SAFE SLEEP: Bedtime routine

When your baby is crying at night, figuring out what is wrong is the only thing you want to do as a parent. Help your baby feel more comfortable by creating a bedtime routine.

As an infant, your baby will need a lot of sleep. Their sleep schedule might be unpredictable — sleeping short hours and waking during the night to feed. You can start introducing a bedtime routine for your little one around 4 months old. Every home and parent is different, so create a routine that works for you and your child. Here is what you can do to keep your little one sleeping well:

Set a specific time: Try to put your baby to bed around the same time every night. Your baby’s body clock will start to recognize the pattern.

Wind-down time: Try to limit playtime before putting your baby to bed. Turn off the TV and sit with your baby in a soft lit, quiet room to help him or her relax.

Give your baby a warm bath: This could be just what your baby needs to relax. A bath in warm water, in a warm room can help calm a fussy baby. However, a bath at night could signal playtime for your little one so do what works best for you and your baby.

Read a bedtime story: No matter how old your baby is, story time at night is a great parent-child bonding moment. Read your favorite story to your little one, using a soft and calm voice.

Creating a bedtime routine will help your baby fall asleep better. When putting your baby to sleep, keep in mind the rules of safe sleep. A safe sleep environment and a bedtime routine will make for a happy and healthy home!