Four Soothing Sounds Winner of several industry awards, including the National Parenting Council's Seal of Approval and the iParenting Media Award, the Sleep Sheep is plush and very cuddly, so it immediately gives a restless child something pleasing and calming to hold on to. It also creates a tranquil environment with four soothing sounds, from Mother's heartbeat (a steady thumping) to the gentle rhythms of nature. You and baby will both relax as you listen to the quiet stream, spring showers, swooshing ocean waves and harmonious whale sounds, making the Sleep Sheep a kind of audio pacifier that helps take some of the stress and crankiness out of rest time. Perfect for Naptime Many babies find it hard to settle in their cribs when noises from both inside and outside the house distract and disrupt them. They crave repetitive, comforting rhythms that don't frighten them. The Sleep Sheep creates a kind of white noise that blocks out the other surrounding sounds, so babies can be lulled into sleep. This parents-little-helper also comes with a Velcro tab so you can secure the Sleep Sheep to the outside of a crib. User-Friendly Operation The Sleep Sheep features user-friendly operation that both big and little hands can handle. Select sounds by simply pressing the push button, and then choose the most comfortable volume. For added convenience and to save battery power, the sounds automatically time out after 23 minutes--enough time for baby to fall into a comfortable and restorative sleep. Compact and lightweight, the Sleep Sheep stands 12 inches tall and takes two "AA" batteries (included). The sound box removes if your child simply wants to use the Sleep Sheep as a stuffed toy, and clean-up is a snap--just wipe the surface with soap and water. About Cloud b Cloud b, the baby sleep specialist, was established by two new mothers with the philosophy that every baby deserves a sound night's sleep for healthy development. That's why all of Cloud b's products are developed in consultation with an advisory board of pediatricians and sleep specialists with a single focus: to achieve a better, safer sleep for baby. What's in the Box One Sleep Sheep and two "AA" batteries.

The Sleep Sheep offers: Cuddly plush toy that provides soothing sounds. Built-in Velcro strap for easy attachment to strollers and car seats. Timer shuts off the sound after either 23 or 45 minutes. Shown here together with smaller, on-the-go Sleep Sheep.

Amazon.com Hands-On Review
As any parent of babies knows, sleep is a precious, precious commodity. Scores of books and articles have been written on the subject, and one of the first questions any parent will hear, after "How cute! How old? Boy or girl?" is, "Does she sleep through the night?" Babies aren't designed to sleep through the night in their early months, but eventually, they can sleep for longer blocks of time. And this is when parents will do just about anything to lengthen those snooze hours. The Sleep Sheep might just be the most effective sleep aid in a parent's tool belt. It sure is the cutest! Standing (or rather, sitting) just 11 inches tall, this cuddly lamb can be attached with Velcro strips to baby's crib. Tucked in its back is an audio box with four soothing sounds from nature: a heartbeat, a spring rainfall, the ocean, and whale songs. Push a button, adjust the volume, and sneak out of the nursery while the Sleep Sheep does its job, playing a full 23 minutes of snooze-inducing sound. Did you catch that? It's important: twenty-three minutes! So many sound machines only play for five minutes or so. Our woolly friend knows it can take longer than that for some babies to fall asleep. Beyond "White Noise"
Music can be too stimulating. The whirring of a fan can be effective, but, well, breezy. And regular house noise, especially with an older sibling or too, can be distracting or downright disruptive to sleep. What babies need are relaxing, repetitive sounds. And when those sounds are housed in a huggable package, so much the better!

Mother's Heartbeat
What's the first sound baby hears while still in the womb? His mother's heartbeat, of course. This steady underwater thumping is bound to reassure babies, even once they're on "the outside."

Spring Showers
These spring showers may never bring May flowers, but their cozy patter may bring hours of peaceful slumber.

Ocean Waves
The swooshing sounds of a gentle ocean surf have the power to lull just about anybody to sleep.

Whale Songs
Eerie yet harmonious, whale songs are thought to elevate mind and spirit. Even if baby doesn't know that, the lovely distant songs provide a tranquil background to sleep.

The Sleep Sheep's sound box is removable, so even if space is limited, baby's soothing sleep sounds can go where she goes. A unique numbered certificate of adoption is provided for those who want to make a special place in their families for their new, valuable, sure to be beloved friend. Requires 2 AA batteries (included). --Emilie Coulter