Sarah Birdwell, Author at babybay

A Guide for Sleep Deprived Parents: How to Get Better Rest (By Helping Your Little One Sleep Better Too)

Posted on February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 by Sarah Birdwell

You don’t need statistics to back up the fact that getting a full night’s sleep with a new baby can be hard (heck, you just need to look in the mirror to see the black rings under your eyes and that spell “I need some coffee or wake-me-up tea…stat!”) But if you’re feeling like one of the many sleep deprived parents out there who need some relief, just know that you’re not alone.

Adults tend to need 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. But with frequent feedings and cries for comforting as the new normal, getting that much shut-eye can feel near-impossible to do. In fact, scientists have discovered that new dads tend to lose an average of 13 minutes of sleep a night, while new moms lose over an hour of sleep on average.

And while chugging caffeine might seem like a solid short-term solution at first, the truth is that it might take years (or, at least, up until your child is around 6 years old) before your sleep schedule returns to its pre-kid patterns.

But that shouldn’t be cause for concern. Because while studies are pretty clear on the fact that long-term sleep deprivation comes with some pretty not-fun negatives (like increased anxiety, irritability, reduced cognitive functioning, and postpartum depression onset), there are ways to take back control of your sleep — while still making sure your little one is getting high-quality shut-eye of their own.

In this complete guide for sleep deprived parents (who are finally ready to wake up feeling rested and ready to take on the day), you’ll discover:

Why following your baby’s lead is the key to getting dream-filled nights that leave you refreshed in the morning
The key ways you can rely on your support network to ease the pressures of nighttime stress and sleeplessness
Why sleep hygiene might be the most-important (and rest-giving) part of your nighttime prep routine
How postpartum doulas and after-care specialists make nighttime sleep magic happen (just by supporting you in the right, should have thought of that! ways)
The sleep setup that has been scientifically proven to help you sleep longer and spend more time in REM — while your baby gets peaceful and bonding-filled rest right beside you

How to Deal with Sleep Deprivation with a Baby: Follow Their Lead

When your baby sleeps, that’s your cue to sleep too. Simple enough, right? But hold up — it doesn’t always feel that easy.

It’s tempting to spend the first year fighting against their baby’s natural rhythm and needs, or ignoring clear baby sleep cues when they start showing. Because when there is a schedule to keep or visiting grandparents to pay attention to, it can be easy to ignore the yawning and eye-rubbing or assure your baby “just a few more minutes!” while keeping them wide-awake and surrounded by love and attention.

And while being surrounded with loving people sounds like a good thing (and it is most of the time!), ignoring those baby sleep cues when they come on sets you and your baby on the fast-track to tumultuous sleep.

You can try to get your baby on your clock, but this will only add to your exhaustion. The time will come when your baby can wait a bit before being put to sleep (without any over-exhaustion symptoms coming on), but don’t expect it right away.

Instead, follow the #1 trick for how to deal with sleep deprivation with a baby: let your baby take the lead, and commit to getting rest-time in when you can.

When Possible, Share Responsibilities with Your Partner or Loved Ones

Listen to your body when it says you need to rest. And no matter how independent you are, talk to your partner or other nearby friends/family/neighbors/people close to you about how they can help you during those rest-needing moments.

Working with your support network to rotate responsibilities will make it possible for you to sleep, heal, and be at your best. (Remember, child birth takes a lot out of your body, and if you had a cesarean section you might be having an even harder time finding ways to get comfortable and get quality sleep after c-section.)

The American Academy of Family Physicians echoes the importance of letting others help during your postpartum recovery:

“During the first six weeks, pay attention to your body…resist the temptation to do more. Overdoing things at this point can set you back in your recovery. Concentrate on nourishing your body with good foods, drinking plenty of water (especially if you are breastfeeding), and getting enough rest.”

Your baby, body, and relationship will all benefit from practicing good communication. So think of asking for help as the natural thing to do after child birth — and get the support you need to finally sleep.

Practice Proper Sleep Hygiene as a Sleep Deprived Parent (Yep, That’s Really a Thing)

The concept of proper sleep hygiene is all about setting up your sleep environment and making choices during the day to not interfere with your body’s ability to sleep. And unsurprisingly, the same tips that help you get more shut-eye during other times of your life offer much-needed advice that take some of the difficulty out of how to deal with sleep deprivation as a parent.

For example: not drinking caffeine after 2pm, fighting late-night cravings, and removing technology from the bedroom can all set your mind at ease and leave you geared up (or geared down) to cozy into bed and fall into dreamland as soon as your head hits the pillow.

With a newborn added to the nighttime equation, it’s hard for your body to make sense of the nightly schedule you’re keeping up. With feedings waking you up every few hours, sending mixed messages to your body in the form of late-night caffeine or social media scrolls can make it hard to go back to sleep on command.

But if it’s nighttime and “struggling to sleep” feels firmly where you are (while popping things like “How to deal with sleep deprivation as a parent” into Google’s search bar), here are some quick tips that will help you calm your racing mind and make drifting into nighttime slumber easier:

- - Doing 5-10 minutes of yoga or peaceful meditation
  - Sipping a cup of herbal tea (herbal teams like chamomile and peppermint are naturally decaffeinated)
  - Closing the blinds, or using blackout window treatments to help cut through your body’s circadian rhythm and let your system know it’s time for rest

Services to Help with Slumber: Postpartum Doulas and After-Birth Care Specialists

Postpartum Doulas and After-Birth Care Specialists are specially trained to help moms in the first weeks or months after giving birth. They work with you — often in your home — to help you feel comfortable adapting to all things parenthood. (They’re also covered by state health care and independent insurance coverages in many cases.)

