Do you want your little angel to be able to wriggle around a bit during the night, in a cocoon of love and tenderness, without you being afraid that he will wake up...? 😅
However, it's important to find the most secure and suitable enveloping garment for their needs and age. And with all these terms, it's sometimes difficult to know which one to choose! In this article, we explain the difference between sleeping bags, cocoons, nest bags, swaddles and footmuffs to help you find the ideal accessory, which will ensure sweet nights for your baby... and you! 😉
Sleeping bag or sleeping sack: no difference!
The only difference between a "gigoteuse" and a "turbulette" concerns the use of the word : while in Belgium, the accessory is more likely to be called a "gigoteuse", in France, the term "turbulette" is preferred.
In fact, "gigoteuse" and "turbulette" both refer to the same thing: a small sleeping bag for babies, with or without sleeves , that wraps around them from neck to feet, and in which your little one has all the luxury of... wriggling, of course!
The benefits of a sleeping bag for baby's sleep
Beyond allowing the child to move freely, the sleeping bag also helps to keep their little body at the right temperature . Soft and gentle, it ensures that your baby, who is not yet able to regulate their body temperature on their own, is neither too hot nor too cold when it's time to go to sleep.
💡 Want to make sure your baby's sleepwear keeps them at the right temperature? A simple tip: check their neck! It should stay warm, but dry at all times; if it's sweaty, it means your baby is too warm.
The disadvantages of the sleeping bag
Because it allows the toddler complete freedom of movement , the sleeping bag is therefore an ideal accessory around the age of 6 months – when your baby is able to roll over onto their stomach on their own and starts to move around more in their sleep.
However, it is essential to understand that a sleeping bag is not the best option for newborns . During the months following birth, babies go through a very delicate period of development, which a sleeping bag does not allow to be optimally supported.
A sleeping position that is not safe for newborns.
Emerging from their mother's womb, newborns must learn to familiarize themselves with an unknown: gravity. Their very young muscles, not yet confronted with gravity, cause the baby, nestled in a sleeping bag, to assume a flexed, star-shaped position , and they are not yet able to bring their little hands to their face for reassurance.
Asymmetrical motor development
In the mother's womb, the little one felt constant contact on the head and feet – contacts that still soothe him after birth.
In a sleeping bag, without a defined space around him, the newborn will try to find supports on which to rest... in vain, and may then fall asleep in asymmetrical positions . This asymmetry affects his motor development : at the age of 6 months, a baby who has slept in an ideal position will have more difficulty grasping objects and moving in a coordinated manner.
Micro-awakenings due to the Moro reflex
Finally, it's important to know that while a sleeping bag is a must for baby's safety, it doesn't constitute a secure environment for a newborn. At this age, the slightest noise can trigger Moro reflexes in the baby; that is, archaic reflexes during which the baby suddenly stretches its arms and legs. With the space available in a sleeping bag, these movements are large enough to wake the baby and interrupt its precious sleep.
💡 These disadvantages therefore only apply to babies under 6 months old, whose muscles and reflexes are not yet fully developed. After 6 months, when your baby is able to roll over, the sleeping bag becomes essential for the development of the toddler, who will then need space to develop their motor skills. 👶
>> Discover the Ouatine & Cumulus sleeping bags (6 to 18 months)
Angel's nest or chancery: same thing, different name.
Just like the sleeping bag , which is also called a "turbulette ," the terms "angel nest" and "chancelière" fundamentally refer to the same accessory : a large, soft blanket with a hood, a diaper, and a drawstring to gently wrap the baby.
The main difference lies in their use. While the sleeping bag is intended for a pram or bassinet, the footmuff, which is a little more rigid, is used more often in a stroller or car seat.
The advantages of the sleeping bag or the chancery
As you can see, the sleeping bag or footmuff is not initially intended for the baby's sleep , but rather for transporting them – especially in cold weather.
But it's true that in reality, many parents choose to let their little one sleep in their cozy nest, an environment in which they feel safe, to which they are accustomed... and probably already asleep, since the afternoon walk! 😴
The disadvantages of sleeping bags or swaddles for sleep
On the other hand, while a baby nest may provide a safe environment for the child, it is not a safe accessory for their sleep.
The reason: the lack of straps or shoulder straps to prevent the baby from slipping, and the risk of their face being covered by the hood or another part of thick fabric. Therefore, it is strongly discouraged to let your newborn sleep in a sleeping bag or footmuff without supervision.
The cocoon, the best option for newborn sleep.
The cocoon, on the other hand, is an accessory entirely dedicated to the little one's sleep . Its role: to define a soft, padded space all around the baby, to offer reassuring contact at the level of the head and feet, reminiscent of the reassuring, fleshy embrace of the mother's womb.
And to benefit from all the advantages of the cot reducer for newborn sleep, the Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons have been designed down to the smallest detail , offering the safest and most reassuring sleep environment for your baby.
A flexed position for harmonious development.
Unlike sleeping bags, which are intended for older babies who need some freedom of movement, Ouatine cocoons envelop and support your newborn in a flexed position , as close as possible to the one they have always known.
The cocoon therefore offers the baby a physiological position that allows them to keep their little hands close to their face for self-soothing, but also to develop symmetrically , improving their motor skills for the future.
Gentle digestion for a restful sleep.
This flexion of the body offers another advantage for the newborn's sleep: with the contact of the cocoon at the level of the feet, inviting the child to keep his little legs folded, the child limits positions in extension , which tend to promote reflux and digestive disorders.
By limiting these digestive discomforts, the baby can then enjoy better, uninterrupted periods of sleep. 💤
A safe environment for restful sleep.
To maximize your baby's safety, the Ouatine & Cumulus cocoons feature a fabric belt that keeps them in position and prevents them from slipping. A reversible hood is also integrated: when the toddler is sleeping unattended, a simple movement allows you to slide it to the back of the cocoon, preventing their little head from getting stuck there.
Finally, beyond reminding him of his mother's womb, the cocoon presents itself as a particularly reassuring universe for your baby: it becomes his true sleep reference. In his bed, in the living room, at the grandparents' house... Wherever he is, your little one remains in the same environment full of softness and familiar smells , within which he knows he will find the restorative sleep he needs so much.
💡 And for even more well-being, the hoods of the Ouatine cocoons have a small space in which to slip a cloth carrying the comforting scent of the parents. This provides the newborn with a true haven of peace and comfort, for ever sweeter nights. ✨
>> Discover the Ouatine cocoons size 1 (for the first few weeks)
>> Discover the Ouatine swaddles size 2 (up to 6 months)
We hope this article has helped you discover all the subtle differences between sleeping bags, swaddles, nest blankets, footmuffs, and cocoons! If you want to learn even more about the sweet world of toddlers , don't hesitate to discover all our advice on baby sleep. For beautiful nights for them… and for you too! 😌
