*This post is in collaboration with Very – all opinions are my own
After having two little ones, I’m asked almost daily, questions about our bedtime routine. I totally get why. It’s one of the hardest things to crack when you become a new parent. Scrap that, it’s one of the hardest things to crack even if you’re on your second child! Our little household is a mixed bag when it comes to sleep. Cameo is a dream and pretty much always has been. We have no issues with him at bedtime and he’ll quite happily sleep though until 7 am or whenever we go and get him, Marlo is a different little bean altogether! It has taken us almost 2 years to get him to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time. But we are getting there! The key for us has always been to have a relatively strict bedtime routine. We’ve been boring in the past where we’ve left parties early just because we want to keep to our routine, but it works! It’s all about creating a calm nursery environment, with nursery products that help and getting a routine that works for you.
Here’s the routine we’ve had since Cameo was born. While this blog post is in association with Very (who have some great Baby and Toddler Events throughout the year) I really want to point out that we have used some of these products from the moment Cameo was born and we’ve actually passed them on to the boy’s auntie who is expecting a baby in a few months. That’s how confident we are in our choices and how well they’ve worked for us.
Here are out three main steps to creating a calming and safe bedtime routine:
Play Time
About an hour before bed, we start to relax a little. For us, this means no super loud running around or super active play. We keep it more gentle and it could be something like reading, playing with building blocks or even winding down by washing a bedtime programme. A baby rocker is a great way to get babies to zone out a little before bedtime, but not so much that they fall asleep. A rocker with little toys for them to try and grab is always a good idea. We had one for both of our boys and it’s pretty much an essential piece of kit when you have a baby.
But I know, I know, there are so many to choose from! My top tip is to get one that grows with your little one, it will save you money and time in the long run. The Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker is perfect. Not only does it have Two comfy recline positions and calming vibrations (do they do it in adult size?!) but it also converts into a toddler chair which is great for bedtime reading when they get a little older! So your baby can relax before bed in the comfort of their own rocker and is a great little indication to them that bedtime (or nap time) is on its way.
Bath Time
Now your little one isn’t running around at full speed, it’s time to kick off the bedtime routine with a bath. I remember when Cameo had his first-ever bath and I will NEVER forget it. It was the scariest but the most wonderful thing in the world. I was also super anxious about everything from the temperature of the water to how we got him out, how wrapped up he was, how long he was in there for… the list goes on! Nothing will stop you worrying, it’s human nature, but there are some great products that will help make baby bathing easier. Plus, if you set a bath time, it’s the perfect way to signal to your little ones that bedtime is on its way.
The first product I’d recommend and once we’ve actually used for both boys and have just given Aunty Ebonie one for her little one is the Angelcare Soft Touch Bath Support. It’s a little support seat that your baby sits in while in the water. It sucks on to the bath so doesn’t float away, lets the water drain out and means they’re safe and comfy while they have a little kick around. It really is so helpful. You have no idea how slippery a wet baby can be until you’re in the bath with one! The other must-have item is a water thermometer. At first, I spent ages working out if the water was ok and then asking my husband to double-check. So when we started using a water thermometer it just helped with my decision making |(of course, I was always right) but it’s nice to have some reassurance. This super cute Tommee Tippee Bath & Room Thermometer is great for checking the water temperature accurately and quickly. If you’re wondering, the optimal room temperature for a baby is approximately 18 Celsius while the optimal temperature for a baby’s bath is at body temperature, between 36.5 Celsius and 38 Celsius. Did I know that of the top of my head? No chance. Haha!
So, keep your bath time short and sweet. A little bit of play is fine but keep it from becoming a pool party atmosphere. We have a bath every night and the boys can bath together not they’re a little bit older. You don’t need loads of water and it can be just a quick in and out. It’s just embedding that bath time is part of bedtime, so your little ones realise it’s a routine.
Bed Time
Finally, it’s bedtime! Our routine is pretty much the same every night. We brush teeth, have a bath, sing while we put eczema cream on the boys so soothe their skin, read a story and then it’s time to get into bed. We originally did all of this in our room but as the boys have got older, we now do it in their room because the temptation to start using our bed as a trampoline is taken away.
As well as doing the above every night (yep, every night), it’s also been important for us to create a calming and comfortable bedroom/nursery for the boys. We’ve done this by always having a nightlight of some sort in the room. Not just for their benefit, but also for ours because we can see them if they wake up in the night! The Gro Egg is a great piece of kit that really does some great multitasking for you. Not only is it a soft nightlight but it lets you know how hot the room is. If it’s yellow, that means all is good and it’s a safe temperature for your little ones. As a new parent, we’re told constantly about the dangers of sleeping while hot, too covered up, too many layers etc, so this really helps to deal with that new parent anxiety we all experience.
Something else that has just come into our lives which has really helped with Marlo’s sleep is the SnuzCloud Sleep Aid. This also acts as a mini nightlight and it also has various sound settings to help soothe your baby to sleep. From heartbeats for a new little one to pink noise for slightly older children. It’s a soft plush cloud that’s also portable so can be moved for nap time or overnight stays. It’s also super cute and Marlo likes holding it when we read to him at bedtime too. It’s a real little gem that acts a signal to Marlo that it’s bedtime but isn’t too overbearing. We wish we’d got it sooner!
The key to bedtime is to just do your best! Keep the same routine going, you will have hiccups but that’s normal and expect things to change. We went from singing the wheels on the bus every night to Cameo wanting to get into bed by himself without even a kiss goodnight! A calm and comfortable environment is the best you can do. Now go and get some sleep… I know that’s the advice you really wanted to hear!