If your lack of recent sleep is partly a result of all the recent changes in your life or concern about whether you’re “doing things right,” postpartum doulas or after-birth care specialists can help set your mind at ease by giving well-researched answers to all of your most keep me up at night questions about parenthood.

Struggling with getting baby to latch on? Worried you’ve swaddled your baby too tightly? Experiencing anxiety about how your body is healing? Don’t know why your baby won’t stop crying?

With compassion, understanding, and a helpful attitude, professionals like these will help with all of it. And bonus: they’ll also listen to the specifics of your situations and give some relevant-to-you tips and tricks for easing the exhaustion pressures of the nighttime hours.

Although this uncharted territory of parenthood can be frightening, don’t forget about the resources available to help you. If you’ve got a question, ask it. If you’re unsure of something or something feels off, trust your gut and find help. There’s nothing like peace of mind when it comes to a good night’s sleep.

Try Out a Bedside Co-Sleeper (Your Sleep Cycles Will Thank You)

This might just be the quickest and easiest to new parent sleep deprivation on this list: switching to using a bedside co-sleeper can make all the difference in terms of a good night’s sleep by taking all the “getting up to breastfeed or care for your little one” sleep disrupting out of your nightly regimen.

Co-sleeping has long been the generations-loved and around-the-world-respected sleep solution for helping both parents and baby sleep better — and longer — at night. When done safely (like with the help of a safety-certified bedside co-sleeper), co-sleeping promotes physiological syncing between parent and baby (which sets breathing, heartbeat, etc. into a balanced and calming pattern that affects the peacefulness of both), and leads to increased time in REM sleep and rest in longer intervals.

If you think about it, the proven benefits of staying extra-close to your little one at night make sense.

Your baby has spent upwards of 9 months in the womb, getting used to the feeling of having their mother’s heartbeat nearby and the natural body rhythm of a loved one surrounding them. Safe co-sleeping replicates this closeness, making the transition from womb to the real world less jarring (which leads to easier ease during the moments when drifting into dreamland is on the agenda).

Want to try the bedside co-sleeper thing out?

Consider the leading attachable bedside co-sleeper by babybay. Not only is babybay the only eco-friendly sleeper on the market, but they’re also committed to sustainable manufacturing and are created by parents, for parents — showing a true understanding of your everyday struggles and needs. That puts them on the front line of your mission to end end your status as sleep deprived parents, while making every night of sleep one that is filled with plenty of peaceful dreams and beautiful bonding.

Will Co Sleeping with a Newborn Make Them Less Independent?

Posted on February 7, 2023February 8, 2023 by Sarah Birdwell

There are many benefits that come from co sleeping with a newborn, including reduced stress for you and baby, better nights of rest, and easier nighttime nursing—just to name a few!

But despite doing the research, looking into the benefits, and being clear on the many “pros” that the sleep practice offers, there’s still one question that comes up time and time again for parents considering the sleep practice: Will co sleeping make my baby less independent?

Here’s the short answer: nope!

In fact, research has found that children who co sleep as infants are more self-reliant and socially independent by preschool age than children raised with other sleep practices as the norm.

So how does co sleeping support independence and lead to the kind of long-term autonomy that benefits your child for a lifetime?

The History of Co Sleeping (and Why It Matters)

It’s important to remember that co sleeping isn’t a new practice.

The history of co sleeping goes back thousands of years, and is still the dominant sleep practice around the world.

Cultures who have favored co sleeping for millennia celebrate the sleep practice for its bonding and nursing benefits. Parents who co sleep find that it’s easier to get in tune with their baby, while also having smoother nighttime nursing experiences.

And though parents in Western households (where solo-sleeping is the norm) might wonder whether this kind of nighttime closeness leads to children being over-reliant on their parents, the research shows that the opposite becomes true.

Co Sleeping and Independence: How One Impacts the Other

Co sleeping does help parents and babies sync their heart rates, temperature, breathing, sleep states, and oxygen levels. It also helps parents respond to every nighttime nursing call, quick crisis, and need for comfort that comes their way.

But this doesn’t create unhealthy codependency. It actually helps babies learn that their psychological needs will be met—whenever they need it, and as quickly as can be.

This allows them to explore more, express their needs more actively, and generally have the kind of secure relationship with their parents that leads toward independence.

How Does the Closeness of Co-Sleeping Lead to Independence?

Fast reaction times are key to building trust with your child.

By quickly responding to their needs, you’re able to offer comfort and calming as soon as they need it.

This builds a strong foundation of trust between you and your little one, the kind that lets them feel confident that their needs will always be met.

And while solo-sleeping scenarios often force the parent to roll out of bed, walk out of the room (or to the nursery) and reach across crib bars to give their child the comfort they need, co-sleeping parents find it easy to simply reach over and offer care.

Not only does this make things easier on parents—by making it simpler to get back to sleep after you care for your little one—it also helps your baby know that you’ll always be close by and ready to help when they need it.

So Will Co Sleeping Spoil My Child?

No, co sleeping—at least when done safely and at the infancy stage—will not spoil your child. This kind of close sleeping actually falls right in line with what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for young children.

But the key to soaking up all the co sleeping benefits while also giving your child safe and sound nights of sleep comes from the how of co sleeping.

There’s a difference between co sleeping and bed sharing. And while the former will lead to better rest for you and your baby while supporting their adventurous spirit, bed sharing (or the practice of bringing your baby into bed with you during the night) can lead to risks for your little one.

So Then How Do I Co Sleep Safely?

Bedside co sleepers are the safe way to get better, more fulfilling nights of sleep with your baby while still making sure their safety is fully cared for.

