If after endless nights of counting sheep, using all the baby sleep aids and implementing a bedtime routine, your child is still struggling to drift off, it's time to try the best baby sleep sprays.
Whether your youngster is struggling to snooze, regularly waking up during the night, restless when trying to doze off or if the white noise machine isn't doing the trick, baby sleep sprays can help settle your child down for the night.
Our shortlist of the best baby sleep sprays:
• Best baby sleep spray for mum and baby: This Works Baby Sleep Pillow Spray – Buy now from Amazon
• Best baby sleep spray for newborns: My Little Coco Sleepy Head Pillow Mist – Buy now from Boots
• Best dermatologist and paediatrician-approved baby sleep spray: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bloom and Blossom Baby Pillow Spray – Buy now from Amazon
Baby sleep sprays work in a similar way to pillow sleep sprays for adults. They include natural calming ingredients like lavender, which will gently soothe children to sleep. It's important to take a look at the ingredients included in your chosen sleep spray and to choose a spray made specifically for babies, as some essential oils used are not suitable for little ones.
If you think these could help your little one drift off, we've gathered together the best baby sleep sprays on the market.
The best baby sleep sprays
Best lavender alternative baby sleep spray
Whether you're using this baby pillow spray at nap time or before bed, this incredible Child Farm Baby Bedtime Pillow Spray creates a calming space for your bubba. If you're not a fan of lavender, you'll love this spray which is made with organic tangerine oil, known to have calming qualities similar to lavender. Suitable for babies over six months of age, spritz this onto a pillowcase, sheet or blanket for a few minutes before putting your little one down to rest.
Review: "A lovely alternative to lavender - sleep sprays always tend to have lavender, and I'm not a fan, but this works and no lavender! YAY!"
Pros
- Dermatologist and paediatrician-approved
- Vegan-friendly & cruelty-free
- Bottle made from recyclable materials
Cons
- Not suitable from birth
| Suitable from: | 6 months+ |
| Scent: | Tangerine |
Best baby sleep sprays for older children
Bloom & Blossom was founded and run by sisters-in-law and mothers of five, Julia and Christina. Gently scented with lavender, jasmine and ylang-ylang, we love that this spray is 100 per cent vegan, paediatrician and dermatologist approved, and small enough to fit in a bag. However, this option is only suitable for children three and over.
Review: "This pillow spray smells lovely. It’s a light, delicate scent which my children love. I’m not sure it helps them go to sleep any easier though. But nice little touch to add to their bedtime routine."
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Cruelty-free and 100% Vegan
- Paediatrician and dermatologist approved
Cons
- Suitable for older children only
| Suitable from: | 3 years+ |
| Scent: | Eucalyptus and Lavender |
Best baby sleep spray for mum and baby
Recommended for children six months and older, This Works Baby Sleep Pillow Spray uses natural fragrances to make your little cherub feel more relaxed. Great for both baby and parents, this prevents restless nights and should help everyone slip into an easy slumber. All that with just a single spray. Unbelievable!
Review: "My nine month-year-old son would wake up three to four times during the night and have very short naps in the day. It's the second day I've used this spray, and all I can say is WOW! The first night my son slept for eight hours, and the second night he slept for ten hours. All I do is lightly spray his blanket during the day, and at night I spray his mattress and grow bag. I'll definitely be buying this again."
Pros
- 99% natural ingredients
- Free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrance
Cons
- Some parents found it made their child cough
| Suitable from: | 6 months+ |
| Scent: | Lavender and camomile |
Best dermatologist and paediatrician-approved baby sleep spray
Are your kids obsessed with reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar books? If no bedtime is complete without a story, then build this pillow spray into their routine. The best thing about it? You can also use this spray to help settle your little one in unfamiliar surroundings, which is perfect if you're planning your first family holiday.
Reviewed by mum tester Catherine: "The spray bottle is so easy to use, the cap fits and clicks on again nicely and securely afterwards, the product sprays evenly and does not stain or damage any of the soft furnishings or sheets so can be used directly in the cot. I think this set is a really innovative and fun way to create a nice little slot in the evening getting ready for bed."
Read our Bloom and Blossom x The Very Hungry Caterpillar range review.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Cruelty-free and 100% Vegan
- Paediatrician and dermatologist approved
Cons
- Didn't work for some parents so its advised to start with a smaller bottle to start with
| Suitable from: | 3 years+ |
| Scent: | Jasmine and Lavender |
Best baby sleep spray for newborns
www.boots.com
My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist not only has a cute package design, but it's suitable for sensitive skin and dermatologically tested/paediatrician approved. That's before we even get on to the fact that the gorgeous lavender, chamomile and vanilla scent will send tots off to dreamland.
Review by M&B tester Gabriella: "This product is really relaxing and actually not just for my baby, when I am sat in his room feeding him his last feed before bed and we have used the sleepy head pillow mist, I too feel very relaxed and content in that final 20 mins of my day with him, and I think that as well has also helped and part of the reason why he goes to sleep with a full chubby 'just been fed' face as he can feel how relaxed I am too!"
Read our My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sweet Dreams Pillow Mist review.
Pros
- Paediatrician and dermatologist approved
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Vegan-friendly & cruelty-free
Cons
- Could be more travel-friendly
| Suitable from: | Birth |
| Scent: | Lavender, chamomile and vanilla |
Best travel-friendly baby sleep spray
Developed by a mother of three, Leonora Bamford, fertility expert and midwife Zita West, this sleep spray contains frankincense oil to help promote relaxation. Simply spritz at an arm’s length onto bedding, pyjamas, or even a muslin cloth.
Review: "Baba West Sleep Mist is a game-changer for our little one's bedtime routine! The calming lavender and frankincense scents create a relaxing atmosphere and are so easy to use. We have noticed a significant improvement in our child's sleep. Highly recommend it for better rest!"
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Contains frankincense oil to help promote relaxation
Cons
- Not available in a larger size
| Suitable from: | 6 months+ |
| Scent: | Lavender |
When can I start using sleep spray for my baby?
Although it can differ depending on the brand, most baby sleep sprays are suitable for use from six months old. You should always check the product packaging before using it with your child.
How do I use baby sleep spray?
To use a baby sleep spray, simply spray the mist onto your baby's sheets, blanket or pillow (if they are old enough to use one) before bedtime. Baby sleep spray should not be applied directly to your child's skin. Some brands suggest using the spray 30 minutes before bedtime, while others recommend just a few minutes before.
Are pillow sprays safe for babies?
Always check the products packaging and instruction leaflet if it comes with one to check what age baby it's recommended for. As mentioned, many are only suitable for babies aged 6 months+ so shouldn't be used for babies younger than this, as it's not advised to mask the scent between baby and parent before this point.
You should also be mindful of allergens. While many of these contain only natural ingredients, it's worth checking all of the ingredients list to make sure it doesn't contain anything your little one is allergic to.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.