baby sleep routine

10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine

10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine

0-6 Months
Article
Aug 15, 2024
2 mins

Baby sleep routines can vary enormously, often causing poor parents many a sleepless night. Here are some bedtime routine tips to help your baby sleep through the night.

  • Learn to recognize and try to respond to signs your baby’s tired like yawning, rubbing their eyes, flicking their ear, crying, and whining.
  • Show your baby the difference between daytime (active, light, noise, excitement) and nighttime (calm, dark, quiet) so they can recognize the cues for bedtime.
  • Build in a calm, quiet half hour before you start your baby’s sleep routine that includes feeding, if possible—hungry babies don’t sleep well.
  • Try giving baby a warm bath followed by a gentle baby massage.
  • Change them into their sleep clothes and a fresh diaper.
  • Read a bedtime story and maybe sing a lullaby.
  • Say good night to everyone (including teddy) and give them a kiss goodnight.
  • Say the same night-night phrase as you put them down to establish a familiar sleep cue.
  • Put baby down when you notice she is becoming drowsy, rather than fully asleep. 
  • Remember the secret to a good routine is consistency, not perfection.
  • Find out how much sleep your baby needs here.

Sources

Canadian Paediatric Society. Caring for Kids. Healthy Sleep for your baby and child. https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/healthy_sleep_for_your_baby_and_child Accessed September 2020.

Related articles

View details How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue
Article
baby sleep time

How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue

Getting enough sleep during the first months of your baby's life means adjusting to your own new sleep habits and those of your baby.

3 mins to read

View details Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit
Article
baby’s first foods

Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit

Now the adventure really starts!

3 mins to read

View details How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps
Article
How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps

How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps

Becoming a new parent and bringing your newborn home, can be a daunting experience to navigate.

3 mins to read

View details What to ask at my first well-child visit?
Article
Bath time checklist: How to bathe a newborn

What to ask at my first well-child visit?

Your first well-child visit will be carried out soon after birth to ensure baby’s development is on track.

2 mins to read

View details Lonely mom? 10 things to do with baby—that give something back to you
Article
baby activities play dates baby yoga

Lonely mom? 10 things to do with baby—that give something back to you

Even with a wealth of online parenting forums and a baby in your arms, it’s easy to feel isolated and lonely as a mom.

4 mins to read

View details Baby vaccine schedule
Article
Mother with child

Baby vaccine schedule

Early childhood immunizations are an important safeguard against serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses for your baby.

4 mins to read

View details How to start complementary feeding
Article
complementary feeding

How to start complementary feeding

Starting complementary feeding is an exciting time. Here are our top tips on how and when to start baby food from our resident dietitian.

4 mins to read

View details Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts
Article
Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts

Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts

Tired of battling mom guilt? It’s entirely normal, but pretty unhelpful if you’re navigating many other new mom emotions.

2 mins to read

View details Understanding why babies cry
Article
why babies cry

Understanding why babies cry

Wondering why babies cry? If you’re struggling to understand what your baby is trying to tell you, check this list for possible clues to help.

2 mins to read

View details Disposable-diaper-changing routine
Article
diaper-changing routine

Disposable-diaper-changing routine

You’re going to do a lot of diaper changing over the next few months and years, so here’s a helpful diaper changing routine.

2 mins to read

View details First-time dad tips—how to be a hands-on dad
Article
First time dad tips how to be a hands on dad

First-time dad tips—how to be a hands-on dad

Wondering how dads can help with newborns?

6 mins to read

View details Why do babies cry?
Article
Baby crying

Why do babies cry?

When you’re a new parent your baby’s cries can be overwhelming. Remember it’s a new world outside the womb and your little one is adjusting to his new surroundings.

2 mins to read

View details Baby immunizations—a parent’s guide
Article
Baby immunizations

Baby immunizations—a parent’s guide

Immunization time—gulp! Your baby’s first injections can be upsetting parents and babies. If you are anxious, your baby may pick up on your feelings so try to stay calm.

3 mins to read

View details Combination Feeding: Combining Breast Feeding & Formula-Feeding
Article
Combination feeding

Combination Feeding: Combining Breast Feeding & Formula-Feeding

Combination feeding, also known as mixed feeding or combo feeding, is when you feed your baby both breast milk and infant formula.

4 mins to read

View details Baby digestion development | First days
Article
Baby digestion development | First days

Baby digestion development | First days

By Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician

3 mins to read

View details Need some space? Here’s how to handle visitors after giving birth
Article
 comment gérer les visiteurs après la naissance de bébé

Need some space? Here’s how to handle visitors after giving birth

If you’re an overwhelmed mom or dad with too many baby visitors, don’t panic. Here’s our top five tips on how to handle visitors after giving birth, giving you time to bond with your baby.

3 mins to read

View details Coping with baby blues
Article
Coping with baby blues

Coping with baby blues

Many moms experience feeling of postpartum blues – sometimes called the “baby blues” soon after their little one arrives.

3 mins to read

View details Bottle-feeding tips
Article
Bottle-feeding tips

Bottle-feeding tips

Bottle-feeding might look easy but there’s a fair bit to swallow.  So here’s a list of bottle-feeding tips, covering bottle-feeding positions, setting a bottle-feeding routine, and more.

2 mins to read

View details How to Bathe Your Baby
Article
baby bath

How to Bathe Your Baby

Baby’s first bath will be a new experience for both of you, so give yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy it.

3 mins to read

Join

  Join

Your parenting instincts, our support

Super-sized Savings

SIGN UP & GET A CHANCE TO WIN

Sign up for Nestlé Baby & me and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100* gift card!

For full details, please visit the Terms & Conditions.

EMAILS & SUPPORT

PERSONALIZED EMAILS & SUPPORT

Receive customized emails with useful info, special offers, & more to help guide you through each parenting phase.

Helpful Resources

HELPFUL TOOLS & RESOURCES

Get access to our helpful and interactive parenting tools & resources in one convenient hub.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

We offer science-based advice & specialized nutritional guidance for every stage of the parenting journey—from preconception to toddlerhood.