With bedside co sleepers like the babybay, your little one gets a bed and space all their own to sleep the night away. They enjoy the firm mattress, bedding-free surface they need, while you enjoy all the cushiony goodness of your own oh-so-soft comforters, pillows, and fluffy mattress.

This lets you get better nights of rest (by keeping your comfort a priority even when you’re co sleeping with a newborn!) while also letting your little one enjoy the peace that comes from being next to you all night long.

How to Get the Best Sleep for Pregnancy Health: Trimester By Trimester

Posted on January 24, 2023February 28, 2023 by Sarah Birdwell

For some lucky pregnant women, sleep comes easy. But for others, pregnancy insomnia can leave them feeling restless, frustrated, and worried about waking up feeling tired and worn out. So how do you make the most of your sleep for pregnancy health and full peace of mind at every stage?

Here’s our trimester-by-trimester guide to cutting through the insomnia, ditching the dreamless nights, and getting the kind of pregnancy sleep that leaves you waking up refreshed.

First Thing’s First: Why Is It So Hard To Get Sleep While Pregnant?

Pregnancy insomnia often begins in the first trimester, and is thanks to a host of factors like fluctuating hormone levels, nausea, heart rate fluctuations, leg cramps, and body temperature changes.

By later in your pregnancy journey, there might be other reasons why your pregnancy insomnia gets worse—like the feeling of your growing belly making it difficult for you to find the best positions for easy rest.

Though sleep problems during pregnancy are common, that doesn’t mean they’re totally harmless.

While a few nights of tossing and turning shouldn’t affect you or your baby, new research claims that women who don’t get quality rest during their pregnancy are at greater risk of complications.

Which is why getting good rest should be a priority at every stage of your pregnancy–and should still be a priority after your baby is born!

Getting Enough Sleep While Pregnant: What To Do During Your First Trimester

Here’s our first tip: don’t stress or overthink your sleepless nights.

Though finding ways to drift off to dreamland should be priority #1, stressing about the “right” ways to get that sleep can do more harm than good.

As your placenta grows during your first trimester (and your body gets used to differing hormone levels), you’re likely to feel pretty tired.

Instead of ignoring the exhaustion and plowing through, take the time to care for your body’s every need. Don’t be afraid to take naps, call in the babysitter for a few hours of midday rest, or go to sleep extra early if that’s what your body needs.

You’ll appreciate the extra attention you’re giving your body in the long run—especially when it pays off in the form of longer and more peaceful nights of sleep down the road.

Sleeping While Pregnant: Getting Rest In Your Second Trimester

Many women find sleeping while pregnant easier during their second trimester.

This is due in part to stabilizing hormone levels, which offer a much-needed break from morning sickness. It’s also due to less frequent bathroom runs, which come as a result of the uterus not pushing as heavily on your bladder.

According to the Sleep Foundation, women tend to get 7.5 hours of sleep on average during their second trimester.

That makes this an ideal time to stock up on baby products, pick out the crib or bedside co sleeper that will make a perfect fit in your room, and start planning next steps when your baby arrives.

And while you don’t want to overdo all the nesting during this stage of your pregnancy (a healthy balance of nesting and resting is always important!), it is helpful to get started on your list of to-dos when your body and mind are up for the task.

Getting Sleep During Pregnancy: What to Expect In the Third Trimester

Though your second trimester likely offered a reprieve from all those sleepless nights, you’re likely to experience some more of them as you enter your third trimester.

This is less thanks to changing hormones and more thanks to changes in your body, which can make it hard to find a comfortable position that lets you drift into the deep sleep you need.

Restless leg syndrome, back pain, and baby kicks can all also cause nighttime tossing and turning, which can leave pregnant women with more than a few sleepless nights.

Luckily, you kind find relief by finding the right pregnancy sleep positions to ease the pressure on your growing pregnancy belly and get the rest you need.

You can also practice a few self-care essentials–like putting a relaxing bedtime routine in place–to help make falling asleep easier during this stage.

How to Get Sleep After Your Baby Comes

Though getting sleep while pregnant always feels like the biggest concern, it’s no secret that having a new baby also makes it challenging to get full nights of rest.

It’s important to plan ahead for those days after your baby is born so that you can make the most out of all those early moments with your little one (without any sleep deprivation to show!).

For many families, this means looking into the many benefits of bedside co sleepers, which offer a way for you to enjoy all the benefits of sleeping close to your baby—including getting more hours of better rest!—while also giving them a space all their own.

Because as a pregnant woman, you deserve quality nights of sleep for pregnancy health and full relaxation. And you deserve that as a new parent too!

What to Know About Wooden Cribs (Before You Buy)

Posted on January 10, 2023January 13, 2023 by Sarah Birdwell

Some families choose wooden cribs because they like the style. Others prefer the peace of mind that comes from knowing their baby’s bed meets crib safety standards while avoiding all the toxic glues and chemicals that go into the construction of most baby beds.

But no matter your reasoning for seeking out a wood crib, this type of baby bed is a stylish and sustainable alternative to many modern models.

Here’s what you should know before choosing a wooden crib design for your little one.

First Things First: Are Wood Cribs for Babies Safe?

Like most things, it depends.

When you buy a new crib or baby bed that has been lovingly crafted with solid, natural, and sustainably sourced wood (like the babybay bedside sleeper, which is made of 100% ethically-sourced beechwood), you can be confident that you’re getting a superior product than your everyday crib—and a safer, natural option for your little one.

But not all cribs, bedside co sleepers, or baby beds are created equal.

