Swaddle
Most newborns enjoy the cozy feeling of being wrapped up in a swaddle, but a common new-parent nightmare is seeing your little babe struggle and fight her way out of the swaddle, forgoing much-needed sleep in the process.
Enter products like the Miracle Blanket, which many parents describe as a lifesaver. This baby blanket, complete with inside sleeves, is guaranteed to keep even the most active baby constrained—and asleep.
To buy: Miracle Blanket, $32
Baby Movement Monitor
What new mom hasn't been kept up all hours of the night watching her baby breathe, terrified of SIDS? Thanks to innovative movement monitors like the Snuza Hero—which simply clips onto Baby's diaper—all of your worries can be put to rest. The Hero will gently vibrate after 15 seconds of no abdominal movement, just enough to rouse Baby a little. If this happens three times in a row, it will send you an alert. If no movement is detected for another five seconds, an actual alarm will sound to let you know. Genius, right?
To buy: Snuza Hero, $120
Wubanub
Sure, if your baby likes the pacifier and it helps to soothe him back to sleep, that's great. But what happens when that pacifier pops out of his mouth in the middle of the night and and he wakes up wailing?
Enter the Wubanub. The adorable stuffed animal attached to the end of the paci makes it easy for little hands to find and hold on to in the wee small hours of the night. And that's something any mom can approve!
To buy: Wubanub, $13
Sleep Sack
By now everyone and their mamas know not to put babies to sleep on their tummies in order to prevent SIDS. But what to do once Baby can roll over and can no longer be swaddled but still needs warmth? Sleep sacks!
These wearable blankets come in various fabrics and designs, and some of the latest and greatest versions are just too cool for words. Case in point, the Moon Cocoon is a wearable duvet (I mean, can these come in adult sizes?!) with an innovative zip-away bottom that allows it to be used from infancy to toddlerhood. Eventually, it can turn into a regular blanket! Awesome, right?
To buy: Moon Cocoon, $125
Baby Monitor
In the olden days, Mom would gently open the door to the nursery and crawl in on her hands and knees to make sure Baby was OK, but thank God for modern technology!
There are now a slew of amazing video monitors out there that not only allow you to see Baby on a portable color monitor, but also check the temperature of his room and even let you watch Baby sleep from the comfort of another room.
To buy: Motorola Wi-Fi Digital Baby Monitor, $300
Rock 'N' Play
Many babies suffer from reflux in the early months, and lying flat in a crib or co-sleeper can be extremely uncomfortable for them—and for Mom when they're up screaming throughout the night. That's why so many moms swear by the Rock 'N' Play, which allows Baby to sleep at an incline and offers a soothing rocking motion to boot.
To buy: Rock 'N' Play Sleeper, $58
Blackout Curtains
This is probably one of those things you never think you'll need until the baby is actually here. Many parents swear that the darker the room, the longer their baby will sleep—and what sleep-deprived parent doesn't want that?!
While you can buy blackout liners just about everywhere, thanks to companies like Pottery Barn Kids there are now a variety of super-cute solid and patterned options as well to make coordinating with your nursery a breeze!
To buy: Chevron Blackout Curtains, $60-$80
Sound Machine
Worried about Baby waking up from the noise of the TV in the next room or the clatter of dishes getting done? Worry no more, with the addition of a simple sound machine. Most come preset with various soothing noises, including the famous "Shhhh," and have timer functions so you can set it to turn off after 20 minutes or play all night.
Alternatively, if you have an extra phone lying around, you can always download an app and hook it up to speakers, too
To buy: MyBaby Sound Spa, $20
