Bedtime Routine Tips to Encourage Sleep for Your Baby

Does your bedtime routine should be encourage your baby to sleep? As a postpartum doula and sleep consultant, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of establishing a bedtime routine for newborns, babies, and toddlers.

A consistent routine can encourage better sleep, reduce stress levels and reduce night wake ups.

Routines can help your baby or child feel comfortable by the predictable pattern and stability it gives them. Your consistent routine is a great cue for your child that bedtime is coming!

Here are some benefits to starting a bedtime routine.

This can be a special time for you and your child to spend one on one time together. As the day comes to an end it’s a great way to end the night on a positive note.

Bedtime routines offer precious moments for bonding with your little one. Whether you’re singing a lullaby or sharing a bedtime story, these interactions strengthen the parent-child connection, fostering a sense of love and security.

What should you include in your bedtime routine?

The routine should be geared towards the age of your child. For a newborn it can be very simple such as a feeding, bath time, singing a song, swaddling them and lay them down. Starting a routine at this age is helpful for them to start to establish consistent sleep patterns.

Here are some things you can include in your bedtime routine!

Feeding- Try feeding your baby at the beginning of the routine to keep them awake. This will help your baby fill up their tummy before bed. Then you can lay your baby down awake in their crib. Try not to let your baby fall asleep eating as this will ruin the sleep pressure your baby has built up to be able to fall asleep easily.
Bath Time- This usually happens at bedtime so it’s a great clue for your baby, toddler or child to start to have an association with bath time equals bedtime routine.
Swaddle or a Sleep Sack- If your baby is showing signs of rolling over it’s time to use a sleep sack. A sleep sack is considered one of the safest bedding options. It’s another great clue for your baby that sleep is coming since it’s only worn during sleep.
Read a book or sing a song- This sweet time can be adapted to fit your family. Singing a song can create great memories!
End with a short phrase- This is a way to communicate that we have had a great day but that it’s time for bed now. It should be short such as, “Good night, buddy!”

An important part of your bedtime routine is consistency! You will start to see less bedtime battles and create lasting memories for you and your baby. A bedtime routine will not only benefit your baby’s sleep now but also into the future. Creating healthy routines now will be beneficial to your child into adulthood.