What is the best bedtime routine for a 1 year old?

Destiny Freed - posted on 06/01/2013

well you should read to him/her if you don't already

Lori - posted on 11/16/2008

in my experience with my 2 boys, every night by their 1st bday, we switched from night time bottles to a sippy cup of milk before bed - sometimes even in the bathtub, then calmly getting dressed and lotioned (I swear the Johnson's Nightime lotion really helps!), then quietly reading simple books and or looking at picture books. THen I would turn off the lights, rock for about 5 minutes or so and humm a tune...then off to bed. good luck

Kirsty - posted on 11/15/2008

hi my daughter is 15months old.. i put her in2 bed at 6.45pm every night and she sleeps throu till 8.15 mayb.. i give her bottle water wen goin down and before i go t bed i giver her a full bottle in cot. i only give her 1 nap during day.. from about 2pm til 4.30.. never let baby sleep after 4.30. give baby bath at say 6.. they shud b tired enough at da stage.. wb x

Robin - posted on 11/13/2008

I find that reardless of the bedtime, my son is always up at 7am, and wakes up once or twice a night. I stick to a routine, which is KEY!!! After dinner is playtime, then we wind it down with quiet activities--reading a book, singing a song, etc. Bath is every second night (usually) and he is wanting bed by 7:30. We have tried to keep him up later in hopes of having him not wake in the night or sleep in, but it didn't work. He has been on this schedule since 3 weeks old, but it is never to late to start! With my first, I didn't do a schedule, and almost went nuts and fought over her going to bed until she was seven. This way, I have a good couple hours with the hubby and keep my sanity in the process!!

Kyra - posted on 11/13/2008

I have a 7 year old and 4 year-old twins... I applied the information from this book for all 3 of them from the very start. And though they are all individuals with thier own natural inclination and sleep needs, understanding sleep and organizing your life to give them the sleep they need (when they need it) can make an incredible difference! My boys have always slept through the night from about 2 years on (7:30pm - 7am). My girl on the other hand, still night wakes occasionally... for her, she just needs comfort.

See if your library has this book or Amazon maybe:

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

by Marc Weissbluth



Good luck!

Lalla - posted on 11/13/2008

btw, im wondering what his feed is as if hes breastfed, he may be sucking, but not drinking, thus not actually feeding as much as you might think.

Carolyn - posted on 11/13/2008

In order to answer this question more information is required. What naps and how long does your 1yr old take. What is your current bedtime routine and does your 1 year old get time outside everyday? Does your one yr old get a lot of sugar thruout the day. Is he/she waking up during the night to be fed?

Shiloh - posted on 11/13/2008

I ran into this with my oldest when he was about 1 year old, as well. We realized the main thing that helped was for my husband and I to wind down at about 8 or 9 so our baby would follow suit. We would give him a bath (the Johnson's bedtime lotion and soap work very well), and try to limit phone calls to before wind-down time. We would turn off the tv, and read him stories and sing quiet songs, and play quietly and cuddle. It may take a while, maybe a week, but consistency is key! Hang in there and good luck. :o)

Lalla - posted on 11/12/2008

for one thing, is he/she on boob or bottle? how many daytime naps does he/she have? do you bathe him/her just before bed?

whats your current bed time routine? my daughter did that for a few days too, til i tried to find a routine that suited her. ^_^