Bedtimes That Make Sense

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

24 May 2007 09:22 AM

Many of you know that I'm personally of the persuasion that co-sleeping makes for the best sleep for mom. But it doesn't work for everyone and there are a certain set of expectations that you have to accept in order for it to work. (Being okay with an older baby in the bed being one of them.)

But there are other ways to get your babies to bed relatively easily. I have said this many times, but I really believe that different babies' sleeping patterns are a reflection of their personality. This has been true for my children and many pediatricians, including Dr. Sears talk about this very same idea.

What magical cure am I talking about? The bedtime routine of course. I think many new parents underestimate the importance of a bedtime routine. One baby is much more 'portable' than say, two or three and because newborns have a tendency to fall asleep wherever they are, and many new parents don't necessarily realize that a bedtime routine is important. Then later, the baby has a lot more trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, etc. and the new parents can fall into a cycle of unsuccessful lulling.

In any case a good bedtime routine can solve a lot of sleep issues. It is best to start a bedtime routine from the very beginning, but if you didn't don't despair! Anytime you start one (even if you waited until toddler hood) is better than never doing one at all.

Really a bedtime routine consists of anything that will calm your baby. Below is a list of suggestions that you can incorporate into your bedtime routine. Whatever you choose, it should: a) be the same every night b) calm your baby c) take a reasonable amount of time.

*baths (especially with lavender or chammomile baby soap) can be very calming

*reading time

*hugs, kisses and prayers

*nursing

*a chat about the day or a coloring book

*brushing teeth Or anything else your family thinks of that will have the effect of preparing your baby to sleep.

Once your baby is used to the routine you will be amazed at how the activities yield a calmer, less fussy baby that's ready to sleep!

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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karabu (980) 29 May 2007 03:18 PM

We started a routine with our first child and didn't have nearly the amount of sleep problems that friends did. Now with the new baby, I'm afraid we're a bit lax. We eep the toddlers routine, but haven't worked the baby into it yet. I guess we'd best get started! Thanks for the reminder.

Valorie Delp (49340) 29 May 2007 03:45 PM

Yeah. . .I think it gets hard once you start adding extra kids into it!

AngiS (15) 02 Apr 2009 12:15 PM

My daughter is a "night person" and has been one since the womb. She would start moving at 11 p.m. and would not stop until 2 or 3 in the morning. I've tried to set a routine for her and we do the same things every night. She is now 5, but I homeschool her due to a visual impairment. She gets in bed at 9:00, but she doesn't get to sleep until midnight. I've even caught her awake at 3 in the morning. Now I'm having trouble because I worry about her losing sleep. If left to her own devices, she wouldn't wake up until noon. I wake her up earlier, but really feel bad because I don't know if she is getting enough sleep.

I guess what I'm saying is "I can lead my child to bed, but cannot make her sleep."