A pediatrics sleep trainer’s thoughts on the SNOO.
I think it’s a wonderful tool for tired, sleep-deprived parents. Especially if you have multiples. Here is my full breakdown of the SNOO.
Is it worth it?
I was a postpartum night doula. On average parents were paying $500 a night. Now the SNOO won’t bring you your baby, burp them, change their diaper, and get your extra milk into the fridge, but it will help get the baby back to sleep and ensure a longer sleep.
You can rent these and buy them second-hand, but know that if you rent them, you will need to keep the box and pay extra fees for cleaning and such. If you buy second-hand it might come with swaddles which is a huge bonus!
I worked with a family that purchased the SNOO when it was first released and they have been sharing it with their brother and his kids and then using it for their own children again! Share the SNOO!!
It is not a long-term bed; you will need a new one eventually, and it requires special swaddles. It can get pricey in that sense. Again you can buy second-hand but needing a new bed and mattress in the future is a thought to consider.
Bottom line, it is expensive. For the average family, it will be expensive but if you have multiples, are going to have multiple children, or are worried about sleep after birth, this might be worth it to you. Sleep deprivation is no joke and to eliminate that might be priceless.
My tips and tricks for using it.
If you have an SNOO use it!! I know that sounds so simple but I go into so many homes and the SNOO is in the corner not being used. Parents are often afraid to use it, but you have this tool at your fingertips. I think you should at least try it.
I love the feature that holds your child in place at all times. If you are a type A parent, this bed is for you!
The legs of the bed can be ordered shorter for two purposes, the first being to help with digestion. The two front legs can be shorter creating an incline, OR all four can be lowered to make the whole bed easier to access for anyone who might need that! Making this bed very accessible to all!
This bed makes getting your child to bed drowsy but awake so much easier. For the first couple of weeks, use it as normal. After that, starting with naps and moving to nights, try to set it to where it is still unless the child wines loud enough. Then let the SNOO do its thing. It will tell you when to get your child or you can decide when is enough.
I would still use a sound machine in the sleeping space. They won’t always have a SNOO sound machine and this will make transitioning away from the SNOO a bit smoother.
Is it hard to quit?
It comes with a feature to slowly wean your child off of it. That being said I know it can be intimidating to some parents. Try starting with naps and then moving to nights.
If you need more assistance reach out we can always help you make a personalized plan to reduce the SNOO and transfer beds. I have been very privileged to work in over 50 homes with the SNOO and even with a couple of sets of multiples! I have a lot of experience and truly do think highly of the SNOO.
Generally, around 5 or 6 months is when you will stop using the SNOO and that is typically a good age to begin sleep training.
Are there other beds?
There are a lot of new beds on the market that have wheels and they start small and grow to larger sizes that are just as nice but you will be the one rocking the bed while your child drifts to sleep. Those beds are just as effective as the SNOO. I love the Nestig bed, if that was on the market when my child was smaller it would have been between that or the SNOO.
My final thoughts:
If you have any kind of worries about sleep this smart bed could be the answer. Another feature that is often overlooked is the SNOO app. That might be the ultimate game-changer at the end of the day! Right at your fingertips you can see all of your child’s sleep information. You don’t have to log it or anything! If you can afford the SNOO I do not think you will regret it.
That being said, the one negative thing I could say would be from a sleep trainer’s standpoint. When a child is in motion, they do not always reach deep sleep, and this could cause them to wake up not feeling rested, regardless of how long they slept. If possible, set it to where the SNOO only activates if the child fusses loudly enough, and then turns off once they have calmed down again.
BONUS:
Some companies will provide their employees with a SNOO so reach out and see if you qualify.
