Tragically, about 20% of new parents suffer from postpartum mood disorders…that’s an epidemic—and not one we can afford to live with. At Happiest Baby we’re not just about helping babies thrive…we’re here to support the whole family. That means doing our part to help reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. Getting rest and feeling supported are huge contributors to a new mum or dad’s mental health—but in the chaotic first weeks of an infant’s life, both can be hard to come by. That’s why we created SNOO: to give families an extra pair of hands to help calm crying and boost babies’ sleep, all while keeping little ones in a safe sleeping position. Here’s a closer look at how SNOO supports parental mental health.

1. SNOO adds sleep.

Exhaustion is one of the top triggers for postpartum depression. SNOO adds sleep for babies…which lets parents sleep, too! During an internal study of more than 10,000 babies, we found that SNOO consistently added an average of over an hour of night sleep….with many babies sleeping 7 straight hours at 2 months. It’s long been a common practice to put the baby in a car and drive to get them to settle. Well, one might think of SNOO as being like driving a baby all night long (which also would help the baby sleep 1-2 more hours)— without ever having to get behind the wheel!

2. SNOO cuts down on crying.

Persistent crying plays a part in PPD and PPA. SNOO responds to a baby’s wails with a combination of white noise and motion designed to soothe fussiness. Surveys of hundreds of users how shown us that about 50% of infant fussing calms within 60 seconds of SNOO’s response. And, the babies who don’t respond within 60 seconds typically require parental attention in the form of feeding, cuddling, etc.

3. SNOO lends a helping hand. 

A lack of practical support—someone to help calm the baby, make a meal, or assist in other ways—and the feeling that “it’s all on my shoulders” has been linked to PPD. But where families might be short on help in the form of nannies and live-in grandparents, SNOO is a 24/7 virtual pair of hands. SNOO rocks and shushes Baby through all naps/nights and responds with more stimulation when babies fuss (imitating the calming responses of an experienced caregiver). This allows new parents to feel like they have a helper…making them feel less alone and more supported.

4. SNOO helps alleviate stress.

SNOO has a special swaddle that secures babies to the bed, which not only gives little ones the snug wrapping they crave, but also helps to keep them from flipping into to an unsafe position. This can give a new parent great peace of mind knowing that their precious baby cannot roll to the stomach during the night.

5. SNOO boosts confidence.

With more sleep, less crying, and fewer worries about Baby’s safety, parents tend to feel like they are going a good job meeting their lovebug’s needs. And, when a mum feels more confident and rested, she feels happier, more engaged, less irritable or resentful. Breastfeeding often goes better, and sleep helps a mother feel more like herself by allowing her to do the things that contribute to good mental health (she can find the energy for a yoga video or the time to read a book, for example).

There's a reason they say it takes a village...we're so proud to be a part yours.

Read more about how mums say SNOO has helped their mental health:

• How SNOO Helped One Mum Recover From Postpartum Anxiety
• ‘It Saved My Sanity’: One Mum’s Story of Depression and Healing
• This Mum’s Baby Would Only Sleep on Her…Until She Got SNOO
• How One Mum’s Postpartum Anxiety Eased With SNOO

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.