The Dreaded “Sleep Prop”
If your baby is out of the newborn stage and wakes multiple times a night, a likely culprit is a reliance on sleep props.
Sleep props are literally anything that your baby uses as a “prop” to get to sleep and stay asleep.
Think- nursing, rocking, white noise, shushing, swaddling, swinging, car rides, pacifier, thumb sucking, the list goes on! Not only does your baby rely on this prop to fall asleep at bedtime, but your baby also relies on it when waking in the middle of the night.
So why is a sleep prop such a bad thing? Are all sleep props bad?
The “Bad” Sleep Props
The problem arises when your child becomes so dependent on the prop that it is interfering with them actually getting any sleep!
Let’s take a baby who refuses to nap anywhere but in a swing as an example. Sure, this may work well for your baby as an infant, but inevitably your baby will get bigger and will no longer fit in the swing. Now what do you do? Maybe you then start swinging your heavy baby in your arms to get her to fall asleep, but as soon as you stop swinging- BOOM! Your baby’s eyes are WIDE OPEN! Now you’re stuck with a child who won’t fall asleep without you, your bedtime routine takes forever, and she wakes multiple times throughout the night needing to be swung to sleep.
Not All Sleep Props Are Bad
Here’s the thing, I actually love sleep props! I just don’t love all (or honestly, most sleep props). There are certain criteria that a sleep prop needs to have in order for me to give it my seal of approval.
The Makings of a “Good” Sleep Prop
A good sleep prop needs to be:
Consistent: Your child must be able to use the prop all night, without needing your assistance with it
Reproducible if your child is outside of her normal sleep environment
Reliable: The prop must be able to be used as your child gets older
Think about what your own personal sleep props may be. For me, it’s a weighted blanket and white noise. I’m a high-maintenance sleeper but when I sleep, I sleep well! So, are these sleep props a bad thing for me? No! They are helping me to get a better night’s sleep. They are consistent each night, reliable, and they are also reproducible when I travel. When I travel, I take a portable sound machine with me. It’s unlikely that I would pack my heavy weighted blanket when traveling, so I blast the AC and snuggle under a heavy comforter instead.
Ask yourself a similar question for your baby - can your baby able to use this prop without relying on you? Is his prop realistic to reproduce outside of your baby’s normal sleeping environment? Is it realistic to continue using this prop for the inevitable future? If the answer is no to any of these, DITCH THAT PROP!
My Approved Sleep Props:
White noise- I love a portable sound machine, such as this one. It’s easy to pack in a bag and charges with a USB cord, so it can be used on the go! It’s perfect to keep your baby sleeping during a long car ride.
Darkness- This is SO KEY to getting your child to fall asleep and stay asleep into the early morning! You want total darkness! You can achieve this at home with blackout blinds or curtains. This can easily be replicated when traveling with a Slumber Pod (use the code leavetherest_to_me$20 for a discount) or by using painter’s tape to cover windows with black contractor bags.
Swaddle- for newborns prior to showing signs of rolling. I realize that this prop is not “reliable” as it can only be used for 8-12 weeks… BUT newborns are their own beast! This is essential for newborn babies. Why? Newborns have an INTENSE startle reflex. Meaning they will actually startle themselves awake! A swaddle becomes unsafe once your baby is showing signs of rolling, so you will need to transition your baby out when that time comes. At that time you can transition your baby to a wearable blanket/sleep sack.
Pacifier- another prop that I like for newborns but prefer to no longer be used for sleep once a baby is 4 months old. Although you can teach your baby to reinsert the pacifier herself in the middle of the night, I actually find it easier, in the long run, to wean this off early.
Thumb- the most portable of all sleep props! Honestly, if you don’t want a thumb sucker but your baby disagrees with that… there is no way you’re going to stop them. Almost all babies grow out of this habit, I rarely see it become a problem!
Comfort Object- This can be introduced around a year old. This can be a lovie, stuffed animal, or something similar. I love giving your worn t-shirt or pajamas to your toddler since it has your scent!
Are you ready to replace your baby’s “no-no” sleep props with a good night’s rest? Book a free Evaluation Call to find out how I can help!
