5 Tips For Creating a Calming Bedtime Routine For Your Baby

Thank you Baby Dove for sponsoring this post.

If I'm being honest, Savannah has never been an amazing sleeper. When other mothers started boasting about their babies sleeping 10 to 13 hours a night I was jealous. I wondered how could that possibly be a thing when Savannah was only partially sleeping through the night.

Most times the best we could get was 5 or 6 hours but even that included multiple wake ups. It almost felt like we were still on her breastfeeding schedule even though we had not breastfed in months.

We were tired and at a loss. So when the conversation about moving Savannah into her own room came up I knew if we didn't find something to make the nights go smoother, that was going to be a disaster.

When I started looking for answers on how to get your baby to sleep through the night is when I found out about bedtime routines and the importance of a nighttime bath.

Some of you may be thinking "Deanna, how did you not know about a bedtime routine" while other first time moms like me may be asking themselves "what's a bedtime routine? Do I need one of those for my baby? Can I order that on Amazon?" lol

The answer is YES, well to needing one...not Amazon.

A bedtime routine is basically a ritual that you introduce to your little that leads up to laying them down for the night. The idea is that if you do this enough your baby will start to connect your routine to bedtime and make for a smoother transition into dream land.

When you think of bedtime routines think calming, comforting and involving things that help your baby relax like turning down the light. Remember, we are preparing for bed so the less stimulating the better. P.S I suggest starting a bedtime routine as soon as your little is out of the early baby stages (about month 4).

It's safe to say that since we started our Nighttime routine, it has evolved a lot-- we've learned what works, what doesn't and what order bedtime activities should go in. So for all my new mamas who may be struggling with what their bedtime routine should consist of or maybe what you're currently doing isn't working.

I'm sharing

5 Tips For Creating Calming Bedtime Routine For Your Baby

Keep in mind, you don't wait to start this routine when your baby is already overtired the idea of the bedtime routine is to get the baby more relaxed and drowsy as we go, being overtired at the start will make for a tragic line of events.

1) Baths Soothe Babies

A night time bath is a MAJOR KEY!

Just like adults, taking a bath helps to relax your energy and even soothe you to sleep. We've started to use the Baby Dove Calming Nights Tip to Toe Wash during Savannah's bedtime routine and have noticed that she seems happier calmer after her bath.

It has the calming scent of warm milk and chamomile, and keeps me happy because its created without dyes, parabens, sulphates and phthalates and its mild on her delicate baby skin.

Oh and because its tear-free Savannah is free to splash (her favorite thing) as much as she wants and I don't have to worry.

2) A gentle Massage and Cozy PJ's Go A Long Way

After bath time is done, it’s always important to make sure you put lotion on your little one. Instead of rushing to get the lotion on and moving to the next step, I’ve learned that taking your time and applying lotion while giving your little a gentle massage helps the process go a lot smoother.

Using Baby Dove Calming Nights Baby Lotion after Savannah's bath helps to leave her skin feeling super soft and the calming scent is ideal for night time so it won't be distracting or overpowering as your little starts to drift off to sleep. It’s also made with 100% skin-natural nutrients to help replenish baby’s delicate skin, keeping it nourished and healthy.

Oh and don't forget to pick out PJ's that will keep your little cozy and snuggly. Sleep suits, sleep sacks, footed onesies and swaddles are best.

3) Never Go To Bed Hungry

This one is sort of a no brainer. Having babies tummy fed and full will help keep them satisfied through the night. If a baby does not have their nighttime meal before bed you run the risk of them being fussy prior to being put to sleep or waking up in the middle of the night from hunger. 

No matter how you do it, breast or bottle be sure you take the time to snuggle with your little as they enjoy their before bed meal. 

Personally I can say this one has also become a saving grace for us, there have been a few times in the past where Savannah's sleep schedule was thrown off and she would go to bed way too early and not take her night time bottle and woken up randomly looking for food.

4) Bedtime Stories or Songs

Story & Song time is probably my favorite part of our night time routine besides giving Savannah a bath with Baby Dove Calming Tip to Toe Wash, because this is when we get to be super snuggly and close.

A huge tip for story time before bed is to choose ONE book and have that be the book you read every night, after a while your little will begin to connect that story with bed time and help them understand that when you read that story it means it’s time to sleep. 

We have also done that with her nighttime or nap time song, we always sing "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.”

5) White Noise Machine For The Win

The last piece of your nighttime routine is a white noise machine. We actually have two, one in her bedroom and one in the living room just in case Savannah happens to fall asleep out there during her naps. The machine essentially helps drown out background noise and creates a calming and relaxing environment in the room. 

I’m not sure if you personally have ever used a white noise machine but it really does help ease your mind and calm racing thoughts.

If you follow these steps, your little will be off to dream land for sure. Definitely make this baby bedtime routine your own and cater it to your little but ideally incorporating these steps will make nighttime much easier.

If you do try this routine let me know how it worked for you!

Until Next Time,

XO Deanna