10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine
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
How to Soothe a Baby with Colic
Got a fussy baby? Infantile colic is characterized by intense, uncontrolled crying or fussing in an otherwise healthy and well-fed baby. About 20% of babies suffer from colic.
4 mins to read
Bath time checklist: How to bathe a newborn
Washing a newborn for the first time can be nerve-racking as well as a lovely bonding moment. Follow our tips on how to bathe a newborn safely.
3 mins to read
How to emotionally prepare for parenthood before becoming a mom
Amazing news! You’re expecting your first baby. But what can you do to emotionally prepare for parenthood?
3 mins to read
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
How to give a baby massage
Baby massages are a great opportunity for interacting with your baby and for skin-to-skin contact. Find out what to do with this baby tummy massage breakdown.
2 mins to read
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
Baby digestion development | First days
By Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician
3 mins to read
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
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
Bathing hacks: How to give your newborn a sponge bath
Don’t worry about giving baby a bath in the first few weeks.
3 mins to read
10 money-saving tips for having a baby on a budget
Working out how much to save for a baby can be a daunting task.
4 mins to read
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
How to put baby to sleep?
Babies love to sleep, eat, repeat. Right? Except the sleep bit can sometimes take work.
3 mins to read
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
Playtime ideas for your 0-4 month old
Make the most of your time at home with these five tummy-time moves to get your little one active and help you bond with each other.
3 mins to read
How to help baby reflux
Baby reflux. It’s one of the most common symptoms in babies in their first year. Here are some baby reflux remedies to help prevent and ease the symptoms.
2 mins to read
What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?
If you’re breastfeeding, a healthy diet is important as it can affect your baby as much as you. Get tips on what not to eat when breastfeeding and what to eat when breastfeeding.
2 mins to read
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
Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit
Now the adventure really starts!
3 mins to read
Related tools
Article finder
Expert articles and tips about development, parenting support, and nutrition
Product finder
Find Nestlé Nutrition Products right for you and your baby
Checklists finder tool
Checklists and tips to help along your parenting journey
Recipe Finder
Find recipes for you and your little one.
