The golden rules for sleeping babies | PARENTS.fr

It's bedtime… So that baby falls asleep in the best possible conditions, here are some simple golden rules to put in place. To ensure both his safety and the quality of his sleep.

Put your baby to bed in your own room

This is possible as soon as you return from maternity. Anyway, eventually, your baby should have his own room, or possibly share it with his brother or sister. Your room is the place of your intimacy that he will learn to respect. But if you are of a worried nature, in the first weeks, you can put his cradle there: being close to his parents reassures him (and feeling him close to you reassures you) and as long as he suckles at night, it is also easier for you. For this purpose, there are “special co-sleeping” beds for newborns which are next to the parental bed, while preserving the safety of the baby and the privacy of the parents.

A room at the right temperature

Houses and apartments are often overheated… However, the temperature of the room in which your baby sleeps should not exceed 19°C. Indeed, he does not yet regulate his temperature and does not know how to discover himself alone. So watch out for hyperthermia!

Put your baby to bed in a well-adapted bed

Beds with an adjustable base have a “special infant” position. The mattress must be very firm, perfectly adapted to the dimensions of the bed and the box spring. If there is a fleecy side, place it on top. For the first few weeks, you can also put him to sleep in a cradle or in a bassinet.

A single stuffed animal in the bed

Do not multiply comforters and stuffed animals of all kinds in his bed. One plush is enough. You will thus avoid inviting real dust collectors into his bed! The chosen soft toy should not be too big and should be placed in a corner of the bed, not too close to his face.

With or without pilot light

At this age, babies are not afraid of the dark! It is a fear which rarely arises before 8 or 12 months and which does not concern all children. If you put a night light, it will be especially useful for you to find your way around the room. Choose it soft and tenuous. When your child grows up, he will certainly appreciate being able to fall asleep next to this reassuring little glow.

A baby monitor in the room

The baby monitor can be very reassuring for worried young parents... You will be warned at the slightest babbling and the first tears. However, do not go see him immediately, at the risk of really waking him up, but remain vigilant all the same. Obviously, there is no question of using it as a babysitter and going shopping: no model is intended for that!

Always put your baby on his back

Your baby should always sleep in the center of the bed, lying on his back with his face clear so he can breathe freely. This position is recommended to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. We adopt it without exception, even for a short nap.

Without pillow, sheet or blanket

If your newborn drools a lot during sleep or has a little milk rejection, just place a cotton cloth under his head, tucking it firmly at the sides. But banish pillows, bolsters and other duvets in which he could choke. In winter, don't cover him too much, put him in a bodysuit, onesie and a warm sleeping bag, which closes with the straps. In summer, when it's hot, a layer and a short-sleeved bodysuit are enough, under a lighter sleeping bag.

Help her make the difference between day and night

The first three months are often the busiest when it comes to sleep! Be aware that it takes four to eight weeks for the infant to adapt to the day/night periodicity. Even if you will have to take your pain patiently and bend to his rhythm, you can already help him to differentiate day from night: do not wake him up on the pretext "that it is time for feeding". or that his diaper is dirty. During the siesta, do not impose great silence in the house, and do not make it completely dark in his room. On the other hand, at night, whether at the breast or a bottle, feed him in the dark, speaking in a low voice.

Regular hours

At 3 months, a baby can start to synchronize his internal clock on the day/night rhythm of twenty-four hours, and maintain his sleep for six to eight hours in a row. But that doesn't mean he sleeps a whole night: most children don't have a stable day/night rhythm until they're 5-6 months old.

From 4 months, plan sleep schedules, meals, times for play and walks. Do not hesitate to stimulate him during the day so that he understands that it is time to stay awake.

Finally, establish the evening ritual. Lay your baby awake, limiting the endless story-lullaby-kiss-cuddle cycle. Reassure him by telling him that you are not far away, and move away as soon as the first signs of sleep appear….