How to get babies to sleep through the night, per our editors

Say goodbye to your sleep. I can’t count how many times I was issued this warning during pregnancy.

The best part? They were all right. If you’re a new parent you likely understand that sleep is no longer a right — it is a privilege — and one that you’re lucky to have for longer than a few hours at a time.

After one zombie-esque, sleep-deprived 3:00 AM feeding a few weeks after my daughter was born, I found myself facedown on the floor and woke up to her piercing cries three hours later. Fortunately, I’d managed to tuck her safely into her own bassinet, but I’d severely missed my own bed.

I’m probably not the only one who has crashed on the carpet. The anecdotal stories of sleeplessness speak for themselves, but the numbers are just as alarming. A 2019 study in the Sleep Journal found that it can take six years for parental sleep satisfaction and duration to “fully recover” after childbirth.

Another study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign followed 464 parents for the first two years of their child’s lives, to track their sleep habits. The researchers found that mothers with three-month-old babies who fit the low maternal sleep profile got an average of 5.74 hours of sleep per night. In the average sleep profile, mothers got 7.31 hours, which is still barely hitting the 7 to 9 hours recommended by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Parents often debate types of sleep training to help their children rest through the night. Such techniques can involve everything from an interval-based ‘Ferver Method’ of gradually spreading out parental check-ins, to the substantially stricter cry-it-out method, and extinction — an intervention-free method of ignoring a child, even when they sound distressed. This training isn’t for the weak, and not all of us can afford a night nurse to do it for us.

Of course, for those who can’t handle the emotional turmoil of harsher methods (myself included), there are some alternative, gentler ways to help get babies to sleep at night. Everything from swaddles and safe sheets, to cribs, back-scratchers, snot suckers, sound machines, and even sleep-tracking baby monitors.

Truth be told, there’s already a huge sleep product market of all sorts of sleep aids and told to explore. But, it can be difficult to know what works — and what you might regret dropping half your paycheck on.

For that reason, I’ve enlisted help from the parents of the Post Wanted team to round up some expertly-tested products that help our babies (and us) sleep through the night. It’s time to make sleeping like a baby a good thing.

The perfect sleep companion for under $100 — the Fodoss Baby Bassinet is designed with breathable mesh and an adjustable base to grow with your changing needs. Durable iron construction provides a safe and sturdy space for your little one to relax and unwind. Best of all, it’s placed on 360-degree wheels with brakes, allowing parents to easily move it around the home when they need to get work done. Providing your baby with a familiar sleep environment wherever you go

New York Post Review: “Living in an apartment in NYC with a newborn means you have to be very flexible with the limited space you are given,” shared new father and commerce partnerships manager, Frank Massaro. “Since our Baby does not have his own set nursery room as we would in a house, I wanted to ensure that the key furniture like his changing table and bassinet were able to adapt and move around as we see fit. We have been able to move the bassinet seamlessly as it rests on four wheels which can lock into place.”

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While a lounger is not a safe environment for infant sleep, it does help parents keep little ones amused and entertained by providing. space they can lounge in around the house. Our Post Wanted parents agree that “tiring out” the little ones (by showing them new places, of course) is one of the best ways to get their sleep schedules on track. This cozy, lightweight, and ultra-portable lounger is the ideal way to get the job done.

New York Post Review: “The Snuggle Me Infant lounger has been an absolute godsend product,” shared Massaro. “Our little boy likes to be held, hugged, and swaddled and while my wife and I would absolutely love to hold him 24/7 and drown in his cuteness, there are many other things that must get done. That’s where the Snuggle Me infant lounger comes into play. The SnuggleMe does EXACTLY what its name says and just like a perfect Tetris piece; our son slides in perfectly and rests peacefully knowing he is in his cocoon era… until he wants to be picked up again.”

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If there is one sleep device that has eased out fears at the new-parent stage, it has to be the coveted Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor. This highly intelligent ankle monitor provides a slew of sleep data you might be curious about — from wake trends to heart rate and temperature and humidity. It also works as a baby monitor, with two-way audio, crystal-clear night visions, and real-time notification so you have peace of mind that you’ll be alerted if anything is out of place. Your baby won’t be the only one sleeping better— you will too

New York Post Review: “We love the Nanit Pro Monitor for its easy-to-use software,” noted Massaro.” I am a big data nerd and having the capabilities to log diapers (poo, pee, mixed) as well as feeding hours, and automatically logged sleeping hours give me a full symphony outlook on my baby. I feel these data points are incredibly valuable for our pediatrician appointments, but these first few weeks, the software kept us aligned and sane.”

