Bedtime Bliss: Crafting a Calming Routine That Works for Your Family

Newborn (0-3 Months)
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1

A consistent bedtime routine can be a game-changer for signaling to your baby that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but the predictability can offer a great sense of security and help them transition from active play to restful slumber.

Common elements often include a warm bath, a gentle massage, reading a story, singing a lullaby, or a final feeding. The key is to choose activities that are calming and enjoyable for both you and your baby, and to do them in roughly the same order each night.

It’s also important to remember that routines can evolve as your baby grows. What works for a newborn might look different for a busy toddler!

What does your bedtime routine look like, and what are the essential elements that help your little one settle down for the night?

2

Our routine is super simple but effective! Bath, PJs, bottle, then straight into the crib with a specific lullaby playing on the sound machine. We’ve done it since he was 2 months old (now 9 months), and he pretty much knows what’s coming. The predictability is amazing; he yawns almost on cue during the bottle! Consistency really is everything.

3

We’ve adapted ours a few times. For the first few months, it was bath, feed, swaddle, bed. Now at 14 months, it’s bath, brush teeth, PJs, three books, then a final cuddle. We keep the lighting dim and use a red nightlight during the books to help signal sleep. It’s become a really cherished part of our day.