Sleep is a source of many concerns for new parents. While we all dream of putting our little one to bed for a peaceful and restful night, reality is sometimes quite different. When it comes to children's sleep, parents quickly realize that nothing is ever truly guaranteed and that sleep problems are not uncommon . It is therefore important to understand them well in order to prevent them, but also to know how to deal with them. Ouatine & Cumulus gives you its advice to support your baby's sleep.
1. Sleep disorders related to a natural process in babies 💤
The cause often varies depending on your child's age:
- Babies under 6 months old usually wake up for physiological reasons, such as a dirty diaper, the room being too hot or too cold, or hunger;
- From 6 to 12 months , these are more likely to be awakenings related to their development. Babies become more independent and experience changes in their routines that can disrupt them.
- From 12 to 18 months , we are talking more about emotional needs, linked to separation anxiety or nightmares and night terrors that appear during this period. From this age, babies begin to dream and imagine stories, sometimes in connection with changes in habits, meeting new people, etc., which can lead to night anxieties.
How to tell the difference between a nightmare and a night terror? 😱
Nightmares occur during paradoxical sleep . This involves the child waking up and crying to call their parents for reassuring contact. This support will allow them to fall back asleep.
Night terrors are less frequent ; the child seems awake but is not truly conscious. They exhibit physical signs of fear, accompanied by screams and rapid breathing, and appear unable to calm down. They are very frightening for those around them, but usually last no more than five minutes before the child autonomously falls back asleep.
How to react? 👪
Nightmares usually occur late at night; your role is to comfort your child to help them overcome their fears and help them fall back asleep quickly. Above all, do not reprimand them, as this would only increase their distress.
Night terrors, on the other hand, tend to occur at the beginning of the night . Make sure your baby is safe so they don't injure themselves during the episode and stay with them until it subsides. Don't wake your child, as they are not really aware of what is happening. Letting them fall back asleep is the solution; if you wake them, they will feel anxious without understanding the cause, which is very distressing.
2. Sleep disorders related to difficulty falling asleep 🛏️
For babies, as for adults, falling asleep isn't always easy. Difficulty falling asleep can be linked to excessive stimulation before bedtime, such as noisy games or screen time, or to the lack of a sleep routine, which is essential to help your child calm down before bed. During periods of growth or development , your child may seek more support from you to help them fall asleep.
How to combat these difficulties in falling asleep? 🎵
By creating a regular and soothing bedtime routine 🍼
Babies love repetition, which helps them calm down and relax. That's why a regular bedtime routine is essential for the development of their circadian rhythm, as it will help your child understand that bedtime is approaching.
Possible activities include a warm bath, a gentle massage, a soft song, a short story, or a cuddle . Maintain a regular bedtime each night, which will help integrate their circadian rhythm , but also isolate them from stimuli that could negatively affect their sleep. Therefore, when the bedtime ritual begins, reduce the brightness of the room, turn off screens or move your baby away from them, and reduce surrounding sounds, whether from the television, radio, or games...
Sleep routine: four tips and tricks to easily put your baby to sleep.
Thanks to an environment conducive to sleep 🧸
While the ritual is very important, the atmosphere surrounding your child's rest is just as crucial. Indeed, the environment plays a crucial role in the quality of their sleep, allowing your baby to calm down and feel safe. Ensure the room temperature is comfortable, between 18 and 20°C , and make sure no outside light disturbs their sleep, using blackout curtains and soft nightlights, for example.
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If silence tends to worry your baby, you can use white noise to soothe him or her with constant background sounds, which will mask outside noises to promote sleep. During the day, you can continue your usual activities; don't be afraid to make some noise, reasonably of course.
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Falling asleep alone isn't innate for babies , so you'll need to gradually teach your little one how to do it. Encouraging their development of independence is a key element in combating nighttime awakenings.
To do this, you can put your baby in his bed while he is still awake, soothe him, and leave the room. Gradually increase the amount of time you wait before intervening. In these conditions, he will learn to fall asleep alone and, most importantly, to fall back asleep without your intervention.
Independent sleep and self-soothing: encouraging baby to fall asleep alone
3. Sleep problems related to sleep regression ⏰
A common phenomenon in babies, sleep regression is a perfectly natural stage linked to new acquisitions in their cognitive or motor development. This phase of development can disrupt their sleep and occur at different times:
- around 5 months, during the first major changes (changes in diet, etc.);
- around 8-10 months, in connection with their motor development (such as crawling and exploring the world);
- around 18 months , linked to cognitive changes (such as separation anxiety, language acquisition, etc.).
Please note that these are only approximate references; each child is unique and develops at their own pace.
Sleep regression is a normal part of a child's development. So be patient ; your baby will regain consistent rest once they have mastered their new skills. To manage this period, your baby will need you. A stable routine with a bedtime ritual will help them feel secure and adapt to the changes happening within them and around them.
Be there to comfort him if he wakes up at night, as his emotional needs increase at certain times. Try to reassure him without interfering too much so that he doesn't get used to being systematically picked up as soon as he starts crying.
If sleep problems persist or become too overwhelming, it is important to consult a pediatrician to rule out any medical causes or discomfort.
Sleep problems in babies are common and can be challenging for parents, but they are often part of normal development. With patience and kindness, you will help your baby through these stages and gradually improve the quality of their sleep.