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Swaddling mimics the sensations of the womb, and provides a sense of safety for little ones, which can help them fall asleep. Finding the right breathable swaddles to tuck in a newborn can be a bit of a quest, but there are a couple of tried-and-tested brands that we swear by. Massaro and his adorable brand-new baby are big-time fans of Aden Anais’ super soft swaddle blankets. The 100% Cotton Muslin is constructed with an open weave for optimal airflow, making them the ideal choice for year-round comfort.

New York Post Review: “We are new to the parent game, but at this moment we feel we would be hard-pressed to find swaddles/bassinet liners more comfortable and flexible than Aden Anais,” said Massaro. During the first couple of days and weeks of being a parent, you naturally gravitate towards your ‘go-to’ items to comfort your baby. The designs are cute and the material is unbelievably soft. It makes me wish I could be swaddled as an adult, honestly.”

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Swap out the screen time for a bedtime story. This is an age-old trick when it comes to getting the kids to sleep, but our Commerce Partnerships Manager says it’s still a key part of his son’s bedtime routine. Goodnight Moon is a classic. Loved not just for its enchanting illustrations, but also its whimsical, sleepy-time story arch. Your kiddo will be slipping into the sweetest dreams after listening to Goodnight Moon.

New York Post Review: “There’s no magic trick for getting a baby to sleep, we did a ton of sleep training and ultimately got really lucky that our son tires himself out and sleeps well (he’s never not moving during the day!),” Commerce Partnerships Manager, Ryan Murphy shared. “One thing that we really do swear by though is keeping a routine for bedtime. That includes books every night. My personal favorite is the classic…Goodnight Moon. It really zens the both of us out, plus we have a fun time looking for the mouse on all of the pages!”

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Why buy a pricey humidifier when you could snag a three-in-one deal for under $50? This design by Frida Baby works as a humidifier, a color-changing nightlight, and a diffuser, and parents and babies are obsessed with it, to say the least. With the turn of a knob, the device instantly begins converting water into a refreshing mist, for up to 24 hours of runtime. When paired with the Frida Vapor Drops, it can help babies breathe easier and fall asleep faster (especially, in the winter months or drier environments).

New York Post Review: “This is an extremely easy-to-use, reliable humidifier,” said Murphy. “It’s compact enough to sit right next to a crib, easily lasts all night on a fill, and allows for some soothing nightlight effect. It’s so easy to use, my son figured out how to turn it on and off when he was about one. Take that as a pro or a con!”

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No surprise here — an app-controlled sound machine is another sleepytime essential, and we’d argue that almost no New York City nursery is complete without one. The MomCozy device offers a sea of noises, from light rain to white noise, lullabies, and fan sounds. For anyone who lives in a high-traffic area, these sounds can mask intrusive noises that would otherwise wake up a peaceful baby. It doubles as an LED lamp too, perfect for midnight feedings and softer wakeups.

New York Post Review: “Sound machines were and are just fantastic,” shared Murphy. “This noise machine has been a constant for my son. We use this every night, and every day during his naps and we truly think he can sleep through other noises and sounds because of this. It has several different settings to play with to help find a favorite. Plus it is small enough to bring to other places and relative’s houses if you need to put your baby down for a quick nap.”

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Our parents agree that safe sleep requires safe sheets. Commerce Writer, Miska Salemann, looks for sheets made with cotton jersey material that is GOTS-certified, non-toxic, and gentle on sensitive skin. She says the KeaBabies sheet quality is impeccable; soft, smooth, easy to wash, and essentially wrinkle-resistant. Yes, they’re a touch pricier than ordinary Amazon sheets, but they’re a great choice for a health-conscious parent.

New York Post Review: “Finding a solid pair of crib sheets can make or break bedtime — after all, there’s nothing as irritating as itchy, scratchy sheets that irritate delicate, baby skin. Lately, my daughter has been in the habit of grabbing and pulling anything she can get her hands on (bedding included), so I wanted to find a crib sheet that seriously stayed in place. The elasticized band on the KeaBabies sheet pulls over the crib mattress easily and provides a super snug fit, so I don’t have to stress over the corners sagging or fabric bundling up. I’ve never had a single problem with these sheets. Actually, I take that back. I wish they made them in adult bed sizing.”

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Congestion can often cause sleeplessness, according to parents at Post Wanted. A sick baby might struggle to breathe easily through their nose, which makes it challenging for little ones to get some rest, and also spikes parents’ stress levels (we’re speaking from experience here). For this situation, we suggest a snot sucker.

