During their first few months, babies change and develop at an incredible speed . This raises the question for new parents: what is THE solution to allow your little one to rest with restorative, quality sleep? 👶 Even if the urge to keep them close is irresistible, you'll still be delighted to have a solution to comfortably settle your baby during their many hours of rest. Choosing the right sleeping arrangement for optimal sleep then becomes crucial!
But what are the sleeping solutions? The terms "cocoon" and "sleeping bag" might be confusing to you; when should you use one? When is it time to switch to the other? How do you know which solution will guarantee the best sleep for your baby? To be perfectly honest, comparing coccoons and sleeping bags isn't really relevant. ✨ Oh really?! The differences between sleeping bags and coccoons are mainly due to the baby's age.
In fact, it's not a matter of using one and not the other, but rather of starting with the cocoon sleeping bag and then moving on to the sleeping bag. After all, their uses complement each other more than they overlap. Sleep in children is an important factor for their development , so it is essential that parents ensure that they get the most restorative rest possible.
Stéphanie Chaidron, co-founder of Ouatine & Cumulus, explains the advantages and disadvantages of these two essential accessories for baby's well-being. 👪
The cocoon, guardian of the first sleeps
During mom's pregnancy, the baby develops in a customized space that protects it from external stimuli. Designed to remind the baby of this time in mom's womb, the Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons offer a defined , secure, and soothing space. This reassuring space, identical at each bedtime, comforts the baby no matter where it is placed to sleep. This routine is ideal because it helps improve the baby's sleep. 🛏️
The cocoon also supports the baby in a flexed position, an ideal position for the harmonious development of the newborn. This position secures the baby by allowing it to keep its hands close to its face, as in the mother's womb, and to bring them to its mouth for reassurance. If your child feels safe during rest, it will have a better quality sleep.
Baby's needs evolve rapidly , so it's important to adapt the cocoon to your little one's needs as they grow, in line with their development. 📏
Ouatine & Cumulus offers different sizes of cocoons to follow the baby's development and provide the appropriate soothing for an ideal transition to quality sleep in all circumstances.
>> Discover our size 1 swaddles (0 to 6 months)
>> Discover our size 2 cocoons (from 6 months)
The sleeping bag: baby grows and becomes independent.
A sleeping bag (or "turbulette" in France) is a small sleeping bag, with or without sleeves, in which your child will gain freedom of movement. Its role is important: it allows the baby to... wriggle around during their rest.
A sleeping bag doesn't define the space around the infant, which can lead to insecurity during sleep. Newborns are more likely to startle , flinch, or exhibit Moro reflexes (a sudden opening of their arms, legs, and fingers). Their periods of drowsiness can then be interrupted, impacting your little one's growth. ⏰
Theoretically, a sleeping bag can be used up to 36 months. Different sizes are available to keep up with your child's growth until they move into a "big kid bed" with a suitable duvet.
>> Discover the Ouatine & Cumulus sleeping bag (6 to 18 months)
A quick recap?
The competition between sleeping bags and swaddles has been going on for a long time. However, these two baby garments have very different characteristics. For a newborn, opt for a swaddle , which will reassure them and remind them of the nine months spent in their mother's womb. Swaddled in their cocoon, your child will find the calm and serenity necessary to help them fall asleep, no matter where they are.
Once the baby's growth is well advanced, when he starts trying to move on his own, transitioning from his back to his stomach, it's time to put him to sleep in a sleeping bag . This will allow him greater freedom of movement, according to his developmental needs.
