Sleep Must-Haves
I’ve helped 2,800+ families and raised four kids of my own. These sleep tools are the ones I wouldn’t go without.
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EXPLORE MY GO-TO TOOLS
My Personal Sleep & Baby Product Recommendations
As a certified pediatric sleep consultant with nearly 20 years of experience, and a mom of four, I've tested countless products. These are the ones that truly work.
Every item on this page has been personally used in my home or recommended in my practice. I only share what genuinely makes sleep easier and parenting calmer.
My goal is simple: to bring more calm, better sleep, and confidence to your family.
Essential Sleep Tools
Essential Sleep Travel Tools
Essential Sleep Linens for Travel Cots
Essential Sleep Environment Tools
Sleep-Friendly Hydration Tools
(that work in the crib)
Essential Mealtime Tools
Essential Nursery Wellness Tools
Essential Sleep Tools
MY TOP PICK
Hatch Rest & Sleep Trainer
Why I love it
I've been recommending this for years now and it's completely changed how families approach bedtime and wake-ups. It's 3 essential tools in one—sound machine, night light, and sleep trainer—plus it's portable with a backup battery so you can move it between rooms. The app control and customizable programs make creating consistent sleep routines so much easier, and the gentle light cues help toddlers and older children understand when it's time to sleep and when it's okay to get up.
Best for: Families wanting a comprehensive sleep solution that grows with your child
Alternative option: If that's out of stock, Original Hatch Rest (1st Gen, Bluetooth only) is also excellent (This is the original version that's Bluetooth-only (no WiFi) and doesn't have the backup battery or portability features of the Rest+).
BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICE
Little Hippo Mella Grow Clock
Why this works
When I started recommending sleep trainers to families, this was my go-to affordable option. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Hatch, but it gets the job done reliably with its simple color-changing system that kids easily understand.
Best for: Beginners or budget-conscious buyers
Essential Sleep Travel Tools
MY TOP PICK
4moms Breeze Plus Playard
Why I love it
After years of wrestling with complicated pack-and-play setups, this one has been a total game-changer. It opens and closes in seconds with one hand, no more struggling with clunky mechanisms while holding a tired baby. The included mattress is actually comfortable for sleep (not just a thin pad), and the built-in bassinet and changing station make it a true all-in-one solution from newborn to toddler years.
Best for: Families who want a premium, stress-free setup with real sleep comfort and thoughtful extras. It also works beautifully as a temporary second crib when you have two little ones still sleeping in cribs.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICE
4moms Breeze Go Playard
Why this works
If you're looking for the same ease and quality without the extras, the Breeze Go gives you the exact same one-hand open/close design and comfortable mattress—just without the bassinet and changing station. You get what matters most, at a more affordable price.
Best for: Families who want comfort and simplicity without paying for features they may not need
Essential Sleep Linens for Travel Cots
MY TOP PICK
Biloban 2-Pack Fitted Playard Sheets
Why I love it
These soft, breathable sheets are designed to fit the 4moms Breeze Plus and other portable playards with similar dimensions (41" x 27"). Made from cozy microfiber, they’re OEKO-TEX certified and gentle on your baby’s skin. The elastic edges ensure a snug, secure fit—no bunching or slipping—while the 2-pack makes it easy to keep a clean backup on hand.
Best for: Families looking for affordable, easy-to-wash sheets that still feel soft and safe for everyday use. Great for travel, daycare, or backup at home.
Essential Sleep Environment Tools
BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICE
FamiSym White Noise Machine with Night Light
Why I love it
This simple yet effective machine combines two must-haves: calming white noise and a soft night light. I love that it’s compact, travel-friendly, and easy to use—even in the dark. The sound quality is excellent, and the dimmable night light creates just enough glow for midnight feeds or diaper changes without overstimulating your child.
Best for: Parents who want an affordable, minimalist solution to block out household noise and keep the sleep environment gently lit
Looking for a more advanced option with sleep training features? I recommend the Hatch Rest (2nd Gen) in my Sleep Training Tools section above. It’s an all-in-one sound machine, night light, and grow clock that grows with your child.
Sleep-Friendly Hydration Tools
(that work in the crib)
WHY I INCLUDE A CUP IN MY SLEEP RECOMMENDATIONS
Sometimes, children wake simply because they’re thirsty. Offering water in a non-spill, bottle-free cup allows your child to meet that need independently, without creating a nighttime habit that disrupts sleep or reinforces dependence. This gentle shift can dramatically improve sleep quality while helping your child build confidence and sleep independently.
MY TOP PICK
NUK Sesame Street Hard Spout Sippy Cup
Why I love it
This cup has been a go-to in my own home and with families I work with. It’s one of the few truly spill-proof options that can safely stay in the crib overnight. The hard spout stands up to teething and chewing, and the twist-on lid ensures no leaks, ever.
Best for: Offering water overnight without creating a bottle habit. Ideal for toddlers who need access to water in the crib without parent help or sleep disruption, and without creating a dependency.
Alternative option: If you're looking to encourage open cup skills while maintaining spill protection, the Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup is also a great option for in-crib use.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICE
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
Why this works
This cup supports oral development by mimicking a real cup, without spills. It only releases water when your child drinks, making it a safe and supportive choice for overnight use.
Best for: Toddlers learning to drink independently while keeping their sleep space dry. A great transition from bottles, with no mess and no dependency.
Essential Mealtime Tools
MY TOP PICK → FOR TEACHING STRAW DRINKING
Honey Bear Silicone Straw Cup
Why I love it
This soft, squeezable cup is a fantastic first step in teaching babies how to drink from a straw. The flexible silicone lets you gently squeeze water through the straw to guide the motion, making it easier for little ones to learn the skill early. I’ve seen this cup help babies as young as 6 months start drinking independently, with confidence and joy.
Best for: Supporting straw-drinking development during mealtimes, or for babies who refuse to drink from traditional bottles. It’s made from safe, food-grade silicone, easy to clean, and ideal for early transitions away from bottle feeding.
Essential Nursery Wellness Tools
MY TOP PICK
Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
for Bedroom, Baby Nursery, Kids Room, Plants, or Office, Large 1 Gallon Tank, Filter Optional
Why I love it
I swore by cold water humidifiers when my kids were little, and I still recommend it often to families I work with. It’s whisper-quiet, easy to clean, and keeps the air gently moist without adding heat. But most importantly, it helped my little ones sleep through colds, coughs, and congestion with much more ease.
Best for: Those tough nights when your child is sick or stuffy. The cool mist helps soothe dry nasal passages, ease coughing, and relieve congestion, so they can breathe easier and stay asleep longer, even when they’re under the weather.
MY TRUSTED MONITORING PICK
Nanit Pro Baby Sleep Monitoring System
Why I love it
This monitor offers so much more than just a video feed. It tracks your baby’s sleep patterns and breathing motion with impressive accuracy, while the crystal-clear night vision and 2-way audio help you stay connected without disrupting your child’s rest. I’ve recommended this to many families looking for peace of mind. It’s reliable, intuitive, and supports a healthy sleep environment by helping you respond calmly and confidently when needed.
Best for: Parents who want to monitor their baby’s sleep and breathing without hovering. Ideal for sleep learning, nervous first-time parents, or those looking to gently support independent sleep while still keeping a close, reassuring eye (and ear) on their baby.
