Awareness of their surroundings: Bedtime routines

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Conducive Sleep Space

Creating a calm sleep environment helps babies feel safe, relaxed, and ready for restful sleep routines.

Written by Sara Morse

Something you should do to create the perfect sleep environment for your baby includes keeping the room dark, introducing calming sounds, and maintaining a comfortable room temperature.

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Dim Lights

A darker room helps babies understand it is time to sleep rather than interact and play. Keep lights soft during naps and bedtime.

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Sound Machine

Gentle white noise or calming sounds help block outside distractions and build a comforting sleep routine for your baby.

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Room Temperature

Keep the room cool and comfortable. Your baby should never feel sweaty or too cold while sleeping.

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A peaceful sleep space creates healthy sleep habits that support both babies and parents.

When your baby is between the 8 to 12 week age bracket they start to understand routines. Make sure your bedtime routine is predictable and that you follow the same repetitive routines everyday to help your baby start associating nighttime activities with the understanding that it is sleep time. Try having a 25 - 30 minutes pre-sleep routine with your baby, something you should include in your baby’s sleep routine are

• Change diaper

• Feeding

• Break between feeding and sleeping

• Rocking and snuggling.

Try having at least 4-5 activities in place before you put your baby in their crib or bassinet. All your bedtime routines should be either performed in the nursery or in their bedroom. The reason we ask you to do this is because this one helps your child when you transition them to sleeping in their own room if they are still sleeping in your room. When you perform your bedtime routine with your baby in the nursery or their bedroom, your baby knows that they will be getting your undivided attention as there would be no distractions around the room for either of you.  If you are putting your baby to sleep in their own room, this time is more about snuggling and giving them your undivided attention. This in turn also helps your baby have a positive and secure feeling of sleeping by themselves.