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Best Projection Soother for Baby

Corey Majeau

Projection soothers can look super cool to many parents, but it is very important that you get the right one, so you don’t accidentally end up disrupting your baby’s sleep. The sleep patterns they build while they are young can follow them through their teens and even adulthood. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep from 12 to 16 hours per day for the first year. If they don’t get the proper amount of sleep, they may be irritable, lose focus or become hyperactive. Putting together a strong bedtime routine is incredibly important.

As fun as some of these projectors may look, you want to be sure that they are conducive to relaxation. There are some projectors that have multiple functions and if you understand which ones are right for sleeping and which others are for playtime, the versatility could suit your needs. Just be certain that everyone in the house or who is taking care of the baby understands the projector’s settings.

RankProductHighlights
#1SZMP Aromatherapy Diffuser/Red Night Light Combination

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  • Dimensions: 6.93” x 6.93”x 8.86”
  • Weight: 1.77 pounds
#2Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine

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  • Size: 4” x 4” x 6.5”
  • Weight: 14.5 ounces
#3HYODREAM 3D Moon Lamp 

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  • Size: 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
  • Weight: 9 ounces
#4Buzbi Baby Soother Toy Owl

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  • Size: 8.66 x 7.09 x 5.35 inches
  • Weight: 12 ounces
#5Infantino 3 in 1 Soother

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  • Size: 12.75 x 5.5 x 11 inches 
  • Weight: 2.4 pounds
#6Munchkin Shhh Portable Sound Machine

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  • Sizes: 2.76 x 2.36x 4.06 inches
  • Weight: 6 ounces

Here is the first real surprise – the light color you want is red. Most projectors will give you various colors to choose from and while your first impulse may be a blue light for night, scientists have shown that blue and green based lights at bedtime inhibit child’s melatonin at night. Melatonin is the sleep hormone that is released in the brain that helps us not only fall asleep, but stay asleep. According to research studies, red light does not affect the internal clock of melatonin production. Red light is not too stimulating for your baby and allows enough visibility for night feeds and diaper change.

So what do you do with all the other colors on the wheels? They can be used for waking up time and for some fun stimulation but stay away from the blue and green light at naptime and bedtime.

Here are some of the features you want to look for in a soothing projector:

  • White noise features
  • Color filter choices
  • A soft light
  • An auto shut off timer
  • Nothing projected that is too distracting
  • Natural sounds like heart beats
  • Adjustability of brightness
  • Volume control

Best Baby Soothing Projectors

1. SZMP Aromatherapy Diffuser/Red Night Light Combination

SPECS:

  • Dimensions: 6.93” x 6.93”x 8.86”
  • Weight: 1.77 pounds

Best Diffuser Projector

This simple style allows you to have a soft red glow on the machine as it gently diffuses aromatherapy into the air. Lavender is a great essential oil for calming babies at night. It is also a Bluetooth speaker so if there is a favorite lullaby your baby loves to hear, or you could even record one yourself!  It can also act as a humidifier for your baby and every parent will tell you how important having one of those is. It comes with a remote control that can be very handy if you have to sneak a few more lullabies in before your baby is off in true slumberland.

ProsCons
  • Seven color wheels, including red
  • Bluetooth
  • Humidifier
  • Essential oil diffuser
  • Auto shut-off
  • Remote control
  • AC adapter included
  • N/A

Who should buy this Baby Soothing Projector?

If you are into essential oils this projector that is also a diffuser and a sound machine give you great flexibility to get your child’s sleep regiment in place.

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2. Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine

SPECS:

  • Size: 4” x 4” x 6.5”
  • Weight: 14.5 ounces

The Hatch Rest & Baby Sound Machine has added even more user friendly tools to their already stacked product. This is definitely one that can grow with your child.  The sound machine gives you a library of choices of soothing sounds and white noise. While there are a variety of color choices, please stick to red around bedtime and nap time. There is an easy to read clock, two-way audio, a backup battery and it is also wifi and Alexa enabled you can even adjust the settings via your phone.  While the unit itself looks quite simple it really packs a heavy load of digital delights.

ProsCons
  • Backup battery
  • Wifi and Alexa enabled
  • Sound library
  • Color wheels (including red)
  • Two way audio
  • Clock
  • Highly rated by verified customers
  • Some reviewers preferred the early model

Who should buy this Baby Soothing Projector? 

If you love your Alexa and living in the digital age, this Hatch Rest & Baby Sound Machine has so many options you will end up using it as your child grows.

