Our tips to help baby fall asleep

All babies are different, and nests adapt to them!

Becoming a parent isn't always easy. At Ouatine & Cumulus, we've decided to give you some tips that can help you prepare and understand your baby.

Your baby is capable of communicating.

No matter how young your baby is, they can communicate with you through their behavior, expressions, and gestures...

They are content when they are in a flexed position, when their hands are close to each other or near their face, when their feet are together, when they smile angelically, when they are relaxed, when their hands are closed, when they grasp your finger or their comforter, when they make mouth movements, try to suckle, and when they succeed.

They are in distress or uncomfortable when their color changes (becomes redder, darker), when they squirm, arch their back, when they extend their arms and legs looking for support, when they spread their fingers, when they grimace, get agitated, or start to cry. Crying allows them to express their displeasure, but ideally, you should decode their message and the needs they are expressing as early as possible because crying causes them to expend a lot of unnecessary energy. It's better for them to use this energy to grow well and integrate their learning.

They show fatigue and need breaks and rest when they yawn, sneeze suddenly (outside of nose care), start to hiccup (not associated with feeding), when they become paler, or when they keep their arms and legs extended.

Sleeping safely

To ensure your baby gets quality and safe sleep, some guidelines must be followed:

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back. A small tip to prevent positional plagiocephaly, the flattening of your baby's skull if they always stay in the same position, is to alternately turn their head to the left and right. When your baby is awake and supervised, it will be important to place them on their stomach from time to time for their development so they can develop their neck and arm muscles.
• Choose a firm mattress, adapted to the dimensions of their bed, for your baby. They do not need a pillow.
• Dress your baby according to the ambient temperature.
• Ventilate the room between each nap and do not overheat it (ideal temperature: between 18 and 20°C).
• Never expose your baby to ambient air polluted by tobacco.
• Do not cover them with a blanket and do not place too many soft toys around them.

Skin-to-skin contact: a magical and very useful moment.

The importance of parent-baby skin-to-skin contact is well established.

This tender contact strengthens well-being and attachment, helps regulate your baby's temperature, promotes weight gain, and even has positive effects on breast milk production.

Don't hesitate any longer; spend sweet and wonderful cuddling moments with your little one. You'll combine usefulness with great pleasure.

This is also one of the reasons why our "preemie" nests, combined with a swaddling cloth and a hat, allow the baby to rest warmly while giving parents the opportunity to have skin-to-skin cuddles with their baby without too much handling.

A reassuring scent

In the new world your baby is discovering, reassuring landmarks are few.

Don't be afraid to sleep with our Ouatine & Cumulus products to imbue them with your scent.

This will allow your baby to have the reassuring scent of their parents in their environment. This will minimize their stress, maximize their well-being, and help them achieve better quality sleep.

Baby's sleep

Your baby's sleep is extremely precious.

It must be constantly respected and encouraged. It is therefore important to create optimal conditions for quality sleep, as it is during these sleep phases that they grow and their brain continues to develop.

The swaddling of the premature baby nest, reinforced by the elastic cloth, will reassure the baby and remind them of the comforting sensations already known in their mother's womb.

Fetal positioning

In utero, the baby benefits from the natural protection of the maternal cocoon, ensuring a gentle, warm, and comfortable, weightless environment. It provides the baby with an enclosure so they can develop in a flexed position, which is essential for proper future neurological and motor development.

Premature birth exposes the baby to many constraints related to their new environment, their care, and the treatments administered.

As part of our Nidcap training, we extensively observed babies' difficulties in managing the constraints related to their new environment.

Faced with this reality, we have created articles to help the baby by providing support to allow them to continue developing in a position similar to the one they knew in their mother's womb, which also provides comfort and reassurance daily. The swaddling cloths are made from a stretchy fabric that allows the baby to move gently while ensuring effective support.

Our products allow babies to return to a position similar to the fetal position, which is reassuring and ideal for their development, while respecting the baby's safety. They should be placed in a flexed position with their hands near their face and their head aligned with their body, just as they were in their mother's womb.

Cradle cap

Cradle cap is caused by an excess of sebum. It is important not to scratch it dry, as this could lead to further irritation of the scalp or even a secondary bacterial infection.

Babee nature shampoo easily removes cradle cap and prevents its appearance and secondary infection. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing, then gently remove the cradle cap.

Should you let them cry?

Responding to your baby's cries is important. Your baby is dependent on you. They need you for nourishment, affection, and comfort essential for their development.

Crying is a way for them to get your attention. It allows them to express their needs, which you will learn to understand, recognize, and even anticipate over time.

But why are they crying?

• Because they are hungry.
• Because they have digestive issues (spitting up, gas,...).
• Because their diaper is soiled (when the baby's bottom is irritated).
• Because they need cuddles (need to be reassured or warm against their parents)
• Because they are too hot.
• Because they are tired, want to sleep, and are having difficulty falling asleep.
• Because they are agitated due to overstimulation (noisy visits, being passed from arm to arm,...), often at the end of the day.
• ...

As parents, you know your baby best. If you feel something is wrong, do not hesitate to consult your pediatrician.

Is a comforter really useful?

To feel secure, newborns have a reflex to grasp things. Gently place your finger in their open hand, and they will squeeze it.

If they can't find anything to grasp in their environment, they might accidentally hurt themselves trying to grab their ears, nose... That's why the Ouatine&Cumulus comforter has long, thin ears and a small padded tail.

Moreover, don't hesitate to sleep with your baby's comforter to imbue it with your scent; this will reassure them even more.

Reflux

Many babies experience reflux, and it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause. However, not all regurgitations are problematic.

If your baby is not in discomfort and continues to gain weight well, it is a case of physiological reflux (due to the immaturity of their digestive system), which will resolve with time.

It is important not to over-medicalize this reflux; some actions can already help:

• Carry your baby in a sling after meals to aid digestion.
• Help them burp properly after meals.
• Give them a pacifier to calm them when they are agitated and no longer hungry.
• Help them maintain a flexed posture when lying on their back (stretching and arching can stretch their vagus nerve and increase regurgitation).
• Do not put tight clothing around their abdomen.
• Do not fasten their diaper too tightly and do not change them immediately after their meal.

However, if your baby cries incessantly due to acid reflux, it is a case of pathological reflux.

In this situation, it is important to consult your pediatrician.

Can you go for a walk with your newborn?
Outings

Your baby will enjoy walks in a sling or their pram. However, it's best to plan these outings on dry days and avoid fog, as the air is more polluted. Prioritize outdoor walks in nature and avoid shopping malls and supermarkets where there is a higher concentration of germs.

It's important to ensure your baby is dressed according to the outdoor temperature and to put a small hat on them to help with thermoregulation if it's cool.

How to ensure your newborn is well-received by their siblings?

When your children come to meet the new baby at the maternity ward, it's important that mum is available to welcome them. So, if possible, avoid meal times.

Older children, sometimes still young themselves, need their mum's full attention. The end of pregnancy and the separation of the last few days can sometimes have worried them a little. Comfortably settle their new little brother or sister in their arms to create a bond.

For the return home, it is advisable for the older children to come and collect their little brother or sister from the maternity ward, and for everyone to go home together. This way, they can introduce their home to the newcomer. This gives them responsibility and allows them to officially welcome their brother or sister.