Meet the Winners of the 2023 What to Expect Sleep Awards

As your belly grows throughout the trimesters, you might find yourself struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position, especially as your due date draws near. That's why so many moms depend on pregnancy pillows to provide support in all the right places.

Our community’s go-to? The PharMeDoc Full Body U-Shaped Pillow. 

The U-shaped body pillow makes sleeping on your side easier by supporting your belly, back, knees, neck and hips all at once. What’s more, this pillow isn't overly bulky, so it doesn’t take up quite as much space in bed as many other pregnancy pillows. In fact, one of the "legs" of the U is detachable, so you can leave it on for support or detach it to use as a separate pillow right where you need it. 

The machine-washable zippered cover makes it easy to keep this pillow clean; good thing, since some moms love it so much, they continue using it postpartum.

Weight: 7.05 pounds

Dimensions: 53 x 31 x 7 inches

Pulling double duty as comfy sleepwear for the maternity and postpartum period, the Motherhood Maternity Essential Nursing Nightgown lends some ease to your nights (and sometimes days!). It's so well-beloved by What to Expect parents that it won Best Nursing Pajamas in 2022, too. 

During your pregnancy, this nightgown is breathable and effortless, especially during warm nights. But you'll also really want to live in it while caring for your newborn. It has an easy clip-down top and built-in pads, the ultimate combo for late-night feedings. (All you need to do is snap off one side and you're ready to nurse: major win!) It's available in sizes small to 3X, and you can choose from five different colors and patterns. What to Expect community parents praise how comfortable the material is and say how great they feel putting it on.

A good nursing bra is a breastfeeding must-have that’ll get plenty of use. And while comfort is always key, that's especially true at nighttime, when you'll also need a nursing sleep bra to hold on nursing pads so you don't leak on your pajamas and bedding. 

The Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback Nursing Sleep Bra also won this award in 2022, and it’s known for offering almost-too-good-to-be-true comfort. It's constructed with stretchy fabric in a crossover wrap design, which means you'll just need one hand to pull aside the fabric when it's time to nurse. Machine-washable and underwire-free, this bra is soft yet supportive and will be a welcome addition to any wardrobe (even after you're finished breastfeeding, thanks to how comfy it feels). It's available in sizes XS through XXL, with special busty size options as well.

Veteran parents know all too well how hard it is to put your baby to sleep in a bright room; that's why parents and editors alike are huge fans of the top-rated Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Window Curtains. 

These machine-washable curtains are easy to hang; just thread your curtain rod through the pre-installed grommets or the fabric channel at the top. And they look like regular attractive fabric curtains, but darken the room instantly and effectively. Parents also love that they dampen outside noise and create an energy-saving insulating barrier between the heat or cold outside and your baby's room. Fans say that the blackout coating on the curtain's back doesn't cast a dark shadow on the curtains' front, even on the plain white version. 

Weight: 3.95 pounds

Dimensions: Sizes range from 42 x 63 inches to 52 x 96 inches

You'll be spending many hours feeding, snuggling, and reading with your baby in whatever nursery glider or rocking chair you select, so picking the right one is important. For a glider that's both comfortable and functional, moms and dads highly recommend the Storkcraft Premium Hoop Glider and Ottoman.

The Storkcraft Glider has been a popular choice for years (it also won the Best Glider crown in 2022), because of its smooth, soothing motion that gets babies ready for dreamland. Parents say that the lush padding is supremely comfortable, and they love spending hours in this chair with their feet comfortably propped up on the matching ottoman that moves in rhythm with the chair. And although the chair offers great quality, the price is on the lower side for a nursery glider. Also nice: the side storage pockets, easy-to-clean upholstery and 19 color options, from neutrals to pastels.

Weight: 45 pounds (glider), 14.3 pounds (ottoman)

Dimensions: 25.5 x 21.5 x 38.5 inches (glider), 4.5 x 19 x 14 inches (ottoman)

Halo's wildly popular Bassinests have been a What to Expect parent fave for years (the Essentia version of the Bassinest has won Sleep Awards the last two years), and the upgraded Bassinest 3.0 has upped the ante with cool new features that make this a must-have baby bassinet. 

Like other Bassinests, the 3.0 has a 360-degree swivel so you can move your baby around without waking them and rotate the bassinet over your bed so your baby's close to you but still in their own safe, separate sleeping spot. For extra reassurance, the Bassinest's mesh sides provide a clear view of your baby. Parents can also adjust the height of the Bassinest 3.0 from 36 to 42.5 inches tall so you don't have to bend far to pick your baby up, a feature particularly appreciated by moms who have had a C-section or anyone with a bad back. But the 3.0 has a super-cool feature other Bassinests don't: You can pick up the sleeping pod and move it anywhere, giving your baby a portable nest that you can keep in sight wherever you go. Just make sure your baby is not in it when you’re transporting it to a new spot. 

