HOW TO ESTABLISH THE PERFECT BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR YOUR BABY

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Sleepless nights can be the bane of a new parent’s life. While it is entirely normal behaviour for young babies to wake frequently during the night to feed, often every couple of hours in the early weeks- for some a pattern of broken sleep continues, even as they become toddlers

But one way you can encourage your baby to sleep is through a bedtime routine.

Here’s how you can establish a good bedtime routine for your little one which will help get your baby ready to sleep…

WILL A BEDTIME ROUTINE HELP MY BABY SLEEP?

A simple, soothing bedtime routine is a great way to prepare your baby for sleeping. It may also help prevent sleeping problems as they get older. Also, a bedtime routine is great for your relationship with your child – as it is the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy some quality one-to-one time with your little one.

WHAT IS A GOOD BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR MY BABY?

You should pick a starting time for your routine - somewhere between 6.30pm and 8.30pm is good - and then try and keep as near to that as possible each night. Exactly what you do in your own bedtime routine will depend on you and your baby but, for example, it could start with a bath, then having a story, followed by a gentle lullaby, before lights are turned down and you place your baby in their crib or cot for sleep time.

You should also try and avoid too much excitement and stimulation in the hour or so before you put your baby down, so they are nice and calm and ready to sleep when the time comes.

DOES MY BABY KNOW NIGHT FROM DAY?

At first your baby will not know night from day as they will wake at any time when they are hungry and need to be fed. However, as your baby gets older a routine which helps them establish night from day means that gradually they become aware of the difference.

But it’s also helpful to establish a routine of putting your new baby down to sleep when you notice they are tired. Signs of tiredness include eye rubbing, crying, going quiet and yawning and stretching a lot. Establishing a routine of putting your baby down when they first appear tired will help, as they can find it difficult to sleep when overtired.

From three months onwards you can start to introduce a bedtime routine as described above, which will help your little one to settle and get to sleep.

WHERE SHOULD MY BABY SLEEP?

For the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same rooms as you – both night and day – in a Moses basket, crib or a cot. This arrangement has been shown to have the lowest chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

WHEN CAN I STOP A BEDTIME ROUTINE?

You don’t have to simply stop your bedtime routine just because your child is older. In fact, it can be helpful to stick to much the same approach, as too much excitement and stimulation just before bedtime can make your child alert – however old they are. Instead, try and replicate the baby years and spend some time winding down and doing calm activities, like reading to them or looking at a book together, to get them ready for sleep.

WHAT CAN I DO IF MY BABY WON’T SLEEP?

A bedtime routine is a great way of getting your baby prepared to sleep and as your baby gets older they will stay asleep for longer periods until they sleep all night. Each baby’s sleep patterns are individual and vary considerably- try not to compare your baby with other babies.

Your baby will wake frequently in the early months of life. Feeding your baby on demand means that they will waken when they are hungry and this is entirely normal. Also, when your baby is going through growth spurts they may again start to wake more often to feed when before they may have been sleeping all through the night. These spurts are usually short lived and will pass!

Lack of sleep can leave you feeling run down and irritable. Remember you’re not superwoman! So you’ll need to accept help from your partner, family or friends. Sleeping when your baby sleeps during the day and letting others help with chores or looking after your baby while you take a relaxing bath or a rest can really help. Do speak to your midwife or health visitor if your baby’s sleep pattern is causing you stress as they will offer you more advice and support.