A group of mom friends recommended a time-to-rise clock once Arlo entered the toddler stage. The idea is simple: the device changes color to signal to little ones when it’s okay to get out of bed. After some research, I’d bookmarked the Hatch Baby Rest mainly because it had the cleanest, most attractive design. After an East Coast trip during which Arlo woke us up at 5 a.m. several mornings in a row, I finally bought it.
Soon after, I connected with the Hatch team and had the chance to try their newest Rest+ device. It turns out to be a genuine game changer for toddler life—far more than the simple time-to-rise clock I first noticed. Rest+ combines several nursery essentials into one device: a voice monitor, sound machine, nightlight and time-to-rise clock. In short, it’s a single solution that helps parents actually get some sleep—and we absolutely love ours.
Below are three reasons why the Rest+ has been so helpful for our family.
Time-to-Rise Clock
I’ll start with the feature that originally sold me on the Rest. We try not to go into Arlo’s room before 7 a.m., but he’s often awake well before then—sometimes nearly an hour early. The time-to-rise function lets you set a wake time when the light changes color. Arlo chose green as his wake color. When the light is green, he knows it’s okay to call for us; before then, the color tells him it’s still sleep time.
This simple visual cue has been a great way to introduce basic concepts of time and boundaries. It’s a small step toward independence and helps encourage staying in bed or playing quietly, which should ease the transition when he eventually moves to a big-kid bed.
Totally Customizable
I love options, and the Rest delivers. All sounds and color combinations are customizable through the app, and you can create different programs for different times of day. We set a bedtime program (no light, wind sound), a nap program (soft pink light, wind sound) and a wake program (green light, wind sound). These programs help Arlo distinguish between bedtime, nap time and wake time.
As a child who loves making choices, Arlo was delighted to pick his own colors and sounds. He thought it was magic when tapping colors on my phone made the Rest change instantly. Involving kids in small decisions like this often has a positive effect on behavior and helps them build decision-making skills—plus they enjoy having a bit of control.
All-in-One Convenience
One reason I’m buying another Rest+ for our second nursery is that it truly grows with your child. There aren’t many baby products that remain useful across multiple stages, but this is one of them. Consolidating a sound machine, audio monitor and nightlight into one unit keeps gear to a minimum—always a plus with the amount of baby equipment a family accumulates.
The nightlight is especially thoughtful: it can be set to be extremely dim so it won’t disturb sleep but still provides enough light for feeding or diaper changes. The sound machine and monitor are reliable, and because the device is controllable from a phone (and compatible with Alexa), you can turn it on remotely before entering the room—perfect for hands-free dream feeds.
It’s also easy to share control: you can invite other caregivers to access the device from their phones. That’s handy when traveling, or if grandparents or a babysitter are looking after your child while you’re away.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
If you’re searching for a thoughtful gift for a new parent or a device that can adapt as your child grows, the Rest+ is worth considering. It reduces the number of separate items you need to buy and genuinely makes sleep life easier.
p.s. There’s also a toddler lock for moments when little hands get too curious.
This post was created in partnership with Hatch Baby. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep the Studio DIY party going! Read more about my editorial policies here.