One of the most common questions I get as a sleep consultant is:
“How can I create a healthy sleep routine for my baby?”
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It sounds simple. But as most parents quickly discover, knowing what to do and knowing how to do it consistently—with a real baby, real schedules, and real exhaustion—are two very different things.
The truth is, a healthy sleep routine is one of the best things you can give your baby. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, the most common routines I see shared online leave out the most important part: your baby’s individual needs.
☁️ Why Routines Matter
Babies thrive on predictability. A calming, consistent routine:
- Signals the brain it’s time to wind down
- Reduces resistance at bedtime
- Supports longer, more restful sleep
- Helps your baby feel safe and secure
But here’s the part that gets missed: routines only work when they’re aligned with your baby’s natural rhythm, not just based on the clock or what someone else’s baby is doing.
🧠 What Most Sleep Routines Are Missing
Many parents come to me saying, “We have a routine, but bedtime is still a mess.”
That’s because routines can fail when they’re:
- Too long or too stimulating
- Based on unrealistic timing
- Not matching your baby’s sleep cues
- Constantly changing depending on the day
It’s not your fault. Most of the advice out there gives you the pieces—but not the plan.
🔄 Real Life vs. Perfect Routine
Here’s the truth: there’s no perfect bedtime routine. There’s only the one that works for your baby and your family.
A healthy sleep routine should feel simple, calming, and repeatable. For some families, it might be feed → bath → book → crib. For others, it’s a shorter wind-down with white noise and a cuddle.
The key is not the steps—it’s the consistency.
💬 So… What Should You Do Next?
If your routine isn’t working—or you don’t even know where to start—you’re not alone. Most of the families I work with feel the same way at first.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh set of eyes and a personalized plan to turn bedtime from a battle into a breeze.
I work 1:1 with parents to:
- Decode sleep cues
- Build realistic, sustainable bedtime routines
- Align routines with naps and wake windows
- Support better sleep for the whole family
