Establish a routine
Any parenting expert will tell you how important it is to establish a bedtime routine with your newborn. Creating a sense of stability and consistency, a set time for evening feeds, bathtime and bedtime can go a long way in getting babies settled down for sleep.
Baby will soon learn from these cues and know that it is time for calm. A secure environment with a familiar routine tied to a schedule will be beneficial to the family as a whol.
2. A warm bath
Bathing your little one may be the start of your bedtime routine, and it’s also a perfect time to create a bonding experience. If possible, keep the lights low, add a few drops of chamomile or lavender to the warm bath water and keep your voice low and quiet. This will ease them into a sleeping environment and make them feel secure.
3. Lavender scents
There’s a good reason why lavender is well known to be a relaxing sleep aid - it works! The popular essential oil can help babies sleep soundly by reducing restlessness and promoting relaxation. Look for lavender-infused bath products, lotions or add a few drops to an air diffuser in the room your baby sleeps to aid their slumber.
4. Bedtime massage
We all know how relaxing a massage can be - so why not try massaging your little one after their evening bath? Combine with a lavender-scented baby lotion and you’ll calm them down and help them drop off into the Land of Nod.
5. White noise
Specially created ‘white noise’ machines can be the perfect addition to your child’s nursery. Blocking out any other external noises, such as traffic or household sounds, infants can be soothed by white noise. It’s also possible to get sounds that mimic a heartbeat so that it provides a familiar, womb-like sound for newborns.
6. Nap time
It may sound counterintuitive, but an overtired baby that has had little sleep during the day may actually fight their sleep when it comes to nighttime. Establish a solid regular napping schedule with your baby so that they aren’t stressed and irritable later in the day - but be careful not to let them sleep longer than 3 hours at a time.
