Babies spend most of their lives sleeping, so helping them with something so natural should be the easiest thing in the world…right? We know that newborns and infants should never sleep on their bellies or on an incline, but there is one sleep-time technique adds up comfort: Swaddling + White Noise = Sleepy Baby

In the past, sleeping in the elevated position had been recommended by many pediatricians and GI specialists when babies have some type of reflux or gastric distress because the incline would help keep the contents of the stomach down. However, pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines state that the only safe sleeping position for baby is on his or her back and as of June 2021, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned incline sleepers, rockers and other devices marketed as “sleepers” for babies.  

For parents whose babies are uncomfortable on their backs, it might be tempting to use baby gear to help prop baby up or co-sleep. It’s important to remember that the AAP does not recommend sleep positioners or co-sleeping. And we already know that pillows and and rockers are unsafe so what IS the answer to helping baby sleep soundly?  

Swaddling plus white noise after giving baby enough time to digest milk.

As the Happiest Baby on the Block book recommends, “Two simple steps — swaddling plus white noise — can quickly boost your baby sleep (often an extra 1-2 hours) while keeping her safely secured on the back (also called the supine position).”   In addition to this, ensure that baby has been given at least 30 minutes to burp and work out any gas before lying down.  Thirty minutes sure is a long time in the middle of the night, but making that time investment, plus swaddling and introducing white noise will pay off later in the night in restful sleep for baby and you. 

This is not a sure fire answer to every sleep question, but swaddling, white noise and ensuring baby has had enough time to digest after feeding can be a helpful combination to allow baby to sleep comfortably and safely.