During your stay in the maternity hospital, baby was able to sleep next to you, in the bedroom, and you could keep an eye on him at all times. Now that you're back home, the question arises of your baby's first nights: in your room or in his room?
Young parents are often undecided!
Here are some ideas to help you decide where to put your baby to sleep.
In the parents' bedroom or the baby's room?
There are two schools of thought on co-sleeping, and the debates are sometimes... passionate.
It's up to you to decide which you prefer!
Some parents decide to put their newborn in their bedroom for a few months, while others prefer to put them to bed directly in their room.
Solution no. 1 - Cododo, the miracle solution?
During pregnancy, the idea of co-sleeping has certainly crossed your mind. But what exactly does it involve? It's a small cot that attaches to the parents' bed. Place the baby on one side or the other of the bed, in the cradle, to monitor his breathing, breastfeed him easily during the night (without having to get up 6 times a night!) and help him fall back asleep easily.
But be careful, co-sleeping does not mean putting your baby to sleep in the same bed as his parents. This could be very dangerous, with the risk of suffocation or falling out of bed. Babies should sleep in their own bed!
Solution no. 2 - A separate cot in baby's bedroom
In this second case, you can opt for a baby monitor or a small night-time camera, which can be attached to the cradle. This will allow you to keep a constant eye on your baby while preserving your couple's privacy. Babies sleep just as much at night as they do during the day, up to the age of eight weeks. In the beginning, they wake up several times a night: hungry, needing to be reassured, etc.
The closer your child is to you, the less you'll have to do to soothe them. If you let your child sleep in a separate room, think about your little toes: avoid all toys and furniture on the way to the cot!
Why not try a cot from the very first months?
Paediatricians recommend opting for a cot with bars from birth. This type of cot is very safe, as there is no risk of the child suffocating by rolling against the sides of the bed. What's more, they can see what's going on all around them, which helps to keep them awake. If you've installed a cot in your bedroom, you can keep an eye on your child from your own bed.
There are several models and sizes of cots available (evolving, swing, etc.). You can opt for a small model for the first few months. It will be easier to move from room to room, so you can stay close to your baby at all times of the day.
Fitting out your baby's cot
Whether you've opted for a classic cot, a multi-functional bouncer or a swing, the rule remains the same: you don't put anything in your baby's bed apart from a mattress. No braiding around baby to make a pretty nest, no pillows, no cuddly toys in the cradle-chair... All these elements are a risk for the child. He could bury his face in it and have difficulty breathing. You shouldn't use a blanket either, because babies can't regulate their temperature. They could get too hot or suffocate underneath.
And why not swaddle?
Swaddling is a technique adopted by more and more parents. It involves wrapping the baby in a blanket. The baby's movements are restricted, reminding him of the security he felt in his mother's womb. The baby feels calmer and sleeps better.
Use a light fabric and don't make the blanket too tight. You should be able to pass one hand between the nappy and the baby's body. Also make sure that the baby can move his or her legs inside the blanket.
Finally, if you use swaddling, plan for long sessions of play and babbling in total freedom or in a swing! Movement is very important for baby's development. He needs to be able to practise touching his feet, grabbing your hair... to develop his muscles and learn to move around.