Health Tip: Create Baby's Bedtime Routine

Better habits usually mean a better night's sleep

November 5, 2009 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Babies are never too young to benefit from a bedtime routine, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers these suggestions for developing bedtime habits from the start:

Don't give your baby a bottle in bed. Make sure the last bottle of the day is given a sufficient amount of time before bed.
Enjoy quiet relaxation time with your baby.
Put baby to bed when sleepy, but not when he or she is actually asleep. This way, baby gets used to falling asleep alone.
When baby cries, speak in a soothing tone. Or rub baby's back until calm. But don't pick baby up.
Avoid turning lights on when you feed baby in the middle of the night.
Whatever your routine, make sure you're consistent, and try to ensure that both of you enjoy it.
Don't sleep in the same bed with a baby that's 12 months or younger. This may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).