My Top 5 Baby Sleep Essentials (and what you don’t need!)
A white noise machine with a red night light
Why it helps:White noise is one of the most effective tools for improving baby sleep. It creates a consistent, calming sound that mimics the womb and helps block out household noise (like doors closing, siblings playing, or general day-to-day life as well as you going to bed!) This makes it much easier for your baby to fall asleep and, importantly, stay asleep.
How to use it:I recommend using white noise for every nap and all night sleep. Consistency is key and over time, it becomes a strong sleep cue that signals to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This one also has a red/amber night light which is great for helping babies feel sleepy too.
Important tip:Always choose a machine that plays continuously and doesn’t switch off after a set time. If the sound suddenly stops, it can actually wake your baby up, especially during lighter stages of sleep.
My recommendation: 👉 Charlotte's Fav White Noise Machine
Red night light to plug into the wall
Why it helps:A soft red night light is ideal for protecting your baby’s sleep. Unlike bright white or blue lights, red light doesn’t suppress melatonin (the sleep hormone), meaning you can tend to your baby during the night without fully waking them. It keeps the environment calm, dim, and sleep-friendly too.
How to use it:Use a red night light for night feeds, changes, and any overnight wakes. Keeping the lighting low and consistent helps your baby stay relaxed and makes it easier for them to settle back to sleep.
Why I recommend a plug-in version:A plug-in night light creates a consistent sleep environment so no worrying about charging, brightness changing, or it being moved around. It becomes part of your baby’s sleep setup that they recognise and feel comfortable with.
Make it part of your baby’s toolkit:If you’re staying away from home or travelling, taking the same night light with you helps keep your baby’s sleep environment familiar. These small consistencies make a big difference when it comes to settling and reducing night waking.
My recommendation: 👉 Easy to use any where red night light
Snoozeshade for pram and travel cot
Why it helps:One of the biggest challenges with naps on the go is light and overstimulation. A SnoozeShade creates a dark, calm sleep environment wherever you are, helping your baby switch off and fall asleep more easily, even in busy or bright surroundings.
How to use it:Use it over your pram for naps out and about. It helps block out light and distractions, making sleep much more consistent even when you’re not in your usual environment and has UV protection and is air permeable so you can use it on the hottest days!
Why it’s a game changer for travel:When your baby’s sleep environment suddenly changes (holidays, days out, visiting family), sleep can quickly fall apart. Having something familiar that recreates darkness helps bridge that gap and keeps sleep on track.
Make it part of your baby’s toolkit:I always recommend having a portable sleep solution like this so you’re not tied to being at home for every nap. It gives you more freedom and helps your baby sleep well wherever you are.
My recommendation: 👉 Snoozeshade for pushchair
*You can even get a Snoozeshade for your travel cot to help your baby sleep anywhere!
Baby monitor
Why it helps:A baby monitor gives you reassurance while your baby sleeps, allowing you to keep an eye (and ear) on them without needing to go into the room. This is especially important during naps and early bedtimes, where going in unnecessarily can disturb their sleep.
How to use it:Use your monitor for all sleep periods so you can respond when your baby genuinely needs you rather than going in “just in case.” This helps reduce unnecessary disruptions and supports your baby in linking sleep cycles more independently.
Why it supports better sleep:Many parents unintentionally wake their baby by checking on them too frequently. A good monitor allows you to pause, observe, and only intervene when needed, helping your baby stay asleep for longer.
What to look for:Choose a monitor with clear video, night vision, and good sound quality so you feel confident and reassured, especially overnight.
My recommendation: 👉 Baby Monitor most of my clients use
My favourite book to read
Why it helps:A consistent bedtime routine is one of the most powerful ways to support better sleep and reading the same calming story each night can become a really strong sleep cue. It helps your baby wind down, feel safe, and know that sleep is coming next.
How I use it:I read this book to my daughter every single night as part of her bedtime routine. It became such a special, calming moment for us both and really helps her transition from a busy day into sleep.
Why I love it:It’s gentle, predictable, and full of warmth which is exactly what you want before bed. Over time, your baby begins to associate the story with feeling calm and ready to sleep, which makes settling so much easier.
Make it part of your baby’s toolkit:Choosing one or two books and sticking with them can make a big difference. It’s about consistency and creating those familiar, comforting cues your baby recognises.
My recommendation: 👉 My fav book for bedtime
Blackout blinds (do you actually need them?)
My honest take:You’ll often hear that your baby’s room needs to be completely pitch black for good sleep but in my experience, it’s not always necessary.
With my daughter, I spent so much time worrying about every tiny bit of light creeping in. I thought it had to be perfect, and honestly, it added a lot of stress.
With my son, I took a much more relaxed approach and it’s been so much easier not using them from the start.
What actually matters:While a darker room can help, especially for naps and early mornings, it’s not the only factor. Things like routine, sleep cues, and consistency often play a much bigger role in how well your baby sleeps.
A more balanced approach: If blackout blinds work for you though, that’s great but don’t feel like everything has to be completely blacked out to get good sleep. A slightly lighter room won’t “ruin” your baby’s sleep, and removing that pressure can make things feel much more manageable.
My advice:Focus on consistency and a calm sleep environment overall, rather than chasing perfection. Sleep should feel sustainable…not stressful!
Your baby doesn’t need a perfect environment to sleep well, just a consistent, calm one.
The products in this guide are here to support you, not overwhelm you. You don’t need to use everything, and you don’t need to get it all “right.” Small, simple changes can make a really big difference over time.
If you’re currently feeling exhausted, stuck, or unsure where to start, you’re SO NOT alone. Baby sleep can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure it all out on very little sleep.
If you’d like more personalised support, I’m here to help.
You can find more about my 1:1 sleep coaching or book a call here: 👉 Let's chat
A quick note:Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them (at no extra cost to you!) I only ever recommend products I genuinely use, love, or suggest to my clients.
Charlotte x