Can you believe it? We’re actually getting a full night’s sleep with our 2.5 month old—7+ hours, to be exact! If you’re a new parent, you know how impossible that might sound during those first few weeks. Trust me, I’ve been there. The exhaustion was real, and I felt like I’d never sleep again. But then, we discovered the magic of a consistent bedtime routine, and it completely transformed our nights.
If you’re ready to swap sleepless nights for blissful rest, here’s our step-by-step nighttime routine and the essentials that make it all work.
Our Bedtime Routine for Full Nights of Sleep
1. Start with a Warm Bath (6:00 PM)
The first cue that it’s time to wind down is a warm bath. The warm water signals to our baby that sleep is just around the corner. We keep the lighting low and talk softly during bath time to keep the mood calm.
💡 Tip: When choosing your tub, make sure it doesn’t get moldy! We use the Angelcare Baby Bath Tub because it’s cheap, so easy to keep clean and you can hang dry it afterwards. The angle is also perfect for bathing our little one.
2. Lotion Massage for Relaxation
After the bath, we give our baby a gentle massage using a calming, baby-safe lotion. This not only helps moisturize her skin but also relaxes her muscles and reinforces the feeling of comfort. We LOVE the Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (on sale for Black Friday!) and CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion.
The Tubby Todd ointment is the ONLY lotion that helped our girl with her eczema and cradle cap!! This is a must have for us, especially in the colder winter months.
3. Pajamas and a Sleep Sack
Soft, cozy pajamas and a breathable sleep sack are next. The sleep sack helps her feel snug and secure, similar to swaddling, but with more freedom to wiggle. Now that she’s 3 months old, her arms have been breaking loose from the swaddle. We alternate between the Magic Merlin Sleep suit (a GAMECHANGER for us) and the Halo Sleep sacks.
4. Dim Lights and Turn On the Sound Machine
Once she’s dressed, we dim the lights and turn on the Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine. The white noise helps drown out household sounds and mimics the comforting noises she heard in the womb.
5. Bedtime Story
Reading a short, soothing story is another important step. We love using soft cloth crinkle books with high-contrast images since our girl’s vision is still limited at 3 months old.
We also love the classics like Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, and I Love You Like No Otter.
6. Full Feed Before Bed
The final step is a full feeding. Whether you’re nursing or using a bottle, this ensures her tummy is full, so she’s less likely to wake up hungry during the night. This is where the Haakaa Silicone Pump came in handy for us in the early days, helping to collect extra milk for nighttime feeds.
I actually have not touched my fancy Spectra electronic pump yet because of the Haakaa! I’ve collected enough milk from the opposite breast that I’m feeding from through the passive suction of the silicone pump that I have a freezer stash that’s slowly been growing. Double win because I don’t have a MILLION pump parts to wash!
7. Down by 7:00 PM
By 7 PM, she’s swaddled in her Maxi-Cosi Iora Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper, sound machine humming, and drifting off to sleep. The bassinet’s cozy yet spacious design keeps her comfortable all night long.
Why This Routine Works
Babies thrive on consistency and cues. By doing the same steps every night, your baby begins to associate these actions with sleep. The warm bath, dim lights, soothing sounds, and full feed all work together to relax her and prepare her little body for rest.
Bedtime Essentials We Swear By
Here’s a quick list of the must-have items that make our routine seamless:
- Angelcare Baby Bath Tub: Stress-free and safe bath time.
- Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine: Portable, soothing white noise.
- Soft Cloth Crinkle Baby Books: Perfect for calming bedtime stories.
- Maxi-Cosi Iora Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper: Comfortable and convenient for peaceful sleep.
- Haakaa Silicone Pump: A lifesaver for collecting milk for nighttime feeds.
Final Thoughts
Every baby is different, but having a consistent bedtime routine has been a game-changer for us. By sticking to these steps, our little one now sleeps soundly, and so do we! If you’re feeling exhausted, give this routine a try. You might just find yourself waking up to the sound of your alarm instead of a crying baby.
Do you have your own sleep tips or favorite products? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!
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