During their first few weeks, babies will need their parents' help to fall asleep. It's not always easy for them to drift off, as they are learning so much about self-soothing, calming down, and finding security to relax. When it comes to sleep, learning independence and self-soothing is a process that can take time, but it is necessary for children's development. Ouatine & Cumulus explains how to encourage your baby to fall asleep alone.
No two children are alike, and the tips offered are not universal solutions. While some fall asleep without difficulty, others may take much longer to relax and get restorative sleep. While caring for your child to help them feel secure is perfectly normal at first, there comes a time when you will probably want to guide your baby towards independence, so that they learn to fall asleep alone, but also to fall back asleep alone in case of an night awakening.
Progressive development of autonomy 👶
You shouldn't expect your baby to fall asleep alone overnight. Autonomy is a process that is acquired, it requires patience as it is a progressive learning process dependent on your baby's needs. Encouraging them to sleep alone will allow them to develop self-soothing skills that will be invaluable throughout their life. After all, being able to fall asleep alone is the first step towards continuous restorative sleep throughout the night.
But how do you guide your baby without overwhelming them? Simply by following their rhythm. As you know, children like to follow a routine that helps them orient themselves throughout the day. The bedtime ritual is an important moment, as it tells your baby that it's time to go to bed for the night. This routine is necessary for your child to understand that the day is ending and that they need to prepare for sleep.
Repeating the same activities night after night will help your baby associate these rituals with the transition to sleep: a nice bath, a cuddle, a song, a low-stimuli game, a short story from 6 months onwards are all possible activities to do with your child in the hour before bedtime to help them relax. Repetition will reassure them by providing a sleep environment adapted to their needs.
How to create a good sleeping environment 😴
The sleeping environment plays an important role in the quality of everyone's sleep. To create a conducive environment, your baby must feel safe and comfortable there. A comfortable bed or bassinet, an ideal temperature between 18 and 20°C, subdued light for naps and a darkened room for the night, a quiet room, all these details will be important to soothe your baby and help them fall asleep.
Babies love to fall asleep in their parents' arms. There they find warmth, rocking, heartbeat,... security and well-being. You will have to be inventive to create a safe and comforting sleeping space where you can lay your baby down and stay by their side initially to reassure them if necessary. Our tip: place a small hot water bottle in the bed so that it is warm and welcoming! Little by little, your baby will get used to this new routine and will manage to doze off and then fall asleep alone.
My baby only falls asleep in my arms: what to do?
How to help my baby self-soothe ⌛
Babies have the ability to self-soothe. The younger they are, the more help they need, but as they grow and mature, they become increasingly independent. Their sucking, for example, allows them to release endorphins which will soothe them; by grasping something or keeping their hands close to their face, they reassure themselves.
You can therefore help your child by comfortably settling them in a safe position and giving them the opportunity to self-soothe (by giving them a small, light piece of fabric impregnated with your scent that they can grasp, by providing a pacifier, etc.).
The principle is to encourage your child, at their own pace, to find ways to soothe themselves without needing their parents' presence, a feeding, or a new bedtime ritual.
The ideal sleeping solution to help your child self-soothe may lie in the material used. As we mentioned earlier, babies need to feel safe. Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons have been entirely designed to meet their needs, offering a defined and reassuring environment that will provide the same sleep conditions for every rest.
However, sometimes the distress felt by your baby is too great for them on some days and they cannot self-soothe. It is then important to respond to their emotional need. Being by their side to accompany them as they fall asleep is also a step in the self-soothing process. This does not mean systematically picking them up, but it is important that they can feel your presence: singing a soft song they enjoy, placing a reassuring hand on their chest or head to comfort them are solutions that can help. Every child is different and will have their preferences.
“Encouraging your baby's sleep autonomy provides them with the necessary tools to develop the ability to manage their emotions and sleep cycles. Every baby is unique; the path to good sleep is a journey that can take more or less time depending on each individual. Some children need their parents' support for a longer period.”
Stéphanie Chaidron, founder of Ouatine & Cumulus, pediatric nurse and mother
Sleep cycles: when and how to get baby to sleep?
The cocoon, the reassuring sleeping solution 🛏️
As we've said, babies like routines and appreciate knowing their surroundings. After spending nine months comfortably nestled in their mother's womb, they continue to seek familiar positions and sensations. Cocoons meet these needs; babies adopt a reassuring flexed position, with hands close to their face and legs slightly bent, similar to the in-utero position. The edges of the cocoon are also ideal for helping them to grip the fabric, a way for children to self-soothe.
Discover size 1 cocoons (first weeks)
Encouraging your baby to fall asleep alone is a process that requires patience and kindness, but it will bring lasting benefits. By establishing a reassuring routine, creating a conducive sleeping environment, and guiding them towards self-soothing, you give them the keys to peaceful nights and harmonious development. Thanks to adapted solutions, such as Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons, they will be able to rediscover reassuring sensations and gently familiarize themselves with independent sleep.
