What's the best time to put your baby to bed?

Anne - posted on 05/26/2010

Both of my boys (2 1/2 & 19M) go to bed btwn 7 & 8 depending on their day and how they're acting. Our nightly routine is: dinner, straight to the bathtub, then they may play for about 15-30 min before settling down on the couch with some warm milk. I've done this with them since they were babies. Btwn the milk and sitting still to watch a cartoon or read a book, it give them time to wind down and get ready for bed. Like other moms, though, no matter what time they go to bed, they're usually up by 6:30-7:30 every day. It's just a matter of finding the right routine for you and your family.

Brooke - posted on 05/26/2010

I usually lay my daughter down for a nap around 1:30, feed my daughter around 6:30, bath at 7:30 and bed by 8:30 no later than 9. She lays in her toddler bed and watches monsters inc. until she falls asleep which usually only takes 30 mins if that. She has her bad nights where she wants mommy or daddy to lay in the bed with her so we lay with her just for a few minutes just to let her know mommy and daddy love her and want her to go "night nights" then we kiss her goodnight and walk out of the room. She will cry for a few mins but then quiets down and goes right to sleep. Its all in what times you do things. Giving them a bath in bedtime bath not just washing them in it but also pouring it into a warm bath then putting bedtime lotion all over them face, hands, arms, legs, butt, feet and back helps them calm down it takes a while to start working but thats why you give them a bath an hour before you want them to lay down. The time your baby goes to bed is totally up to you. Me and my husband had to start working her into her schedule by going to bed at the same time she did and it just progressed from there. If you want her to go to bed at 9:30 try giving her a bath around 8:30 and make sure she has a full tummy ive noticed that even tho my daughter eats her dinner she gets a little hungry before bedtime so i offer her something to snack on. A full tummy helps you rest so much better. Whatever you would do for yourself to get ready for bed is what you need to do for your child. I hope my advice helps!

Claire - posted on 05/23/2010

i put my daughter up to bed from day one for 7 pm if she crys i stay with her i either lie at the side of her on her bed or sit at the side of the bed until she goes to sleep also try readying or singing to her they also helped my daughter didnt sleep for a month and it was bugging me i was advised to get some black out curtions witch i never did but since i stopped with her she sleep through the night

Tia - posted on 05/22/2010

I put my son to bed between 7 pm, and 8 pm, typically. They need 12 hours of sleep, or so I have read. It works for us!

Angela - posted on 05/22/2010

Our daughter is 19 months old and usually goes to bed between 8:30-9pm and wakes up at around 9am. Sometimes she tries to pull a later time but we don't like to lay her down past 9:45pm at the latest. Usually takes an 1 to a 2 1/2 hour nap. If she doesn't nap she is in bed by 8pm. But it's good to have them on a decent schedule, it gets them and you the proper sleep needed.

Ruth - posted on 05/22/2010

my 19month old goes to bed every night by 8pm at the same time as his 3 1/2 yr old sister. he plays in his cot for about half an hour to an hour then sleeps through till about 7am.

You're not wrong to put your baby down later but the sooner you get them into a bedtime routine and settled early, the easier it will be for you when she's at school. also, does she sleep a lot during the day... this will affect when she gets tired

Amber - posted on 05/21/2010

You do what works for your family, not all families are the same. My oldest son wouldn't sleep long periods of time, still doesn't at 7 years old so his bedtime as a baby was a little later usually 11 pm because any earlier and he would be up by 3 am. With my second son he prefers 10-12 hrs sleep so he goes to bed by 9 or 10. My 19 month old falls asleep around 10 and sleeps until 8 am when his brothers wake up then he needs up. If I was to put my kids to bed at 7 pm they would be wide awake by 5 am but since we don't have to be up until 7:30 there is no reason for a 7 pm bedtime.

My cousin does the 8 pm bedtime with her kids and it works great for her because she has to be up and out the door by 6:30 every morning. So really it just depends on what works for your family. For babies they can go more on your schedule it is when they hit school age that the bedtimes need to be even more routine and be based around getting enough sleep to function at school. As long as they are happy, healthy and well rested that is all that matters.

