Rituals that reassure baby

- What is a ritual? 

A ritual or routine is a daily repetition of small habits around certain activities. In the context of a newborn, we often talk about the bedtime ritual for settling down to sleep, but it is possible to create morning routines, nappy change routines, bath routines, and so on.

- Why create routines with your baby?

Establishing routines with your baby from the earliest age brings a double benefit. For baby, these rituals are a source of security — and goodness knows how much newborns need that. Moreover, by repeating these routines daily, baby can anticipate and gradually find their bearings in time. Rituals structure the day and that is re-as-sur-ing!

For parents, rituals can also be soothing in a daily life that feels completely turned upside down by the arrival of baby. The great thing about rituals is that they reflect who you are, since you choose them according to your wishes, your tastes, your time… They allow quality time with your child, help build a bond, save time — in short, the benefits are many!

- From what age can they be introduced?

Any early childhood professional will advise you to introduce them from the very first months of baby's life! The advantage of rituals is that they will accompany your child throughout their growth, adapting to their rhythm (and yours!)

A few examples: 

- Bath ritual

Bath time is a precious moment, and for that reason it is important to create a soothing atmosphere. The bath is a moment of strong connection with a parent; from the very first months, baby can rediscover certain sensations that will remind them of their mother's womb. Little by little, bath time can become fun, relaxing… It also helps to release tension. Just like for grown-ups! For things to go as smoothly as possible, stay in contact with your baby, don't hesitate to use the free-bath technique by placing a towel at the bottom of the bath (so that baby can move freely), warm up their towel to avoid a temperature shock (unpleasant in winter) and use suitable products! At Charlie Crane, we hold close to our hearts Minois cleansing products, a range of natural skincare products specially designed for the sensitive skin of little ones and responsibly made in France. The "comfort blanket" scent of the products is absolutely divine. The perfect way to make this lovely moment with baby even more special!

How to turn it into a ritual? By organising this moment daily at a set time — undressing, little games, massage, pyjamas, a little song… 

- Nappy change ritual

Whether you have a wall-mounted changing table such as our NOGA or a more classic one like our freestanding wooden changing table PAGO, both our changing tables already offer two of the most important elements in the nappy change ritual: comfort and of course safety! The nappy change ritual is not just a simple nappy change — it is a moment of intimacy, connection and tenderness with baby!

As baby develops, the ritual evolves too. At first it is all about discovery, then little by little baby will grab their tiny feet, discover their body, want to wriggle (oh yes!) — in that case don't hesitate to slip in some little toys to keep them entertained!

The hardest part of the nappy change ritual? The inevitable little sore patches otherwise known as nappy rash. Here again, keep some quality liniment (Minois's liniment is once again a safe bet!) and a rich cream with an immediate soothing effect on redness to hand! Finally, to ensure the ritual goes as smoothly as possible, be prepared: cotton wool and nappies within reach, bodysuits and spare outfits if needed as accidents happen quickly — and arm yourself with patience, as some times will be easier than others, and that is perfectly fine!

How to turn it into a ritual? Talk to your baby! Interact with them as much as possible, give them kisses, make them laugh. You can also hang a lovely mobile above the changing table, place small toys around it, sing… It is by repeating the same gestures with gentleness, tenderness and care that you will create your ritual!

- Bedtime ritual 

This is by far the most important ritual, and for good reason… Bedtime is a moment of separation from a parent, so this moment must be ritualised to give baby a good dose of confidence and serenity and to encourage sleep as much as possible… Here again, it is a moment that should reflect who you are. That is the beauty of routines: they are unique to each person and vary from one individual to another, from one household to another. There is therefore no "right" or "wrong" way to do it. We simply offer a few ideas to explore. First piece of advice: invest in a quality bed! At Charlie, our convertible beds are designed for children's sleep and grow with them! KIMI baby cot, KODO co-sleeper, KUMI bassinet, KUKO baby Moses basket… There is a bed made for you!

Finally, further tips for the bedtime ritual: putting baby to bed at a set time, in a room that is neither too warm nor too cold, in a soothing environment with a soft and even poetic night light, with their comfort toy or toys and a dummy if needed. You can say goodnight to the whole family before heading to bed, give cuddles, speak softly to your child, read a short story suited to their age that is not too stimulating (calm is the priority) — you can also say goodnight to the other soft toys in the room, sing a little lullaby, offer as much reassurance as possible, rock them… And let the magic happen!

How to turn it into a ritual? All these actions repeated daily form your bedtime ritual — the one that suits baby best for settling down to sleep. Babies change, develop and grow, and just like them, rituals and routines adapt and transform to suit them. One thing may remain constant — perhaps the scent of clean sheets that baby can associate with "home", a place where they feel safe. A little bonus then for Minois products for sheets, specially created for babies' sensitive skin with a… magical scent.

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