Recognizing sleep cues can be much more complicated than one might think, especially when becoming a parent for the first time. While some cues are relatively easy to guess, others are more subtle. Knowing that all children are different and each develops their own sensitivity to sleep, and that each baby shows unique signs of tiredness, a quick reminder of the various signs you might encounter can be very helpful!
Stéphanie, creator of Ouatine & Cumulus, a pediatric nurse and mother, provides an overview of the things to watch out for in your child to prevent them from drawing excessively on their reserves.
Signs of sleep in very young children
Newborns spend a very large part of their day sleeping, with sleep times ranging from 17 to 22 hours . Sleep is an important time for their development, as it is during sleep that babies develop by recording the very large amount of information they receive during their waking periods.
As you understand, sleep is precious for our children, and it's essential to respect their needs. Since they can't clearly tell us when they want to go to bed, it's natural for parents (and the whole family) to learn to recognize the signs of fatigue that babies develop. The first signs can be divided into two categories: general signs and more subtle signs . Like adults, babies tend to yawn and rub their faces or eyes; these first signs are a warning that fatigue is setting in. This is the ideal time to remove your baby from stimulating activities and implement the bedtime routine when you spot these signs.
Among the tangible and easily observable signs in children, we can notably observe a change in the baby's complexion ; when tired, the baby often becomes paler. A change in behavior should also alert you; a baby who suddenly becomes very excited or, on the contrary, completely apathetic is a sign of fatigue. While these signs may seem difficult to spot at first, rest assured, you will quickly be able to distinguish these different signs of fatigue specific to your child. After all, no one knows them better than you! You will also notice in some children a moistening of the eyes and the appearance of dark circles and/or redness around them.
Do you have a baby who can become grumpy or inconsolable in a few minutes? Rest assured, it's not a character trait; he's simply letting you know he's tired. Admittedly, this is a more subtle sign of fatigue, but one you will need to learn to recognize. Add to that a lack of concentration and coordination , a wandering gaze, or even the appearance of hiccups after stimulation—these are all signs that it's time to let your little one rest.
Hypotonia syndrome , that is, sudden muscle weakness, is also a disorder that can occur in children whose fatigue becomes excessive.
Sooth your child at the first signs of fatigue.
Once parents spot the signs of sleepiness, it means it's time to prepare your child for bed , in their crib, stroller, cocoon, or in your arms. Beware of those who delay too much and risk ending up with an overly tired child who has drawn too heavily on their reserves. Even if this situation can't always be avoided, be careful not to repeat it too often.
Indeed, we all have several sleep cycles to respect , and children generally have many more than adults. Therefore, if a child misses a cycle (either partially or completely), the quality of their sleep will be impacted and waking up will be even more difficult.
At the first signs of sleepiness, remove all distractions to help your child feel reassured and safe enough to fall asleep. Limit sources of noise and agitation and begin your bedtime routine to let your little one know that they will be able to fall asleep feeling calm.
Stephanie's advice
There are several ways to help your child fall asleep when they show the first signs of tiredness. Preparing them for bed, changing their diaper and accompanying them to their crib is a first step, but it's not all. You can also give them the opportunity to suckle for reassurance, whether it's from mom's breast if it's close to mealtimes or a pacifier if not. If you don't want to use a pacifier, your child can still reassure themselves by sucking on their own little hands . Sucking releases endorphins, the happiness hormone, so it's a way for them to calm down and feel secure.
Also, let him grab onto a piece of fabric , a cuddly toy, or your finger: gripping is another source of comfort for young children.
The cocoon, a source of peace and comfort.
Fatigue signs can therefore be varied; however, no one in the world knows your child better than you. If, initially, you miss some signs, don't worry, you will very quickly learn to recognize them all so you can put your child to bed at the right time for them.
If your child fidgets, cries, and gets distracted easily, consider placing them in their cocoon or sleeping bag so they feel calm and can relax safely. Recognizing their sleeping space will allow them to relax and calm down for quality sleep. The cocoons from Ouatine & Cumulus 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.
