Feeling like a mombie? Surviving the days on chocolate and caffeine? There is still much to learn about what happens to our brains and bodies during sleep, but in recent years, scientists have made some startling discoveries about the importance of quality sleep for adults and little ones, alike. We all know that we feel less than at our best when we don’t get good sleep, but we may not realize just how much these lost minutes and hours affect us. With that in mind, we decided that we would devote this entire week to Sleep Awareness as a way to help promote healthy sleep habits and to focus on the importance of good sleep (which we know many of you are desperately striving for!).
To get us started, here are a few tips and articles to help you maximize sleep for your baby or toddler:
1. Babies and toddlers need a lot of sleep. After all, their bodies and brains are growing at an amazing rate and sleep is an important part of that process. Check out this article with more information about your baby or toddler’s daily sleep needs.
2. Babies and toddlers love routines and do well when they have a consistent, predictable schedule. Bedtime routines help to signal to your baby or toddler that sleep time is coming and schedules help to set their body clock for knowing when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to be awake. You can check out our baby and toddler sleep schedule by age as a good starting place for determining a schedule for your child. You can also use our our custom schedule generator for additional help in figuring out your child’s schedule.
3. Getting your baby or toddler on a schedule. Figuring out a good schedule for your baby or toddler is just the start. The next step is to work on getting your baby or toddler on a schedule. This article offers tips and information for how to get your baby or toddler on a schedule.
4. Spring Forward Daylight Saving Time. Be sure to check out our article with tips for how to keep your baby or toddler on track with the spring forward time change. While this time change doesn’t typically cause as much trouble as the fall back time change, it can still have some effect on your child’s sleep.
As part of our Sleep Awareness Week activities, we have partnered with Project Nursery. In addition to a fun giveaway, Project Nursery has shared their top tips for creating a calming nursery to help maximize the window of sleep for your baby or toddler. You can read their article here.
And we are over on the Project Nursery blog with tips for how to make sleep a priority for your family. Be sure to check it out as well as other great articles on their site with ideas and advice for decorating your nursery.
We are also hosting a Facebook Live event on March 8 at 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET where Nicole will be answering YOUR sleep questions. Go to our Facebook Page to RSVP for the event and to post your top sleep questions.
Giveaway!
It certainly wouldn’t be a celebration without a giveaway and we have some great prizes. See below for the list of prizes and be to scroll to the end to enter!
Entries to the giveaway will be accepted today through 11:59 pm EST, March 12, 2017. Please note that some prizes are only available to US entrants. Prizes will indicate whether they are only available to US winners or available internationally.
Grand Prize
Super Deluxe Email Consultation Package (value: $189) – The Super Deluxe Email Consultation Package is a comprehensive package that includes a full evaluation of your sleep history and sleep issues, a Personalized Sleep Plan which includes a day by day action plan PLUS five follow-up emails for additional support from your Sleep Consultant and for fine tuning your sleep plan as you go along.
Additional Prizes
Project Nursery Smart Band (value: $150) The Project Nursery Parent + Baby SmartBand is a first-of-its-kind wearable device created specifically for parents which makes it easy to schedule and track events for both mom and baby. The Parent + Baby SmartBand includes features for pregnancy tracking, fitness tracking, setting reminders for pumping and sleep and syncs with an app on your phone. We especially like that it helps mom track steps, hydration and exercise as it’s important for moms to also be able to easily focus on their health and well being. Read more about the Parent + Baby SmartBand on the Project Nursery website. One winner will receive a Parent + Baby SmartBand. Available to US entrants only.
$100 Amazon Gift Card – Who couldn’t use an Amazon Gift Card? Whether you use it for more chocolate and coffee or for something more practical like diapers, one winner is sure to enjoy shopping a little shopping spree just for them!
Project Nursery Sight and Sound Projector (value: $50) – The Project Nursery Sight and Sound Projector comes with pre-loaded lullabies to help soothe your baby or you can stream your own tunes or bedtime stories from your phone or device using Bluetooth. It also includes white noise and other nature sounds to promote a calming sleep environment. It also works as a nightlight with multiple brightness settings and the projector features helps to stimulate baby’s learning with fun shapes and images. One winner will receive the Project Nursery Sight and Sound Projector. Available to US entrants only.
Express Sleep Plan (value $49) With the Express Sleep Plan you get sleep help in a hurry. After a short survey about your child, your sleep issues and your sleep goals, the Express Sleep Plan is available immediately for instant download. (Recommended for babies who are 4 months and older.) Two winners will be selected to each receive an Express Sleep Plan.
