In the first weeks of life, infants do not have day/night cues; the bedtime ritual allows them to gradually build up their sleep rhythm. Later, this time of calm and sharing allows the child to make it easier to fall asleep and to alleviate certain anxieties that he may feel during the separation which precedes sleep. Recommended by all childhood professionals, this routine to be put in place from the first weeks becomes a reassuring and reassuring benchmark for the child which allows him to approach bedtime with more serenity. A few days ago on Instagram @elhee_france we asked you what bedtime ritual works for you, here is a summary of your answers!
Listen to the sounds of the night
“I lie next to my son in his bed and we listen to the sounds of the night: The sounds of the cars passing in the street, the washing machine running, the creaking of the parquet floor in the hallway, the silence too. I explain each noise to him, there is no more mystery and that reassures him a lot” Claire, mother of Paul, 2 and a half years old.
Play “Kisses to sleep”
“Every evening before going to bed we play a game of Kisses Câlin, a fun and quick game that he loves to play. What he prefers is especially receiving the kisses, hugs, tickles, nursery rhymes... that he earned during the game. It’s a very pleasant moment of complicity that we love to share together (or that he shares with his dad) before sinking into dreamland.” Paulina, mother of Ernest, 3 years old.
The music Box
“Two music boxes, one for naptime, the other for the evening. She slept through the night at 1 and a half months” #cafaitreverer. Noémie, mother of Coline, 3 months old.
The timer
“After dinner I set a timer for 10/15 minutes. As soon as it rings it's time to brush your teeth and go to bed. I let them know as soon as I start the timer so there are no surprises and they know it's almost bedtime. Sometimes they ask for 5 extra minutes but it's rare. In bed there are obviously cuddles and kisses before falling asleep but they no longer get up 10 times to ask for a glass of water, go to the toilet, etc.! ”Margaux, mother of Éléanore, 7 years old, and Jude, 5 years old.
A ritual... what?
“I tried to do like everyone else but in the end we put Luka to bed and 5 minutes later, he falls asleep” (Yes yes, there are some lucky ones too). Stéphanie, mother of Luka, 1 and a half years old.
A BibRond and to bed
“After putting on the pajamas we sit comfortably in the armchair in his room with dim lighting and I give him his bibROUND . She often falls asleep and I take care to gently place her in her bed… until the next morning! ” Laurent, father of Julia, 10 months old.
White noise
“I recently fell for a stuffed animal Moonie is a little bear that emits white noises (sound of mom's belly, wind, a stream, waves, rain or a lullaby) and in his belly there is a little night light that diffuses a very soft light. Since then my daughter has been able to fall asleep alone in her bed, phew!” Olympe, mother of Paloma, 2 years old.
A massage of the little feet
“For my youngest Jules, 6 months old, after the evening bath I take a moment to massage his feet, he who doesn't really like being in the water and often cries during the bath, when I massage his little feet with a baby oil, it instantly calms and soothes. It really promotes relaxation and falling asleep. With my 4-year-old eldest, Raphaël, we love taking the time to read a story once his brother has gone to bed, just him, his dad and me. It’s a moment dedicated to him, without his little brother, he needs it.” Rebecca, mother of Jules, 6 months, and Raphaël, 4 years old.
The tickling
“When I put my daughter to bed, she systematically asks me for some sweets to help her fall asleep. I give him little caresses on his stomach, back, arms, legs. I feel that she has a little chills, then I give her a kiss, I tell her that I love her in the ear before discreetly leaving the room” Amélie, mother of Chloé, 6 years old.
A good laugh!
“When my son goes to bed he loves it when I lie down next to him in bed, pretending I'm sleeping and he enjoys sleeping on purpose and snoring very loudly. I then have to wake up suddenly and scold him with a loud voice “I can't sleep, you snore too loud, next time I'll punish you!” It makes him die of laughter (and me too)!” Manon, mother of Léo, 4 years old.
