Bedtime Routines for Babies and Toddlers by Age

If you have ever typed into Google, “Why won’t my baby sleep?” you are not alone. Many tired parents eventually come across the idea of a bedtime routine while looking for answers. A bedtime routine can be a powerful tool for building healthy sleep habits and supporting good sleep hygiene.¹

Infants and young children thrive on predictability, and bedtime routines help cue their brains and bodies that sleep is coming. As a pediatric sleep specialist, I often remind families that winding down is just as important as sleep itself. A calm, consistent bedtime routine helps children transition from a busy day into rest.

How to Create a Bedtime Routine

If you’re not sure where to start, keep it simple. A good bedtime routine does not need to be elaborate. The goal is to help your child wind down and understand that sleep is coming.

Keep It Simple and Predictable

Bedtime routines during infancy and early childhood usually work best when they last about 20 to 30 minutes and include four to five simple steps. But don’t stress about timing it perfectly or adding extra activities. Think of this as a general guide, not a strict rule. The goal is to give your little one time to unwind and prepare for sleep without letting the routine become so long that bedtime starts to drag.

Related: Sleep Hygiene for Kids: How To Help Your Child Get Enough Sleep

It Should Be Relaxing and Enjoyable

If your little one hates bath time or cannot stand sitting on your lap while you read book after book, don’t include it in your bedtime routine. There is no rule that says every bedtime routine must include the same steps, so find a good balance between what needs to be done (e.g., using the potty or brushing teeth) and what your little one enjoys.

Most of the Routine Should Take Place in Your Child’s Sleep Space

Try to do most of the bedtime routine in your child’s sleep space. This helps signal that sleep is coming and can make it easier to keep the routine calm, quiet, and predictable.

Newborn Bedtime Routine: 0-3 Months

Bedtime routines can begin right away, but by around the 6-week mark, a consistent, predictable nighttime routine can be especially beneficial.

At this age, bedtime routines should always include a full feeding as the final step. This helps ensure your baby is settling with a full tummy, which can support longer stretches of rest. Because feedings during the newborn period often take 20 to 30 minutes or more, routines are typically simple and include fewer steps.

A sample newborn bedtime routine might include:

• Quick bath/washcloth wipe-down
• Lotion or infant massage
• Diaper and PJs
• Full feeding and burping
• Swaddle
• Rocking, cuddles, or kisses

Related: Must-Have Baby Sleep Products (0-6 Months)

Baby Bedtime Routine: 4-12 Months

As your baby gets older, sleep associations become incredibly strong. A predictable routine can make bedtime easier, but some sleep associations can also create challenges if you’re not careful. One of the biggest contributors to sleep struggles is consistently falling asleep while eating. Not only can this set them up for a cycle of frequent night wake-ups, but they are likely falling asleep before they are truly full!

Set your little one up for success by feeding them earlier in the routine. Moving the feeding 15 to 20 minutes earlier in the routine will not usually affect how long your baby can go before needing to eat again, but it may help reduce feed-to-sleep associations.

A sample baby bedtime routine might include:

• Full feeding
• Bath and brush teeth
• Lotion or massage
• Diaper and PJs or sleep sack
• 1-2 books, lullabies, or nursery rhymes
• Prayers, cuddles, or kisses

Related: Baby Sleep Must-Haves: 6-12 Month Olds

Young Toddler Bedtime Routine: 13-18 Months

Once your little one is primarily on solid foods, they will likely no longer need a full feeding as part of their bedtime routine. While many nursing mothers will continue to nurse as part of the routine purely out of comfort and pleasure (which can absolutely work if it feels right for your family), formula-feeding parents are usually weaning off formula and working on dropping the bottle around this age anyway.

The content of the bedtime routine will likely be very similar to that of the previous months, but you may be able to include alternative forms of one-on-one time, such as more bedtime stories or singing together.

A sample toddler bedtime routine might include:

• Bath
• Brush teeth
• Diaper and PJs or sleep sack
• 2-3 books
• Songs
• Prayers, cuddles, or kisses

Related: How to Handle Toddler Tantrums at Bedtime

Older Toddler and Preschooler Bedtime Routine: 18 Months-3 Years

As your little one grows older, a consistent bedtime routine becomes increasingly important. With growing independence and a strong interest in negotiating, older toddlers and preschoolers are masters at stalling at bedtime.

With a consistent bedtime routine that’s been part of their daily rhythm for a long time, the chances of bedtime battles decrease significantly. However, it can help to allow your little one some simple choices regarding certain things. For example, you may let them pick which bath toys they’d like to play with, choose their PJs, or select three books to read. This can help mitigate some of the struggles around the non-negotiables (like going to bed).

A sample older toddler and preschooler bedtime routine might include:

• Bath
• Brush teeth
• PJs
• 3-4 books
• Use the potty
• Prayers, cuddles, or kisses

Related: 40+ of the Best Children’s Books by Age

Bedtime routines can be one of the most helpful tools for creating calmer nights. They give babies and toddlers a familiar rhythm and help them understand what comes next.

If your family does not already have a routine, start small. Choose a few calming steps, keep them consistent, and adjust as your child grows. With time and patience, bedtime can become a smoother and more peaceful part of your day.