Creating a Baby Bedtime Ritual For A Better Night’s Sleep
Bedtime rituals are sweet moments of connection that parents and children share together every night. From a soothing bath to snuggling together to reading a bedtime story and recapping our days, these moments are when we all pause from the busyness of our day and be fully present before the night ends.
A bedtime routine like this is something parents can do beyond the “3-minute rule”. If you haven’t heard of the 3-minute rule, it’s spending 3 minutes, 3 times a day focused and being fully present with your child. The 3 moments of connection are when your little one wakes, when they return from daycare or school or you come back home from work, and before they go to sleep.
At Nest Designs, we’ve been honoured to be a part of many families’ bedtime rituals for the past 10 years - that’s over 3,660 bedtimes!
This month, Nest Designs is taking part in Sleep Awareness Month to promote the benefits of baby sleep. In celebration of our anniversary and Sleep Month, we’re excited to share some of our bedtime rituals that help make your bubs’ bedtime feel a little cozier, calmer, and more connected to you, and hopefully, give them a better night’s sleep.
Bedtime Routine
A bedtime routine helps your bubs wind down for the night and signal to their brain that’s bedtime soon. While one family’s bedtime routine will look different from another, here is a comprehensive routine. Please remember that it can be adjusted to whatever fits your family’s needs (because what works for one, doesn’t always work for another!).
- Clean up toys (make it fun and sing a song!)
- Take a bath
- Apply lotion
- Put on a diaper / Go potty
- Put on PJs (like these!)
- Eat a bedtime snack
- Brush teeth (make it fun and sing a song!)
- Playtime (10-15 minutes)
- Read a bedtime story
- Bedtime conversation for connection (read our questions prompts below)
- Turn on a sound machine
- Good night & lights out
Bedtime routines can start as early as the day you bring your newborn baby home with you! Keeping a consistent routine can help develop better sleep habits and help them sleep better at night.
Bedtime Questions to Invite Connection
Bedtime doesn’t need to be boring! Invite connection and imagination between you and your little one with these bedtime questions:
- What made you smile or laugh today?
- What was the most fun thing you did today?
- What do you hope to dream about tonight?
- What’s something you’re excited to do tomorrow?
- If you could be any animal, what would you be?
- If you had a superpower, what would it be?
- Who did you spend time with today?
- What made you feel calm today?
- What made you feel loved today?
- What made you feel sad today?
Nest with Me Sleep System for Better Rest
For 10 years, Nest Designs has created safe sleep solutions for babies and toddlers. From swaddle sleep bags to footed sleep sacks, our products promote a good night’s rest for your baby and you.
Our Nest with Me Sleep System is our signature wearable blanket system that is designed to grow with your baby through their different sleep stages - from being an infant to a toddler and beyond. This includes our swaddle sleep bags, sleep bags, footed sleep bags, and toddler pajamas.
Learn more about our Nest with Me Sleep System here.
Good Night, Sleep Tight
What’s your bub’s favourite part of your current sleep routine? What’s yours? Let us know in the comments, on Instagram, or on TikTok!