A newborn does not come with an instruction manual at birth. However, the first months revolve around simple gestures, repeated daily, that build their emotional and physical security. Accompanying a baby on a daily basis means first understanding their real needs, then adjusting responses over the weeks.
Safety of childcare products: what the European GPSR regulation changes
Have you ever bought a second-hand bottle or received a baby bouncer from family? Since December 13, 2024, Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on the general safety of products strengthens traceability and reporting obligations, including for items resold between individuals.
In practical terms, each childcare product must be accompanied by clear information about its manufacturer, materials, and any recalls. A second-hand item without traceability poses a real risk. Before reusing a car seat, a folding bed, or a baby carrier, check that it has not been subject to a recall on the manufacturer’s official website.
Another recent development: Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, applicable since January 20, 2025, prohibits bisphenol A in several materials intended for food contact (coatings, silicones, adhesives, inks). If you own bottles or food containers purchased before this date, check the composition before reusing them for your child. Manufacturers have transitional periods, but new products must already comply with this ban.
Many resources are available to inform about the care and development of a baby on mamanserepose.fr, in addition to official public health recommendations.
Infant sleep: building a day-night rhythm without forcing
A newborn cannot distinguish day from night. Their biological clock gradually adjusts during the first weeks, provided you send the right signals.
In the morning, open the shutters early and maintain a normal noise level in the house. In the evening, dim the lights and reduce stimulation at least an hour before bedtime. This regular contrast helps the infant’s brain produce melatonin at the right time.
The rituals that anchor sleep
A fixed sequence of actions before bedtime works better than a rigid hour. For example: a warm bath, pajamas, a short song, then putting the baby to bed awake. The baby associates this sequence with sleep time.
When they wake up at night, wait a few seconds before intervening. Some infants make sounds or move without being truly awake. An intervention too quickly can interrupt an ongoing sleep cycle.
- Keep the room between 18 and 20 degrees, with a sleep sack suitable for the season instead of a blanket
- Lay the baby on their back, on a firm mattress without objects in the bed (stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads)
- Avoid any source of blue light in the room, including unfiltered LED night lights
Screens and young children: a ban that concerns more than just parents
Since the decree of June 27, 2025, nurseries and childcare facilities are formally prohibited from exposing children under 3 years old to screens. This obligation stems from the National Charter for the Reception of Young Children.
At home, there are no penalties, but the recommendation remains the same: no screens before 3 years old. What changes with this text is the clear distinction between the professional setting (legal obligation) and the family setting (public health recommendation).
In practice, the main issue is not the television being on in front of the baby. It’s the screen as background noise during meals or playtime. An infant picks up on the light and sound variations of a television even without watching it, which fragments their attention and reduces verbal interactions with the adult present.
What to replace the screen with, concretely?
A baby a few months old does not need sophisticated stimulation. Everyday objects are sufficient: a wooden spoon to manipulate, a fabric with varied textures, a simple rattle. Development comes through free manipulation and contact with the adult, not through visual content.
For times when you need a few minutes, a play mat with two or three hanging objects allows the baby to explore safely on their own. The goal is not to keep them occupied constantly, but to give them periods of independent discovery.
Infant skin and daily care: fewer products, more attention
The skin of a newborn is thinner and more permeable than that of an adult. Every product applied penetrates more and faster. Using multiple cosmetics (moisturizing lotion, perfume, scented wipes) increases exposure to potentially irritating substances.
For bathing, a frequency of two to three times a week is sufficient during the first months, unless there is visible dirt. A daily bath dries out the skin and can promote eczema. Use a fragrance-free, moisturizing soap in minimal amounts.
- For diaper changes, prefer oleo-limestone liniment or warm water with cotton, rather than disposable wipes
- Dry the folds of the neck, armpits, and groin by patting, without rubbing
- Apply a diaper cream only on redness, not as a routine prevention
- Check the composition of products by referring to ingredient lists rather than marketing claims on the packaging
A well-rinsed and well-dried infant rarely needs moisturizing cream. If the skin appears dry or irritated despite simple care, consult a pediatrician before adding an additional product.
The daily gestures, from bedtime to diaper changes to wake times, are not spectacular. Yet their regularity builds the foundation of a baby’s physical and emotional well-being. Adjustments are made week by week, observing the child’s reactions rather than following a fixed program.
