Along with nutrition, sleep plays an important role in the proper development and growth of our little ones. To be completely honest, it's just as essential for Baby to sleep well as it is for us (and our complexion) to have peaceful, restful evenings and restorative nights! Here are 10 keys to guiding your baby to dreamland as naturally as possible...
An environment conducive to your baby's good sleep.
First of all, let's not forget that the atmosphere around your baby has a real influence on their moods and anxieties. So, parents, RELAX! Stress is contagious , and our babies are like sponges.
1. Baby should neither be too hot nor too cold. The ideal temperature for their room is between 18°C and 20°C . Unless you live near the North Pole or in the North itself, you should also avoid triple layers: Damart bodysuit + fleece pajamas + wool sleeping bag + blanket + blanket. Don't forget to use laundry detergent, at least. Great, right?
2. Offer Baby a comforter, a pacifier or even a fabric with Mom's scent on it to reassure him (we still avoid leaving him his favorite little top at the risk of never seeing it again or finding it in a ball, damp, with a smell that only Baby would appreciate).
3. Create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the evening, with soft music and subdued lighting. As a bonus, this will help with your romantic evenings. What more could you ask for?
Clever natural aids to help your baby fall asleep...
4. Give him a warm bath (37°C) in the evening and add a little orange blossom water.
5. Offer him a massage using a vegetable oil (avoid sweet almond oil, which can be allergenic) or a cream specially designed for him. The important thing is to try it: while some babies love it, others will make you understand their repulsion to "cry and scream"!
6. Diffuse essential oils in your room using a diffuser (or on a handkerchief, on your pillow, 30 minutes before bedtime): mandarin, lavender or sweet orange oil, which are perfectly tolerated by little ones.
Food and sleep, inseparable.
7. Give him easy-to-digest foods and avoid proteins because digestion increases body temperature and prevents him from falling asleep. You can find our ideal evening recipes, designed without meat or fish, such as the Ratatouille-Quinoa Good Goût , or the Penne with eggplant .
8. Don't hesitate to give him a bottle of milk and/or a banana just before bedtime. These foods are rich in tryptophan (a precursor to the sleep hormone). But please, avoid the drop of booze just the same...
9. Favor fruits low in vitamin C (such as apples or pears ), which is a natural stimulant.
10. Feed your baby calmly and avoid watching television (no, not the news, not the adverts, and certainly not The Walking Dead).
If, despite all this, Baby still isn't sleeping, be patient and develop a sleep schedule so that both Mom and Dad get up at night. When it comes to sleep and chores, equality is key, right?
