Our Sleep Coach Douina about the Smart Moonie cuddly toy
It's the week the Moonie White Noise plush toy is featured at the Kideo Store. So, of course, a blog post by me, as a sleep expert, about its use is a must. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Douïna, and I'm a childcare professional and sleep expert at Kideo Daycare Centers. Besides my work at Kideo, I'm also a mom to Silke and expecting our second child.
White Noise
Today I'm focusing on the White Noise plush toy Moonie. Many people are familiar with White Noise these days, but for those wondering, "What is White Noise?", I'll briefly explain. White Noise masks background noise and ensures that other ambient sounds are barely noticeable, if at all, when a child is sleeping.
How it works
It's a monotonous, heavy sound, which creates the desired effect. For example, other sounds on a white noise device, such as lullabies and birdsong, don't have the desired effect for which you use white noise. The monotonous white noise does mask ambient sounds, such as a door, a creaking staircase, or a ringing doorbell.
Why the Moonie
It can be very quiet for a newborn during the first few days and weeks; your baby is used to being in the womb, where it's never quiet. This can be very exciting for a baby. That's why I recommend plenty of skin-to-skin contact during the first weeks and months so your baby can hear your breathing and heartbeat. This makes your baby feel safe and secure, which is also good for bonding and, potentially, breastfeeding. Perhaps more on that in another blog post, but for now, back to the topic of Moonie.
From personal experience
There are also times when you might want to have your hands free or just relax, and the Moonie can provide a wonderful sense of security. The Moonie contains various sounds that mimic the heartbeat and sounds of the womb. This can still give your baby the desired sense of security and a sense of not being alone. Sometimes I wish I'd had the Moonie myself, especially when Silke was newborn. We used Spotify to simulate these ambient sounds with her, but I really didn't like the idea of my phone lying near the crib while she slept. So we stopped using it pretty quickly.
Smart cry detector
The Moonie is a great alternative. It features a warm light in its tummy, preventing pitch darkness in the bedroom, and a soothing sound that might calm your baby. The Moonie also automatically turns off and on again when it detects sound. This way, your little one's ears aren't stimulated for too long, and the White Noise is only used during those restless moments for which it was intended.
WARNING: Veiligheid.nl advises against putting stuffed animals in bed with babies. This is to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If a baby's mouth touches a stuffed animal, you may experience rebreathing. Your baby will then re-inhale their exhaled air, preventing them from getting enough oxygen. My advice, if you choose a White Noise stuffed animal like Moonie, is to use it at a safe distance. For example, place the stuffed animal near their legs, so it's not near their face, or place it just outside their crib. Your child will still hear the sound, but the bear will be at a safe distance. Make sure to check on your child regularly and, of course, keep the volume low. Babies don't bond with stuffed animals until around 10 months of age.
Want to know more about our sleep expert Douina? Contact her via Instagram: Douina.sleepexpert
