Sleep is one of those precious moments that allows your baby, as well as yourself, to rest and continue their development. It's no coincidence that when they are very young, children can sleep up to 20 hours a day ! But what are the secrets to optimal restorative sleep for your baby? While moments of rest, calm, and sleep are natural and essential, babies sometimes need help to enjoy the most peaceful possible sleep.
Stéphanie, founder of Ouatine & Cumulus, a mother and pediatric nurse, reveals all her tips!
A calm environment, but not silent.
Parents often fall into two camps : those who advocate for silence and complete darkness during their child's nap, and those who, even if they try to be careful, continue to clean, tidy the kitchen, or have fun with friends or other members of their little tribe. A calm environment is essential for good sleep ; however, it's important to distinguish between day and night. Ouatine & Cumulus explains why in this article.
From birth, your baby needs to get used to the daily rhythm, starting by learning to distinguish between day and night: this is called the circadian rhythm . Newborns are not yet aware of this difference, and their rhythm evolves over 24 hours, unlike adults who function according to two rhythms: one for the day, when they are active, and one for the night, when they rest. Finding a balance becomes more complicated when you have to juggle your own need for rest with a baby who is not yet aware of their surroundings . It will therefore be important to create different sleep environments so that, little by little, the baby can distinguish between day and night.
During naps, it's important not to plunge him into total darkness or complete silence , but rather to place him away from stimuli in his room (or his parents' room), dimming the lights and reducing noise. This will allow your baby to get used to relaxing and falling asleep in an environment that isn't completely silent, which will make your daily life easier and help him, for example, when he starts nursery, where absolute calm is quite rare.
The place where your child sleeps, in their own room or in yours depending on the co-sleeping technique , must be a peaceful place for them. Make them feel safe when falling asleep by accompanying them in their rest process: stay by their side, give them a cuddly toy imbued with your scent that will comfort them and, finally, give them the opportunity to reassure themselves by sucking if they are restless. Establishing a small bedtime ritual with your baby, according to their own needs, is important to help them have a peaceful sleep.
The secret of a good comfort toy
" The perfect comfort toy is a comfort toy; you should choose a reasonably sized comfort toy that won't cover your little one's face, so they can breathe. "
Stéphanie, founder of Ouatine & Cumulus
>> Discover our bunny cuddly toys
A little tip: you can hold your child's comfort object against you so that your scent permeates it . This olfactory technique is ideal for soothing your child if they need comfort when you are not by their side. It is important to do this against their skin; it's not the scent of perfume that is sought here, but rather the natural scent that the baby recognizes when held against you, a scent they experienced during skin-to-skin contact.
The presence of parents and the routine that sets in.
At bedtime, it's crucial to take the time to soothe your baby in various ways. Respond to the first signs of tiredness to promote quick and peaceful sleep. Whether in a cocoon or sleeping bag, depending on their age and needs, your little one will feel secure enough to fall asleep, but this doesn't mean that good bedding alone guarantees a sound sleep. While cocoons and sleeping bags are important, it's essential to create a daily sleep routine tailored to your baby's needs to soothe them and help them fall asleep peacefully.
>> Discover our T1 cocoons (from 0 to 6 months)
>> Discover our T2 cocoons (6 to 18 months)
This process should begin the moment the first signs of fatigue appear. Rocked in your arms, nestled in his cocoon, soothed by your scent and the calm that surrounds him, your baby will gradually drift off to sleep for a few hours. However, don't put him in his crib or bed too quickly!
In the first few minutes after falling asleep, your little one enters a drowsy phase ; they are no longer awake, but not yet fully asleep, and the slightest sudden movement or temperature change could wake them. Two tricks can help with the transition from arms to bed without waking them : place a small, pre-warmed seed cushion in the bedding to prevent it from being cold, and lay the baby on their side, then gently roll them onto their back while supporting them to prevent Moro reflexes (startle reflexes with arm extension) that can interrupt the baby's sleep.
💡 What are the first signs of fatigue in very young children?
Recognizing the first signs of fatigue in children is important to help them fall asleep. Once these signals appear, it's best not to delay starting the bedtime routine, otherwise you'll end up with an overtired child who will have a hard time falling asleep and may wake up the next day having had poor quality sleep.
Among the most common signs are yawning, rubbing the face or eyes, a pale complexion, agitation, or, on the contrary, a listless attitude.
A restorative sleep inside a cocoon.
A final secret for restorative sleep is to position your baby securely , in a padded cocoon, which will limit Moro reflexes. This reflex usually occurs when your baby is startled in their sleep; they then quickly extend their arms and legs. These movements can be avoided by using a cocoon that will secure their space and help them calm down for optimal sleep.
To help your baby fall asleep and get a restful night's sleep, the secret lies in preparing for bedtime . When the first signs of tiredness appear, it's time to prepare your child for their crib. Creating a bedtime routine is a real plus for your little one, but also for you, as bedtime generally goes better for your baby who appreciates consistency and repetition.
Lying inside his cocoon, in a room with soft lighting during the day and total darkness once night falls, your child will fall asleep peacefully and safely. Add to that the proximity of a cuddly toy with your scent, and you have all the secrets necessary for restorative sleep for your child.
