Creating a Baby Bedtime Routine

Many parents question how to get their baby to sleep through the night. The truth is, every baby is different, but there are some general tips and tricks you can follow to help your child, and you get a full night’s rest.

Baby Bedtime Routine

Establishing a bedtime routine with your baby can be a great way to get them used to sleeping at a certain time. As they get older, they will begin to associate certain rooms, or times, with heading to bed.

A daily evening routine helps slow down the day and shows your little one that it’s time to settle in for the night. There are a wide variety of activities you can include in a bedtime routine, many of which are great bonding exercises too:

Changing into pyjamas
Putting your baby to bed in a darkened or dimmed room
Having a warm bath shortly before bedtime
Reading a bedtime story
Listen to lullabies and slow, ambient music

How to Get a Baby to Sleep

When it comes to helping your baby get to sleep, there are a few techniques you can try to make it easier:

Start your bedtime routine at the same time every day – this will help your baby get used to associating this time with sleeping.
Try not to feed just before bed – it’s a good idea to feed them an hour or so before bed so that they aren’t trying to fall asleep on a full stomach.
Try JOHNSON’S® 3-Step Routine - the first and only bedtime routine clinically proven* to help babies and toddlers sleep better in just one week.

JOHNSON’S® 3-Step Routine

Step 1 – Warm Bath

Bathtime is the perfect way to start your baby’s pre-bed routine. Use a wash with an enjoyable and familiar scent, such as JOHNSON’S® Bedtime Bath, to help you soothe your baby before bed.

Along with engaging your baby’s sense of smell, bathtime encourages skin-to-skin contact, leading to improved physiological, cognitive, emotional and social development.

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Step 2 – Baby Massage

A soothing massage is a wonderful way to make your baby feel secure, loved and ready for sleep. Use a lotion with a relaxing scent like JOHNSON’S® Bedtime Lotion. Research has shown that routine touch and massage improves sleep quality and quantity when part of a before-bed routine.

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Step 3 – Quiet Time

After giving your baby a warm bath and a relaxing massage, it's time to send your baby off to sleep with a little quiet time together. Close contact between you and your little one helps calm your baby’s breathing, relaxing your baby for bed—a great reason for a post-bath cuddle.

Make sure you keep the atmosphere calm and cosy. Help your baby wind down further by reading or singing softly.