A fussy baby before bedtime is a baby who will not be able to fall asleep properly, and more importantly, will not have optimal sleep. Implementing relaxation rituals that contribute to the relaxation of little ones will only be beneficial. These will help them understand that the day is coming to an end, that bedtime is approaching, and that it's time to calm down. But bedtime rituals also help strengthen the attachment bond with parents, by making cuddle times a gentle transition to rest.
Ouatine & Cumulus revisits the different bedtime rituals that can be put in place for you.
The classic ritual: the relaxing bath 🛁
Nothing more comforting than a good bath, right? The same goes for little ones who manage to relax when they are in the water. A common and effective relaxation ritual, the bath is practical both for soothing babies and for helping parents provide the care they need, as it allows them to observe their baby well and ensure that everything is fine.
The ideal water temperature is 37°C, for a pleasant moment. However, as it cools down quite quickly, do not hesitate to raise its temperature to 38°C to allow the baby to relax and enjoy it longer. Lukewarm water indeed plays a major role in muscle relaxation.
Use this time to wash them with gentle, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products for their skin. Your baby can also enjoy their bath to play with calm toys (be careful not to overstimulate them before bed).
The soothing ritual: the gentle massage 💆
To relax your baby, gentle massage is an excellent technique, as it offers a moment of calm and intimacy between parents and baby, while helping to reduce any anxiety they may feel. Not to mention that a good massage is often effective in relieving body tension!
Your caresses will release oxytocin, the calming hormone, as well as endorphins, the happiness hormones, which have the same effect as painkillers.
💡 But what does a good massage look like?
Whether done after the bath or at any other time of day, the massage is performed with light circular movements on different parts of the body: the face, arms, chest, legs. You can apply a cream or natural oil to your baby's skin, after warming your hands thoroughly. Massage gently, taking the necessary time for your baby to relax.
- For the arms and hands, start from their shoulders down to their palms to their fingers;
- For massaging the legs and feet, go down from the thighs to the heels to the toes, letting them grip you if needed;
- For massaging their belly, perform circular movements clockwise to relax and relieve abdominal tension by following the direction of intestinal transit;
- For the chest and back, be careful to match your baby's breathing rhythm, moving up the middle of the chest and down the sides;
- For massaging the head or face, be careful to avoid sensitive areas, such as the fontanelles, on the top of their skull and eyes.
The educational ritual: a lullaby or a short story 🎶
Despite popular belief, there is no need to wait until your baby is at least six months old before starting to read them stories. From birth, you can introduce nursery rhymes and short books into their bedtime ritual, which will stimulate your baby's future language development.
For optimal effect, repeat the same stories or songs for several days in a row; a hug, a gentle embrace, or a light rocking can be added to the lullaby, as physical contact helps release soothing and therefore relaxing hormones. Cuddles are an excellent way to make them understand that the time for night separation is approaching and that it is natural.
The relaxation ritual: the importance of the environment 💤
In the relaxation ritual, there are techniques that can be implemented, but there is also the surrounding environment. To completely soothe your baby, you need to provide a sleep environment that will continue the relaxation process. To do this, two points must be particularly taken into account: light and noise.
Dim light contributes to the secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone. It will also play a role in the development of the circadian rhythm, which will help your newborn distinguish between day and night. Regarding noise, playing white noise or soft music will help mask total silence, a concept unknown to little ones accustomed to muffled sounds in utero, or, conversely, too much external commotion that could stimulate your baby.
Adding a calm and repetitive background hum therefore creates a soothing environment, part of the relaxation ritual, perfect for helping your child fall asleep.
Pay attention to signs of fatigue 😴
While children love the rituals that surround their daily lives, they don't control when fatigue takes over. Unable to express themselves, they will develop signs that will help you understand that it's time to prepare them for bed. As a parent, when you observe the first signs of fatigue in your baby, it is essential that you begin their bedtime ritual.
A baby who draws too much on their energy will have much more difficulty calming down and falling asleep, and their sleep will be more restless. As a reminder, babies develop different sleep signs, ranging from yawning to crying fits, as well as rubbing their eyes or having a paler complexion than usual.
The cocoon, the ultimate addition to sleep rituals 👶
Sleep rituals are important for babies to feel secure, calm, and soothed before falling asleep. By establishing routines, they develop skills that will be beneficial for their future, such as learning the circadian cycle, which allows them to differentiate between day and night, or the concept of autonomous sleep, which will help them fall asleep on their own as they grow.
Discover cocoons size 1 (first weeks)
If your child is agitated, crying, and easily distracted, using relaxation rituals will offer you a way to comfort them. Consider placing them in a cocoon or a sleep sack depending on their age, to support them in their calming process within an identical resting environment where they will feel safe. Indeed, recognizing their sleeping space will help them to relax and calm down for quality sleep.
Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons have been developed to meet the needs of young children, allowing them to position themselves in flexion, which will remind them of the posture they had in utero.