Gloria - posted on 05/21/2010

well i have the same problem and any time i try to get her to bed earlier she cries and screams its awful

Jillian - posted on 05/21/2010

I have twin daughters that are 19 months old and I am having a hard time getting them to bed. My one daughter will only go to bed on our living room floor and I have to be there too and it is not until 9:30 - 10:00 pm until she falls asleep. She wakes up anywhere from once to 10 times a night. My other daughter will go to sleep at 9:30 - 10:00 pm and only get up once or twice. Each child is different and you have to do what is best for all of you. As long as she is getting enough sleep - you are doing the right thing.

Nena - posted on 05/21/2010

My daughter goes to bed anywhere between 7pm and 8pm. We have our usual routine and by the time 7 rolls around she is ready for her warm milk her cuddle and than bed. I figured out what routine works best for us, so whatever works for you go with it!

Debi - posted on 05/20/2010

Our daughter goes to bed at 8pm normally and no later then 9pm. Every kid is different. I have a friend whos daughter doesn't go to bed till 10pm, i think it's all about the routine of your family.

Sara - posted on 05/20/2010

When my daughter was little (she is 4 1/2 yrs now) she used to stay up til 2 am. I didn't work and hand no other children at the time. I just worked around her schedule. My mom didn't agree with it and said it would screw up her sleep patterns for later in life when she would have to wake up for school, and blah blah blah. Well she is in preschool and she now goes to bed at 9pm. It didn't screw her up. My son who is 19 months, goes go bed at 8:30 because he wants to. lol. I say... do whatever you want.

Christina - posted on 05/20/2010

my 18month old son goes to sleep the same time(9:30) and i believe he only does that because i have him take naps around 12:30 - 1 and he stays sleep for a good while.....but the days he doesn't take naps he stays up late but not as late. 11 or so is probably the latest.......so maybe u should try having her take naps is she doesn't already

Brandi - posted on 05/20/2010

I have 19 month old twin girls and and the oldest one goes to sleep everynight at 9 and the other one doesn't go to sleep until about 10 or 11 sometimes 12 what can I do?

Bessie - posted on 05/19/2010

Jess is 19 months, and goes to bed at 7:30 and 8:00 at night, she has a midday nap between 11 and 2. By the time it gets to 5:30 in th afternoon she is already starting to get a little cranky, so by six its dinner time, off to bath, which lets her unwind and calm her down, she loves the bath, we play in the bath for about 20 minutes, then has a bottle of tea, and then she has to go to bed, i also tried keeping her up a little late, but her little body is begging to go to bed. She wakes up between 6 and 7 every morining. As long as they get at least 10 hours of sleep, i dont think its a problem, I just need to unwind myself, and it suites me great that she goes to bed when she does, I get some time to myself... As she gets older, I would still want herto go to bed at 8 by the latest! As long as you get some time to relax, and take that long well deserved bath! Good luck!

Deanna - posted on 05/19/2010

Our son is 19 months also. When he was about a year old, we had him on a pretty easy schedule: He would go to bed at 7:30pm and sleep until 8am. With a two hour nap around noon. Then the time changed and it kind of messed everything up for awhile. Now he usually goes to bed between 8:30-9:00pm and wakes up about 8:30am-9am. His naps are usually about five hours after he wakes up and he sleeps for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

All kids are different. If the late schedule isn't working for you, you should research different sleep methods and see if any work for you.

Megan - posted on 05/19/2010

My son has been a late to bed late to rise since birth. I use to rock/hold him till he went to sleep and some nights he wouldn't go to sleep until 12am! And if I dare try to put him to bed even a few minutes before 9 it's just a nap. I just started letting him put himself to sleep and now he's ready for bed between 9-9:30 and it's so much better than what he was doing. He still gets up about twice a night though but he sleeps til 9 or 10 am and only takes an hour nap around 2. You can't fight what your childs body wants to do

Sara - posted on 05/19/2010

its not wrong but would be easier n everyone if it was earlier. my son is also 19 months and he goes to bed btw 8:30 and 9 every night! once you do it a few nights in a row, they get used to it

Angela - posted on 05/19/2010

I've put my two to bed at 7 from very early on. The 7 year old is starting to want to go at 8pm, I let him, as it makes him feel like a "big boy" to have a later time than my baby who is 18mths.