Members Area Subscription for 3 months (value: $37) The Baby Sleep Site Members Area is chock full of premium sleep information and articles. In addition to case studies and access to all of our ebooks, the Members Area includes member only content, teleseminars and a weekly Member’s chat with a sleep consultant. Members also receive 20% off all of our personalized consultation services. One winner receive a 3-month membership to the Members Area.
Baby S.T.E.P.S. To Better Sleep (value: $9.99) Baby S.T.E.P.S. to Better Sleep stands apart as the first resource to put parents in the driver’s seat. Other sleep books adopt a “my way or the highway” approach to sleep coaching, but not Baby S.T.E.P.S. to Better Sleep; this resource empowers parents with the tools and knowledge they need to gently coach their children to better nights and rested naps, in a way that fits their goals and parenting styles. The book outlines a step-by-step approach to help parents create their own sleep coaching plans; it also includes a number of helpful reference charts, including bedtimes and nap times, overall sleep needs by age, and sample daily sleep and feeding schedules. Three winners will each receive a copy of Baby S.T.E.P.S to Better Sleep. Available to US and Canada entrants.
Remember, the deadline to enter is Sunday, March 12, 2017, 11:59 p.m. EST. So don’t wait – enter today!
MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK FOR THE ENTRY WIDGET: http://gvwy.io/2hg7467
This post contains affiliate links
Nested Bean’s Zen Swaddle and Zen sack are lightly weighted on the chest and sides to actually mimic a parent’s touch and embrace. This product was designed to help sleep-deprived parents who find their little ones won’t sleep without having mom or dad’s hand on their chest or backs or insist on being held. 
The Zen Sleep System is comprised of the only swaddle blanket and infant sleeping bag that harnesses the scientifically proven power of touch. Most moms report improvements in sleep in just 1 to 3 nights after using Nested Bean products.
Baby Shusher Collection The Baby Shusher is the only device on the market that has an actual human’s voice recorded that “shushes” your baby. These long, rhythmic “shushes” mimic the sounds heard in utero and cut into the baby’s crying cycle to calm him/her down. It’s called the Sleep Miracle! The Gift Collection comes with two pacifiers, two swaddles, and the amazing Baby Shusher. 
Three lucky winners will receive the Baby Shusher. Shipping for this prize limited to US entrants only.
Designed by a leading infant safety specialist, the Smitten Sleep System is more than a bassinet box. It’s a cutting-edge safe-sleep space for infants 0-6 months old. This next-generation bassinet was inspired by the 80-year-old Finnish tradition and built to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation. 
The Tranquilo Mat helps baby transition from a mother’s womb to the world during the “fourth trimester” after birth. No longer snug inside the womb with its soothing constant motion and sound, babies miss the strong “whoosh” of mom’s heartbeat and the gentle jostle of every move she makes. The Tranquilo Mat provides the reassurance of the womb by mimicking a mom’s heartbeat and motions through gentle vibrations and soft sounds. It is one of the only portable soothing devices that is light and versatile. The mat can accompany parents wherever baby goes whether it’s across seas or down the street to grandmother’s. Just turn the matt “on” to turn baby’s crying “off.” 
Making Tummy Time, Happy Time! Tumzee is the perfect solution for a happy baby to lay on their belly! Pediatricians recommend that infants need at least 30-minutes of tummy time every day. Tummy time enables babies to interact and enjoy their environment, build muscles in the shoulders, arms, back & neck. It helps decrease the risk of babies developing Plagiocephaly, or what is known as flat-head syndrome.
This is the Original Chibebe Snuggle Pod. The angle of the Snuggle Pods helps to ease baby reflux allowing them to sit up in the best position and helps prevent flat head. Being light and portable you can take this baby bean bag anywhere so your baby can sit up and watch the world go by. With a removable padded seat to wash if there should be any little accidents, your baby will be soft and comfortable. If you’re looking for the perfect baby present for the expectant parent, the Snuggle Pods are a winning choice.
Sister Chic has three lines of products that help make your life easier when it comes to the needs of your baby: Dropper Stopper (a patented grip sippy-cup/bottle holder), Binki Band (a firm pacifier clip), and Tushy Tote (small clutch/diaper bag). All three products have unique fabrics designed in New York by Michael Miller and are established to help eliminate lost toys, bottles, or pacifiers; a lighter load on quick errand runs or outdoor play; and less spills or broken bottles. These products help new parents with their everyday problems.
