The Best Nightly Bedtime Routine For Newborns, Babies And Toddlers!
On April 6, 2021 by Megan FolsomHaving a consistent bedtime routine with your littles and starting it early on is SO so important! It helps them wind down and their brains catch on quickly. Plus, it doesn’t take them long to learn what’s coming next and it’s less scary when they learn that it happens the same way every night.
Honestly, it doesn’t need to be anything super crazy, complicated or effortful. The real power is in the small steps and doing them consistently. It’ll be a little different for everyone and that’s the beauty of it! The BEST routine is what works best for YOU!
I’ve broken down our own bedtime routine as an example for you to show you just how easy and simple it really is. It’s not something to stress over or try to do extravagantly. Just try a few things, see what works for you and your family and then stick to that!
We started this routine when Trussler was about 4 months old. Most sleep consultants recommend introducing one around four months, as they have huge shifts in their sleep patterns right around then. As he’s gotten older, we slightly adjusted as needed and it has worked SO well for us!
*Please don’t be overwhelmed by the number of steps, I’ve just broken them down as small as possible to help you really envision our nights!*
Our Easy Bedtime Routine
- Strip down to a diaper.
- Give him his vitamins and medicines he needs while undressed, because he tends to spit them out or drips them.
- Change diaper.
- Put on clean pajamas.
- Breastfeed (or feed bottle).
- Read a bedtime book with dad.
- Brush teeth as soon as they have any, or clean gums with a wet washcloth.
- Put him in his sleep sack.
- Say a quick prayer as a family.
- Turn off the lights.
- Turn on sound machine (and shusher, when he was a newborn).
- Hugs and kisses with mom and then dad.
- Put into crib with stuffies/loveys.
- Say our goodnights (I love you, sleep well, I’ll see you in the morning, etc.).
- Wave and close the door.
As you can see, your routine doesn’t have to be anything over the top – just something repeatable and consistent. This is especially helpful if you have to have a babysitter put them down or they have a sleepover with grandparents. It’ll help them feel so much more secure and comfortable!
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