Waking up every few hours, worrying at the slightest noise (or absence of noise), rigorously observing the slightest movement of your little one in their sleep... We're not telling you anything new: in the first few months of a baby's life, every night is a challenge for new parents – and every minute of sleep gained becomes precious. 😅
However, there are a whole series of good habits to adopt to help your newborn fall asleep serenely, naturally and easily. In this article, discover the 5 tips from Stéphanie Chaidron, co-founder of Ouatine & Cumulus and pediatric nurse, to ensure peaceful nights for your little one . Because when baby sleeps well, so do you! 😴
Help baby find their circadian sleep cycle.
In its mother's womb, the baby is not yet familiar with the sleep cycle of the outside world: 24-hour days do not exist for it, and the rhythm of day and night is unknown to it . Its sleep cycle is then described as "ultradian": short periods of a few hours, during which it alternates between states of wakefulness, alertness, and sleep.
“When a baby is born, it is still regulated by this biological rhythm, and must then gradually learn to find its circadian sleep cycle; that is, to adapt to 24-hour periods , with an alternation between day and night.” – Stéphanie Chaidron
To respect your baby's sleep cycle and help them find their circadian rhythm gently , here are some good habits you can put in place.
- Observe the first signs of baby fatigue.
Is your baby becoming more irritable, starting to yawn, rub their face, or have a vacant stare…? It's very likely that they're starting to get tired! But remember, you know your baby best. Learn to detect the signs that your little one is tired by observing their behavior. The more you observe, the better!
- Put baby to bed at the right time.
Once you spot the first signs of tiredness, be sure to reduce the stimuli around the baby and don't delay putting him to bed. Don't wait for your baby to cry; upset, he will take much longer to fall asleep and will not enjoy such restorative sleep as if he falls asleep peacefully.
- Establish a circadian rhythm gently.
For daytime naps, place your baby in a dimly lit room with some ambient noise; at night, prefer dim light and silence. Gradually, this will help your baby find their circadian rhythm – and therefore shorten naps and lengthen nights.
Prepare the baby's bed with a hot water bottle.
“When you put your baby in their bed, the thermal shock between the cold fabric and their warm little body can cause a great deal of discomfort for the toddler, who is not yet able to regulate their temperature correctly like we can. And if they are already almost asleep, it is very likely to wake them up!” – Stéphanie Chaidron
To help baby fall asleep in the best conditions, place a very warm (but not burning, of course) hot water bottle in his or her sleeping bag or cocoon before putting him or her to bed.
Practice the "handling" technique for bedtime.
Derived from physiotherapy, the "handling" technique helps prevent micro-awakenings when you put your baby to sleep, by helping him maintain a natural and comfortable position for him.
Generally, before bedtime, the baby is carried and is therefore in a flexed position. When placed in the bed, the muscles of its small body are not yet strong enough, so it ends up in a star shape , with its arms and legs open. Being placed like this on a hard surface usually causes a Moro reflex in the baby: a sudden startle, during which it spreads its arms and legs, and which tends to wake it up.
"To avoid this micro-awakening, start by laying your baby on its side , holding it in this flexed position. Then, gently, rock it softly onto its back , one hand on its head and the other on its feet to maintain contact." – Stéphanie Chaidron
With this technique, you help your baby maintain its tonic posture , allowing it to gradually develop its muscle tone up to its head. 💪
Offer your baby soothing contact.
“Like any parent, when trying to soothe a baby before bedtime, we instinctively gently stroke their head or body. But in reality, these caresses stimulate all the nerve endings , which are very sensitive in newborns, and will tend to keep them awake.” – Stéphanie Chaidron
Instead of stroking your baby to soothe them, establish a little bedtime ritual . Maintain continuous contact with the baby's head and feet , applying gentle, steady pressure to remind them of the familiar sensations in the womb. Once your little one calms down, move your hands a few centimeters away, keeping them at that distance for one or two minutes, before gently moving away to let your baby sleep peacefully.
Choose the right sleepwear.
If your baby's nights still seem restless, it's possible that their sleep environment isn't the most suitable for their needs. Because, depending on their development, size, and weight, the choice of sleepwear to accompany their nights is crucial! 🌙
“After birth, a baby needs to find a reassuring, defined environment to remind them of the sensations experienced in their mother's womb. Over the days, they become accustomed to their new world of light, air, and gravity… Quite an adventure! That's why at Ouatine & Cumulus, we have designed our range of sleeping bags and swaddles to be adaptable and perfectly suited to the needs and development of the little one, from their very first days in the world.” – Stéphanie Chaidron
- The size 1 cocoon, for a smooth transition from the womb.
Ideal for babies up to approximately 4.5 kg, the first cocoon defines a limited space around the newborn to remind them of the reassuring world of the womb they have just left. In this way, it keeps the little one in a flexed position and helps them develop gently. A small hood completes the cocoon, into which it is possible to slip a cuddly toy carrying the comforting scent of the parents.
>> Discover the size 1 swaddles (up to about 6 months)
- The size 2 cocoon, for unwavering support.
A little more accustomed to its new world, the baby no longer needs contact at the level of its feet. Its cocoon continues to reassure it, to provide it with a defined space and to keep it safe, but offers it more mobility, according to its developmental needs. The hood is located here at the back of the cocoon, allowing to define the space around its little head in complete safety.
>> Discover the size 2 cocoons (from around 6 months)
- The sleeping bag, for safe development.
Once the baby is able to roll over on their own, around the age of 6 months, they can switch to a sleeping bag : giving them all the space they need to stretch, move, develop... and continue to grow!
>> Discover the Ouatine & Cumulus sleeping bags (up to 18 months)
And there you have it! You now have all the tools you need to ensure your baby has nights that are both peaceful and safe . 😴 And to learn more about the features and benefits of baby sleepwear, check out our article on thedifferences between a cocoon, sleeping bag, and nest ! 👼