MAM combines technological innovation, medical function and contemporary design to develop superior baby care products that support a baby’s development from day one. Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, it has evolved to become a global authority on baby care product design and quality. Today MAM products are used by families in over 60 countries and on six continents. To find out more and view MAM’s baby care range of award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items, coordinating accessories and gift sets visit 
The first few months of a baby’s life help to lay the foundation for wellness and development. That’s why Just Born delivers just what you need to create a safe and comfortable sleep environment, giving you fewer reasons to worry and more time to focus on bonding with your baby. The Just Born team designs products with the modern family lifestyle in mind. As parents, they understand how to create the perfect blend of comfort, safety, durability and functionality. They craft superior bed and bath solutions with a focus on fitting your everyday life. Just born baby products are made with the highest quality materials, designed for your baby to sleep safely and you to sleep soundly. From soft nursery bedding and safe sleepwear to bath time basics, they make sure every baby is a happy baby. 
Since 1982, when Sassy, Inc. was formed out of Sassy Seat Company in Northbrook, IL, the company has been a viable force in the juvenile products industry. The company’s current product line includes developmental toys, feeding items, and baby care products. Sassy, Inc. is committed to giving parents peace of mind while helping their children thrive. To learn more about Sassy’s new line of stylish and developmentally appropriate toys and care products releasing in early 2017, please visit them online at 
The worldwide leader in movement monitoring, Angelcare gives parents 24/7 peace of mind while helping their children thrive with a range of products that employ advanced technology and innovative, research-based design. Angelcare products are sold in 60 countries and include award-winning monitors, diaper disposal systems and baby care products.
aden + anais, creators of the original muslin cotton swaddling blankets, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The award-winning lifestyle brand now offers a wide variety of signature products, including their award-winning muslin swaddles and sleeping bags. The newest collection from aden + anais, cozy muslin, combines the breathability of muslin with the warmth of brushed cotton, surrounding little ones in the comforting softness of premium flannel. 
San Clemente, CA-based Covered Goods was founded in 2012 by mom Jamie Yetter. As a mother of four, Covered Goods designer and owner Jamie Yetter faced a common fear while nursing in public, the fear of being exposed! While shopping for the perfect cover-up she found a void in the marketplace for any available options that would provide the security of optimal privacy. In designing the perfect nursing cover, she created the ORIGINAL multi-use nursing cover that not only provides all over coverage but that also can be used as a scarf, car seat and shopping cart cover. Covered Goods covers are manufactured in the USA. Two winners will each receive a multi-use nursing cover. This prize is available to US and Canadian entrants.
Name Bubbles makes labels for everyday life, including dishwasher and laundry safe labels in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, as well as personalized nursery wall décor, accessories and more. Our well-crafted, personalized labels are now available in all-new gold polka dot and striped prints and can be pre-ordered now for the holidays.
Founded in 2014 by Marilee and Devin Killpack and Jessica Eraso, parents of young children. While living in a small apartment without central air conditioning, cooking dinner would heat up the Killpack’s apartment so it became a nightly tradition to dine al fresco every night that summer on a blanket on the lawn. Thanks to messy toddlers, Marilee washed that bulky blanket all the time and laundry just wasn’t her thing. Together with her husband Devin and her business partner Jessica they began to look for a solution that was more portable, easier to clean and stylish. With this in hand, they created Gathre, a line of beautiful, functional and luxurious leather mats. Created to inspire people to recognize the grand and simple moments around them, Gathre mats are ideal for baby changing, gatherings with family and friends and even for use as tabletop décor. The Gathre mat collection includes the Micro Mat, Mini Mat, Midi Mat and Maxi Mat. 
stasher is the first self-sealing, air-tight, non-plastic bag in the world!! Made from 100% pure platinum silicone, stashers are an incredibly versatile, eco-alternative to plastic storage baggies. stashers can go from freezer to microwave and straight to the dishwasher. stasher is also perfect for cooking sous vide, and unlike plastic, doesn’t leach nasty chemicals, such as vinyl, latex, phthalates, petroleum, BPA and BPS, into your food.
Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States. pediped® footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development, and preeminent orthopedic medical professionals, Dr. Mininder S. Kocher and Dr. Thomas W. Vorderer, deem pediped® shoes an excellent choice for parents/caregivers who want their children’s feet to develop naturally and healthily. pediped® has received numerous industry awards and accolades including recognition from Earnshaw’s, the premier media resource serving the children’s market. In 2015 pediped® was recognized by the Footwear Industry Awards as the Children’s Footwear Brand of the Year, was awarded Best Toddler Kicks in the Cribsie Awards and Best Children’s Shoes by Prima Baby Magazine. 
