Not every baby is the same, and not every parenting decision will look the same, either. One of the most helpful lessons I’ve learned is that tools are just that: tools. They are useful when used with intention, not out of habit or fear. In this post, I want to share some of the most common infant sleep tools and what I’ve learned from both experience and research.
Pacifiers: Soothing Tool or Crutch?
With my first, we used the pacifier religiously, up until 18 months, when we noticed his teeth shifting forward. It wasn’t a planned end date, but that milestone made the choice easier.
With my second, we didn’t plan to use one at all, but when he had a severe case of jaundice as a newborn, the pacifier was the only thing that soothed him under the treatment lights. We weaned off it by five months.
With my third? Never introduced. She’s the only one who doesn’t seem to oral fixate at all.
Research perspective:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that pacifier use may reduce the risk of SIDS when used during sleep for the first year of life. However, prolonged use (especially beyond age 2) is associated with dental issues, speech delays, and dependency.
- From an OT lens, pacifiers can serve as oral motor input, helpful for regulation, but shouldn’t replace opportunities for self-soothing or exploration.
- They should be used mindfully, with a plan to phase them out.
Swaddling: Comfort or Constraint?
I swaddled all three of my babies during the first 8–12 weeks. It gave them comfort and helped their startle reflex from waking them too early. I’ve also questioned it, especially with my OT background.
Is restricting movement too much of a good thing?
Research says:
- Swaddling can support longer stretches of sleep during the newborn period by reducing Moro reflex and helping infants feel secure.
- The key is proper technique and safety, arms down, hips loose (to avoid hip dysplasia), and baby always on their back.
- Most pediatric and OT experts recommend phasing out swaddling by 8 weeks or when baby shows signs of rolling.
From an OT point of view
- swaddling is helpful in moderation, but movement matters.
- Babies need time during the day for active kicking, stretching, and floor play to support motor development.
- So yes to swaddling, but balance it with unstructured movement when awake.
Tummy Sleeping: What About Babies Who Sleep Best on Their Belly?
With my firstborn, I was terrified to let him sleep on his tummy. The “Back to Sleep” campaign had drilled fear into me — and for good reason. SIDS is real, and safety matters. As time went on, I noticed that once he could roll on his own, he chose his stomach to sleep.
My second and third were the same. In fact, some of the longest stretches of sleep came after they were allowed to roll and settle on their bellies.
What the research says:
- Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, especially in the first 6–12 months. However, once a baby can roll independently from back to front and front to back, it is considered safe to let them sleep in the position they choose.
OT perspective:
- Tummy sleeping isn’t developmentally harmful if the baby is capable of getting there on their own.
- What’s more important is that babies get daily supervised tummy time while awake. This helps strengthen the neck, shoulders, and core, essential for motor development and safe sleep.
Want a safe middle ground? Let your newborn nap on your chest while you’re awake and monitoring. It’s one of the most bonding, beautiful things — and it helps them get that tummy contact safely, with you close by.
Co‑Sleeping & Naps: Connection with Care
What the Research Shows:
- More frequent awakenings, but shorter ones: Infants who bed-share wake more often, but these wakings are usually brief and physiologically beneficial.
- Room-sharing reduces SIDS: AAP and AASM recommend room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6–12 months.
- Evolutionary perspective: Co-sleeping aligns with ancestral parenting practices, supporting infant regulation through physical proximity.
OT Perspective: Room-sharing supports bonding and responsive caregiving while maintaining safety. For naps, skin-to-skin chest naps are both safe and soothing when supervised.
My Take: While we didn’t bed-share overnight, naps on my chest were among the most peaceful moments of motherhood. These moments offered calm, bonding, and regulated breathing for both of us.
Guidelines for Safe Co-Sleeping (Daytime or Night):
- Room-share overnight using a separate sleep surface.
- Supervised chest naps are safe and nurturing.
- Avoid unsupervised bed-sharing with soft bedding or when overtired.
- Transition gradually as baby grows or needs shift.
The Sound of Sleep: What to Know About Sound Machines
If there’s one tool I’ve sworn by for all three of my kids, it’s a sound machine. That steady hum can work wonders — blocking out noise, signaling sleep, and helping babies settle. But what does the research say? And how loud is too loud?
What the Research Says
Studies have found that white noise can help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. One small study showed that 80% of newborns exposed to white noise at around 70 decibels fell asleep within five minutes — compared to only 25% in a quiet room.
White noise mimics the whooshing sounds of the womb, activating a calming reflex in babies. It creates a consistent, soothing environment that drowns out household noise and helps regulate their nervous system.
Use with Caution — Volume Matters
A 2014 study published in Pediatrics raised concerns when it found that many commercially available sound machines exceeded 85 decibels at maximum volume — loud enough to potentially damage hearing over time. For reference, that’s roughly the volume of a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner.
Experts now recommend:
- Keeping the volume at or below 50–60 decibels (similar to a quiet conversation or dishwasher)
- Placing the machine at least 6–7 feet away from your child’s crib or sleep space
- Using a sound level meter app to check the decibel level if you’re unsure
Best Practices
If you’re going to use a sound machine:
- Set it to a low, consistent sound like white, brown, or pink noise
- Avoid nature sounds or anything with fluctuations that could startle a light sleeper
- Start the sound at bedtime and taper off as needed — or keep it running overnight if it’s at a safe distance and volume
Sound machines can be a powerful tool in your sleep toolbox — just use them thoughtfully. When used at safe volumes and placed correctly, they offer a comforting cue for your child’s brain and body to rest.
You can find my go-to sleep sound machine on my favorites page here
Final Thoughts:
Pacifiers, swaddles, and tummy time aren’t “right” or “wrong” — they’re tools. And like any good tool, their power lies in how we use them. Your baby’s temperament, your comfort level, and your knowledge all matter. So if something works and aligns with safe sleep practices, it’s okay to use it. If it’s no longer working, or creating more stress than peace, it’s okay to pivot.
Sleep is sacred. And the more confident we are in our decisions, the more confidently we can lead our little ones into rest.
For more on sleep learning read my blog Sleeping Beauties: Teaching the Skill of Sleep: What I’ve Learned from Motherhood and Research
Click here to shop my favorite sleep tools!
References:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. “SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment.” Pediatrics, 2022.
- Moon, R.Y., Hauck, F.R. “Bedsharing and the risk of SIDS: A meta-analysis.” Journal of Pediatrics, 2017.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Infant Sleep Position and Risk of SIDS.”
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child. “Serve and Return Interaction Shapes Brain Architecture.” https://developingchild.harvard.edu
- Zero to Three. “Encouraging Independent Play.” https://www.zerotothree.org
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “Safe Sleep for Infants.”
- Bystrova et al., 2009. “Immediate Postpartum Mother–Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact: Factors that Influence the Infant’s Adaptation.” Birth.
- Van Sleuwen et al., 2007. “Swaddling: A Systematic Review.” Pediatrics.
- Spencer, J. A., Moran, D. J., Lee, A., & Talbert, D. (1990).
White noise and sleep induction.
Archives of Disease in Childhood, 65(1), 135–137. - Papsin, B. C., & Jadcherla, S. R. (2014).
Infant Sleep Machines and Hazardous Sound Levels.
Pediatrics, 133(4), 677–681.
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-3617 - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
AAP guidelines suggest keeping background noise levels under 50 decibels for infant sleep environments to protect hearing and avoid overstimulation. - World Health Organization (WHO).
Guidelines for Community Noise (1999).
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/66217
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