What’s the deal with sleep props?

lbenjell • January 26, 2021

A closer look at sleep crutches and associations.

Written by: Lamis Benjelloun

I love to read a book right before bed, my husband loads up on the news and my best friend can only sleep if the tv is on.  My brother cannot sleep unless he is under a serious comforter, no matter the season, and my son can only sleep completely uncovered.  We all have things that help us “cook our sleep,” as we say in Morocco.  This means that we all have our quirks when it comes to sleep and we all have different ways to prepare for it.

One of the most common misconceptions is that at some point, every child will be able to sleep through the night.  And I say misconception because to be perfectly honest with you, nobody sleeps through the night.  Not even you. Or me.  Instead, throughout the night, we continuously move from one sleep cycle to another until we reach the morning.

As we begin each cycle, we first enter the NREM stages, falling deeper and deeper in sleep, followed by the REM stage.  At the end of each cycle, and before the beginning of the next, there will be a brief arousal period.  This arousal period is so short that most of the time, we can’t even recall being awake.  We might fix our pillow, adjust a cover, but we go right back to sleep.  And so should babies.

However, much like most of the systems in their body, newborn sleep starts off under-developed, maturing around the 4-month mark.  Many refer to this as the four month sleep regression but all it really means is that baby’s sleep can now be described as cycles that are made of REM and NREM periods, or more like adult cycles. In the first few months of life, the duration of that cycle is short (around 45 minutes) but that lengthens as they get older to reach around 90 minutes.

But what happens if your baby fell asleep in your arms before you laid them in bed.  You can imagine that that brief “arousal” period we talked about earlier turns into full on “alarmed waking” as they begin to wonder how they ended up here.  This is basically the reason why sleep crutches, props or associations are such a big topic for new or even seasoned moms.

A sleep association or a crutch is any action that a baby needs to fall asleep.  When they are unable to put themselves to sleep as infants, we as parents begin to experiment with ways to help them do so.  When we find a way that works, we stick to it.  As this repeats every night, every night waking, and every nap, the child begins to put the two actions together, or in other words associate them together.

As I said in the introduction of this piece, many adults have such associations.  Watching TV, reading or a particular sleep position can be the absolute necessary thing we need to fall asleep.  But in many cases, for babies, these crutches are provided by the parents.  Take a look at the most common sleep props: nursing, bottle feeding, rocking, bouncing, walking, patting, rubbing or touching.  There is no way that baby can reproduce any of these actions on their own at the end of every hour or so as they move from one cycle to the next.  They need their parents’ or caregiver’s intervention.  Therefore, they need to call out, or cry out, for mom or dad to nurse them back to sleep. Or rock them back to sleep. Or bounce them back to sleep.  You get the picture.

Is this a bad habit that we need to change?  Only you can tell me.  Some moms cherish the time they get to lay next to their baby as they fall asleep.  Others don’t mind bouncing their child for a few minutes before bedtime every night.  But in some other cases, the exercise is difficult.   It is common for babies who rely on sleep props to take very short naps because they can’t move to the next cycle.  This leads to a sort of chronic sleep deprivation. When you combine the lack of independent sleep skills with an overtired child, you are talking about hours of bouncing, continually replacing a pacifier or waking up every couple of hours throughout the night.

Can they be avoided altogether? Due to the way the child’s brain and sleep organisation is at birth, babies are born needing a lot of assistance from mom.  Having said that, you can certainly try a few things to reduce baby’s reliance on sleep props — making sure of course, that your attempts are age-appropriate:

You can work on varying your soothing techniques
You can work on including other caregivers to soothe baby
You can make sure that baby does not get overtired by offering them as much sleep as possible
You can focus on consolidating naps
You can create a bedtime routine that prepares baby to sleep
You can work on making their sleep space consistent and conducive for sleep
You can try to minimize your reliance on external ways to put baby to sleep, such as strollers, swings, bouncers, etc.

You can adopt a “EAT-PLAY-SLEEP” schedule

But, say your baby does have a sleep association that is not sustainable for your family: don’t worry. It is never too late to help them become an independent sleeper by setting up a healthy sleep foundation.