Safely nurturing mamas and babies for over a decade. Earth Mama Angel Baby® products are chosen by hospitals, certified, herbal and effective. Earth Mama’s new Sleep Little One Gift Set has everything you need for a calming nighttime routine with the natural lullaby essence of pure, safe lavender: a restful baby bath with Calming Lavender Body Wash & Shampoo, a soothing infant massage with Calming Lavender Baby Lotion, a dab of Lavender Meringue Lip Balm bliss on baby lips and a snuggly warm aromatherapy heart. Just add a loving bedtime kiss!
Silikids was founded in 2006 by two moms, Stacey Feeley and Giuliana Schwab. Silikids is the first mom-founded brand focused on creating products that are safe, modern and made entirely out of silicone. The company combines need-based innovation with the technological advantages of silicone, offering an alternative to plastic tablewares found in and out of the kitchen. Silikids’ designs are safe, modern and practical offering superior function, while being easy to use and clean. The Silikids mission is to make the basics better by bringing an alternative to plastic, bridging the gap between great design and affordability while improving the way we live! 
One nice morning in the summer of 2000, the oldest son of the 6 children of Vincent Claessens, called his father to tell him he had finished sleeping. It was… 5.30 a.m.! Vincent Claessens invented the Kid’Sleep, the first sleep trainer nightlight. In a playful and educational way, it solves this problem that every very young child has: is it really time to get up or do I have to sleep a bit longer? As of today, hundreds of thousands of parents have already chosen the Kid’Sleep to help teach their children to stay in bed longer. With the Kids’sleep Moon Clock if the sleeping character’s picture is lit and your child sees the moon, they know to stay in bed and sleep awhile longer! At the time chosen by parents, the sun rises and the sleeping character is lit, then the child knows it is okay to get up. The Kid’Sleep Lantern is a comforting nightlight for children. When the child removes the lantern, it automatically displays a soft light. Very practical for going to the bathroom at night and it also plays 4 different lullabies. The Kid’sleep My First Alarm Clock is a teaching alarm clock that also help young children understand when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to get up. The digital display facilitates learning to tell the time. The Kid’sleep Aquarium is an animated night light. Each of the 4 lullabies corresponds to a soothing choreography lasting 3 to 5 minutes. If your child makes a noise, the sound detector is activated and a silent choreography automatically restarts. The starfish switches on for another 30 minutes of reassuring night light.
Australia based b.box was founded in 2007 by Dannielle Michaels and Monique Filer. b.box products are fun and functional to make parent’s lives that little bit easier with a touch of cool thrown in. Their goal is to make the lives of parents more convenient, in a cool and innovative way but also practical. Their products are BPA, Phthalates and PVC free so they’re safe for our kids and the environment. They offer a range of products aimed at the 0-3 year old market focused primarily on feeding and diaper changing, both in the home and for travel/on the go.
Designed by a mom for a well-loved baby, Pello is a luxe floor pillow that goes beyond the standard play mat, positioning pillow, or baby gym. Because of it’s unique donut design, the Pello floor pillow provides comfort and support, promotes muscle development, and encourages independent play. Pello is unique because it meets a child’s ever-changing needs. The Pello’s distinctive donut shape, with the raised edges and soft, padded center, has several benefits at all stages of a child’s life:
The Shrunks offers simply clever inflatables for kids, big and small. The Shrunks have established themselves as a premium inflatable mattress company, dedicated to making products fun and safe for kids, wherever they are. Believing that clever products designed for small kids can make life easier for big kids (aka mom and dad), The Shrunks continue to develop products packed with a host of smart features, that can be easily packed and used just about anywhere. 
Woolino is the leading manufacturer of Merino wool baby sleeping bags and sleepwear on the market today. Woolino’s mission is to make a difference to the lives of all families with young children by providing products that will help their children sleep better and safer, and also give parents the peace of mind and a restful night of sleep as well. By using only 100 % natural fibers, the nature’s wonder fiber – Merino wool, and organic cotton, Woolino is committed to providing all natural baby sleeping bags and sleepwear that are a safe and healthy alternative for our children as well as for our planet.
Yoee Baby is the world’s first 3-in-1 toy designed for newborn development and interaction with parents. Each Yoee Baby features a soft, feather-like tail that is designed to caress baby and incite coos, giggles and laughter. Yoee Baby is available in four colorful characters: Lion, Kitty, Puppy and Monkey.
