The holiday season is upon us! I absolutely love this time of year, and it feels extra magical now that we have O. As moms, it is so easy to make this time of year all about our kids, and in general, our needs sometimes get put on the back burner. I have seen many gift guides for babies, toddlers and preschoolers floating around on social media, which inspired this blog.
In this post, I will share seven gift ideas for the bedsharing mama. I have curated a list of things I think all bedsharing mamas NEED in their life. My list of bedsharing “must haves,” if you will. Nothing in this post is sponsored; it is all simply things I use regularly and have been using since before I started this blog or my sleep certification.
Pyjamas
First up on my list of bedsharing must-haves is an obvious one: comfortable pyjamas. Even though pyjamas aren’t a revolutionary gift recommendation and could be gifted to anyone (I see you, mama, looking up cute holiday PJs for your baby), there are some special considerations for bedsharing.
Safety considerations
I found finding the perfect bedsharing ensemble a bit challenging when we first started bedsharing with O. You want something that will keep you warm since, for safety, you’re sleeping with fewer blankets and with blankets at waist level (you can check out safe bedsharing guidelines here). Yet you don’t want something too warm (hello, postpartum night sweats). Finding the right fabric is key, which is why I recommend organic cotton or bamboo when shopping for pyjamas, as they are breathable but will keep you warm. Those fabrics can be a bit on the pricey end of things, so if that isn’t feasible (I’m the first to admit I don’t only wear these fabrics to bed), make sure you avoid fleece, which is not breathable and locks in heat, unlike organic cotton or bamboo. I also only wear long sleeves for warmth since I don’t have blankets covering my arms.
Breastsleeping
The other consideration is how accessible the top is for nursing. Many bedsharing moms choose to breastsleep, a term coined by Professor James McKenna (if you haven’t heard of him, check out my third gift recommendation below). This is how O and I sleep, and I found the best way to do this easily with as little disruption as possible (because less fiddling with my pyjamas means more sleep for me) is with a button-down or open front top and a nursing tank underneath. They make those middle-of-the-night feedings a breeze. So easy, in fact, I only wake up for a minute or two, then drift back off while she nurses. With button-down pyjamas, check your buttons often to make sure they aren’t coming loose, or you can be extra cautious and remove them altogether. Also, be sure your pyjamas don’t have any long strings or ties that could be a strangulation risk.
There are so many options on the market that meet these criteria in various prints for every mama’s style. You can even get matching sets for mom and baby (or toddler) which would make an extra adorable bedsharing mama gift (and perfect for my last gift recommendation below).
Sheets
Is there anything better at bedtime than crawling into a bed with fresh sheets? Sheets are another item that can be tricky to find the right fit when bedsharing. The literal fit really matters as you want something quite fitted to the mattress to keep baby safe. The same principles that apply to safe crib sleep apply when bedsharing too.
You also want to consider fabric similar to pyjamas. Organic cotton and bamboo are best for breathability, and make sure you stay away from fleece. Sheet fabric matters a bit extra since baby is sleeping directly on the surface. You want to make sure whatever you choose is smooth and soft, and gentle on baby’s skin. I also wash our sheets in O’s laundry detergent (we love this laundry soap from Hello Bello) to make sure there are no harsh chemicals on her skin while she is sleeping. Although, if you’re reading this because you’re looking for a gift for the bedsharing mama in your life, please do not gift her laundry soap…. Trust me on this one. You could, however, have her new sheets all washed and ready to go after she opens them. That is a gift that she will be extra thankful for.
Book Recommendation: Safe Infant Sleep by James McKenna
This book is a must-have for all bedsharing or cosleeping parents. It is the baby sleep book I wish I had read before having O. Professor McKenna is the leading expert in safe infant sleep and all things cosleeping and bedsharing. I feel privileged to have learned from him in my sleep certification through Isla Grace sleep. He is a wealth of knowledge, and I genuinely believe all parents would benefit from reading this book.
In this book, Professor McKenna discusses his years of research on mothers and babies sleeping together. He covers safe bedsharing guidelines, as well as separate surface cosleeping (so this book applies to parents using a bassinet or crib in their room too). He also touches on the benefits of cosleeping, breastsleeping, why our babies desire to be close to us, and so much more! I truly cannot recommend this book enough. Click here to check it out on Amazon.ca.
Hooga book light
Next up is the Hooga book light, which goes perfectly with the Safe Infant Sleep book recommendation. This light was a game-changer for me. I go to bed when O goes to bed most nights (every night for safety reasons before we converted our bed to a floor bed), yet I found I needed a bit of “me time” and time to unwind at the end of the day. Before O was born, I used to read every night before bed, and with this light, I was able to bring that back into my routine and get off my phone before bed. I’ve also used this light to journal before bed, and it’s the perfect light for taking cute pictures of O when she’s fast asleep (please tell me I am not the only parent who does this).
I love it because it is an amber, blue light-blocking light which won’t disrupt melatonin production (these little sleep hygiene things matter EXTRA when you’re a tired mom getting disrupted sleep.) It is rechargeable, and I find the battery life lasts a really long time. I also love that it has three light settings, so I can get the perfect light depending on how dark it is. I use this nightly before bed and would be lost without it. You can find it on Amazon.ca here.
Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth headphones are another saving grace when O is sleeping next to me (or on me) and I’m not tired enough to sleep. I use these more for O’s contact naps (read all about why I love contact naps here), but I use them before bed a few nights a week that listen to podcasts or meditation before bed. If you’re heading to bed before you’re ready to fall asleep, Bluetooth headphones can be so helpful for keeping you entertained.
Gift Card for a Massage
As much as I love bedsharing, one of the downsides is the cuddle curl sleeping position, the recommended sleep position to keep baby safe (see a photo from James McKenna’s book here) can make your body SORE. My hips and lower back, in particular, can get quite tight from sleeping in this position. The few times I’ve treated myself to a massage, I have found it makes a huge difference. Plus, it’s a great way to spend an hour to yourself, enjoying some quiet and relaxation. If massages aren’t your thing, a gift certificate to a chiropractor (I see my chiropractor regularly to keep my bedsharing aches at bay) or a yoga studio are other terrific options to look after your body.
Photos of mom and baby sleeping
Lastly, and my favourite gift idea of all, ask your partner to take some photos of you and your babe sound asleep together. This is something I recently asked my husband to do, and I think a printed photo would make a lovely, sentimental holiday gift that is also very budget-friendly. These days of sleeping beside our babies will be gone before we know it; all that will be left is the memories made. It’s a chapter I’m sure many of us never want to forget, and what better way to remember than with pictures?
That wraps up my seven gift ideas for the bedsharing mama! Let me know in the comments which gift idea sparks your interest or any other gift ideas that come to mind!