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3. Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine

SPECS:

  • Size: 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
  • Weight: 9 ounces

Best Lunar Landing

The calming red moon helps to create a relaxing environment to prepare for sleep.The movement is not too overbearing that it will keep your baby up at night. The lights are completely dimmable so you can find the perfect mood lighting.  This is a product that you will keep long after your baby is out of diapers and into science class. It runs on a rechargeable battery.

ProsCons
  • Multiple reds to choose from
  • Additional colors included (do not use for bedtime)
  • Remote control
  • Wooden stand
  • Beautiful piece when lit or not
  • Dimmer
  • Rechargeable lithium battery
  • Not all color choices show up well

Who should buy this Baby Soothing Projector? 

If you are looking for a simple projector without a lot of bells and whistles but want something that will last long into your child’s future, the Hyodream Moon Lamp will be a constant in their room for years to come.

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4. Buzbi Baby Soother Toy Owl

SPECS:

  • Size: 8.66 x 7.09 x 5.35 inches
  • Weight: 12 ounces

Best Loved By Moms

The Buzbi Baby Owl Toy is small and cute, fitting into any baby’s room decor. The sound library has both songs, and natural sounds like a heartbeat, or birds singing.  Whichever option you choose it will play on a loop for 30 minutes and then shut off. The light unit will project stars on the wall, cycling through multicolor displays. It is not so stimulating it will keep your baby excited and awake, but since the device is portable and comes with a velcro strap it could be something that adds some calming distraction when out on a walk, car rides, tummy time or even at the doctor’s office.

ProsCons
  • Auto shut off
  • Sound Library
  • Array of sounds, from songs, to nature to heartbeats
  • Color wheels (including red)
  • Portable
  • Velcro Strap
  • Hand wash only

Who should buy this Baby Soothing Projector? 

If you are looking for a projection soother for your baby that is more versatile than just being relegated to the bedroom, Buzbi Baby Owl Toy can go along with you and is not just for bedtime.

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5. Infantino 3 in 1 Soother

SPECS:

  • Size: 12.75 x 5.5 x 11 inches 
  • Weight: 2.4 pounds

Best Night Light Projector

This cheerful mama fox and baby fox themed night light brings in a variety of features to your baby’s bedtime routine. It has adjustable music and lighting, featuring 20 minutes of sound that you can choose from their library of songs, or nature sounds.  The mama’s tail gently fans leaving behind soft projected colors on the wall.  The little baby fox is a removable and independent night light.  You can project with just the lights, or only sound or a combination of the two. It runs on AA batteries so be sure to buy some extra as you don’t want to mess with the baby’s bedtime routine.

ProsCons
  • 20 minutes of music of nature sounds
  • Sound library has five songs and three nature sounds
  • Tail moves projecting soft light
  • Removable mini fox night light
  • Adjustable sound and light settings
  • Adorable design
  • Battery operated

Who should buy this Baby Soothing Projector?

If you are looking for a projector that will add something to your baby’s room even when it is not turned on we are certain you will love the design of the Infantino Fox 3 and 1 soother.

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6. Munchkin Shhh Portable Sound Machine

SPECS:

  • Sizes: 2.76 x 2.36x 4.06 inches
  • Weight: 6 ounces

Best Portable

This is a life saving product when your little one is away from home and needs to get a good night’s sleep. The Shhh Baby Shusher is designed to give parents a break and it features three specific sounds to help calm down your tired, cranky baby. A shushing noise will help calm your upset baby, the heartbeat noise helps to ease them into a state of calm while the white noise sounds will keep them sleeping deeply longer. There is a soft glow LED light that can emanate solidly or pulse along to the selected songs.  If you are using this for sleepy time for your baby make sure you chose the red setting on the LED. This is a tiny machine and that makes it perfect for portability at only 2.76 x 2.36x 4.06 inches. It is battery operated so make sure you have a few extra on hand as you don’t want your Shusher to give out before your baby gives in!

ProsCons
  • Automatic timer
  • 3 Natural sounds
  • 2 lights
  • Size
  • Simplicity
  • Battery operated
  • Batteries run out quickly

Who should buy this soothing projector?

If you are planning to travel with your little one you will want this ultra portable unit that will help your baby sleep on the road, in hotels or visiting new places like grandma’s.

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Last Words

Remember that you are looking for something soothing and calming to help your baby go to sleep.  As a parent out shopping sometimes it is easy to get distracted by all the bells and whistles, but if you are distracted, probably your baby will be too.  

Setting up your baby’s sleep routine is one of the most important things a parent can do as their sleep rhythms will often follow them through their lifetime.  Good sleep is linked to good grades, happiness and future success.