He goes at 7pm, sometimes he doesn't sleep, well most times, he's babbling on, singing and playing, but he knows that end of Cbeebies = bedtime. Routine really does work, try dinner, story or little tv or playtime, bath time, something gentle to wind them right down, then bed. She won't love you for it at first, of course, she'll resist, but eventually, she will get the message. It's just what she's used to.

Robyn - posted on 05/19/2010

We're one of the 7.30 families. It's more about the amount and the quality of the sleep. Our son would wake almost without fail between 6.00 and 7.00 regardless of when we put him down, so for his development (and because of the constant eye rubbing, he goes down early)
Kids do their growing, developing and consolodating of skills when asleep, so if they're having enough, it's ok.
As many others have said, if it works for you and they're getting enough it's fine. Till either one of those stops! (ie getting up early for work, daycare, pre-school etc)

Breanne - posted on 05/18/2010

what time does she get up? Does she nap during the day? My son usually goes to sleep at about 8:30 and wakes up about the same time 8-830. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I mean as long as they're sleeping and thriving and they're happy just keep doing it.

Cindie - posted on 05/18/2010

I have a 19 month old little girl also, we put her to bed at around 7:30pm each night and she'll sometimes sit in there and talk to herself before going to sleep, but is usually out to it by 8-8:30pm at the lastest. She sleeps for 12-13hours a night, and has one daytime nap (usually 1-2hours). I don't think there is anything wrong with putting her to sleep late as long as it's what works for you.

Stephanie - posted on 05/18/2010

My 19 month old goes down at 8:00. He wakes up between 7-8 in the morning. All babies are different, but trying to get her down by 8 or 9 might be helpful for you. Having a baby on a schedule is important for them. Try putting her down 1/2 an hour earlier every few days and see if you can get her down earlier. Make sure she isn't napping too late in the afternoon either or that may be keeping her up at night.

Michelle - posted on 05/18/2010

i have 3 girls 7 ,5 and 19months i have strict rules for bed, dinner bath and bed 7 to half 7 and the older girls read till 8 but my baby goes stright to sleep and sleeps most of the nite till 7 and sometimes drinks her bottle then falls bk to sleep till half 7 - 8 every nite this is the routine but the girls stay up longer at weekends they know it and even prepares them selves with out me mentionen it but what ever works in to ur family routine like this works for ours .

good luck

Beth - posted on 05/18/2010

I dont know if most people on here are based in the UK or USA but recent studies here on the Supernanny programme UK showed that it is the length of quality sleep that matters, as not enough sleep effects the childrens ability to learn, remember and react. My 19 month old daughter has no /routine/schedule as such because she spends every other wknd with her father and occaionsionally a night at her grandmothers and I can't enforce one there. When she's with me I would say mostly she goes to bed about 9pm and she'll sleep through til 9am tho. During the day she has the occaisional nap of no less that 45 mins as this allows a complete sleep pattern/cycle to take place. I know my routine with her will have to change when it comes to school time but this works for us well now. Good luck with it all!

Leanne - posted on 05/18/2010

You are not alone. My daughter who is 19 months as well, goes to bed by 9pm, but parties in her crib till 11:30pm. She then sleeps till 10am. I am now working on taking away her afternoon nap. She was napping for an hour, but the days she doesn't nap she is asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed. Maybe that might work for you.

Andrea - posted on 05/18/2010

Not at all. I put my daughter down at 9pm every night. She sleeps right through no fuss. So if it works..!

