Developing A Routine For Young Babies + Toddlers

Part One  |  Part Two in a Three-Part Series |  Part Three

In Part 1 of this series, we talked about the “why” and how to start developing a routine and building structure for children. This post will delve a little deeper into building a solid routine foundation for children from 0 to 12+ months.

​NEWBORNS + YOUNG BABIES

​So many child sleep experts recommend a nap time and bedtime routine as one of the "first" routines you may start implementing with your baby.

A short, repetitive routine before it’s time to rest helps your baby wind down and realize that it’s time to prepare themselves for sleep. It might look like this: diaper change, read a book, sing and snuggle for a few minutes and put down. Young babies often only need a few minute routine like this, but consistency is key and you can build on it as your baby grows. I love what Cara Dumaplin has to say, the neonatal nurse and sleep pro from Taking Cara Babies, "Flexible routines, not rigid schedules". Routines don't have to be boring and so rigid you stress about them. I can't say that I didn't have an expectation for a more rigid schedule with our first (adding more unnecessary stress to new mom life).

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