Bedtime routines for babies and young children - 0 to 2 years (2024)

Sleep health is an important part of your child's development.

A bedtime routine builds:

  • good, lasting sleep habits
  • a strong relationship between you and your child

It's important that your child's bedtime routine is consistent. Do it the same way at about the same time each night. Everyone caring for your child should follow the same steps.

Newborn babies

Newborn babies are too young to follow strict routines. Some babies sleep for long periods, others for a short time. Newborns do not know the difference between day and night.

Safe sleeping position for babies to reduce risk of cot death

Why babies wake at night

Babies age 3 to 6 months

By between 3 months and 6 months, your baby starts to know the difference between day and night. A bedtime routine can help them sense it's nearly time to sleep.

Start a bedtime routine when your baby is about 3 months old.

Your baby's sleep needs may change over the first 6 months.

How much sleep your child needs

A regular bedtime routine

A bedtime routine might take about 30 to 45 minutes.

If you have a mobile above the cot, phase it out by the time your baby is 5 months old.

Help your child sleep through the night

Children age 6 months to 2 years

A regular bedtime routine is essential for your older baby or toddler. They should go to sleep and get up at around the same time each day.

Make going to bed as predictable as possible. If you can, share bedtime routines and storytelling between parents or caregivers.

Help your child sleep well

Bring your child outdoors early in the day. This helps release the hormone melatonin, which helps them sleep.

Carbohydrates also help release melatonin. So give them a good supper of carbohydrates, such as bread, rice or cereals with milk before bed. Avoid giving them large meals or sugary snacks and drinks.

There are other things you can do to help your child sleep.

It's best not to give your child a bottle to have in bed. They can start to rely on it to sleep, and it can be a choking risk.

Try to avoid rocking your child to sleep as they may need you to do this to help them fall back asleep if they wake during the night.

Children's sleep needs from 6 months to 2 years

Bedtime routines for babies and young children - 0 to 2 years (2024)

FAQs

Bedtime routines for babies and young children - 0 to 2 years? ›

Infants 0 to 2 years of age sleep an average of 12.8 hours a day, although this changes and develops gradually throughout an infant's life. For the first three months, newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, then they become increasingly alert for longer periods of time.

How much time do infants of 0 to 2 years of age spent sleeping within a 24 hour cycle? ›

Infants 0 to 2 years of age sleep an average of 12.8 hours a day, although this changes and develops gradually throughout an infant's life. For the first three months, newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, then they become increasingly alert for longer periods of time.

What is your child's bedtime routine? ›

A bedtime routine includes everything you do with your baby or child just before you put them to bed, such as taking a bath, the last diaper change, putting on pajamas, and reading a bedtime story.

What is a bedtime routine for a first grade? ›

Try This Bedtime Routine on a School Night
  • Ensure any take-home work is done (parent forms signed, etc.)
  • Bath time [link to bath time fun article]
  • Put on pajamas.
  • Brush teeth.
  • Prepare clothes for the next day.
  • 15-20 minutes of calm play in their bedroom with dim lights.
  • Read a book.
  • Use the bathroom one last time.

What is a normal routine for a 2 year old? ›

What is a sample schedule for a 2 year old?#
TimeActivity
12:00-2:30 pmNap
2:45 pmSnack
5:45 pmDinner
7:00 pmBed
4 more rows
Sep 11, 2024

What is a good bedtime for a 1 year old? ›

Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. This is a good time, because they sleep deepest between 8 pm and midnight. It's important to keep the routine consistent on weekends as well as during the week.

What are some good bedtime routines? ›

Up-to-Date
  • Decide on a Set Bedtime.
  • Put Away Electronics.
  • Have a Light Snack or Bedtime Tea.
  • Take a Warm Bath.
  • Listen to Music.
  • Stretch, Breathe, and Relax.
  • Practice Meditation.
  • Read a Good Book.
Dec 8, 2023

What age bedtime routine? ›

Babies age 3 to 6 months

By between 3 months and 6 months, your baby starts to know the difference between day and night. A bedtime routine can help them sense it's nearly time to sleep. Start a bedtime routine when your baby is about 3 months old. Your baby's sleep needs may change over the first 6 months.

How to do a bedtime routine for 1 year old? ›

As the evening is drawing near, give your child a few signals that bedtime is approaching:
  1. Dim the lights in the house.
  2. Engage in quiet play (no roughhousing).
  3. Turn off screens.
  4. Put on white noise in the background.
  5. If you think your child has teething pain, ask your doctor if some medicine might help.

What is the best bedtime for a child? ›

Children have a rise in melatonin earlier in the evening compared to teenagers and adults, so the natural time for school-age children to fall asleep is between 7 to 8 pm. It's also essential to develop good sleep hygiene early on because proper sleep is essential for growth, immune function, and behavior.

Why is a bedtime routine important for a child? ›

In addition to improving sleep, bedtime routines teach your child self-care and lay the ground for working memory, attention, and other cognitive skills. View Source . They also foster parent-child bonding and may help improve mood, stress levels, and behavior.

What time should a 2-year-old go to bed at? ›

Buying Guide
Age RangeRecommended Hours of Sleep (NSF)Recommended Bedtime
7-11 months old12 to 16 hours6:00 pm - 7:30pm
1-2 years old11- 14 hours6:00 pm -7:30pm
3-5 years old10-13 hours7:15 pm - 8:30pm
6-13 years old9-11 hours7:15p.m-9:00pm
2 more rows

Is 7pm too early for bed for a 2-year-old? ›

What time should a toddler go to bed? For most tots, lights-out is around 9pm (give or take 30 minutes), but pushing it later—or trying to force it earlier—may lead to more middle-of-the- night waking! I've found the sweet spot tends to be around 8 to 8:30pm, but every child is different.

What is a healthy toddler bedtime? ›

Instead, the sweet spot tends to be between 8 and 8:30pm for toddlers, with lights-out by 8:30. But you'll want to take cues from your child to figure out the best bedtime for them.

What is a good bedtime routine for a 2-year-old with autism? ›

This routine should begin 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime and take place in your child's room where it is quiet and calming. For example, you may want to read the same book each night, sing your child's favorite song, hug family members, etc. Young children with autism also often benefit from a visual schedule.

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