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Jennifer Ferrise, Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
Sleep Like is a column in which Forbes Vetted asks entrepreneurs and tastemakers to reveal the go-to sleep essentials that help them rest, recharge and ultimately conquer their busy days.
Since the start of their company in 2014, Hatch cofounders Ann Crady Weiss and Dave Weiss have been in the business of sleep solutions. When their third child struggled to sleep, they launched Hatch Rest, a kid-friendly sound machine, night-light and sleep trainer to curb the nightly army crawl out of his room. Later, when Dave’s chronic insomnia and Ann’s work-related stress spiked along with the growth of the brand, they were inspired to create a solve for adults: the Hatch Restore, a sunrise alarm clock meets sound machine that encourages deep rest and gentle rises.
The brand’s smart tech devices helped the Weiss family—and countless others—set and stick to a sleep routine that’s based in behavioral science. But still, like many married couples, Ann and Dave found that other interruptions (differing sleep styles, nightly tossing and turning) often led one of them to head from the bed to the couch in the hopes of snagging that coveted slumber. Eventually, they decided the benefits of sleeping in the same bed couldn’t compete with the quality rest they got while sleeping apart. So the official solution, in this case, was to separate their sleeping arrangements altogether, a decision more colloquially known as a sleep divorce.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), many U.S. couples have gone down a similar path. A 2023 AASM survey found that more than one-third of people occasionally or consistently sleep in another room to accommodate a partner. For Ann and Dave, it has been a mutually beneficial way to prioritize their well-being. “It’s still important for us to be able to connect as a couple, so every night, we spend time together in our main bedroom, which is actually mine,” says Ann, who also wrote an essay on the topic for Hatch’s blog last year. “And then, we go our separate ways when it’s time to sleep. It’s wonderful, and I actually sleep so much better now.”
For Dave, sleeping separately has helped with his insomnia, too. “We’ve always gone to bed at different times—I’m usually the last to fall asleep, so now Ann can go earlier in the evening without any disruption,” he says. Although they sleep apart, the couple does share a love for the same rotation of quality sleep products, including plush down pillows from Quince, crisp cotton sheets by Brooklinen and, of course, a custom wind-down routine with their Hatch Restore. Says Dave: “Above all, we enjoy creating a sleep environment that works for us.”
Read on to shop Ann and Dave’s go-to picks for achieving deep, restful sleep—together or apart.
Ann Crady Weiss And Dave Weiss’ Sleep And Wellness Essentials
A Sunrise Alarm Clock And Sound Machine To Establish A Routine
Nico Zurcher
“My Hatch Restore is the number one sleep essential I can’t live without,” says Ann of the sunrise alarm clock and sound machine that’s available in four colors, including a new rosy hue (right). “Right now, I’m loving the sound baths and irreverent meditations, and I transition to a rain sound during the night. Then, around 6:30 a.m., my room starts to fill with the light, and I wake up to the voice of drag queen Jaida Essence Hall telling me, ‘Girl, get out of bed. You’re going to slay the day.’”
Hatch Restore 3
$170
A Fluffy Yet Durable Down Pillow
Quince
“I’m constantly searching for the ultimate pillow,” Dave says. “I’ve had three back surgeries, and I’m also a 6-foot-7 side sleeper, so it’s hard to get comfortable, period. Right now, Ann and I are both using this Quince down pillow. I use one to support my neck and another to support my free shoulder.” Adds Ann: “I’m a side and back sleeper, and I love that it works for both. It’s a nice, comfy option.”
Quince Premium Down Pillow
$80
Crisp Cotton Sheets In A Variety Of Patterns
Brooklinen
“The Classic Percale sheets from Brooklinen are great,” Ann says. “I have the window pane print, and Dave has the solid white color. I love that they have long and short label tags inside, so when you’re putting on the fitted sheet, it’s easy to do. It’s such a small detail but completely game-changing.”
Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set (Queen)
$135
A Down Comforter That’s Cozy And Hypoallergenic
The Company Store
“We both use the same cozy down comforter from The Company Store. I have allergies, so I also use a hypoallergenic cover from Amazon for my comforter and pillow,” Ann says.
The Company Store LaCrosse Premium Down Comforter
$279
A High-Quality, Supportive Mattress That Relieves Pressure
Leesa
“We’re currently using Leesa mattresses,” Dave says. “Now that we’re out of the traditional spring mattress era, there are so many high-quality options to choose from. It’s really hard to notice the difference because they’re all so much better.”
Leesa Original Mattress (Queen)
$999
Lemon Cough Drops That Soothe Seasonal Allergies
Target
“Ricola’s lemon-flavored, sugar-free cough drops are an essential for me,” Ann says. “I have allergies, so sometimes I get stuffed up. When I eat one of these, even in the middle of the night, I don’t get a dry mouth, and I feel so much better.”
Ricola Lemon Mint Sugar Free Throat Drops
$5
A Sustainably Made, Super-Soft Pajama Set
Lunya
“Dave is not a pajama guy, and sometimes I just sleep in a T-shirt and undies,” Ann says. “But I do have a pair of Lunya pajamas that I really like. This set includes a short-sleeve tee and shorts that are lightweight and breathable.”
Lunya Soft Modal Rib Tee Short Set
$128
A Good Book Or Game To Unwind With After Busy Days
Amazon
“When I need to unwind at night, I use my Hatch Restore for meditations, or I pick up a good book. Right now, I’m reading the novel Hello Beautiful, which is incredible,” Ann says. Dave’s relaxation routine involves some gaming. “I like to play chess online,” he says. “It was initially a pandemic hobby, but I noticed that it requires enough of my attention that the things that were on my mind kind of melt away when I play. When I return, I feel just a little more refreshed.”
Hello Beautiful By Ann Napolitano
$15
A Hydrating Lip Balm That Lasts For Hours
Amazon
“Next to my bed, I always keep some Blistex lip balm to make sure my lips aren’t too dry,” Ann says. “Blistex is not a very sexy brand, but that’s what I use—and it totally works.”
Blistex Medicated Lip Balm
$4 (Pack of Three)
The Ultimate Smart Sleep Trainer For Kids
Hatch
“Eight years after our second child was born, we had our ‘bonus baby,’ and he struggled with bedtime, so Hatch was created out of a necessity to help people train their kids to sleep through sound and light,” Ann says. “The Hatch Rest can really help you establish a good routine. I also recommend that any new parents get educated about sleep for babies, whether that’s through a sleep coach or books on the topic. A great swaddle also helps. We’ve bought the Ollie Swaddle a bunch of times.”
Hatch Rest+ 2nd Generation
$90
A Journal To Record Your Parenting Journey
Papier
“As a parent, it’s important to have a journal to record your own experiences,” Ann says. “You’re so exhausted, and time flies, but whether I’m feeling high or low, I like to write things down so I can remember to keep things in perspective.”