5 Baby Sleep Essentials To Add To Your Holiday Wish List If You’re Expecting

From a board-certified sleep psychologist — and mom — who’s been there

Give Yourself the Gift of Sleep

The holidays are such a magical time — twinkling lights, cozy nights, and for many families, the excitement of a new baby on the way. If you’re expecting, you’re probably building your registry or thinking about what you’ll truly need once your little one arrives. As both a board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist and a mom, I can tell you: when it comes to preparing for life with a newborn, sleep-supporting tools are some of the best gifts you can give yourself. Sleep is the foundation for your baby’s growth and development — and for your physical and emotional well-being too. And while no gadget can guarantee perfect nights (if only!), the right tools can make a meaningful difference in how smoothly those early months go — especially when it comes to building consistent bedtime rituals and creating healthy sleep habits from the very beginning.

Below are five of my favorite baby sleep essentials to add to your holiday wish list or registry. These are products I’ve personally used and loved — and ones I often recommend to the families I work with. Of course, there are many options on the market, so do your research and find what fits your family and your budget. I do not receive any money or commissions from the products listed here — these are simply tools that I’ve found helpful both professionally and personally.

1. A Reliable Smart Baby Monitor

Example: Nanit

One of the most useful tools in those early months is a high-quality baby monitor — not because it tracks sleep data, but because it lets you observe what’s going on without disturbing your baby. Babies often make noise, wiggle, or even cry briefly in their sleep. Being able to see whether they’re actually awake before you rush in can help you avoid unnecessary disruptions and support their ability to settle themselves back to sleep.

It also allows you to watch your baby while giving them a quiet and safe space to sleep — so that neither you nor the baby disturb each other.

I love the Nanit for several reasons:

It connects to Wi-Fi, and I’ve even used it with a portable hotspot when internet access was unreliable.
You can grant or remove access for caregivers right from the app, so it’s easy to manage who can view your baby’s feed.
It’s incredibly versatile — you can mount it on the wall, place it on a stand or table, or use a floor base.
It connects to a clip for travel or alternative setups.
You can scroll back and watch past footage with time stamps, which can help you notice patterns or habits over time.

A clear, reliable video feed is a small but powerful way to support better sleep — for your baby and for you.

2. A Safe and Portable Sleep Space

Example: Pack ’n Play (e.g., 4moms Breeze, Graco Pack ’n Play)

One of the most important things you can provide your newborn is a safe place to sleep, and apart from their primary crib at home, a pack ’n play is my top recommendation. It gives your baby a familiar, comfortable sleep environment anywhere — which means you don’t feel tethered to home for every nap.

I always suggest introducing it early so it becomes part of your baby’s routine. The familiarity helps them settle more easily when you’re away, whether that’s at a grandparent’s house, on vacation, or simply in another room. Pack ’n plays are also incredibly easy to fold up, transport, and store, which makes them one of the most practical sleep tools you’ll own.

An added bonus: most hotels have Graco Pack ’n Plays available upon request, so you can travel lighter knowing a safe sleep space will be waiting for you.

If you’re deciding between models:

The 4moms Breeze is slightly bulkier but extremely easy to set up and take down — truly a one-step process.
The Graco Pack ’n Play is a bit lighter and more compact but requires a specific order when folding and unfolding the sides — a small, nit-picky difference but something to know.

Whichever you choose, a pack ’n play is one of those baby gear investments that pays off over and over again.

3. A Dark, Distraction-Free Sleep Setup

Example: SlumberPod

This one is hands-down my favorite sleep product — so much so that I gift it to everyone I know who’s having a baby. The SlumberPod is a portable blackout canopy that fits over a crib or pack ’n play to create a completely dark, cozy, and breathable sleep environment.

It’s unbelievably easy to travel with — it folds down small enough to pack in a suitcase or toss in your car — and it’s just as easy to set up and take down. Beyond the blackout benefits (which make a huge difference for naps and bedtime), it creates a familiar, comforting “sleep space” no matter where you are. That sense of consistency is so helpful when you’re room-sharing, traveling, or trying to maintain routines away from home.

The SlumberPod is one of those items that parents don’t always realize they need — and then once they have it, they can’t imagine going without it.

4. A Sound Machine You Can Control from Anywhere

Example: Hatch

White noise mimics the soothing sounds of the womb and helps block out everyday household noises — a big win for better baby sleep (even adults). I love the Hatch because it’s not just a sound machine; it’s a smart device you can control from your phone. That means you can adjust the volume, change the sound, or even shift the night-light color without stepping into the nursery.

One of my favorite features is the scheduling option — you can set it to turn on and off automatically at consistent times, which helps build strong sleep cues and routines. Consistency is key for circadian rhythm development, even in the early months, and small details like this make a difference.

5. A Portable White Noise Machine for On-the-Go Sleep

Example: Yogasleep Hushh

A portable white noise machine is one of those small, mighty tools that makes naps on the go possible from the earliest days. Devices like the Yogasleep Hushh are lightweight, rechargeable, and clip easily onto a stroller or car seat, making them perfect for travel, errands, or naps while out and about.

Keeping the same sound environment consistent across different settings helps babies recognize that it’s time to sleep — even when you’re not at home — and makes transitions between environments much smoother.

Final Thoughts: Set Yourself Up for Restful Days Ahead

You don’t need a house full of gadgets to prepare for life with a newborn. But a few thoughtfully chosen, sleep-supporting tools can make a big difference in how smooth those first weeks and months feel — for both your baby and for you. Think of these items as foundations for healthy sleep routines: they help you create consistency, build strong sleep cues, and support your baby’s natural sleep development from the start.

And remember, there’s no single “right” brand or product. These are simply options I’ve used and loved personally and professionally. The best choice is the one that fits your family’s needs, lifestyle, and budget — and helps you all get the rest you deserve.