Some crib manufacturers will use natural wood, but then cover it in the kind of toxic glues, sealers, and paints that come with toxic fumes. And though these cribs might look all-natural from the outside, they can still be less than supportive for your little one.

That’s why it’s important to research the ethics and attitude of any crib or bedside sleeper manufacturer before you buy, and choose a manufacturer that takes your baby’s safety seriously.

How About It’s a Wood Crib Antique? Is That Still Safe?

A wood crib antique may offer everything you’re looking for in terms of design, but that doesn’t mean it’s your safest option.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the U.S. agency responsible for determining which consumer products (including cribs!) are safe for consumer use.

The CPSC lists antique cribs as one of their “Most Wanted” dangerous products, since many were designed and sold before there were universal safety standards that protected your baby through the night.

Though antique cribs might be made of the most beautiful, hard-to-resist wood out there, they could be built with crib wooden slats that are too far apart to properly keep your little one safe and in place while they sleep.

They could also have been manufactured with lead, or feature a drop-side design that was banned in the United States in 2010 after multiple safety concerns arose.

Which is to say—though style is important when it comes to a baby crib, so is design. And when it comes to design, looking for a baby crib that prioritizes modern safety standards is key.

Can I Find a Natural Wood Crib That Is Also Mobile?

It can be easy to assume that a natural wood crib or co sleeper like the babybay means you’re limited when it comes to easily-convertible convenience. But cribs made of natural woods can be just as convenient as cribs made of plastic, mesh, or other common (but less sustainable and natural) materials for modern cribs.

Though it might be hard to find a crib or co sleeper that comes in the exact natural wood style you want while also providing the ease that comes from a mobile conversion kit, it’s not impossible.

A convertible baby crib or co sleeper like the babybay can be transformed into a mobile, rolling baby bassinet with the help of a conversion kit.

When your conversion kit is set up and in place, you can enjoy all the benefits of a natural wood crib that stays close to your bedside, while also giving you the freedom to move your perfectly-styled and all-natural crib or co sleeper through the house and into different rooms.

Which means you can have the best of both words—all the style of the natural, all-wood crib you want, with the convenience of a mobile baby bassinet.

So What’s the Best Wooden Crib Out There?

The best wooden crib or co sleeper will offer the right balance of style and safety, while giving you the freedom to transform your baby’s bed into a rollable, moveable, baby bassinet.

For parents who have explored the many benefits of co sleeping and decided that it’s right for them, the babybay co sleeper offers a safe sleeping solution that is stylishly made with all natural, 100% ethically-sourced beechwood and safely made to protect and cradle your little one through the night.

So that you can enjoy the all-natural beauty that wooden cribs bring to the room, while still knowing that your baby is co sleeping safely and sweetly.

Pregnancy Sleeping Positions That Will Help You Finally Get Rest

Posted on December 27, 2022December 30, 2022 by Sarah Birdwell

It’s a common complaint for women around the world: when you’re in the middle of pregnancy, sleeping positions (and finding one that will give you the restful night’s sleep you need without shortness of breath, back pain, or discomfort) can feel like an uncrackable code.

Fluctuating hormones, stress levels, and the many shifts that are taking place in your body as your baby grows can trigger fitful nights and plenty of hours spent staring up at the ceiling wondering what you’re doing wrong.

Here’s the truth: frequent nighttime awakenings are often an unavoidable part of pregnancy. But even so, there are steps you can take and comfortable sleep positions you can try that will help take away nighttime restfulness, ease pregnancy insomnia, and set you on the path toward sweet dreams.

What sleeping positions should be avoided during pregnancy?

Some experts advise against sleeping flat on your back while pregnant, since this position can compress certain veins and decrease oxygen flow to the placenta. This is also not a very comfortable sleep position for your spine or back, making it an important one to avoid.

Though you shouldn’t worry or stress if you find yourself waking up in this position come morning, starting your night off right with a better position can help you get more hours of sleep during pregnancy and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.

What Should Be My Favorite Sleeping Positions While Pregnant?

For pregnant women, side sleeping is always the best. And if you can sleep on your left side—even better!

As your pregnancy belly grows, you’ll appreciate the extra support that side sleeping offers and the weight that it takes off your back.

And though both left side sleeping and right side sleeping will offer that same comfort, sleeping on your left side can improve circulation and make it easier for nutrients to make their way to your baby. It will also keep your pregnancy body weight from pushing down on your liver, which can cause discomfort.

Though you might have formally been a fan of stomach sleeping, this is one of the positions during pregnancy that can put uncomfortable pressure on your abdomen and press your expanding uterus in a way that’s hard to ignore or sleep through. Because of this, side sleeping reigns supreme as one of the preferred nighttime positions during pregnancy.

What Are the Most Comfy Pregnant Sleeping Positions?

So we know that side sleeping is key during pregnancy—but how do you make this position even more comfortable for you?

You can prop an extra-long pregnancy or wedge pillow under your back and between your knees to keep you set in the side position all night long and avoid any of the discomfort that comes from rolling onto your stomach or back.

Though this can be a more comfortable way to sleep for many pregnant women, you shouldn’t worry if you roll out of position during the night. Any sleep is good sleep right now, making the how much far more important than the how.

For some pregnant women, sleeping more upright by stacking pillows behind you or getting comfy in a recliner can help relieve heartburn and give you a better night’s sleep. And for those with shortness of breath, putting a pillow under your chest can lift your body and set your breathing at ease.

What Should I Know About Pregnancy Sleeping Positions for Back Pain?

Back pain can make it hard for pregnant women to relax and unwind, during sleep and waking hours!

Though side sleeping is known as one of the best positions for back pain and a good way to ease aches and set the body in a relaxed state (especially when pillows are put between the legs and under the back), prevention during other hours of the day is also key.