Weight limit: Birth to 5 months or 20 pounds, or when baby begins to show signs of rolling over or pushing up on hands and knees

Weight: 22.6 pounds

Dimensions: 34 x 34 inches for the base, 32.25 x 22.25 for the bed, 42.5 inches for the legs (total), 36 inches for the height (at its lowest point)

The Delta Children Essex 4-in-1 Convertible Crib has a midcentury modern look and converts to four modes so it'll be the centerpiece of your child's bedroom for a long, long time. When your child's an infant, it's a sturdy and reliable crib with a mattress that adjusts to three different heights, so you can keep moving it down for safety as your child becomes more mobile. 

After your baby outgrows the crib, one side comes off, and you add a toddler guardrail (sold separately) to turn the crib into a safe toddler bed. Next, the guardrail comes off to make a space-saving daybed you can use for your child's naps or a comfortable sofa. In other words, you can use it for years and years, something that can't be said for most easily-outgrown baby gear. 

Crib mattresses are one of those baby items that are hard to choose because crib mattresses mostly look identical, and all promise the best sleep for your baby. 

We can't promise your baby will have uninterrupted sleep night after night on this or any mattress, but the Serta Perfect Start Crib and Toddler Mattress is a favorite of parents who appreciate the features that make it last longer than competitors. One side is firm for infants, while the other side is softer for toddlers. Both sides have a waterproof cover, so you simply flip it over when it's time for your baby to move to a toddler bed — and it's as if you've got a fresh new mattress. Parents also like that the mattress has square, not rounded corners, so it fits snugly into cribs. 

Weight: 15 pounds

Dimensions: 27.5 x 6 x 52 inches

What to Expect parents love these high-quality crib sheets because of their heavenly softness and sophisticated patterns and colors. In fact, Burt’s Bees Baby Fitted Crib Sheets are a four-time (!) Sleep Award winner. Parents simply love the feel of the lightweight 100 percent organic cotton knit; the difference between Burt's Bees Baby's fabric and lesser sheets is obvious from the first touch. 

The sheets hold up well to frequent washings, ensuring they’ll make it through your baby’s first year and beyond. Parents say one of their favorite things about these sheets is how well they fit crib mattresses: They don't pull off at the corners or bunch up under your baby during sleepy time. 

Material: Organic cotton

Dimensions: Fits 28 x 52-inch crib and toddler mattresses

Graco's ultra-versatile multitasking playards have been parent favorites for generations because they do so many things so well. When your baby's a newborn, the Pack 'n Play is a safe place for your infant to sleep, like a crib except that you can take it on the road to hotels or Grandma's house. As your baby grows, the Pack 'n Play is an unbeatable playpen, as well as a spare sleeper, ready when you need it (and easy to store when you don't). 

Pack 'n Plays are also genuinely easy to travel with: They set up in less than a minute and fold with the push of a button. A mesh pouch conveniently stores toys or wipes on the outside of the playard, and each Pack 'n Play comes with a handy travel bag, too.

Age/height limits: Suitable for infants under 35 inches tall and unable to climb out

Weight: 18.7 pounds

Dimensions: 28.25 x 38 x 39.5 inches

Overnight diapers are an important piece of the solid-sleep puzzle for babies, so when it comes time to choose your go-to diaper, you'll want to make sure it's a good one. Pampers Swaddlers Overnights offer solid protection from a trusted brand, safeguarding bedding against any leaks and keeping your baby dry throughout the night. They're so popular with What to Expect parents that they won the Best Overnight Diapers Sleep Award in 2022 as well. 

Pampers Swaddlers Overnights are hypoallergenic, soft and breathable, all the things you want from something that touches your baby's sensitive skin. Parents love Pampers' wetness indicator, which changes color when it's time so it's time to change your baby. To top it off, the stretchy fasteners on each side give your baby a comfy custom fit that moves with them all night long. 

Carter's is a parent-loved brand because they make cute and affordable baby and kid clothing, and these Sleep and Play bodysuits are no exception. Perfectly comfy and warm, they come in a variety of sophisticated colors and patterns, many of them gender-neutral. 

Besides the good looks and nice price, these pajamas are set up for ease with a two-way (a.k.a. "double") zipper that goes all the way from ankle to chin. It's easy to get your baby into these pajamas without tears or struggles, and they zip off in an instant so you can easily change your baby's diaper and swiftly get them dressed again. Parents also appreciate that Carter's clothing is true-to-size, a rarity among baby brands. No wonder Carter's Sleep and Plays are a two-time Sleep Award winner. 

When babies are very young, they have a reflex that makes them flail their arms, which can wake them from a snooze session.  If you swaddle your little one, though, it keeps her arms secure by her side and, hopefully, leads to more shuteye for everyone.

