Talk to a sleep expert for just $45! Book Your 20min Mini Coaching Call

Baby Sleep Tips: Your Baby Needs a Soothing Bedtime Routine

Home » Baby Sleep Tips: Your Baby Needs a Soothing Bedtime Routine

Baby Sleep Tips:

Sleep Secret #13: Your baby needs a soothing bedtime routine.

A soothing bedtime routine will tell her that its time to slow down (this baby sleep tip is actually not a huge secret, but more common sense). The ideal pre-sleep ritual for a baby lasts no more than 20 to 30 mins–otherwise you’ll be asleep before its over! It may include two or three activities, such as:

A warm bath
Infant massage (in the baby’s room, with the lights low)
Playing with soft music or singing her a lullaby
A snack (nursing or a bottle)
Burping
Swaddling
A snuggle and kisses

You can add books when your baby is around six months old. Whatever you do, do it in the same order each night. Babies find predictability comforting. And a comfy baby is a happy sleeper.
Baby Sleep Tips Excerpt from “52 Sleep Secrets for Babies”

Want more weekly baby sleep tips delivered to your inbox?

Author: Kim West, MSW, Mom of 2, creator of The Sleep Lady Shuffle

My name is Kim West, and I’m the mother of two beautiful girls, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been a practicing child and family therapist for more than 21 years, and the creator of the original gentle, proven method to get a good night’s sleep for you and your child. My sleep journey began when I started experimenting with gently shaping my daughter’s sleep by not following the conventional wisdom at the time. After having success (and then more success with my second daughter!), I began helping family and friends and my step-by-step method spread like wildfire, exactly like an excellent night of sleep for a tired parent should!

Sleep Training and Coaching

CIO(Cry it Out) vs Ferber vs The Sleep Lady Shuffle

Cry-It-Out vs. Ferber As a parent, you may have heard of the Cry-It-Out (CIO) and Ferber methods for sleep training. While both are popular, neither reflects the gentle, responsive approach I advocate through the Sleep Lady Shuffle. Let’s break these down so you can decide what works best for your

Read Blog

Kim West February 11, 2025

Sleep Training and Coaching

Sleep Training Not Working – Method Mismatch or Something Else?

Baby not responding to sleep training When sleep training doesn’t seem to be working, it’s often not your baby—it’s the approach. Every baby is unique, and some methods might not align with your child’s temperament or developmental readiness. It’s essential to step back, assess what’s happening, and make thoughtful adjustments

Read Blog

Kim West February 11, 2025

The Sleep Lady

Gentle Sleep Coach Certification & Training Program

The testimonial statements are made by actual clients and represent reported results for the services offered by these providers. Consultants do not offer medical advice. If you have any medical concerns you should consult your doctor.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.