How to Get a New Baby Into a Sleep Routine

Bedtime rituals and consistency help newborns establish sleep routines.

Bringing a baby home for the first time is a joyous occasion. But that joy can be abruptly cut short when parents discover their baby does not share the same sleep schedule as they do. As with all things, newborns need a little guidance to help them get to sleep. Developing bedtime rituals and maintaining consistency are the keys to getting your new baby into a sleep routine.

Instructions

1. Start early. Sleep routines can be established when children are as young as six weeks old, according to Babycenter.com. The sooner your baby starts sleeping regularly, the better it will be for him as well as the entire household.

2. Begin early in the evening. You want to have enough time to move slowly through the preparations for bed, or your bedtime ritual. Rushing will just make you and your baby tense.

3. Develop a simple bedtime ritual. This can be as easy as giving your child a bath, dressing him in clean pajamas and quietly reading a story or singing a song. These activities can start in any room in the house but should end in the child's room, so the baby begins to recognize that his room and this time is for sleep. It also helps to keep minimal noise and light in the room, at least until your newborn has gotten into a sleep routine.

4. Maintain consistency. Try to get your child to sleep at about the same time every night. Keep the bedtime ritual in a similar fashion as well. These activities serve as clues to your child that it is time for sleep, and will keep him relaxed even if you are away from home.

References

• Babycenter.com: Establishing a bedtime routine with your baby