routine to apply this lotion as an extra step, and you’ll find their eyes getting heavy before you finish reading. It’s made with lavender and chamomile to soothe and shea butter and jojoba oil to moisturize. It’s safe for sensitive skin and won’t leave them feeling greasy. ($15.50, Amazon)

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Hatch sound machine
sound machine

A sleep device you’ll use for years…

From the newborn days when you want to crank up that white noise, to the years when your kids sleep better with a night light (and beyond), this smart sleep device will come in handy. You can control its lights and sounds from your phone, and even use it as an audio monitor in a pinch. We tried it, and it helped one editor set a more distinct bedtime for her toddler. ($59.99+, Hatch)

Buy it at Hatch Buy it at Amazon
baby monitor
Nanit

A baby monitor that tracks their sleep…

Want to know just about everything about how they’re sleeping? Enter the Nanit. Mount it to the wall or set it up with a floor stand, and you’ll get a full report on wake-ups and sleep stats every morning. Plus, no need to look at a separate monitor screen all night — the video comes right to your phone via the app. ($249+, Nanit)

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bed sheets
Amazon

Soft crib sheets that are actually affordable…

You don’t want to pay a lot for a crib sheet that’s going to get dirty constantly. These cotton sheets are soft, cute, and priced so that you can stock up and do a little less laundry. They’re also breathable and hypoallergenic so they won’t irritate sensitive skin. ($16.99, Amazon)

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Snoo sleeper
Happiest Baby

The “smart sleeper” everyone’s talking about…

Okay hear us out. You and your baby can be happy and healthy without a super-fancy bassinet. However, this sleeper is worth considering, especially with a rental option available. It’ll keep your baby safely swaddled on their back all night, and rock them automatically when their sleep is disturbed. It will help them sleep train, so moving to a crib will be a much easier transition. ($159/month rental, Happiest Baby)

Rent it at Happiest Baby Buy it at Happiest Baby
wave crib
Nestig

A crib that grows with them…

It’s a one-stop shop for your baby’s first few years of sleeping, since it converts from mini crib to crib to toddler bed. Optional wheels make it easy to move around and rock as needed. Plus, it’s one of the prettiest cribs we’ve ever seen. ($749, Nestig)

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Travel crib
Amazon

A crib great for on-the-go…

If the idea of traveling with your baby or toddler makes you nervous, make sure you have a setup that gives you confidence. This travel crib is super easy to set up, and sturdy enough to work for several years (there’s no weight limit, but eventually your kid will be able to escape). Grab a fitted sheet for it, too. ($279.99, Amazon)

Buy it at AmazonBuy it at Baby Bjorn
Long John pajamas
Hanna Andersson

The best pajamas for the whole family…

Buy them for your big kids, buy them for your babies, or even buy them for yourself. These cotton pajamas are cozy and cute, with all kinds of bright colors and prints to choose from. Plus, the seams lay flat and are never scratchy or itchy. They can be pricey but are nearly always running some kind of sale. ($33.60+, Hanna Andersson)

Buy it
blackout shades
Amazon

Instant blackout shades that you can travel with…

These aren’t a permanent solution for your home, nor will they be winning any design awards. But they’re a lifesaver for visits to grandma’s, hotel stays, and trips with time changes — basically any unusual situation in which you need to enforce a bedtime. Just cut them to the size you need and stick them to the top of any window. ($30.10+/6-pack, Amazon)

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kids books
Cratejoy

Some new material for storytime…

With board book and picture book options for kids 0-6, this subscription will give you new stories to enjoy as a family. Bonus: You can kill at least 20 minutes on a rainy day unboxing your new reads. ($21.95+/box, Cratejoy)

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Mindfulness App
Headspace

A nightly dose of mindfulness…

A little screen time can be a good thing. For older kids (13+) who may have trouble settling down at night, an app like Headspace can help with meditation to reduce stress so they can get better sleep. Starting a wind-down routine as a teen will do wonders for them as an adult. (Free, Headspace)

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