Finally !!! How to put a baby to bed properly?
How should a baby be put to bed?
To put your baby to bed properly, it is advisable to take measures that help your baby have good naps and good nights, safely. For example, putting your child to sleep on his or her back reduced the rate of sudden infant death .
Where should baby sleep and in what position should he sleep?
From birth, put your baby to sleep in his or her own bed. Adult beds, armchairs, sofas, and pouffes are not suitable for infants to sleep in, even for a short nap.
Place your baby on his or her back , flat, at night and for all sleep times (including a short nap during the day). In fact:
sleeping on the stomach can make breathing difficult and is the main risk factor for sudden infant death;
Sleeping on your side is an unstable position, which makes it easier to roll onto your stomach.
Do not use devices to hold your baby on his or her back (e.g. rolled towel, pillow, baby wedge, head support, bed reducer) because:
they prevent the baby from moving, promoting the occurrence of a deformation of the skull (plagiocephaly);
They can impede breathing, increasing the risk of death from asphyxiation from burial.
When your child is old enough to roll over on his or her own, do not force him or her to stay on his or her back.
How to prevent your baby's head from being flattened at the back or how to prevent plagiocephaly?
Flattening of the head at the back is called plagiocephaly . It is associated with hair loss. Without harm to the brain, the flattening of the skull disappears with growth, and when the baby changes position on his own, and then sits.
However, to avoid the onset or worsening of plagiocephaly, take measures that promote the spontaneous mobility of the infant, while respecting the measures to prevent sudden infant death.
When bottle-feeding , hold your baby alternately in your right or left arm. Breastfeeding , due to the changes in the baby's position, prevents plagiocephaly.
If possible, alternate the positions of his head during his waking periods, by placing him on his stomach or on his side. Think about this when changing, when you are carrying your baby, when he is in his bed or his bouncer; monitor him and make sure that he does not fall asleep in a position other than lying on his back.
Place your child on a play mat often, on his stomach and under constant supervision , so that he learns to raise his head. This also strengthens the tone of the neck and back muscles.
Talk to him from the side opposite to where he prefers to turn his head, to invite him to look at you.
Limit as much as possible the time spent in a deckchair, baby-relax, cosy... and reserve the shell seats for car transport.
When he is in his bed or bouncer, offer him noisy and colorful toys, placed around him in such a way as to attract his gaze to the side. Avoid arches and "mobiles" which fix his attention upwards without requiring neck movements.
When you put your baby to bed on his back in his bed, remember to regularly change your child's position in the bed, in order to encourage him to spontaneously turn his head from one side to the other: for example, if your baby always turns his head to his right towards the bedroom door, put him to bed the other way, so that he turns his head to the left.
Carry your baby in your arms or in a sling, keeping the nose and mouth clear and varying your postures.
If you notice a decrease in neck mobility (torticollis), talk to your doctor, rehabilitation through physiotherapy may be necessary in addition to the measures above.
What bedding should I use for a baby?
When choosing and installing furniture for your baby's room, pay attention to several elements.
What type of bed for a baby?
Choose a bed that is suitable for your child's size. If it is a bed with bars, the spacing must be quite narrow (4.5 to 6.5 cm according to the European standard). This prevents the baby from getting his head stuck between the bars. If you buy a crib or a bed with horizontal spaces (at the head, foot or base), be careful about this too.
Also, when assembling and using your baby's bed, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. In particular, only use the parts that come with the bed. Assemble the bed well in advance of your baby's arrival so that it can air out.
Finally, the bed should not be replaced by a car seat shell, where the baby is in a sitting or semi-reclining position. Indeed, when your child sleeps in this type of seat, his head sometimes falls forward, because his muscles are not very developed. This can hinder his breathing. Also, reserve the use of the shell for your trips.
Where to put a baby's bed?
Place it in his room and in such a way that any dangerous objects remain out of reach of your child (windows or French windows, lamps, electrical outlets, electrical extension cords, curtains and their cords, tablecloth, etc.)
If you install a mobile above the bed, make sure it is perfectly fixed and that your baby cannot reach it. In any case, choose toys with sounds and colors that encourage him to turn his head to prevent him from flattening his back.
Baby bed: watch out for the mattress!
Prefer it firm and follow its instructions for use. If it is new, also remove its plastic packaging before use.
In all cases, the mattress must:
bear the words “Complies with safety requirements”;
have the right dimensions in relation to the bed, to avoid the presence of gaps in which the child could slip.
The fitted sheet used to cover the mattress must also be of suitable size (in particular, it must not be too big).
If you are using a travel cot, do not add another mattress. Keep the original mattress.
In the bed, no soft objects that could hinder baby's breathing
To prevent any risk of the baby burying itself and not hinder its breathing, do not leave any soft objects in the bed .
