Baby's Bedtime Routine

Today I thought I’d share a little about baby’s bedtime routine.  When i had my baby, i had my mum and mum-in-law helping us  for the first 3 months.  This was a HUGE help and luxury,  It helped me get back on my feet feeling stronger. They gave me pointers, even bedtime songs and songs that soothe her when she cried. I’ll share some routine i use up till date and it works for me, of course you know every parent loves a peaceful sleeping baby. I started bedtime routine around 4 months, it involves a number of activities, here are some tips i use

1. End active play and reduce noise from the television.
2. Bathing: Like mine, most babies find it difficult to sleep without their night bath especially when you have it included in the routine
3. Good Massage/ Back or Buttocks Patting: After bathing, while you are rubbing her lotion or baby oil, massage your baby well. Some babies fall asleep after this. Also Patting their backs or buttocks make them sleep faster too
4. Cool Temperature: Figured out a cool temperature tends to soothe her, and when the temperature is hot i use cool water and her towel to damp her or give her a bath and then change her Pyjamas to a short one
5. Singing: Find a song your baby loves and sing for him/her, it works like a charm. I sing her favourite song.
6. Breastfeeding: Almost all babies tend to sleep on their mothers alms most especially when breastfeeding
7. Backing: This one is the old traditional way our mothers used and it still works. You back your baby and then stroll and sing lullaby to them
8. Chest Carry: If you are not medically fit please don’t try this, you carry your baby on your chest, this also works like backing them
9. Teether: In case of teething, they use it to scratch their teeth and in the process fall asleep

Some Additional Tips from Other Moms

• Talking to your child about his day
• Offer a pacifier
• Swaddling
• Putting the baby in a carrier and walk
• Keeping it simply and less lengthy

You may want to try reading story books to older children or giving them their favourite stuffed toy to cuddle. These bed time routine can change when baby is teething or sick or a change in environment. You can start bed time routine at any time, it is never too early to start. It last from 15mins to 1hour maximum. For best results it is nice to be consistent.

I hope this helps.