Best Natural Baby Sleep Aids (2025 Guide)
Looking for a safe and natural sleep aid for your baby? Whether you’re in the newborn haze or trying to ease your child’s transition to longer sleep stretches, you’ll find the best (mostly low tech) ways to help baby fall asleep easily.
From organic sleep sacks to calming lotions and gentle sound machines, these natural baby sleep aids are vetted by real parents.
Nothing feels more critical to your sanity and health as a new parent than getting adequate rest. We speak from experience when we say that some of our poorest parenting decisions have come when we’re sleep-deprived.
And while we’re not fans of conventional sleep-training for babies, there are some tricks, tools, and natural baby sleep aids that can help make those zzz’s come more consistently for your little one – and mercifully, you.
Table of contents
- The Best Natural Sleep Aids for Babies
- A Night Doula or Sleep Nanny for the Early Weeks
- Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets
- Dream Weighted Organic Sleep Sack
- Amber Glow Wearable Nightlight
- Breathable Baby Carrier
- Nursery Humidifier
- Nontoxic, Organic Cotton Crib Mattress
- Calming Lavender Baby Lotion
- Magnesium Lotion
- Organic Gripe Water
- Natural Rubber Pacifier
- Baby Nasal Aspirator
- Baby Sound Machine
- Portable Blackout Curtains
- Does My Baby Really Need Sleep Aids?
- What to Do When You’re Finished with Baby Sleep Aids
These soothing toys to help baby sleep can work for co-sleeping families or when baby sleeps in a separate room. Keep in mind, the term “co-sleeping” doesn’t just mean bed sharing. It can be any form of children sleeping in the same room as their parent. It’s commonly practiced in many cultures around the world, whether by necessity or choice.
By sleeping in the same room, not only are you able to sense your baby’s needs more easily, but you also can meet those needs quickly. There are many benefits of co-sleeping, especially in the early days. So even if it’s not part of your long-term plan, it can help get your baby off to a securely attached start.
The Best Natural Sleep Aids for Babies
We tested dozens of products to narrow down the top baby sleep aids (nontoxic and eco-friendly) to help your baby fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer.
A Night Doula or Sleep Nanny for the Early Weeks
Ok, this one isn’t a product you can buy. But nighttime help – even for a couple of nights a week – can be a game changer with a newborn.
When a brand new mother is able to rest, it makes life better for the whole family. Sleep deprivation can impair decision-making and dysregulate a new parent’s nervous system. Especially in the case of breastfeeding moms, that stress can transfer to baby. In fact, helping mom get better sleep can often improve baby’s sleep, too.
This essential support can be provided through the help of a grandparent, family member, friend, or a postpartum night doula (a person who provides in-home overnight support for families with a new baby).
Mom will get the rest she needs without the worry (or guilt) many new moms experience. If she’s breastfeeding, the night doula can bring baby to her for feedings, then resume baby duty, diaper changing, etc.
To find a reputable night doula, ask members of your local moms group, your birth doula or midwife, or your pediatrician. Care.com has a section for local night nannies, too. Be sure to thoroughly check your candidate’s references and credentials, and make sure they’re certified in CPR and first-aid.
Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets
Swaddling your baby can help them feel safe and secure, prevent flailing arms or legs and startling awake, and keep them cozy and warm.
Our little reviewers loved these blankets, made with a dual layer or organic cotton and a bit of stretch, making swaddling easy. Super soft, GOTS certified, and free of lead, phthalates, and flame-retardants, we love the beautiful prints and colors of these blankets.
Parents also love the Dream Swaddle from Guava Jammies. Ultra-soft bamboo fabric helps little ones sleep more comfortably, especially those with sensitive skin or eczema. The temperature-regulating properties of the bamboo make a big difference for overnight comfort. Plus they’re sustainably made with hand-drawn designs celebrating the founder’s local Hawai’i culture.
Dream Weighted Organic Sleep Sack
One of our babies had a tendency to sleep with a blanket over his face. It was a little scary, even knowing that his dad did the same as a baby. A sleep sack keeps baby warm with no loose blankets lying around the crib or bassinet.
The Dream Weighted Sleepsack (or similar options like these from Halo or arms out sleep bag) is a wearable blanket that keeps baby cuddly warm all night. Our reviewer parents felt like their little ones slept more safely and soundly in a sleep sack.
Amber Glow Wearable Nightlight
A baby’s circadian rhythm emerges at around 3 months. That’s when melatonin production begins to rise in the evening, and your baby starts to respond to environmental cues like light, darkness, feeding schedules, and routines.
LatchLight makes nighttime feedings less disruptive. This wearable light provides directional illumination at a 40 degree angle, keeping it from shining into baby’s eyes (or your own). The LatchLight is close to red on the Kelvin scale to avoid melatonin disruption and has low lumens.
It’s also great for breastfeeding. It contains a soft, flexible silicone tip, co-designed with lactation experts to help gently adjust your baby’s lips for an optimal latch.
Breathable Baby Carrier
My youngest slept best when he was snuggled up to me, so my pocket sling and wrap carrier were in constant rotation. Sometimes I would continue to wear him as I did other things so I knew he’d get a sollid nap. And other times I was actually able to put him down after he fell asleep in the carrier.