New York Post Review: “Refrain from judgment, but a snot sucker is probably the best thing you could buy for a congested baby,” said Salemann. “My friend once picked this up with utter confusion, and some disdain for the fact that I’d ‘suck’ snot out of my babies’ noses. But, believe me, this Frida device does most of the work for you. The NoseFrida creates a seal on the outside of the baby’s nostril for gentle suction, so all you have to do is suck in and pull them out. Trust: the boogers get nowhere near your mouth, but they do come out. When my daughter was sick and stuffy, we used one of these and it was the only thing that could help her get comfortable enough to fall asleep.”

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As a new parent, having the ability to move your baby and crib around the house — even when they’re asleep — is absolutely essential. Trust me, you won’t be getting much work done if you can’t keep them in your range of vision. This crib seriously takes the weight off your shoulders. It’s lightweight and easy to move (on wheels!), Greenguard Gold Certified, and comes with a mini mattress, too. Your little one can nod off safely and comfortably in this durable crib, no matter where you take them. It converts from a mini crib to a full crib and a toddler bed, so you won’t have to buy a new bed for your baby anytime soon.

New York Post Review: “If there is a single piece of advice I can give to new parents decorating their nursery, it’s to find the most functional crib possible,” exclaimed Salemann. “Good looks are great. But, durability, safety, and adaptability are arguably more important. This Wave Crib from Nestig hits all the marks. The design allows you to convert this sleeper from a mini crib to a full crib, and then to a toddler bed, so it grows with your child. But, the selling point for me is the fact that it’s been put on wheels.”

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A bit of water before bed could help some kiddos relax at night, as our parents have suggested. The trick is to find a water bottle that they love using, and one that doesn’t spill all over the sheets. Tommee Tippee’s Insulated Sporty Bottle fits the mark. The spout is designed to stop spills, and the rounded shape and compact size of the bottle make it perfect for tiny hands. Plus, it’s under $15. A win all around.

New York Post Review: “My daughter won’t go to bed without a water bottle,” said Salemann. “Admittedly, this is probably not the best habit for us to get into. But, we’ve been transitioning her off milk at night, and the Tommee Tippee Insulated Sporty Bottle is the only one she will take in exchange for a bottle. I don’t even have to negotiate with her. She loves it, and taking a few sips before bed helps her wind down. I love it too, because it’s designed with a two-piece valve that helps prevent spills. I’ve never noticed any water leak out, which means less laundry for me!”

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Wearing your baby doesn’t just free up your hands — closeness encourages bonding and mimics the motion of the womb, which often is the best way to get your baby to catch some ZZZs. Salemann had to test out a few brands before discovering one that was easy enough to put on and comfortable to wear for long periods. She says the ErgoBaby Embrace is a cut above the rest.

New York Post Review: When it comes to baby wraps, you’re looking for something soft, secure, and easy to put on (the latter is the most difficult to achieve in my experience),” noted Salemann. “Between all the clips and straps, some can be tricky to put on. I’ve found this design to be the simplest, with the adjustable straps allowing you to find the perfect fit. The double-knit jersey is breathable in all weather conditions and comes in a variety of shades. My daughter would fall asleep pretty much as soon as I put her in it.”

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Get all the hard-to-reach spots! A more creative way to soothe fussy, overtired babies — an extendable back scratcher provides instant physical relaxation, which could help a cranky little one fall asleep faster and relax at night. One of the parents on the Post Wanted team says that it’s become an instrumental tool in helping his daughter unwind. Best of all, there are many different back scratchers to choose from, and most won’t put you down more than $10.

New York Post Review: “Around 7:30 every night, my toddler needs to stick to her pre-bedtime routine in order to get a proper night’s sleep,” explained dad-of-one and commerce events writer, Matt Levy. “For her, that means a good back scratching. And, no, fingers will not do. She prefers we use a back scratcher. The inexpensive tool helps her relax and brings a smile to her face. Plus, as an added bonus, it’s quite effective if you need to itch a hard-to-reach spot on your own back. I know I have.”

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Sleep aids come in all forms (and scents, for that matter), and a soothing moisturizer could be just the right choice for your kiddo. The popular Aveeno Calming Lotion is made with relaxing lavender and vanilla scents to help your little one relax around bedtime. It’s completely paraben and phthalate-free, and the non-greasy oatmeal formula can moisturize delicate skin for 24 hours.

New York Post Review: “No evening is complete without Aveeno Baby calming comfort lotion,” said Levy. “The lavender/vanilla-scented moisturizer serves as the perfect sleep aid. Our daughter’s skin stays moisturized for 24 hours, chills her out, and signals her that bedtime is near. It’s an essential part of our ritual and a total steal at just $9.99 since a bottle will last you months.”

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This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.

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