GoKawiilMy toddler recently went through a challenging sleep regression, during which I conducted an experiment to see how his sleep scores compared with mine. But despite the unpredictable disruptions of the toddler phase, I try my best to keep his sleep routine consistent. This includes his room setup.
It’s important to me to make sure my son has his own space and is comfortable, whether he’s playing or sleeping in it. Especially when it comes to the latter, as a wellness tech expert, I use certain devices to make sure his room is set up for sleep success -- even if he does get up once or twice during the night.
1. SmartWings Smart Shades
The SmartWings Smart Shades are key to keeping my toddler's bedroom dark and sleep-friendly. Giselle Castro-Sloboda/ CNET
I learned that in order for my son to get a good night’s sleep, we need blackout shades. My son’s window coverings needed replacing recently, and we suspected they were contributing to some of his wake-ups during naps and at bedtime since light was still seeping into the room.
We installed the SmartWings blackout smart shades, and his sleep improved drastically. These smart shades are one of CNET’s top smart blind picks and come in different fabrics, but I opted for linen. It doesn’t have unsightly cords or plugs because it uses a battery-powered motor with a Li-ion (lithium-ion) rechargeable battery. This is important for safety when you have a toddler who is tempted to pull wires and push buttons.
You can also choose additional light blockers for even more coverage in the room at an extra cost. For easy managing, these blinds come with a remote control, so I can lower or raise the shades during naps or bedtime
2. Nanit Pro Baby Monitor
The Nanit Pro smart baby monitor has grown with my child since infancy. Giselle Castro-Sloboda/ CNET
The Nanit is my toddler’s smart baby monitor that lets me keep an eye on him during naps, bedtime and even during playtime. I have two Nanit baby monitors set up in his room: one above his bed, while the other gives me a full view of the room.
... continue reading