Ronni - posted on 05/18/2010

The time doesn't matter too much at this age, but the amount does. If she doesn't fall asleep till 10, but doesn't wake up till 9 then she is doing great! At this age she should be getting about 11 hours at night with a 2-3 1/2 hour nap during the day. It may be a good idea to transition to an earlier bed time gradually though. If she is going to daycare or preschool in a year or two she will need to be waking up a lot earlier, and unfortunately that means you will too. We are morning people here so our 19 month old goes to bed at 7, he wakes up at 6 during the week to go to daycare and ususally sleeps till 7-7:30 on the weekends. I have been noticing that he lays in bed for a while when he is not super tired and just talks or sings. Sometimes he doesn't fall asleep for over an hour. But even then he is down before 9.
Hope this helps!

Sarah - posted on 05/17/2010

my little girl does not like to sleep! she goes down when ever she wants anywhere from 7:30pm to 2:00am and wakes round 10am but wake thru the night for few bottles

Sylvia - posted on 05/17/2010

I have three kids. My oldest daughter is 7, my son is 4, and Kyra is 19 months. Early in her infancy we let her set her schedule of when she needed to nap and when she wanted to be down for the night. But eventually she was napping a couple hours in the morning and about an hour and a half in the afternoon. Nowadays she takes sometimes her two naps or one longer one, but since her older siblings go to bed at 8, that's what time she is now going to bed. Mommy and Daddy also need to keep their sanity. The first time we put Kyra in the crib in the same room with her siblings, we instructed her older brother and sister to just ignore her if she cried, and they did. She cried maybe all of 5 minutes, then went to lie down and promptly fell asleep. Now we put them all down at the same time.

Now, when Kyra's older brother Gabriel was 9 months old, he got his 9 month checkup, and at that point we told the doctor he was still waking during the night. So his doctor recommended that we just use cry it out with him since the reason he was still waking was because it was a routine for him, not because he was hungry. So we did cry it out with him at 9 months, and with him it was hard. He cried for literally an hour the first night. But he eventually cried himself to sleep. We were strong and didn't give in. The next night it was a little less. by the third night he was used to it and went to sleep quickly and easily. Some people don't believe in crying it out with their kids. But if by 9 months they're still waking for whatever reason, I think sleep training is called for. Or prepare yourself to deal with a bad sleeper possibly for the rest of their childhood. My kids go to bed at 8, and Kyra sometimes wakes around 5:30 or 6:00. Her older brother and sister will usually be up at 6:30 or 7:00, or whenever I need to wake them to get to school. It's a beautiful thing. :)

Paula - posted on 05/17/2010

my 19 month old daughter is a nightmare to get to sleep she fights it every time im now havin to get her to sleep in our bed then puttin her in her bed but she wakin durin the night doc thinks she havin night terrors so i just got to put up with it til they stop she goes to bed when we do as she scared of missin somethin lol. its whatever works for u dont listen to docs u do what u need to sleep x

Elaine - posted on 05/16/2010

My 19 month old daughter is similiar to some of yours. She goes to bed between 6.30 and 7pm and wakes around 6.30 am. Even if she goes down an hour or two later at night she still wakes at 6.30. Luckily she loves going to bed, she even asks to go and she's a great sleeper. But I paid my dues with 2 of my other children who did not sleep at all!

Jennifer - posted on 05/16/2010

I have a 19 month daughter, Samantha, who goes to bed anywhere b/w 830 - 9 pm. She ususally sleep until 730 am. She usually wakes once in the middle of the night, and I bring her in bed with my husband and I. We have been moving around a lot lately, so I just go with her flow. She is a good sleeper and usually takes a 1.5-2 hr nap during the day as well.
As many people stated, just go with what works for you and your toddler!