KeaBabies wrap has just the right amount of stretch and give to make babywearing super easy. It distributes weight evenly and doesn’t cause lower back strain. Plus the price is less than $30, making it a truly useful and affordable baby shower gift.
Nursery Humidifier
A head cold or stuffy nose can keep baby awake and uncomfortable. The increased moisture in humidified air helps to keep the nasal passages moist. This can naturally reduce irritation from dry membranes and sticky mucus.
We love Canopy’s new humidifier because it has all of the same features as our favorite humidifiers PLUS
- it has a red light feature – Blue light sends signals to the brain that it’s time to be awake. Red light keeps baby’s circadian rhythm balanced (begins developing at 3 months) and makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- it is mold-resistant – Mold can be a major problem with humidifiers, and they’ve solved it by incorporating smart sensors that run the device until it’s basically dry inside.
Canopy humidifiers also come with a little stone where you can add essential oils. It’s a great way to add pure lavender essential oil to help calm your little one. Plus you can use code GREENCHILD15 for 15% off of Canopy humidifiers or their new baby bathtub water filter.
Nontoxic, Organic Cotton Crib Mattress
The single most important factor to healthy, restorative sleep is a nontoxic mattress. Your baby’s tiny body can’t handle off-gassing chemicals. Their certified organic mattress meets all state and federal flammability standards. It also has a food-grade waterproof surface that easily wipes clean.
Three of our team members won’t buy anything but a Naturepedic mattress for ourselves and our kids. Find a deep dive into how to choose the best nontoxic crib mattress here.
Available in lightweight or innerspring options, the mattresses fit mini cribs, standard cribs, and toddler beds. Use GREENCHILD15 to get 15% off the purchase of their top-rated, certified organic mattresses and accessories.
Calming Lavender Baby Lotion
Studies show lavender can help children fall asleep faster and improve quality of sleep. It makes a great natural sleep aid for babies
Zoey Naturals Soothing Lavender lotion is paraben-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. It softens and hydrates skin with soothing ingredients like aloe, avocado, and shea. Follow bath time with a gentle massage to get your baby ready for a good night’s sleep.
Magnesium Lotion
A baby-safe magnesium lotion can be gently rubbed on little feet to promote calm and more restful sleep.
Earthley Wellness’ magnesium lotion is free from artificial colors, fillers, preservatives, phthalates, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and food allergens. This product won the 2024 Parent’s Picks Award.
Organic Gripe Water
Gripe water has always made a difference with our babies. It can help provide natural relief from gas and tummy troubles. With organic ginger, organic fennel, organic dill, and organic kiwifruit extract, this liquid herbal gripe water can comfort infants experiencing bloating and stomach discomfort often associated with colic, teething, and hiccups.
We recommend ChildLife’s Organic Baby Essentials line because everything is non-GMO and gluten-free, with no fillers, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or artificial flavors.
Natural Rubber Pacifier
Sometimes a pacifier is all it takes to help soothe a fussy baby and ease them into sleep. Natural rubber is safe for babies. Frigg pacifiers are 100% free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates.
Baby Nasal Aspirator
A stuffy nose can prevent a good night’s sleep for anyone, and babies are no exception.
Until your child can blow their own nose, you can help keep nasal passages clear with a nasal aspirator. The NoseFrida is non-invasive (you place it on baby’s nostril, not in it) and uses suction from your mouth to gently remove mucus. The hygiene filters ensure you won’t get anything in your mouth.
Baby Sound Machine
A gentle sound machine can mimic the comforting whoosh of the womb, which can help babies settle.
The Shusher Firefly is a sound machine that combines rhythmic “Shhh” sounds and a dimmable sunset nightlight to help baby sleep through the night. The Slumberpod plays various versions of white noise, along with lullabies.
Portable Blackout Curtains
It can be difficult for a baby to sleep when excess sunlight enters their sleeping area, particularly during the long days of summer. Daylight has a strong effect on the body’s circadian rhythms, which is a good thing. But some babies sleep better without the extra light.
Blackout curtains help, but they can be expensive. These portably blackout drapes attach to nearly any window with suction cups, blocking out light completely. Easily portable with the included travel pouch, your child can rest well no matter where you are.
Does My Baby Really Need Sleep Aids?
Even when you buy eco-friendly baby products, an important question to ask is whether you actually need this item. After all, the first of the three R’s is Reduce. Consider your family’s sleep arrangement and what your baby may be struggling with.
Once you learn to tune in to your body and trust your instincts, you’ll get a feel for what your baby needs.
And you won’t be the first parent to suffer from trial and error. Our editor and her husband returned a vibrating bassinet because it didn’t live up to its sleep claims. “It took a while to understand how marketing can reel you in… and how silly we were for not realizing our son wanted to be with us, not a ruffled rectangle all by himself.”
What to Do When You’re Finished with Baby Sleep Aids
Obviously, the consumable items can’t be passed down, but make sure to reuse or recycle the containers. However, some of these natural sleep aids (blankets, humidifier, and even the Latchlight) can be useful long after the baby days.
When your child outgrows something like the sleep sack or a sound machine, pass it along to another parent or sell it.
When choosing sleep products, always keep safety top of mind. Parenting and safety experts advise against placing additional objects in baby’s sleeping area (pillows, blankets, bumper pads, and loose sleep aids) until your child is 18 months or older.
