A good bedtime routine ensures a great nights sleep for yourself and your baby. Babies are capable of getting into a good routine around 6 weeks old. This is a guideline and it is possible for younger babies to develop their own routine earlier on.
Establishing a Bedtime Routine
When beginning to establish a bedtime routine it is important to pick a bedtime and stick to it as much as possible. Babies are capable of following routine very quickly if they are introduced to the same routine every night.
As babies grow they may be more active in the daytime which can result in tiredness earlier on. Some babies will be able to sleep for 10-12 hours every night while others will only sleep for 6-8. It is important to treat your child as an individual.
Daytime Naps
Daytime naps are often a topic of much controversy, but in some cases they may well encourage good sleep patterns and assist a good bedtime routine. In general babies of around 4-6 months will require 2 to 3 naps during the day. By about 8 to 10 months some may cope with one longer nap. In general by the age of 2 children can go without napping at all.
Napping habits all depend on the child's activity levels, energy levels and ease of getting to sleep. Try not to force a nap on a child if the child seems not to need one.
Mumsnet.com has some great advice regarding daytime naps.
Bathtime Before Bed
Bathing a baby before bed can help to relax the baby and promote good sleep. Warm water helps to soothe and relax the baby. Many companies now sell a lavender baby bath. The scent of lavender is well known to promote healthy sleep.
Lavender has been scientifically proven to increase time spent in a slow wave or deep sleep, thus resulting in a higher quality of sleep, happier baby and parent!
Warm Milk as a Sleep Aid
Warm milk has been a part of most babies bedtime routines from a very young age. There has been much research into whether or not milk can actually help with sleeping. Studies have found that although milk contains a high level of tryptophan; an enzyme which encourages sleep; gallons of the white stuff would have to be drunk in order for this to have any effect.
Whilst scientifically milk is not proven to help aid sleep, in many cases it can still help children to fall asleep. The warm full feeling is enough to help a young child drift off to sleep. When giving children over the age of 1 warm milk before bed, using a cup is much better for them than a bottle.
Storytime Before Bed
Babies and young children love the sound of their parents voice. Reading or telling stories before bed can help them to unwind and relax ready for bed. Some children can find it extremely settling to fall asleep to the sound of the parent talking.
Don't fret about having hundreds of books, stories about your childhood make great bedtime tales.
Noticing The Signs Of Tiredness
Whilst sticking to a certain time of night is important, it is equally important to notice signs of tiredness. Picking up on these signs can help prevent the child becoming overtired, which can then stop the child from easily drifting to sleep.
Common signs of tiredness can be:
- Rubbing eyes
- Staring into space
- Yawning
- Clumsiness
- Crying
Bedtime Baby
Creating a good bedtime routine involves many aspects, which are variable depending on the child. Baths, milk and storytime are all effective tools in encouraging a happy bedtime. Ensuring the child is put to bed at the right time when they are tired allows them to get the right amount of sleep and leaves them feeling happier in the morning.
Sarah Braidwood - Sarah Braidwood is a qualified Early years professional, with experience working with children from 0-12. Mum of one with a keen interest ...
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