Randi - posted on 05/15/2010

I have a 19 month old, who has always been the early boy he goes to bed between 6.30 and 7pm but he gets up about 6.30 in the morning. hes a good nap taker and is always a happy little fellow. I wasnt happy about getting up so early in the morning and have tried many times to put him t bed a bit later hopeing he would sleep later, but that never worked he got up the same time or earlier and then would be missrible as he was tired., so him going to bed early worked for us... i think it depends on your child, if she goes to bed later and she gets up a resonable time and shes happy and bright and not missrible then she may just be a night person, though midnight seems a bit late andyou may want to get her going to bed a bit earlier as she will start school in a couple of years and if she goes to bed to late it will be hard to get her out of bed in the morning. how ever if she is tired and crancky and she doesnt do well taking a nap then she may be over tired and she just has a hard time falling alseep and her rutine may need to be changed for her own good. the summer time is hard to get little ones to sleep I made a black out curtain for my sons room so he could fall asleep while the sun was still up.

Christy - posted on 05/15/2010

I think the concerns with toddlers having a later bed time are: a) apparently they should be having/need about 12 hours at night. It would make sense if they go to bed later they'll just wake up later, but this isn't usually the way it works out. If your toddler is often cranky or a little too hyped up during the day its possible she's tired in which case you should try an earlier bed time to see if it helps that. And b) it can cause issues when they go to school because they're so used to sleeping late at night. That's a pretty long way down the track so I doubt many parents would worry about that so much just yet. HTH.

Lindsey - posted on 05/15/2010

My daughter is 19 months as well. She goes to bed every night at 9:00. I don't think it's wrong at all. I try and make sure she is nice and wore out by bedtime lol. She sleeps great then! I don't believe there's any set bedtime for toddlers :)

Kate - posted on 05/15/2010

Our daughter is also 19 months old. She is our second. I am a firm believer in trying to stick to a bedtime routine it has worked really well for us with both our son and our daughter. I put Olivia down by 8:00pm every night. By then she is tired she has had a full day with one two or 3 hour nap and she does not put up a fuss.
I would say if there has been no consistant bedtime start laying your daughter down at the approx time she has been falling asleep and then cut it back by 15 minutes every couple of night till you get till a time you and you husband can live with. For me by 8:00pm Im TIRED and I need a break. so thats it.
I hope this helps you. It might not be easy at the start but you have the control just be strong and be consistant.
Good Luck
Kate

Mandi - posted on 05/15/2010

My son goes to bed at 8:30 every night without a fuss. He rarely cries about it but when he does it no more than 15-20 mins. We have a little routine going on and I make sure we do the same thing every night around the same time. As long as she is getting enough sleep, I think thats the only thing that matters. He wakes up at 7:30am everyday and get a 2 hr nap at the same time everyday! 1-3pm This schedule I think really helps my son sleep through the night too.

Sarah - posted on 05/15/2010

It totally depends on your child's natural sleep cycle and what you as parents need (ie. if you're waking her up for daycare or something). My guy is 19 months and still gets up a few times a night and isn't the easiest to get down. But, something I learned is that the more overtired they are, the harder it is going to be to get them to sleep. So, keeping them up later to make them tired is actually going to give them trouble for falling and staying asleep. We had a good couple of months with that strategy - putting him to bed at 6:30 and he'd sleep until 6am. But, if he went to bed later, he actually woke up earlier - 4:30am. He's going through a tough time with it right now, really fighting sleep, resulting in poor night sleeping and early wakings.

Sharon - posted on 05/15/2010

my son is like it also, we use to put him to bed around 7pm and 8pm but...we found that he stays awake till 10pm, so now we put him to bed around 6pm and 7pm and he goes to sleep around 9pm. we have been doing this for the past few months now and he's slowly taking to it but he does wake up around 6am and 7am.....youve just got to find the right time that works for you all. :-) good luck x

Heather - posted on 05/14/2010

My baby boy was the same way, but I discovered the No Cry Sleep Solution and it has SAVED me. My little guy now is in bed anywhere from 7 to 8 PM each night. Also, it has a handy sleep chart outlining how the sleep a child needs changes with their age...I bought the one for Toddlers, and it worked for me...but I've had friends who did not find it helpful. Just thought I'd share in case you WANT her to go to bed earlier and are looking for ways to accomplsih that.

As far as it being wrong...no way! I think it's whatever works for you, but that late wasn't working for me or Austen - he now sleeps through the night, goes down easier and is a super happy guy when he's up.

