How to Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine to Help Your Little One Sleep
Developing a consistent bedtime routine is the route to helping your baby learn to sleep correctly. It’s not true sleep training, as that comes later, but it sets your baby up for success and helps you reclaim some sleep while instilling good bedtime habits. Here are some tips for what kind of routine you should start, and how to stay consistent.
When Can You Start a Bedtime Routine?
First, it’s nearly impossible to be consistent with a newborn. Their sleep and wake times are not predictable. That said, you can still start a routine while they are in a bedside bassinet and before they are in a crib. It takes about two months before a baby can accept a bedtime routine, and you’ll typically want to wait until your little one is about 4-6 months old before attempting actual sleep training. By establishing a routine, you build cues that help your baby get ready to fall asleep, and a consistent bedtime routine sends those signals to your baby’s brain and body, helping them get prepared for going to sleep.
Start the Bedtime Routine the Same Time Every Night
The first tip might seem obvious, but you need to have a consistent bedtime. Again, with newborns, this can be hard, as they seem to have minds of their own. But after a couple of months, it’s possible to start being consistent. You want to aim for a bedtime no later than 9 p.m. and try to push it up every few days. Many parents are content with a bedtime between 7 and 8 p.m. Typical bedtime routines can last anywhere from a half-hour to just over an hour.
Repeat the Same Actions Each Night
Try to keep to the same routine every night. For example, your baby’s bedtime routine might start with a warm bath to calm down and get clean. Then, turn down the lights and get your baby in a diaper and pajamas and a sleeping bag or swaddle. Feed your baby, and sing to them or read books. Before they fall asleep, place them in their bassinet and, if it vibrates, let the vibrations keep them calm as the transition to the bassinet can wake them up. Turn off the vibrations, and let them fall asleep.
Let Your Baby Fall Asleep By Themselves
One of the crucial aspects of the routine is helping your baby fall asleep by themselves. While some sleep aids, such as white noise and vibrations, are still useful at this stage, many habits are harder to kick as your baby grows. For example, you may have had to walk your newborn to sleep, pacing back and forth until they were asleep before putting them in a bassinet. Sleep aids make it harder for your baby to learn how to sleep on their own. Vibrations from a bassinet that vibrates can keep them calm and ease them to sleep, but you will want to turn the vibrations off and let them fall asleep on their own. If you are used to holding your baby, wait until they are drowsy but not asleep and then put them in the bassinet.
About HALO® Sleep
HALO® Sleep, one of the most well-known and trusted brands for high-quality infant sleep solutions and products, makes it a goal to educate parents, equipping them with the necessary tools to help ensure their infants sleep safely and soundly. They continuously work to innovate safe, comfortable products for infants and toddlers, such as a twin bassinet that keeps twins close and a bassinet that vibrates and keeps your baby close to your bed. HALO® also has a full line of swaddles based on the highly regarded HALO® SleepSack®, the first choice of hospitals, and the original wearable blanket. HALO® Sleep partners with leading infant health and safety organizations, dedicating part of their proceeds to educational efforts.
Browse sleep essentials from HALO® Sleep at Halosleep.com
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| Bedside Bassinet |
When Can You Start a Bedtime Routine?
First, it’s nearly impossible to be consistent with a newborn. Their sleep and wake times are not predictable. That said, you can still start a routine while they are in a bedside bassinet and before they are in a crib. It takes about two months before a baby can accept a bedtime routine, and you’ll typically want to wait until your little one is about 4-6 months old before attempting actual sleep training. By establishing a routine, you build cues that help your baby get ready to fall asleep, and a consistent bedtime routine sends those signals to your baby’s brain and body, helping them get prepared for going to sleep.
Start the Bedtime Routine the Same Time Every Night
The first tip might seem obvious, but you need to have a consistent bedtime. Again, with newborns, this can be hard, as they seem to have minds of their own. But after a couple of months, it’s possible to start being consistent. You want to aim for a bedtime no later than 9 p.m. and try to push it up every few days. Many parents are content with a bedtime between 7 and 8 p.m. Typical bedtime routines can last anywhere from a half-hour to just over an hour.
Repeat the Same Actions Each Night
Try to keep to the same routine every night. For example, your baby’s bedtime routine might start with a warm bath to calm down and get clean. Then, turn down the lights and get your baby in a diaper and pajamas and a sleeping bag or swaddle. Feed your baby, and sing to them or read books. Before they fall asleep, place them in their bassinet and, if it vibrates, let the vibrations keep them calm as the transition to the bassinet can wake them up. Turn off the vibrations, and let them fall asleep.
Let Your Baby Fall Asleep By Themselves
One of the crucial aspects of the routine is helping your baby fall asleep by themselves. While some sleep aids, such as white noise and vibrations, are still useful at this stage, many habits are harder to kick as your baby grows. For example, you may have had to walk your newborn to sleep, pacing back and forth until they were asleep before putting them in a bassinet. Sleep aids make it harder for your baby to learn how to sleep on their own. Vibrations from a bassinet that vibrates can keep them calm and ease them to sleep, but you will want to turn the vibrations off and let them fall asleep on their own. If you are used to holding your baby, wait until they are drowsy but not asleep and then put them in the bassinet.
About HALO® Sleep
HALO® Sleep, one of the most well-known and trusted brands for high-quality infant sleep solutions and products, makes it a goal to educate parents, equipping them with the necessary tools to help ensure their infants sleep safely and soundly. They continuously work to innovate safe, comfortable products for infants and toddlers, such as a twin bassinet that keeps twins close and a bassinet that vibrates and keeps your baby close to your bed. HALO® also has a full line of swaddles based on the highly regarded HALO® SleepSack®, the first choice of hospitals, and the original wearable blanket. HALO® Sleep partners with leading infant health and safety organizations, dedicating part of their proceeds to educational efforts.
Browse sleep essentials from HALO® Sleep at Halosleep.com
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