The golden rules for putting your baby to bed

Our tips to help your baby fall asleep

Put your baby to bed in his room

This is possible as soon as you return from the maternity ward. Either way, eventually your baby should have his own room or possibly share it with his brother or sister. Your room is the place of your privacy that he will learn to respect. But if you are of an anxious nature, in the first weeks, you can put his cradle in it: being near his parents reassures him (and feeling him close to you reassures you) and as long as he sucks at night, it is also easier for you.

A room at the right temperature

Houses are often overheated, so the temperature of the room in which your baby sleeps should not not exceed 18 ° C. Indeed, it does not yet regulate its temperature and does not know how to discover itself. So watch out for hyperthermia!

Put your baby to bed in a suitable bed

The adjustable spring beds 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 fleece side, put it on top. For the first few weeks, you can also put him to sleep in a cradle or in a bassinet.

Only one soft toy in the bed

Do not multiply soft toys and soft toys of all kinds in his bed. One plush is enough. It should not be too big and should be placed in a corner of the bed, not too close to his face.

With or without night light

At this age, babies are not afraid of the dark ! It is a fear that 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 subtle.

A baby monitor in the bedroom

The baby monitor can be very reassuring for young anxious parents… You are warned at the slightest babbling and the first tears. Do not go see him immediately, or you risk waking him up, but stay alert all the same. No question of using it as a babysitter and going shopping: no model is planned for that!

Always lay your baby on her back

Your baby should sleep in the middle of the bed, lying on his back with his face clear so he can breathe freely. This position prevents Sudden infant death.

Without pillow, sheet or blanket

If your newborn baby drools a lot during sleep or has a small discharge of milk, just place a cotton cloth under his head, tucking it firmly at the sides. But ban pillows, bolsters and other quilts he can choke on. In winter, do not cover it too much, put on a bodysuit, a onesie and a warm sleeping bag that closes with the straps. In summer, when it is hot, a diaper and a short-sleeved bodysuit are sufficient under a sleeping bag lighter.

Your baby’s first three months

It takes four to eight weeks for the infant to adjust to the day / night frequency. Even if you will have to take your pain patiently and bow to its rythme, you can already help him to differentiate the day from the night: do not wake him up under the pretext that “it is time to feed” or that his diaper is dirty. During the nap, do not impose great silence in the house and do not make total darkness in his room. He can even take his morning nap in his deckchair. On the other hand, at night, feed him in the dark by speaking in a low voice.

Your baby between 3 and 6 months

By 3 months, a baby can synchronize their internal clock to the twenty-four hour day / night rhythm and maintain their sleep six to eight hours at a stretch. But that doesn’t mean he sleeps a whole night: most children don’t have a stable day / night rhythm until 5-6 months.

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

Finally, install the evening ritual. Put your baby to bed awake, limiting the never-ending story-lullaby-kisses-hugs gear. Reassure him that you are not far away, but be firm.