By Sophie Huang September 29, 2025
Choosing a car seat is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about giving your child the best protection on every journey . In the UAE, where we drive long distances, face busy roads, and deal with extreme heat, the right car seat matters more than ever. But with so many options, how do you know which one to choose? Here are our top 4 tips to make car seat shopping easier — and safer. 1. PRIORITIZE SEATS THAT UNDERGO THE TOUGHEST CRASH TESTING Not all car seats are created equal. Many parents think if a seat is “legal,” it must be safe — but that’s not always true. ECE R44 : The most basic standard, now phased out in Europe. ECE R129 (i-Size) : Stricter testing with better head, neck, and side-impact protection. The Swedish Plus Test : The toughest crash test in the world — and the gold standard. What makes the Swedish Plus Test so important? It’s the only test that measures neck forces on a child’s body in a crash. Seats that pass prove they can keep neck loads below dangerous limits — a key factor in preventing serious injury. Many car seats fail completely under this extreme test, which shows just how high the bar is. 👉 If a car seat has passed the Swedish Plus Test , you can be confident it offers the highest level of safety for your child. 💡 Remember: Legal does not always mean safe . Go beyond the minimum. 2. CONSIDER YOUR CHILD'S HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AND AGE — EVEN THE SMALLEST ONES Every child grows differently, and size matters when it comes to safety. Preemies and smaller babies : Standard carriers often don’t provide the right fit. They need extra support for the head, neck, and body, plus proper harness positioning. Twins or multiples : Planning seating for two (or more) at once requires careful choice so every child gets the safest setup. As children grow, their height and weight percentiles determine how long a seat will last. We recommend car seats with at least a 25kg weight limit and 125cm height limit , which allow for extended rear-facing travel . Why rear-facing ? Research shows it is up to 5 times safer than forward-facing for children up to 6–7 years old. Better crash force distribution across the strongest part of the body. Superior head and neck protection , preventing the whip-forward motion that can cause spinal injury. Cocoon-like shell protection against front and side impacts. 💡 Bonus for UAE parents: The BeSafe Go Beyond with Preemie Inlay was designed with neonatal nurses to support even the tiniest babies. It features a removable wedge for better harness fit and breathable mesh fabric — keeping your baby safe and cool in our hot weather. 3. MATCH THE CAR SEAT TO YOUR CAR AND LIFESTYLE Your car seat needs to fit not just your car — but your daily routine . Multiple cars? Choose a seat that’s easy to install/uninstall. Growing family? Invest in a seat with a long lifespan that can be passed down. Seat placement? Consider if it will go behind the passenger, in the middle, or side by side with another child seat. Bigger families? Narrow but safe seats can fit 3-across or work well in 7-seaters, without compromising protection. Example from our family setup: Mummy’s car : BeSafe Flex Fix 2 for Sofia (8y) + BeSafe Stretch for Leo (5y). Daddy’s car: Axkid One3 for Leo + BeSafe Flex Fix 2 for Sofia. The Axkid One3 was chosen because Daddy often removes the seat, and installation takes under 30 seconds . 👉 Key takeaway: The “best seat” isn’t the one your friend uses — it’s the one that fits your child, your car, and your lifestyle . 4. DON'T COMPROMISE — BUY FROM A CHILD CAR SEAT SPECIALIST Buying from a specialized retailer ensures peace of mind: They recommend a seat that fits your child, car, and routine . They install it correctly and show you how. If the seat doesn’t fit, they won’t install it — and they’ll help you find one that does. They’ll reinstall it whenever you need , for example when changing cars, at no extra cost. At Safety On Board , we offer 1-1 car seat consultation and hands-on support to make sure your child rides safely every time. FINAL THOUGHTS A car seat isn’t just another baby item — it’s life-saving equipment. Whether you’re bringing home a preemie, juggling twins, or moving a big kid into a booster, the right seat + the right suppor t makes all the difference. If you’re unsure where to start, contact us and book a consultation with us. We’ll help you find the perfect fit for your child, your car, and your family. Because every child in the UAE deserves the safest ride 💛 Sophie Huang is the founder of Safety on Board , the UAE’s first child car seat specialist. She is also a mom of 2 and an internationally certified car seat expert . With a passion for keeping children as safe as possbile on UAE road, she guides parents in choosing and installing the safest car seats. Sophie believes safety can be simple, stress-free, and empowering for every parent.
