My Sleepless Nights and the Snoo Savior
Like many new parents, I was completely unprepared for the sleep deprivation that came with having a newborn. My sweet Alisia was a contact napper, meaning she would only sleep if she was held. After a few weeks of this exhausting routine, we were desperate for a solution.
I started hearing about the Snoo Smart Sleeper from friends and family. “Should I get it?” I asked everyone I knew. The answer was almost always a resounding, “Definitely!” But what I was missing was the why. Why should I get it, and when do I absolutely need it?
Now I know. You need the Snoo only if your baby doesn’t sleep at night for more than 2-3 hour stretches. My daughter was a contact sleeper, so she couldn’t sleep alone at all. We needed a magical solution other than everyone in the house taking turns holding her while sleeping. That’s when the Snoo became a lifesaver for us.
I’ve heard stories of babies sleeping half a night or even a full night right from the hospital! It’s incomprehensible to me, but apparently, it’s possible. If your baby is one of those lucky ones, then save your money and buy something nice for yourself!
What is the Snoo?
The Snoo Smart Sleeper is a responsive bassinet that uses a combination of gentle rocking, white noise, and swaddling to help babies sleep better. It was created by Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.”
The Snoo is designed to mimic the womb environment, which can be very soothing for newborns. It also has a built-in sensor that detects when the baby is fussing and responds by increasing the rocking motion and white noise. In 2022, the Snoo received FDA clearance as a breakthrough device to reduce the risk of infant sleep-related deaths.
The Snoo automates some of the Dr. Karp’s “5 S” methods for soothing babies (swaddling, shushing, and swinging).
The Snoo Sack
A key component of the Snoo is the Snoo Sack, a specially designed swaddle that securely attaches to the bassinet. This unique design prevents babies from rolling onto their stomachs, reducing the risk of SIDS. The Snoo Sack also helps babies feel snug and secure, which can promote longer stretches of sleep.
My Snoo Review
| Pros | Cons |
| Promotes safe sleep, reducing SIDS risk. | High price point. Including special swaddles |
| Soothes fussy babies, potentially leading to longer sleep stretches. | Some babies may not like the motion or sound. (Mine didn’t like the level 3 because it was too loud and too much movement that it will wake her up – luckily there is a way to limit it in the app) |
| Happiest Baby offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. | Not a guaranteed solution for all sleep problems.(It’s not really magic – sometimes it doesn’t work – especially when your baby is in a sleep regression period) |
| App tracks sleep patterns and provides insights. | Technology may be overwhelming for some parents. |
| A weaning feature for crib transition. | May delay the transition to a crib |
| Can help establish a consistent sleep routine and reduce parental anxiety related to infant sleep. (I was super anxious about SIDS and this device helped me calm down!) | Some babies may outgrow the Snoo quickly. (As soon as the babies are rolling to their belly and back they are ready for more space – they should be out of the Snoo and any kind of Swaddle. Mine was ready at 4 months!) |
If you get the Snoo I recommend the Facebook Group The Snoo Mamas. It’s a great group of moms and dads that help eachother 🙂
Where to Buy the Snoo
The Snoo Smart Sleeper is available for purchase or rent on the Happiest Baby website. You can also find used Snoos on Facebook Marketplace or other online resale platforms.
You can also rent it from babyquip. We rented a Snoo through them when traveling.
My Recommendation
While the Snoo was a lifesaver for us in the early months, it’s important to remember that every baby is different. Some babies may love the Snoo, while others may not. I recommend waiting a few weeks to see how your baby sleeps before investing in a Snoo. If your baby is having trouble sleeping and you’re feeling exhausted, the Snoo may be worth considering. However, if your baby is a good sleeper, you do not need it.