As your baby grows, it can be hard to maintain the proper posture you need to avoid back pain at all hours.

Focusing on keeping your back straight, chest high, and shoulders back can help set your body in the posture it needs to feel fully relaxed come nighttime.

Daily massages, gentle physical activity, and flat footwear can also lessen back pain concerns during the day, which carries over into restful sleep at night.

Should I Be Worried About My Sleep During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy insomnia is common, and one or two nights of restless turning shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

However, if you find yourself frequently unable to get comfortable enough to sleep, it might be time to get more serious about talking to your doctor and seeing what you can do.The truth is, it will only be harder to get nurturing hours of rest once your little one comes. And while tools like a bedside sleeper can help, settling into the right pregnancy sleeping positions can be a good way to catch must-needed Z’s before your baby finally arrives.

Pregnancy Insomnia: What It Is and How to Finally Get Rest While Pregnant

Posted on December 13, 2022December 28, 2022 by Sarah Birdwell

If you’re experiencing the kind of pregnancy insomnia that leaves you sleep deprived during the daylight hours, just know—you’re not alone.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, over 78% of pregnant women experience insomnia during their pregnancy, most commonly throughout their first and third trimesters.

Though hormonal changes are often to blame, there are numerous reasons why you might be having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep while pregnant.

Your growing belly might affect sleep by making it hard for you to find comfortable sleep positions, or frequent trips to the bathroom might be causing you to only get a few hours of shuteye at a time.

Some women even experience vivid or anxiety-rich pregnancy dreams, the kind that keep them up at night and affect sleep quality while causing shorter sleep times.

But no matter the why behind your restless nights, the important thing is to focus on sleep quality while getting the hours of shuteye you and your baby need to stay healthy.

The Most Important Question: Can Pregnancy Insomnia Affect Baby

If you’re pregnant and wondering whether pregnancy insomnia is bad for your baby, here’s the good news: a night or two of insomnia shouldn’t make a big impact on your pregnancy.

But if you’re absolutely behind on your rest time and suffering through plenty of wide-eyed, can’t-rest nights, it can possibly lead to pregnancy complications. At least, that’s what new research has found.

So can pregnancy insomnia affect baby? The answer is yes.

But stressing out about whether your insomnia is bad for your little one isn’t the way to go.

Instead, it’s helpful to focus your energy on finding the kind of sleep aids and sleep solutions that will help you catch a few extra hours in dreamland. Turns out, getting a few hours of much-needed shuteye can positively impact your baby’s growth, making it important to get as much quality sleep as you can.

So while a few bouts of insomnia or sleepless nights shouldn’t be of much concern, if you find yourself unable to get quality sleep and rack up some multi-hour sleep times, then it might be time to try a few methods to relax, unwind, and catch some Zs.

Dealing with Pregnancy Insomnia By Setting a Bedtime Routine

Not surprisingly, you can often ease insomnia while pregnant the same way you deal with insomnia the rest of the time—by setting a relaxation-inducing bedtime routine.

That means being conscious about how you spend the hours before you lay your head down for the night.

Turn off the screens at least an hour before bed (believe it or not, screens have been known to affect your natural circadian rhythm!) to get in a relaxed state of mind.

Then consider taking a warm bath (one that isn’t too hot or too cold, but is the perfect temp for your baby), and calm your mind with a little music or reading time. Setting up a soundtrack of soothing sounds can also help you drift off to sleep and stay in a dreamland state through the night.

Dealing with Pregnancy Insomnia During the Day: Developing Healthy Habits

When it comes to dealing with pregnancy insomnia, prepping ahead might just be key.

Rather than setting up your soundtrack and getting yourself into a sleepy state of mind right before bedtime, plan your day around building the kind of healthy habits that will make it easier to fall asleep later.

Using up energy through exercise will help prime your body for nighttime, and focusing on eating healthy foods and drinking enough water will make sure you’re ready to drift into dreamland—with all your needs fully cared for—when the time comes.

How Insomnia Will Affect You After Labor and Birth

There aren’t one-size-fits-all sleep aids that will help you overcome insomnia during pregnancy. So though it may be hard for women who experience insomnia to get the full night’s sleep they need, now is the time to focus your energy on catching that quality sleep.

Though labor and birth might seem far away right now (especially if you’re experiencing pregnancy insomnia in your first trimester), your baby will be here before you know it. And as any new parent will tell you, getting sleep during those first months with your little one can be a pretty hard task.

Many parents have found that bedside co sleepers offer the kind of close nighttime connection with their little one that supports longer, more refreshing rest for both baby and parents.

So that once baby comes, you can spend less time wishing for nap time, and more time focused on making beautiful memories in your first months with your little one.

How Parents Can Get More Sleep with a Co Sleeping Baby Bed

Posted on November 15, 2022December 30, 2022 by Sarah Birdwell

It’s no secret: when your newborn uses a co sleeping baby bed, their body and mind benefit. (Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what the studies have to say…)

But your baby isn’t the only one in the family who benefits from using a bedside co sleeper.

As a parent, you benefit too! Here are all the ways that a bedside co sleeper supports you as parents just as much as it supports your baby.

Do Co Sleeping Babies Sleep Better? (Yep, They Do!)

There’s nothing more nurturing than sleeping close to the ones you love. And while traditional cribs use bars or netting to separate you from your little one, the perfect co sleeper will let your co sleeping baby catch peaceful Z’s while sleeping within arm’s reach of you (no getting out of bed necessary!).

So do co sleeping babies sleep better?

Many parents find that their little ones get more rest—and are more easily calmed during the night—when their mattress and bed is right against yours.