Although you can use a thin blanket to do the job, lots of caregivers turn to special swaddle blankets, which come with helpful, time-saving features like zippers or snaps. Enter: the SwaddleMe Original Swaddle, an inexpensive and easy-to-use swaddle. 

To use it, you just open up the "wings" of the sleep sack and lay it down flat. Your baby goes on top, with their legs inside the pouch at the bottom. Wrap the flap on one side around your baby, then wrap the other side over the top and secure with big Velcro tabs. You can pull the wings as tight as you’d like for a super-snug fit, which means even the wiggliest baby won’t be able to break free. 

Also good: The generous leg pocket leaves your baby plenty of room to kick happily, and it looks brand-new even after many trips through the washing machine (overnight blowouts and spit-up are inevitable, after all).

Just make sure to stop using all swaddles as soon as your baby starts rolling over.

Once your baby has graduated from a swaddle, the Halo SleepSack is a popular next step. 

Winner of Best Sleep Sack in 2022, the SleepSack works similarly to the brand’s SleepSack Swaddle. Baby’s arms fit through holes at the top and a zippered “sack” keeps her body cozy and warm. But there are no flaps holding her arms down, which is key once your baby is able to roll over and can no longer be swaddled. 

Also known as a wearable blanket, Halo's SleepSacks are super soft and lightweight, and they offer plenty of room for little legs to move. For parents, the reversible zipper makes diaper changes easy. Parents also love that SleepSacks can be used through the toddler years, as they’re available in sizes for babies up to 24 months. They also come in tons of adorable designs, which is an added bonus. 

Offering your little one a pacifier at bedtime can help soothe them to sleep, as well as reduce the risk of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (Just keep in mind that nursing moms might want to wait a few weeks until breastfeeding is established before introducing one.)

Many experienced parents say that the Philips Avent Soothie (a repeat winner in the What to Expect Sleep Awards) is the only pacifier their baby would take. The one-piece design meets the AAP’s recommendation, but also makes it easier to clean; parents say it’s free from the nooks and crannies that gather gunk on other pacifiers. 

As you build your baby registry, a high-tech sound machine or night light may not be at the top of your list. But there's a reason why tons of parents say the Hatch Rest 2nd Gen is a must-have multitasking addition to your baby’s nursery.

Parents rely on this sleek and beautiful machine to lull their babies to sleep with soothing sounds and a soft glow. And Hatch has recently updated its old design to include more colors, an LED clock at the bottom of the machine, and easier-to-use buttons to control the night light and sound volume. (Of course, you can still control everything from an app on your phone, too.) 

What to Expect parents love the many relaxing color options and the ability to listen to calming, pre-programmed sounds like white noise, rain, lullabies or even the dryer. You can also control the brightness and volume levels and set a timer for how long the light should stay on in the nursery.

When your child is a little older, you’ll love the preprogrammed “time-to-rise," "nap time" and “bed time” settings, which you can turn on by touching one button or launching them from your phone. 

Weight: 13 ounces

Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.61 inches

A baby monitor can feel like one of the more important purchases you'll make for your baby, as it allows you to keep an eye on your little one while still getting other things done. The wildly popular and affordable Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor uses radio signals to transmit sound and images. Because this monitor is not WiFi-based and there's no accompanying app, the parent unit is super easy to hand off to a grandparent or babysitter.

And though the DXR-8 is more affordable than other video baby monitors, it still transmits a crystal clear image of your baby and offers all the monitor bells and whistles: two-way communication, night vision mode, a long battery life and the ability to pan and tilt. You can connect up to four cameras, too, so it works well for larger families. 

The monitor's camera comes with three interchangeable lenses (zoom, normal and wide-view), so you can switch them out whenever you like to change your viewpoint: a close-up of your baby's face, say, or a view of an entire room so you can take a quick look at a playdate in progress. It's so good that it's a two-time Sleep Award winner, as well as a three-time victor in What to Expect's Mom Must-Have Awards.

Weight: 2 pounds

Dimensions: 19.3 x 13.4 x 6.5 inches

Humidifiers can help when dry indoor air irritates your baby's skin; a cool-mist humidifier can make it easier for your baby to breathe when they fall sick, according to the AAP. 

What to Expect parents love Vicks Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier because it runs a long time (30 hours, easily enough for several nights) and is easy to operate, even in rooms darkened for sleep. It’s also easy to operate, simply turning the mist level up or down with one intuitive dial on the machine's front. When the water runs out, the 1.2-gallon tank is easy to refill because it's flat and fits underneath your bathroom faucet. The humidifier automatically shuts off when the tank is empty, too, which is a helpful safety feature. 

Parents love that this humidifier doesn't have a separate filter you have to keep replacing (though you do still have to clean it regularly). They also say it emits a fine mist that doesn't cause condensation to gather on nearby surfaces. 

Weight: 4 pounds

Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 12  inches