Anyone who coined the expression « sleep like a baby » has probably never had a baby by their side. In reality, very young children are more likely to wake up several times during the night, which can seriously impact their parents’ sleep. That’s why we spoke with Kelly Champinot from , an infant sleep expert. Together, we answer eight questions about your child’s sleep to help you enjoy more peaceful nights.

What are the sleep needs of little ones?

Sleep is essential for your child’s brain development. It helps regulate hormones, consolidate information learned during wakefulness, support learning, and strengthen immune responses. That’s why it’s important to meet their sleep needs. With Kelly’s help, we’ve prepared a summary table outlining those needs by age.

What are the warning signs of a tired baby?

Don’t worry: if your baby is tired, they will usually show it. They may yawn, for example, or rub their eyes, nose, or ears. Their eyes may water, and their brow ridges may turn red. You may also notice reduced motor coordination and slower movements. On the other hand, your baby may become restless when overtired. Their behavior can also change, including more crying, increased fussiness, and fewer reactions to different stimuli.

As soon as these signals appear, try to put your baby to bed within the next ten minutes. That way, your little adventurer will be right on time to catch the sleep train.

How to create a sleep-friendly environment?

First of all, create an environment that supports sleep. Ideally, the bedroom temperature should be between 16 and 20°C, with a humidity level between 40 and 60%. Be sure to air out the room for at least ten minutes a day. It’s also recommended to choose neutral or pastel colors in children’s bedrooms.

Make sure your little one has safe, appropriate sleep arrangements. Even though it can be tempting to create a cozy bed with stuffed animals, a colorful bed bumper, a soft duvet, and a fluffy pillow, nothing should be placed in the baby’s immediate sleeping area. For this reason, and until your baby is one year old, it’s best to remove these items from the bed. The more neutral your newborn’s sleep environment is, the better. Choose a suitable, firm mattress and place your child in a sleeping bag. Around five or six months of age, a neutral-colored bed bumper and your little adventurer’s comforter can be introduced. Avoid overly colorful, noisy, or distracting mobiles, as your baby may then struggle to focus on anything else.

Although it’s often recommended that your baby sleep in the parents’ bedroom until they are six months old, you should follow your instincts and your need for closeness with your baby, as long as your decision benefits the whole family. However, do not let your baby sleep in your bed. The risks of suffocation, overheating from blankets, or even being crushed are far too high. In their crib, your baby is safe! During the first months, choose a cradle or a bassinet. It’s also possible to have your baby sleep in a bed attached to yours if you are breastfeeding.

How to promote sleep in a toddler?

A newborn (zero to three months) needs the closeness of their parents. It’s not uncommon for them to fall asleep during a bottle feed or at the breast, as the effort involved can be exhausting. Skin-to-skin contact and rocking also have a calming effect. You can also use the swaddling technique, which recreates the feeling of being snug in the womb and gives your baby a sense of security. Around four months, it becomes important to teach your little one to fall asleep in their bed; to do this, put them down while they are still awake. Replace rocking in your arms with cuddles in their bed, and use your words to help them feel confident in their ability to fall asleep on their own. Introducing a regular rhythm throughout the day also supports sleep. The more consistent it is, the easier it will be for them to fall asleep when the time comes. For this reason, try to establish a daily routine that stays the same. It should suit both you, the parents, and your child. Set regular times for waking, naps, meals, wakeful periods, and bedtime. You can also establish a bedtime ritual; you’ll find more information on this in the next paragraph.

Why and how to establish daily bedtime rituals?

With a bedtime routine, you give your baby structure; knowing what to expect reassures them. In this way, you help them adjust to the day-night change, typical sleep hours, and separation from their parents. These daily routines can be introduced from around two months of age. Around four months, you can expand them by adding more structure throughout the day.

Your ritual should always be repeated in the same order and at the same time. It should never be longer than twenty minutes in the evening, and it can be shortened to about ten minutes during the day before a nap, for example. It’s recommended to divide your routine into three parts. Start with a hygiene phase by putting on a clean, highly absorbent diaper suited to your baby’s nighttime movements, such as the LILLYDOO beds . In the evening, you can include a bath, which can be especially relaxing and soothing for your baby, then dress them in appropriate nightwear Continue with a relaxation time that includes, for example, singing a lullaby, reading a story, or giving gentle massages. Use music and other white noise sparingly; your child could become dependent on them to fall asleep. Always end your ritual with a attachment time that includes kisses and hugs, and always finishes with the same little phrase, such as: « see you tomorrow, have a good night and sweet dreams ». Above all, it’s important that your routine creates a calm, relaxed, and loving atmosphere for your baby.

Does diet have an impact on babies' sleep?

Who hasn’t ever had trouble falling asleep after enjoying a raclette for dinner? Diet affects adults’ sleep just as much as it affects young children’s. For this reason, it’s recommended to avoid giving your child foods that are too rich or too high in protein at the evening meal. Before the age of three, their intestines are not yet mature, and digestion can be difficult and disrupt their sleep. It’s better to start introducing solid foods at lunchtime.

Is it normal for my child to wake up at night?

Just like adults, your child’s nights are punctuated by micro-awakenings at the end of each sleep cycle. This is perfectly normal! If your little one is old enough to sleep through the night and knows how to fall asleep independently, they will usually have no trouble drifting back off. If they can’t fall asleep again and start crying, try to identify what’s causing it. Are they unwell? Is their sleep being disrupted by teething? Did they fall asleep in their usual sleep environment? Think about their day, too: did they sleep too much or not enough? A nap that is too long or poorly distributed throughout the day can affect nighttime sleep. In that case, return to a structured routine and the appropriate amount of sleep (see the baby sleep needs table). Similarly, is their bedtime routine streamlined enough that they can fall asleep without it? These small questions can help you pinpoint why your child is struggling to fall asleep on their own.

Should we let a baby who doesn't want to sleep cry?

There is no miracle cure to (re)settle a baby to sleep; however, you should avoid letting your baby cry, as their cries always have meaning. As with nighttime awakenings, check that they aren’t sick, that their position isn’t uncomfortable, and that teething isn’t causing pain. If everything is fine, trust that your little one can fall asleep or fall back asleep on their own, and show them that you believe in them. Reassure them by whispering gentle words, stroking their back, and reminding them that they are safe in their bed and that you are not far away. Once they are soothed, leave the room. Your child will very likely start crying again; wait a few minutes, then return. Don’t turn on the light, and continue to comfort them. Your baby needs to build confidence in their ability to (re)fall asleep independently. This may take a few days, but your child will get there!

With a baby, there will always be nights that are more restless than others. However, we hope these tips will help keep them the exception. We wish you, and your little adventurer, a good night and sweet dreams!