Sleep...newborns...do they go together?

Sharing some of the products and tricks we used to get some solid sleep with our newborn!

As a new parent you hear horror stories on how little sleep you will get and the zombie you will become!

Then a few weeks in, everyone starts asking: "How are you sleeping?" or "Does your baby sleep through the night?" or the "Oh... Have you started sleep training?" Everybody and their grandma are now wanting to know about your sleep habits!

With my first son, Grayson, sleep was...non-existent. I had the bassinet to our Baby Jogger stroller and thought I could use that as a spot for him to sleep for the first few months and then transition him to the crib. Haha!! Clearly he had other plans and slept on top of my chest for uhh.... a long time... like months!!

Reflecting on our journey on sleep I came up with the following thoughts:

• Maybe I didn't do enough research about sleep... although I did read all the top books on the topic!

• Maybe I was too lenient as he was my first and I just assumed we wouldn't sleep or he would just know what his body needed!

• Maybe he just didn't need as much sleep as other babies!

Either way, I knew with a second baby on the way, I couldn't be a zombie while taking care of a newborn, a threenager, a house and sometimes myself!

I started doing some research to try and find any tips or tricks I may have missed the first time around. I came across the Halo Bassinest! I knew that this could be my key to some solid mom sleep!

I was incredibly blessed to be gifted this from my lovely sister! But this gift was more than just a place for Hudson to sleep! This gift gave me the opportunity to get some uninterrupted sleep and therefore the ability to function semi-normally!!

Now don't get me wrong I didn't put Hudson in it from day 1 and he slept through the night!!

However, I have got it down to a bit of a routine now at 14 weeks!

1. I nurse him to sleep in the dark.

2. Next to my bed I have our Halo Bassinest.

3. I put two rolled up receiving blankets on each side and a light blanket tucked into the mattress over top of the receiving blankets (or a dockatot could be place inside and work the same way!) Make sure the top blanket is tucked in tightly to avoid any breathing issues.

4. I place the Ergo Cocoon down (zipper open and ready) and gently place Hudson on top and zip him in!

5. I turn on the sleep sheep and quietly sneak out!

With this routine I have been getting a good 5-6 hours of solid sleep. We still nurse through the night after that, but I always find the beginning stretch a good indication on how your night will go!

A solid start = a solid night

A rough start = a rough night ahead

Now what is it that's so amazing about the Halo Bassinest?

The features I love about it are:

• The height of the Bassinest is adjustable so it goes just at or above the height of our bed. This allows for super easy access in those wee hours of the night... or morning!

• The swivel feature is amazing as it swivels effortlessly allowing for easy access in and out of bed for middle of the night pee breaks!

• The side closest to the bed bends down to bed level when pressure is applied in order to easily get your baby out of the bed rather than having to get up to lift your baby up and over the bassinet! Especially great during those first few weeks of healing!

• Although the legs are quite big they fit nicely under the bed making a rather sleek look beside your bed and not taking as much room as a mini crib or some other bassinets.

Other thoughts?

• I know there are other models with a sound and vibrating features and I now see how those could be beneficial!

• The fold down side is a bit sticky and requires a lot of force to fold it down, so sometimes in a groggy sleep it's easier to just lift him over the bassinet!

Overall, I have been extremely happy with the Halo Bassinest! I'm not convinced Grayson would have been an awesome sleeper with it, as I'm quickly learning, each child is completely different. However, I'm sure we would have been a bit more well-rested those first few months...ok years! So for anyone looking at room-sharing for the first few months, which they do recommend, I think the Halo Bassinest would be an excellent investment for you and your sleep!

What sleep tips have worked for you and your family?

#newborn #sleep #halobassinest #momlife #family