That’s partly because co sleeping parents are able to more quickly and easily respond to their baby’s needs and offer comfort before those crisis cries become, well, a crisis.

The best co sleeping baby bed will make sure that your baby is safe and nestled in a space that’s made just for them, while giving you the ability to quickly soothe your little one without leaving your comfy mattress and bed.

Which will bless your night times with peace of mind, while making it easier to care for your baby’s every need.

Does the Perfect Co Sleeper Make Nighttime Nursing Easier? (Yep, It Does!)

For many breastfeeding parents, it can be a challenge to care for every nighttime hunger cry while still getting enough sleep to feel rested in the morning.

But co sleeping and breastfeeding are a perfect match—partly because the best co sleeping baby bed will make it easy for you to nurse without getting out of bed and fully disrupting your sleep.

You can practice baby care while still keeping your toes comfy under the covers, making it easier to get back into a sleep state when your baby is all full and ready for some rest of their own.

Do You Bond Better When Using a Co Sleeping Bed for Baby? (You Sure Do!)

Though there are plenty of other reasons to love co sleeping, most parents agree that feeling close to your baby all night long is one of the biggest benefits.

When you’re no more than an arm’s reach away, you can practice baby care while being confident that your baby is safe. Which doesn’t just make it easier to get deeper, more restful sleep—it gives you the kind of peace of mind you need to focus your nighttime energy on what really matters: bonding with your baby.

In fact, choosing to co sleep can help you nurture the kind of deep bond with your baby that will make you highly responsive to your baby’s needs.

But not only that–it turns out that your co sleeping baby learns how to regulate their breaths by listening to your own inhale-exhale rhythm. This supports their physical health by helping them use energy more efficiently. It also supports their mental health by helping them feel closer to you, which can regulate their (and your!) stress levels in turn.

And though science agrees that co sleeping facilitates bonding (just look at the studies we linked above!), on a non-scientific level many parents discover that the perfect co sleeper helps them feel closer and emotionally connected through the night.

Does Choosing to Co Sleep Support Your Baby’s Independence? (Mhmm!)

Many parents want their children to grow up to be independent—and we don’t blame them! But as the research shows, co sleeping actually promotes independence in babies.

That’s because independence arises when a baby feels nurtured and supported, with all their needs consistently being met.

When a baby is safe and has a loved one nearby, they can perform the kind of exploring and decision-making that supports a healthy confidence in their own independent abilities.

Which means you’ll support the healthy development of independent habits while choosing to care for your baby by co sleeping with them when they are young.

So Then What’s the Best Co Sleeping Bed for Newborns? (Good Question!)

The best co sleeping bed for newborns will offer the kind of safety certification guarantee that you need to comfortably rest with full peace of mind.

The babybay bedside sleeper has been safety-certified through ASTM International, the TÜV Rheinland Group, and has been given a Confidence in Textiles certification. The all-natural and non-toxic babybay bedside sleeper is made of sustainably-sourced beechwood, making it the stylish and safe perfect co sleeper for your family.

To take advantage of all the benefits of co sleeping—for both you and your baby!—explore babybay’s safe and nurturing co sleeping baby bed, designed to give you and your little one full nights of sweet rest.

Our Favorite Baby Shower Games (That Your Guests Will Love Too!)

Posted on August 29, 2022November 22, 2022 by Sarah Birdwell

Ah, baby shower games — the perfect way to celebrate the soon-to-happen birth of your little one while testing your friends and family on their infant know-how!

(While giving you a break from all the baby prep work you’ve been doing as you seek out baby products, baby-loved bedside sleepers, and the cutest baby clothes out there…)

Of course, not every family will feel like baby showers are the best way to celebrate their pregnancy and upcoming delivery. But if you’re a parent-to-be who can’t wait to gather your nearest and dearest for an afternoon of baby shower fun, here are our top picks for the baby shower games that you and your guests will actually want to play.

A Unique Baby Shower Idea For When You Want to Get Sentimental: Guess the Age

Though there’s nothing wrong with daring your guests to eat baby food or melting candies in diapers for your guests to sniff (both are a common baby shower activity and entertaining ways to spend an afternoon!), there are plenty of ways to add a sentimental touch to your baby shower instead.

This one requires a little prep, but the walk down memory lane will be worth it!

Start out by searching your old photo albums for mom and dad’s cutest baby photos. You’ll want to choose one photo that represents mom and dad at every age—ideally from 1-15 years old.

(If 15 baby photos seems like too many to collect, you can shrink the game as much as you need to by shortening the age range and looking for photos that represent ages 1-12 or 1-8 instead.)

Lay out the chosen baby photos on a poster board so that your guests can see them. Then, when the time comes to show your guests your unique baby shower idea, have your guests guess mom and dad’s age in each of the baby photos.

A picture of mom or dad in their bedside sleeper as a newborn might be an easy one to guess…but not every age will be quite so easy to figure out!

You can make scoring easier by having your guests write their guesses down on sheets of paper. Then tally up the final results, determine who has the most correct answers, and hand out some hard-earned prizes!

Turn Your Baby Shower Games In To a Game Show

You may have heard of the classic game show “The Price is Right.” But if this game show is a new one for you, let me give a quick overview of the rules: contestants play a series of fun games while guessing the exact for-sale price of common items. They earn prizes as they go, while learning a whole lot more about how good they are about guessing the sales price down to the cent.

As far as fun and modern baby shower games go, this one is perfect if you’re one of the first in your friend group to have a baby, or are inviting plenty of family members who haven’t purchased things like diapers or baby food in a few years or more. (But don’t worry if you’re inviting a crowd that’s full of baby know-how: this favorite among modern baby shower games will still be plenty of fun!).