Therefore, pillows, duvets, comforters, sheepskins, bulky stuffed animals that can cover the child's face should be avoided. Bed bumpers are also not recommended.
Which comforter for your baby?
To avoid any risk of suffocation or inhalation of small parts, the comforter must imperatively have the NF standard and be suitable for children under 36 months. Choose a solid, quality comforter of a size suitable for the infant.
When you travel with your baby:
- When your child is sleeping in a bassinet, never place it high up on a piece of furniture. In fact, babies gain strength over the days, and their movements could cause the bassinet to slide. If you have another child, they could also try to grab the baby and cause it to fall.
- When using a baby carrier, make sure that the child's face is clear.
How to best settle your child for the night?
To ensure your baby sleeps comfortably, follow these tips.
Do not cover your baby with a sheet or duvet (only usable from 3 years old). Prefer a pajama or a sleeping bag (or baby sleeping bag), well adapted to his size. Indeed, if his sleeping bag is too big, the child can slip inside.
Avoid wearing layers of clothing so that your child does not get too hot. To check if he is comfortable, place your hand on the back of his neck: you should not feel any sweat under your fingers.
Do not use any necklaces, chains or cords with pacifiers. These objects could interfere with your child's breathing while they sleep.
If you use a pacifier, offer it to your baby for naps and/or at night, at bedtime. In any case, do not force your child to take the pacifier, and do not place it in his mouth when he is sleeping.
Similarly, do not accustom your child to falling asleep with a bottle or pacifier coated in sugar solution. This practice could in fact promote the appearance of dental cavities on baby teeth .
Do not fall asleep with your baby in your arms.
Your baby wakes up too often at night
The sleep-wake rhythm is gradually established. Teach your child to feel the difference between day and night. Little by little, the need to eat at night fades. Never give your baby medicine to help him sleep: it is dangerous and do not shake him , even if you are at your wit's end with his cries. Get help and talk to your pediatrician.
What kind of environment should your child sleep in?
Opt for naps in natural light and nighttime sleep in darkness. Similarly, have your baby nurse in bright light during the day and in darkness at night to help them fall asleep. These habits help your baby adopt a different rhythm during the day and at night.
The room should be kept at a temperature of 18 to 20°C , and ventilated every day.
Avoid all air pollutants:
- Passive smoking is very harmful to the fetus as well as to the baby. Also, do not smoke and do not let anyone smoke in the presence of your child. In particular, preferably entrust the child's care to a non-smoker;
- To clean our interior and especially the baby's room, choose suitable products, with an environmental label, limit their use and ventilate during and after use. Use traditional ingredients (white vinegar, black soap, baking soda, etc.), less aggressive for the environment and health, without adding essential oils. To dust, use mops, microfiber cloths or a vacuum cleaner to avoid re-suspending some of the dust in the air.
Do not allow your pet to enter the baby's room. They could bite , scratch or lie in the crib near the baby's face, which could cause suffocation.
What is “co-sleeping”?
"Co-sleeping" means putting a baby to bed near his parents , in the same room but not in the same bed. This way of organizing sleep is recommended for the child's first six months, or even a little longer. Indeed, it helps to reassure the infant, and makes it easier to take care of him during the night.
During this period, you can therefore place the baby's bed near yours. You can also take your child into your bed for breastfeeding, care, comfort. However:
- put the baby back in his or her own bed before going back to sleep;
- If you are tired or have taken medication that reduces alertness, do not keep your child in your bed. You could fall asleep without realizing it, and your baby would be left unattended.
There are so-called "co-sleeping" baby beds. They have an open side that adjusts and attaches to the parent's bed, allowing you to pick up the child without getting up. If you use this type of furniture, make sure to attach it to yours properly, without leaving any gaps. Indeed, even when the beds seem to be stuck together, a space can be created between the two when the adult lies down on their mattress.
Finally, whether or not you opt for “co-sleeping”:
- avoid falling asleep with your child on a sofa or armchair during the day;
- Do not put your infant to sleep in a bed with another child.
When your child sleeps away from you, you may want to use a baby monitor to alert you when they wake up. To limit exposure to waves:
- check that the device complies with standards;
- place it away from the child;
- turn it off when it is no longer needed.
Getting your baby to sleep properly: the best way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Don't forget the steps to prevent sudden infant death syndrome , now called unexpected infant death syndrome :- always put your baby to sleep on his or her back;
- on a firm mattress;
- in a suitable sleeping bag, without a pillow, duvet, blanket or cot bumper;
- in a room heated to 18-20°C;
- in the parents' room until 6 months, but without sharing the parental bed;
- without exposure to tobacco.
