Sleep Props: Fact or Fiction

A simple definition of a sleep prop is something your child associates with sleep. We *want* our children to have sleep associations– they’re a good thing! 

There are no “bad” sleep props. Usually there will be sleep props that help your child sleep well and some that may fragment or interrupt sleep more, but as long as you have realistic expectations, then you can keep on keeping on.

And it’s important to note that if your child is sleeping well with whatever sleep association you have, then there’s nothing for you to change. This blog is for informational purposes only!

Here’s a list of common sleep associations/sleep props:

• Darkness (remember this cues the body to release sleep hormones)

• White noise (powerful sleep cue- Lukah immediately lays his head on my shoulder when i turn on his sound machine!)

• Sleep sacks (just like kids know that jackets get worn outside, they connect the sleep sack with sleeping)

• Lovey’s (especially if they’re in the crib only!)

• Pacifier (again, especially when limited to crib time/unhelpful when they can’t replace it themselves) (and FYI, you dont need your child to take a pacifier for soothing!)

• Rocking

• Sleep words (“it’s time to go night night!”)

• Feeding

• Bedtime routine

Remember, nothing on that list is problematic! But if your child is struggling with sleep, it usually has something to do with not enough sleep associations or ones that are unhelpful/props they’re not independent with.

Why do we want sleep props/sleep associations?

Sleep associations are sleep cues– they can prepare our body for sleep, help prepare our children for the transition to sleep, and overall improve sleep quality. 

Just like a bedtime routine tells them sleep is coming, so does a sleep prop! The more sleep props that are layered in, the better off you’ll be– because sometimes you won’t always have every sleep prop they’re used to available to you and so when you have multiple ones, you’re able to still cue them sleep is coming.

If you only have 1-2 sleep props and suddenly find yourself without those specific ones, you may find your child struggles a little more with sleep!

Here’s why a sleep prop *can be* problematic:

Baby’s have a short sleep cycle and it’s NORMAL to wake frequently throughout the night, on average of 2-6x of waking FULLY out of a sleep cycle. 

You cannot train those wakings away. They’re protective. They’re able to scan their environment and if nothing has changed, they’re able to go right back to sleep if nothing is preventing them from doing so.

When they’re reliant on a dependent sleep prop (meaning one that isn’t apart of the environment or one that someone else has to do for them), they will signal that they need help going back to sleep with their preferred prop.

(Remember, your baby can’t likely feed or rock themselves back to sleep!)

There’s nothing WRONG with those props. They’re not bad. They just ARE. If you’re looking to solve sleep issues, then it’s okay to see if there are some unhelpful props in place. If you’re not looking to solve sleep issues or you’re not having any, then keep the props you want!

What are some signs that the sleep associations you have are unhelpful?

If you aren’t sure whether or not your little one has developed an unhelpful sleep association or has come to depend on an unhelpful sleep prop, consider the following:

• If your child fights falling asleep for bedtime or naps

• If your child falls asleep quickly but wakes up as soon as you lay them down

• Waking multiple times a night (if you’re not sure what normal is, check out this blog)

• Difficulty getting them back to sleep during the night or after short naps

• Chronic early wakings

• Unpredictable daytime schedule

• Chronic short naps (over the age of 5/6ish months)

It’s only a concern if it’s a concern for you!

It’s okay to say something that served you well once is no longer sustainable. It’s normal for sleep to ebb and flow, develop, and change. 

And of course, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! If you are able to feed or rock your baby to sleep and they sleep great (or they’re up multiple times but you don’t care) then totally keep doing all the things.

If you ARE ready for a change though, we can help! Set up a quick application call to make sure we are a good fit!