To be healthy, you need to eat well, get enough exercise, and sleep properly. Sleep is essential for development, as it allows the body to rest and record all the learning experiences from the previous waking period. In children, and especially babies, it's crucial to be attentive to spot the first signs of fatigue , indicating it's time to let them drift off to sleep. Stéphanie, founder of Ouatine & Cumulus, a mother and pediatric nurse, explains exactly why.
Brain development and hormone regulation 🧠
Sleep is essential for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because it plays an important role in proper brain development . Good sleep improves concentration and consolidates learning acquired during the day, two executive functions in the brain that help control behavior and emotions . Essential for recovering from fatigue accumulated during wakefulness, sleep is also crucial for recording information in the brain , participating in its development. A child who sleeps peacefully and sufficiently is a child who solidifies everything they have learned while awake.
Furthermore, sleep plays an important role in regulating hormones, which is essential for the proper development of our bodies. Growth hormone , for example, is secreted in large quantities when we rest. This hormone promotes cell growth and reproduction, making it crucial for the growth of our children. You now understand the little quote we love so much at Ouatine & Cumulus: " Sleep well to grow well "! 💤
Conversely, lack of sleep can increase the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for our wakefulness. This hormone can accumulate during the day when your baby cries, lacks sleep, or is in pain (due to teething, for example). The higher their cortisol level, the worse their sleep will be, as this hormone neutralizes the production of melatonin , the sleep hormone. Prioritizing a calm moment before bedtime will help reduce your baby's accumulated stress and therefore their cortisol levels. Relaxing in a dark room with your child will help in this regard, as melatonin secretion is promoted by darkness.
Respect your baby's sleep phases 👶
Sleep is divided into several phases: deep sleep, light sleep, and drowsiness . All three have a significant impact on development and recovery (mental and physical), necessary for maintaining good health. These sleep phases are part of a cycle lasting between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
The first phase, drowsiness , marks the transition between the waking and resting periods; the second, light sleep, is the longest, during which the baby is asleep but may have body movements or facial expressions; finally, the third and last, deep sleep , is marked by total body relaxation; this is the most important phase and must not be interrupted under any circumstances. 🛌
Sleep phases and cycles must be respected, otherwise you risk falling into a vicious cycle where your baby's lack of sleep will cause an increase in cortisol, which in turn will lead to poor sleep. To lower the cortisol accumulated during the day, you can create a pleasant sleep environment : start your bedtime routine , give him a bath, a cuddle, soothe him and meet his needs.
Help, my baby is stressed 💢
Cortisol levels vary from person to person, with some babies being more sensitive to stress and the emotions around them than others. The attention of parents and caregivers is highly recommended to support the baby and help them relax by putting them to bed as soon as they show the first signs of fatigue.
A wonderful relaxation technique for babies, but also for parents, is skin-to-skin contact. By settling comfortably with your baby, you allow them to calm down thanks to your warmth and the rhythm of your heart and breathing, but not only that. You also give yourselves time for calm, gentleness, and well-being for everyone.
After a bad night's sleep… 😴
Sometimes, despite all your efforts, your baby still has a bad night. Rest assured, he will recover quite quickly during his following naps if you put him to bed as soon as he needs it. Signs of tiredness in children can vary; some are visible, while others require more careful attention. So, if your child starts yawning, if his eyes become moist, or if dark circles appear under them, it means it's time to start your bedtime routine .
At the same time, some signs of sleepiness are more subtle, such as a sudden lack of concentration or coordination, a vacant stare, a lack of muscle tone, or simply a baby who becomes grumpy. Very quickly, you will learn to recognize all these signs and therefore react appropriately.
The cocoon, the essential bedding for the development of babies.
Sleep plays a very important role in children's daily lives, with children spending between 17 and 22 hours sleeping . For optimal energy recovery, children need the best possible environment, in which they will feel calm and secure . The Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons have been designed to meet the needs of babies from birth to 6 months, adapting to their development and evolving needs. 🍼
A restless, grumpy, or easily distracted child will calm down and relax when placed in their cocoon or sleeping bag, which they will quickly associate with their sleep and relaxation space. This safe space will allow them to have peaceful and secure sleep. The Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons are designed to help the baby position themselves in flexion with the possibility of putting their hands close to their face for reassurance, a posture they had in utero.