Alfanis - posted on 05/13/2010

our daugther go to bed about at 9 to 10 pm, no matter if she take a nap or not, and wakes up at 6 or 7 am, and my biggest problem is that she wanted that i sleep with her. and sometimes she wakes up about 3 times during the night, and in the morning i am very tired..

Roxanne - posted on 05/13/2010

I have a 19 month old son..who hates sleeping full stop..he goes to bed late he wakes up throughout the night and is still up sometimes at four in the morning....he eats well...he doesnt wake up to eat or even drink during the night he wakes up and wants to play...it is very hard to put him to sleep at any time, he can be so tired thathe cant even keep his eyes open yet he will fight it...people thought i wasnt been tough on him and that i should leave him in his cot to cry and he will eventually fall asleep...HE DOESNT...when he started going to daycare they said they would try leave him in his cot to cry and get him to sleep..they couldnt...the doc said that it is nothing to worry about all babys are diffrent...but it is so tough not getting enough sleep...lucky i have alot of help..the odd night he will go to sleep late and sleep through and only wake up at 4:30 in the morning which is rarely...

Jessica - posted on 05/12/2010

We put our daughter to bed between 6:30-7:30pm. She gets up around 6:45am on weekdays to go to daycare and usually sleeps till around 7-7:30am on weekends. She takes about a 2 1/2 hour nap every afternoon as well. She sometimes fights it and fusses at bath or bedtime, but we have a routine and she is usually asleep within 10 mins of being put in her crib. Also, some mornings she will wake up earlier, but she plays with her stuffed animals and many times goes back to sleep for another hour.

Christina - posted on 05/11/2010

No, its all up to you. We put our daughter, 18 months, to bed between 8 and 9. It depends on if she took a nap or not. If she hasn't taken a nap them we have to fight to keep her up until 8. No matter what time she goes to bed, she still gets up about 630 or 7.

Tara - posted on 05/10/2010

Sleeping till 8 sounds great, but my 19 month old goes down around 7:30pm. She is up around 6-6:30. I have tried to put her down and hour later but she still gets up around 6-6:30 so I would rather her get the extra sleep.She does take a 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon and the time b/t her bedtime and ours is quality time for my husband and me so I guess the 6am wake up call is worth it!

Jana - posted on 05/09/2010

I agree with everyone that said bed times should be what works for you and your LO. JJ goes to bed between 6 and 7 and is up about 5:30 or 6 most mornings. He's always been a fairly early riser. If he takes a late nap, which occasionally happens when he's a his brothers while I work, then it's closer to 7. But my oldest was up till bout 9 or so and didn't get up till 8.

Helen - posted on 05/08/2010

My daughter is the same way. She has always been a night owl and her regular bed time is 10 o'clock.. Myself & my fiance are usually up late anyways, so its not a problem. She'll go to bed at around 10 and wake up around 8:30 or 9. The schedule that she is on works for us and thats whats important. Im not going to stress myself & my fiance to force my daughter to go to sleep when i know she wont. Its all about what works for you. The pediatrician didnt agree with the times i had chosen and wanted her on a "better schedule"... but the best schedule you can have for your child is one that is both comfortable for them & you.

Michelle - posted on 05/07/2010

I don't think it's wrong. You have to figure out what works for your family. If putting her to bed later than most people works for you than do it. I know a lot of people put their kids down early because they have to get up early and go to work and daycare. I also know someone who puts their kids down closer to 10p or later and they get up at about 8a but she is a stay at home mom and it works for her. If you are concerned about the amount of hours then talk to her doctor, but as far as when she sleeps that should be up to you.

Danielle - posted on 05/07/2010

I have a 19 month old girl also, and she is the exact same way! I will usually put her down anywhere between 9:30-10:30pm, and she will sleep through the whole night until about 8-9 in the morning. she is fine and full of energy through out the day and takes her usual afternoon nap. I don't see anything wrong with them going to bed a little later at this age. It works for us!