Prep ahead by writing down a list of baby products on a sheet of paper. Include specific quantities when doing this (by saying, for instance, “Huggies Little Snugglers, 120 Count” or “babybay Maxi Tall bedside sleeper“).

Give a list of baby products to each of your guests and then give them time to make their guesses. The guest with the closest guess wins.

Fun tip: It’s always fun to include a few wild cards into the mix when doing this game, especially if your friends and family are well-versed in the running rate of common baby products (how much does a burrito-themed swaddling blanket cost? Your guests will just have to wait and see…).

A Fun Game that Helps You Get to Know the Preparing Parents: Most Memorable Moments

This tends to be a favorite among all the unique baby shower games out there, and for good reason! It gives your baby shower guests a little extra insight into who you are, which makes it a fun way to celebrate your baby while also deepening bonds with the people around you.

But it requires some prep. Before the day of your shower, try to think of a few “I can’t believe that happened!” moments that you’ve had (either individually or as a couple).

Then think of a few stories that are just as odd and intriguing—but aren’t at all true. Have your guests guess which are the real memories and which are the fake, then enjoy the excitement of reading the correct answers to the crowd.

Baby Showers Games Ideas that Engage the Whole Crowd: Baby Bucket List

This one requires no prep (we love a low effort classic!), and engages all your baby shower guests in a game they’ll actually want to play while getting everyone excited for the adventures you and your newborn will soon have together.

Ask your guests to think of one thing they would add to your “baby bucket list”—a list of things that you absolutely want to do and experience with your little one.

To get things started, you can ask your guests to think about one memory from their childhood that they cherish, or something that they always wanted to do when they were a kid but never got the chance to.

Invite each guest to share their “baby bucket list” item as an end to the fun game, making sure to write each answer out on a piece of paper as you go. Then save those responses—you’re going to want to look back on these and plan some new adventures as your baby grows!

Create a Keepsake with Well Wishes From Baby Shower Guests

If unique baby shower games aren’t quite your thing, this baby shower activity will help you engage the crowd without needing to think of a game to play.

Set up a station with sheets of paper nearby. Then write down a few prompts for your guests to respond to, ones like:

“I hope your baby grows to be…”
“I hope the baby always remembers to…”
“I hope your baby makes the most of…”
“I hope your baby really loves…”

Ask the guests to leave their responses in a special jar or box, one you can keep for a long time (because these are the kinds of memories that you’ll want to keep around for a good long while). As your baby grows, you can look back at this collection of well-wishes from your nearest and dearest and reminisce about your shower with your little one.

Are Baby Shower Games Necessary?

No, of course not! If you find yourself asking Are baby shower games necessary? then it might be a sign that you’d like to enjoy a different kind of baby shower, with a slightly more formal baby shower theme.

Rather than doing what you think you’re “supposed to do” when choosing a baby shower theme or planning events for the day, always do what feels best to you. If you’re enjoying yourself the day-of, your guests will enjoy themselves too. And if you’re still putting together your baby shower wish list, take a second to discover how bedside sleepers can help the whole family get better nights of rest–so that you feel fully prepared to welcome your little one!

[Get Better Nights of Sleep with a Newborn]

How To Safely Use a Co Sleep Crib with a Tall Bed

Posted on August 23, 2022January 31, 2023 by Sarah Birdwell

A co sleep crib (also called a bedside co sleeper, among other names) works by sitting flush against your bed, offering you the chance to sleep side-by-side with your baby—and reap all the co sleeping benefits!—without tossing and turning over baby’s safety throughout the night.

But some parents come across one big, stop in their tracks roadblock when they start preparing to co sleep: their bed is just too tall to co sleep safely with a bedside crib.

The good news is that there are co sleeping crib for high bed options that can offer your baby the support they need while still sitting safely flush against your own mattress.

But if you’re using—or preparing to use!—a co sleeper bed crib as a parent with a tall bed, here’s what you should know.

Not Every Co Sleeping Crib Bed Is the Same

For parents just starting off on their safe co sleeping journey, the first questions on their mind are often: What is co-sleeping? and How do I practice it safely?

(Hint: it’s easier than you think to safely cosleep!).

However, the third question is often: Will safe co-sleeping tools like a co sleeper crib baby bed properly fit my bed?

This is a fair question to ask, since the safety of your co-sleeper bed crib depends on its ability to sit tightly against your mattress and leave no gaps that could pose a risk for your baby.

With a standard co sleeper bedside crib like the babybay Original designed to safely suit bed heights that measure 10”-25” high (measured from the floor to the top of the parent’s mattress), it can be challenging to know what to do if your bed measures beyond—or well beyond!—this height.

Luckily, manufacturers like babybay have started developing co sleeping crib bed options that fit beds up to 31” high (6” taller than standard bedside cribs like the babybay Original), offering you more flexibility when it comes to co sleeping with a crib specially designed for your needs.

So How Do I Choose the Right Co Sleeping Crib Attached to Bed When My Bed Is Tall?

When seeking out a co sleeping crib attached to bed when your furniture veers towards higher heights, the key is to find a manufacturer that is upfront about the sizes of beds their co sleeping cribs suit.

You shouldn’t have to buy a co sleeper crib baby bed, get it delivered in the mail, and immediately wonder Have I made a mistake?

Making sure that you seek out a company that not only emphasizes how important bed heights can be when determining what co-sleeper bed crib to buy, but also is also transparent about whether or not their products will fit your own furniture is key.

My Co Sleeper or Co-Sleeping Crib Bassinet Just Won’t Fit My Tall Bed! Now What?

