Today, it's difficult to do without them: screens are omnipresent , and completely eliminating their use proves impossible. On our phones, in the living room, in certain games, they hide everywhere, before our eyes and those of our children. Yet, their harmful effects are well-documented. But why are screens so bad, and how can we reduce their effects on young children? Ouatine & Cumulus revisits the impact of screens on the development of babies and, above all, on their sleep.
We've all been in this situation: at a restaurant, at friends' houses, or out and about, as soon as a child becomes a little too difficult, tired, or noisy, they are put in front of a phone or any screen to keep them occupied. Today, screens provide moments of entertainment, but also education, and greatly relieve parents seeking calm. Nevertheless, numerous studies show the impact of screens on children's development and sleep. Yet, quality restorative sleep is essential for young children.
What are the risks associated with screens and baby sleep? 📺
It's been talked about for years: blue light, the artificial light emitted directly from screens, impacts sleep in both adults and children. It inhibits the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and therefore delays falling asleep. Normally, the body secretes a certain amount of melatonin to prepare for rest. However, blue light disrupts this natural process . Less melatonin means less tiredness and therefore a later onset of sleep.
“ It's difficult to keep children away from all screens given their omnipresence in our environment. Nevertheless, when you have young children, it's important to make sure to keep them away from these sources of overstimulation, especially before bedtime, as this could make going to bed and falling asleep more difficult, and also affect the quality of sleep. ”
Stéphanie, founder of Ouatine & Cumulus, pediatric nurse and mom.
To soothe a baby who seems bored and is starting to get tired, nothing beats relaxing him by reading him a story quietly , singing him a lullaby softly, or placing him facing the window so he can observe nature.
Disorders of brain and relational development 🧠
While phones, tablets, and televisions disrupt sleep, studies also show that overexposure negatively impacts the general cognitive development of babies . Researchers have observed that children who spend a lot of time in front of screens are less curious, less able to cope with boredom, and therefore less imaginative. They develop memory and concentration problems and may become more irritable, with more radical mood swings.
If children sometimes become completely mesmerized by screens, and it then becomes difficult to have conversations with them while they are watching their cartoons, adults sometimes repeat the same pattern with babies. Who hasn't taken their phone with them to bed to scroll while their little one is falling asleep? However, this behavior is very bad for the relationship that is being built between the child and the parent.
Indeed, being on your phone while holding your child breaks the connection that the child seeks with you: you could miss the little smiles , the cooing, all those little moments that connect and that you will miss in a few months. These interactions are essential , they create the bond between parent and child, so it is important to do it without the risk of being disturbed by a screen.
While ideally you should leave your phone in another room , this isn't always possible. In that case, put your device in airplane mode while you put your little one to sleep. Prioritizing sensory stimulation for your baby will have a positive impact on their development.
The cocoon, the bedtime routine, and a good night's sleep 👶
Babies love routines , repetition, those activities that recur daily at the same times and help them understand the passage of time. Before putting your child to bed, to help them understand that it's time to go to sleep, you can create a routine where screens have no place and during which baths, cuddles, soft music and calm, soothing activities take over.
For quality sleep, as you will have understood, it is important to create an environment in which babies feel safe , calm, and surrounded by their parents and by the cocoon. Our sleeping solution is designed to offer babies a unique and secure sleeping environment in which they will spend the sweetest nights.
