There are questions that many parents ask themselves: when is it time for baby to move up to the next size? To a bigger bed? To the next formula of powdered milk? When is baby ready for the transition between the cocoon and the sleeping bag to take place in the best way possible ? These are legitimate questions that every parent has the right to ask themselves in order to offer the best to their children.
When very young, a baby is most comfortable inside a padded cocoon. They spend many hours sleeping there, quickly making the cocoon the parents' first choice for sleeping solutions. During their first few weeks, newborns have to cope with several changes; for nine months, they lived in a soothing bubble, protected in their mother's womb. Now, they are discovering the outside world and must become accustomed to light, noise, and the lack of boundaries around them.
This is where the cocoon takes on its full importance, as it will evoke the sensations of being in the mother's womb by defining the space around the baby, which will reassure him.
💡Newborn sleep cycles are divided into three phases: deep sleep, which generally lasts between 10 and 15 minutes; light sleep , lasting approximately 45 minutes; and drowsiness . During deep sleep, it's best not to move the baby, as this could wake them while they are in a crucial recovery phase, very important for brain development. This phase is characterized by the baby ceasing to move, with regular and calm breathing. It's also the shortest phase, so it's best to wait a few minutes until the baby enters the next phase of their sleep cycle before moving them.
To ensure your child continues to feel comfortable and safe, it's essential not to rush the transition from the cocoon to the sleeping bag.
Smooth transition
The first step in a smooth transition from the cocoon to the sleeping bag is to allow time for the baby to develop. The T1 cocoon is custom-designed to meet the needs of newborns, offering contact at the head and feet, thus reminding them of the sensations in utero. Moving up to the larger size, the T2, will allow for a gentle evolution. Much larger, it allows the baby more freedom of movement, while still delimiting the space around them to secure them and support their sleep.
When baby starts rolling over from their back to their stomach, around 6 months old, it's time to put away the sleeping bag and switch to a sleeping sack. This sleeping garment offers them total freedom of movement, while still keeping them warm and well-protected during sleep. At such a young age, it's best to avoid covering them with a duvet or blanket for safety reasons, as the fabric could cover the baby's face.
Changes, yes, but at baby's pace.
According to the WHO, it is recommended to keep the baby with mom and dad in a crib next to their bed until six months of age to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. 💤 To avoid disrupting your child with many simultaneous changes, remember to proceed gently . After this period, you can start encouraging the baby to sleep in their own room . It is recommended to proceed step by step: first move the crib away from the parents' bed before moving it to another room. You can also start this transition during the day by placing the baby in their room for naps first, to familiarize them with the atmosphere and smells of their room.
💡 Feel free to keep the sleeping bag close to you so that it becomes imbued with your scent. Familiar smells help and facilitate young children's falling asleep.
Which sleeping bag should I choose?
Just like sleeping bags, swaddles should follow your child's growth curve . At Ouatine & Cumulus, we offer items for your newborns from 6 months old. Designed to continue supporting babies who like to keep a more defined space around them, our swaddles are narrower and remain ideal for supporting your baby's development and freedom of movement . ✨
>> Discover our sleeping bags (from 6 months)
Sleeping bags are the logical evolution of baby sleeping solutions. They guarantee safe and secure sleep when properly sized for the baby. It's important to choose a sleeping bag size that's right for your little one. 📏 Be careful, they could slip down in a sleeping bag that's too large or get tangled in the fabric. Conversely, if it's too small, the sleeping bag will prevent your newborn from moving around freely, which will disrupt their comfort and sleep quality.
To choose the right size sleeping bag for your baby, two things need to be considered: age and height . Don't hesitate to measure your baby before buying a sleeping bag; this will allow you to choose the best size for their comfort. At six months, a baby measures on average between 62 and 72 cm.
Other factors that can impact your choice are the season and the temperature of the room. As mentioned above, it is not recommended to cover the baby with a blanket to sleep, so you should choose the sleeping bag accordingly: neither too warm nor too cool for the season. 🌡️
The recommended temperature for a baby's room is 18-20°C. If the temperature drops below this in winter, you will need to choose a warmer sleeping bag; if it is warmer in summer, you will need a lighter sleeping bag. The baby should not sweat while sleeping: if this happens, it means that their clothing or sleeping bag is too warm.
>> Discover our evolving packs from 0 to 18 months
And after the sleeping bag?
First the cocoon, followed by the sleeping bag, and finally the "big kid bed." In general, parents are advised to use the sleeping bag at least until their toddler is 18 months old . There's no obligation to stop using the sleeping bag once that age is reached. Some models can be used up to the age of 2 or 3 years.
The important thing is, of course, to offer your child a sleeping arrangement that suits them , both in terms of morphology and to give them freedom of movement. As they grow, your child will also seek more freedom, going to the potty alone or getting out of bed after their nap without the help of mom or dad. The sleeping bag could then make things more difficult for them. 👪
In that case, it's better to switch to a duvet or blanket, which will give him the freedom he needs.
