Developing Bedtime Rituals for Babies

Getting your baby to sleep on a regular schedule is not going to happen over night. However, if you develop a bedtime ritual as soon as the baby comes home from the hospital then you will reduce the number of sleepless nights that you both experience. You will also reduce your frustration and increase the enjoyable moments you have with your baby.

Step 1 - Schedule Sleep and Waking Times

The first step for developing a bedtime ritual for your baby is to select a schedule for awake time and asleep time. To do this you will need to adjust your own activity and habits. During awake times your home should be well lit and full or normal activity and noise. During asleep times you will want to dim the lights, reduce the household’s activity, and you will want to decrease the noise level.

Step 2 - A Routine of Activities

Create a routine of activities that occur before sleep time. The next step in developing a bedtime ritual is to develop a series of events that occur every night before bedtime. For example this series may include a bath with lavender, getting into pajamas, listening to a story, turning down the covers, and listening to a lullaby.

Step 3 - Comfort Items

Next you will want to link certain comfort items with bedtime. These items should be attractive to the baby. They should also only be used during sleep time. For example you may incorporate a special blanket or toy for bedtime, however, when the baby is awake the toy and blanket are put away. This will ensure that the baby only associates these items with sleep time.

Step 4 - Making Baby's Bed

Make the bedroom ready for bed. When it is time for sleep make sure that the baby’s room is comfortable and staged for a good night’s sleep. For example draw the shades, make sure the temperature is cool, and make sure that the bed has soft bedding.

Step 5 - Follow the Ritual

The final step for establishing a bedtime ritual for your baby is to not deviate from the ritual, even when you are not at home. This is very important. Your baby is relying on the cues that you have established to know when it is time to go to sleep. If you disrupt this routine it can confuse the baby, and undo all the work that you have done to build a bedtime routine. If you are away from your home for the night with your baby, bring with you the items that they need to go through the steps of their bedtime routine. Try to follow the bedtime routine as closely as possible to make your baby feel comfortable and relaxed enough to get a good night’s sleep.