| The sooner you establish a bedtime routine for baby | | | | Before settling baby into her cot for the night you |
| the better. | | | | might like to play a quiet game with her on the |
| By the time your baby has reached eight weeks it | | | | bedroom floor. Again this is something you and dad |
| should be starting to follow a set bedtime pattern. If a | | | | can become involved in. Don't, however, get the baby |
| pattern is established then baby will quickly fit into this | | | | over excited, a quiet game of peekaboo or I spy, can |
| regime. It is important that you stick to this pattern it will | | | | be quiet and entertaining. |
| make life much more pleasant for baby and for you. | | | | You've finally placed baby in her cot for the night. Don't |
| So what should a routine consist of? | | | | leave the room immediately spend sometime talking to |
| Well that's really up to you but it should be consistent, | | | | her. Tell her a bedtime story or to help you unwind you |
| here is one, I favour. Start the routine in the bathroom. | | | | might even tell her what you got up to during the day. It |
| Your baby will appreciate a warm soothing bath it will | | | | doesn't really matter if she understands; if you speak in |
| help it relax and sleep and because it is a very obvious | | | | a soft reassuring voice then baby will know she is |
| activity baby will soon realise that she is going to be | | | | safe. |
| put down for the night. | | | | My partner sings to baby. Her voice is soft, soothing |
| Don't forget that the babies' father can play a big role | | | | and calming. She has a small number of what we call |
| in this routine. Perhaps dad can even do the bathing it | | | | 'goodnight songs', and she sings or hums two of these |
| will have the added advantage of letting him feel | | | | and then leaves the room. You'd be surprised but |
| needed, especially when mum has spent all day with | | | | babies soon realise that when mum has finished her |
| the child. Bathing is also a great social activity and one | | | | two songs that it is time for her to close her eyes and |
| of the bests ways of creating a bond between parent | | | | go asleep. |
| and child. | | | | When talking or singing to baby you might consider |
| Follow the bath by a diaper change and after that put | | | | sitting in the shadows, just enough for baby to know |
| baby into her pyjamas. At this stage you should clean | | | | that you are there but not enough for her to focus on |
| her gums and teeth. Start this habit early in life and it | | | | you and finally whatever bedtime regime you adopt be |
| will become a lifelong habit. | | | | consistent. |