By lbenjell June 10, 2025
There’s something magical about a beach holiday — the sound of waves, salty air, and the promise of slow days in the sun. But let’s be honest: traveling to the beach with a baby isn’t exactly a vacation unless sleep is part of the equation. Whether you're heading to a resort, renting a seaside villa, or visiting family by the coast, here’s how to set your baby up for restful sleep — so everyone gets to enjoy that ocean breeze. Step 1: Know That Sleep Needs Don’t Take a Holiday Babies are creatures of habit. Their little bodies thrive on rhythm and predictability — even on vacation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or go with the flow! It just means that your baby’s sleep needs are still there, and the better prepared you are, the easier it will be to keep things (mostly) on track. Step 2: Your Beach Baby Sleep Packing List Here’s your ultimate baby sleep packing list for a beach trip, broken down by category: Sleep Environment Essentials : Portable travel crib or bassinet – Choose one your baby is already familiar with if possible. Fitted sheets – Bring 2-3 just in case of sand, spills or spit-up. Also bring a gently used one to remind baby of home as he/she adjusts to the new sleep environment. Portable blackout blinds – Beach homes and rentals often have light, sheer curtains. White noise machine or app – Helps block out unfamiliar sounds like waves (yes, they can be loud!) or street noise. Baby monitor (if you’ll be in a larger space or stepping outside during naps). For more on the ideal sleep environment, have a read here . Comfort + Routine : Lovey or comfort object (if age-appropriate and safe for sleep). Sleep sack – Choose a breathable, summer-weight one. Favorite bedtime book – Familiarity brings comfort. Pacifiers – Always bring extras! Nightlight – A soft, warm one if needed for feeds or changes during the night. Weather + Climate Considerations : Lightweight, breathable pajamas – Think cotton or bamboo Fan – If your rental lacks good airflow or AC Bonus Tip: Have a “Nap-on-the-Go” Kit **For beach days that cut into nap time: Clip-on stroller fan Stroller or baby carrier your baby can sleep in Portable white noise machine Extra sun hats + baby-safe sunscreen (for after 6 months old) Step 3: Keep the Routine (Even on the Coast) Try to mirror your bedtime routine as closely as you can. If you usually do bath → PJs → book → feed → sleep, stick with it — even if it’s a quick version. Babies love the predictability, and it helps signal that it’s time to wind down, even in a new environment. Also, aim for naps in a darkened room when possible, especially after a stimulating beach outing. And if one nap has to happen in the stroller under a palm tree? That’s totally okay. Just go back to the routine as soon as you can. Getting There: Travel Day Tips Time your departure around naps if possible Use familiar sleep items (like the sleep sack or pacifier) during flights or drives Offer extra feeds — travel is dehydrating, especially in hot weather Keep expectations flexible – sleep may not be perfect, and that’s fine Beach trips with a baby can be full of joyful memories and restful nights — as long as you plan for sleep. With the right gear and mindset, your little one can stay well-rested and content, giving you more time to soak up the sun (or at least drink your coffee while it’s still warm!). And remember: sleep doesn’t have to fall apart just because you’re away from home. If you ever feel stuck or unsure about how to adjust things before, during, or after a trip, I’m here to help you build a personalized plan that fits your family’s travel style. Book your discovery call here .
By Guest author: Belinda Kirk October 7, 2024
October is SIDS Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It’s a time to educate parents and caregivers on safe sleep practices that can reduce the risk and help protect our little ones.. At Hushabye, safety is at the heart of our brand. Our focus is on providing parents with safe and high-quality baby sleepwear, such as sleep bags, that offer a safer alternative to traditional blankets. What is a baby sleep bag? A baby sleep bag, also known as a wearable blanket or sleep sack, is a specially designed garment for infants and young children to wear during sleep. The primary purpose of a sleep bag is to keep the baby warm and comfortable, but it also serves as a safe and convenient alternative to traditional blankets and quilts in a crib or cot.