It’s rare that parents or parents-to-be have a bed that extends well over the height requirements set by bedside crib or co-sleeping crib bassinet manufacturers, but it happens.

If you need to use a mini staircase to step up into your mattress, you might find yourself in a tough spot when it comes to finding a co sleeping crib attached to bed that suits you and your decor while helping your baby sleep safely.

It might be hard to hear, but rather than trying to adapt your bedside crib to fit your bed, it’s a better idea to adjust your own sleeping setup in small ways to ensure that your co-sleeping crib next to bed remains safe (and your baby remains safe in it!).

Some parents choose to move their bed off its bed frame for the months when your baby is using a co-sleeping crib next to bed, or switch out their current bed frame with a platform that suits their co sleeping crib bed a bit better.

But switching out your furniture should be a last resort.

And with babybay offering a co sleeping crib for high bed that’s perfectly and lovingly designed to whisk away your concerns and suit families like yours, the chances are high that you’ll find a co sleeper crib for high bed that encourages sweet baby sleep. But if you’re looking around for your co sleep crib and still aren’t sure where to start–babybay Original? Maxi? Maxi Tall?–you can reach out to our team at babybay to discuss your options and see if our co sleeper crib for high bed that is right for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Side Bed Bassinet and Other Crib Types?

Posted on August 15, 2022November 22, 2022 by Sarah Birdwell

Side bed bassinet, traditional crib, or convertible: there are plenty of crib types out there. And if you’re confused about what all the different types mean — and confused about how to find the best crib or best crib alternative for you and your family! — we don’t blame you at all.

In fact, that new parents or parents to a new little one often have a hard time choosing which type of crib to get. Not because they don’t know what’s best for their baby (as parents, you always know best), but because they want to support their baby’s nurturing and safe sleep…and aren’t sure which option is the best crib or best crib alternative to make that happen.

And though there’s no “right answer” to which type of baby gear will work best for your baby and family, there are big benefit differences to each that can help you choose.

Here’s our guide to the different types of cribs on the market, as well as a break down of what separates a traditional crib from other alternatives. Stick around…because we’re about to tell you about the advantages you can expect from different models (so that it’s easy for you to choose!).

How is a Bedside Sleeper Different From a Traditional Baby Crib?

When you think of a baby crib, you probably imagine a small sleeping space with guardrails or safety bars on all sides that keep your baby safe and in one place throughout the night.

While these traditional cribs are able to offer your baby security and the kind of made-just-for-them sleep space they need, this kind of baby bed also puts distance between you and your baby at night, making it difficult to take advantage of all the benefits that come from sleeping close to your baby.

As an alternative to traditional crib models, a bedside sleeper is a baby bed designed to offer the best of both worlds by giving your baby a safe and nurturing place to sleep that’s close and comfortable to you.

Not only does this kind of close sleeping support your baby (by boosting their immune system and contributing to their healthy development), it also helps you by simplifying nighttime nursing and gifting better rest to everyone in the family.

Bedside Sleeper Crib: What Is It and How Do You Choose the Right One?

Just like there are plenty of crib types out there, there are plenty of names that all describe the same type of crib.

Whether you’ve heard it called a side bed bassinet, have always known it as a bedside bassinet, have heard friends recommend a bedside crib, or have done research into a bedside sleeper, all these names work to describe the same thing: a crib that is placed close to your bedside and lets your baby sleep just an arm’s reach away.

The best bedside crib will keep your baby feeling safe and secure in a mattress made just for them, while letting you quickly respond to every nighttime nursing call and crisis cry.

If you prefer the freedom of having a mobile option, you can find a bedside bassinet (like this one by babybay) that can easily be turned into a portable bed to easily move your baby from the bedroom to the nursery during the day.

Co Sleeping Bassinet and Bedside Crib for Baby: What Are the Benefits?

Though your side bed bassinet or bedside crib will give you all the benefits of being within arm’s reach when your baby sleeps, some parents prefer the comfort of being able to sleep beside their baby without anything—not even bassinet bars!—separating them from their little one.

Though the difference between a co sleeping bassinet and a bedside crib for baby is small, some parents can really feel the impact. While a bedside crib forces you to reach over awkward crib bars to cuddle or soothe your little one, a bedside co sleeper lets you care for your baby without having to sit up, reach over, and light them out.

And though that might not seem like a big distinction, it can make a big difference when baby calls out for your attention multiple times throughout the night!

Your bedside sleeper crib also takes all the guesswork out of how to safely co sleep and lets you enjoy all the co sleeping benefits while guaranteeing that your baby is supported and secure in a sleep space that is designed with their comfort and safety in mind.

This means you can practice co sleeping and enjoy the co sleeping and breastfeeding connection while also helping your baby enjoy a boosted immune system. (Sounds like a win-win-win to us!)

So Which Baby Bed Should I Get?

At the end of the day, only you know what works best for your family.

However, no matter whether you let your baby sleep in a crib all their own or opt for a bedside co sleeper, bedside bassinet, or portable bed option, it’s important to find a baby bed that commits to your baby’s safety by prioritizing nontoxic, sustainable, and all-natural materials.

The truth is, your most-loved baby product and baby gear is likely made with harmful glues, toxic sealers, and other chemicals that can harm your baby and lead to health risks. Seeking out a company that prioritizes your baby’s full safety and health (while also focusing on expertly-engineered ways to keep your baby safe and comfy through the night!) can help you avoid concerns that arise when your baby is exposed to toxic and harmful materials.

So that your baby can rest easy every night while sleeping in their side bed bassinet or baby crib…and you can rest easy too.