Thank you Baby Dove for sponsoring this post.
Bedtime is a big deal around here and with twins on the way we know that it’s about to be an even bigger deal! We have read books, done research, and talked to many parents who have bedtime routines of their own to develop what we think is a toddler bedtime routine that will change your life!
I got my degree in Elementary Education and in almost all of my classes we learned about just how important a routine is for kids. Even though they might not realize it, (hence why bedtime can be a fight at times) they crave routine, they NEED routine, and the happiest kids are often kids that have a good routine every day.
So, when we first had Evie I knew that one of the main things I wanted to do was to establish a routine from the get-go! I’m so glad that we did. For the most part, we don’t stray from this routine. Of course, things like family functions, holidays, birthdays, daylight savings time, etc. interrupt routines but we make sure to hop back into the routine as soon as we possibly can!
We have changed the routine a bit as Evie’s life has gone on and she has grown, and we have learned, but aside from a few changes, this is the routine we have done with her from the time she was just a few days old! One thing that is important here is to do this routine at or around the exact same time every night! We put Evie down around 7:30-8.
The Toddler and Baby Bedtime Routine That Will Change Your Life
Step 1:
Playtime! Yes, playtime. We make sure that about an hour before we are wanting to get Evie down to bed that we have a good, hard play! We run and chase each other, give piggy back rides – you name it! For about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2:
Bathtime. However, we only do this 2-3 times a week. I don’t think that Evie needs to have a bath more than that but this will vary per child, of course!
We have been using Baby Dove’s new Calming Nights products. They are absolutely amazing and I have noticed a difference in how calm Evie is before bed since using this line. The Baby Dove Calming Nights Tip to Toe Wash is made with a calming scent of warm milk and chamomile. It’s also made with nutrients identical to those naturally found in the skin! Baby Dove Calming Nights cleansers and lotions not only create a rich and creamy lather that’s like milk on the skin, but they replenish the natural essential moisture in your babies’ skin!
On the night we don’t bathe Evie we still rub her down with Baby Dove Calming Nights Lotion before bed. She LOVES her special “sleepy lotion”. I especially LOVE this lotion because it leaves her skin feeling so soft plus it’s delicately scented. I love the way it makes my skin feel too! You can also feel good about using Baby Dove on your babies and toddlers because it is created without dyes, parabens, phthalates or sulfates. Dove always creates the best products for our babies!
Step 3:
Storytime. I always let Evie pick just two books to read before bedtime. We sit on her bed and read. This is probably her favorite time of the whole night! We have lights that dim so while we are reading my husband will usually dim the lights gradually so she can continually get more sleepy and get used to the dim lights!
Step 4:
Prepare the room for bedtime. While we are reading my husband usually takes care of this! We have blackout blinds and curtains that we use so the room stays nice and dark in the morning AND for naptime! These are absolute game changers in my opinion. If we are ever staying somewhere that doesn’t have blackout curtains Evie sleeps several hours less a night and naptime is pretty much a joke!
We also turn on a noise machine that plays white noise all night long. This is another crucial element for bedtime and naptime. This noise not only helps her fall asleep but it also keeps any outside noise out of her room- which is so nice since we don’t go to bed at the same time she does!
Step 5:
Sing songs and say a prayer. If you’re not religious than just cut out the prayer part :). We always end the night with the lights off, tucking Evie into bed, and singing her song of choice… which is usually “You are my Sunshine”.
That’s all! I know that when the twins get here it will get more complicated but we are prepared for that and plan to do the exact same routine with them!
Do you have a bedtime routine? I would love to hear what it is in the comments below!
