Have a Bedtime Routine To Help Your Toddler Sleep

A bedtime routine is crucial in helping your toddler sleep well. You need to have a set routine, structured, consistent and pleasurable. You've had a busy day and so you can make bed time a time when you are unhurried, have time to sing little songs and have one to one time with your toddler.

We have dedicated separate pages for brushing teeth, toddler bedtime stories and toddler massage for detailed information on these topics.

If you have more than one child, then make this time when you have attention only for them - no phone calls, cooking, washing or chatting with other adults.

Have a look at our bedtime routine and vary it according to your own schedule. The timings are approximate only! The key to the routine is to keep the order the same. Grab a piece of paper and pen and sit down to write YOUR personal routine.

Having a written schedule means that whether you or your partner, or both, does the routine, it stays consistent. Here's an example of a bedtime routine:

5pm: Start your bedtime routine at supper time
Yes, your supper needs to be ready at the same time every night!
5pm is a good time as it gives you enough time to eat and get to bed in a relaxed, not rushed manner.

If your partner is not home by then, then he can eat later. Of course he wants to see the children and so you need to work out when that would be best. Mornings may be best as your toddler is likely to be up earlyish, weekends are good and hopefully he'll get home in time for bathtime and/or story time.

When your partner comes home he needs to be sure not to excite them - he needs to join in the winding down routine. Perhaps he can come home early one day a week. It is vital that together you come up an agreed bedtime routine and are working together on this. (Or of course, if Daddy is at home and Mummy at work then the same applies!)

If you have activities in the afternoon, then make sure you are home in time for some quiet time in the afternoon, so that you have time to prepare supper in a relaxed way. You need to plan your day around your child's schedule - that may sound extreme, but in terms of running your life smoothly and getting sleep, it's manageable and makes a very big difference.

5.45pm Time for bed
Toddlers can't tell the time so you need to invent a way that is a signal that your child will recognise without you having to say it. Here are ideas:
- a clock with a singing bird at each hour
- an alarm clock with plays the same music at a set time

The idea here is that they can hear it. Soon they will recognise the music and say, "It's bedtime! The bedtime music is playing!". Or with a singing bird, "It's the bedtime bird! Let's go upstairs now!"

It works!

So you toddle off to get ready for bed.

5.50pm Get the bedroom ready
"Let's get ready for bed"
Close the curtains and set the lamp on so it's cosy when you come in the bedroom. Find her toddler pajamas or nightie from under the pillow and take it back to the bathroom (If you have a heated towel rail then you can warm the pajamas there).

5.55pm Bathroom time - brushing teeth
"Let's brush your teeth now"
Brush her teeth using a pretty brush and sing a little song to help make this task easier. See our top toddler teeth tips here.

6pm Run the bath
"Let's get you ready for your bath"
Run the bath or fill the toddler bath and get undressed (and remove nappy or go to the toilet)

6.05pm Have a bath
Have a relaxed bath (fun but not too excitable!)

6.15pm Cuddle time
"Time to come out and have some cuddles"
Come out and have warm cuddles in a warm toddler towel if possible (heating towel rails or radiators)

This is a lovely time, when your child will be warm, soft and will love cuddles. Wrap her up, gently rub her dry. Make it fun, but quiet, relaxed fun. You can also give your toddler a massage too which is a lovely time for extra bonding and helps everyone be calm!

6.20pm Pajama time
"Let's get your lovely pajamas on and brush your hair"
Again, there is no rush. Pop on a night time nappy or go to the toilet. Play peek-a-boo as she puts on her pajamas (make sure she loves them - it really helps).

Brush her hair and have a quiet chat. Tell her how lovely she is.

6.30pm Story time
Now go into the bedroom, choose a toddler bedtime story and sit on her bed together and have cuddles and story time.

You could choose the story when she is having a nap, or you could choose two stories, set them on her bed and then she can choose which one to have. She may already have a favourite and may want the same one every night. That is fine. Make sure you read it with feeling even though you know it backwards!

6.45pm Tuck in time
After story time, it's tucking in time with a tucking in phrase and a goodnight kiss. Tuck her in, saying something like:
"Tucked in, ready for sleep"
and kiss her goodnight.

6.50pm Good night
Then it's your final goodnight. You need to come up with a special, loving phrase that you will say every night (write it down), something like:
"Sleep time now. Good night sweetheart."
"Sleep time now. I love you."
"Time to sleep. Night night beautiful."

This is her cue to go to sleep.

Light off
You turn the light off, and off you go (fingers crossed!).

Remember children love routine. It's safe, secure and they know what is happening. With their own bedtime routine they will soon anticipate what is going to happen next and they will delight in it!

If sleep does not come now....then you need to decide which sleeping solution to use. Whichever one you use, the bedtime routine will be the same.