Creating A Calming Baby Bedtime Routine

Getting a baby to sleep through the night can feel like a mystery to many new and expecting parents—but at The Early Weeks, it’s what we do best. As professional newborn care specialists and pediatric sleep consultants, we’ve supported families across the country in creating peaceful nighttime routines and healthy sleep habits right from the start.

In today’s article, we’re sharing some of our favorite baby sleep tips, including proven techniques we’ve used in homes nationwide to help babies—and their parents—get the rest they need. Whether you’re looking for newborn sleep support, gentle sleep shaping ideas, or practical advice from an experienced infant sleep consultant, we’ve got you covered.

We’d love to hear from you too! Drop your favorite tips or questions in the comments, or connect with us on social media to share your experience.

How To Set The Stage For The Perfect Bedtime Routine

Remember that these are our suggestions, but one size is unfortunately not going to fit all in this situation as every baby and every home is different. Please use this as a baseline guide and then adapt or change things according to your baby’s individual needs. Good luck!

• • • About 45 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime, your routine can start. We suggest dimming the lights, all around the house, but especially where the baby will be as you put them down.

• Give baby a warm bath or gentle wipe down.

• • • A warm bath is a fantastic way to help soothe them and to warm them up a little bit which helps signal the brain that it is time to switch gears to sleep mode instead of play or feed modes.

• Apply lotion and massage.

• • • Why do we pay good money to go get a professional massage? To help relax our muscles and relieve built up tension all over our body. Well, not surprisingly, it pretty much works the same way for your baby. After their bath, apply a thin layer of baby-safe lotion (ones with lavender scents are great because they promote sleep as well) and gently massage their limb muscles as you rub the lotion in. Your baby will feel relaxed and happy and ready to get to sleep. If your baby seems discontent, discontinue. Sometimes the additional touch at the end of the day is too much stimulation, especially for very young infants.

• • • One thing that will help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep is if they have a full belly. Try to time your feeding schedule so that you can be at an optimal feeding time right after you finish their bath and lotion. 
  • Read them a story and/or sing to them. 
    • Once they have been bathed and fed, then it’s time to get them comfy and read them a story book and sing a few lullabies. Some of our parents opt to hum vs sing. It is a little less stimulating for some.

• Put on a fan or white noise machine.

• • This will help soothe them as they fall asleep and will help them not be distracted by random house noises or neighborhood noises like sirens, trains, and traffic.

Things To Avoid Before Bed

While we’ve covered what you should do before bed, here are some things you should absolutely avoid if you want to succeed in getting your baby down quickly and easily.

• Screens or overstimulating lights (TV, iPad and phones)
• Rough play or loud environments
• Sugary snacks or drinks (if your baby is eating solids)
• Unpredictable stimuli (like new people, new pets, or drastic changes in the appearance of your home or their room)

Before You Go

We hope that this information can help create a better and more restful bedtime routine for both you and your baby. If your little one is still fussy after feeds, struggling to settle, or having trouble sleeping, we’re here to support you.

From sleep consulting to in-home sleep training and overnight newborn care or in-home newborn care services, we offer personalized guidance to help your little one (and you!) get the rest you need.

Have questions? Let’s Chat — we’d love to help your family rest easier. 

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Katie B.

Expertise You Need:

• Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
• Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022)
• Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
• 16 years professional childcare experience
• Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022)
• Travel & ROTA Nanny

 

The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.

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