Bedtime Routine for Newborn and Toddler

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You think you are a sleep expert now that your baby is a toddler, and then... your newborn comes along. How do you manage two or more children during bedtime? Do you let them sleep at the same time or at different times?

Sleep Baby Sleep

Every new mother knows that one of the first things a new mother needs to adjust to is sleep deprivation. It would seem as though your baby never sleeps or only sleeps during the day and is bright as an owl during the night. You've read all the parenting books, done all that you could to adjust your baby's timing so that your baby will sleep through the night (if such a thing is possible!). You even tried to sleep when baby sleeps.

Finally, your baby is a toddler and you thought you had baby's and your sleep patterns sorted out and then your newborn enters the picture. What do you do now? How do you manage a newborn and a toddler at the same time during bedtime? Do you let them have the same bedtime or a different bedtime?

Should the newborn sleep first and the toddler sleep later?

With everything that is related to Parenting, the best rule is "What works best for your family is the best rule". You can read every parenting book in the world and listen to all the advice from wise female relatives and friends but at the end of the day, you have got to find what works best for you. What are your family circumstances? Do both you and your partner work? What time do you get home from work?

After you have sorted all that out, the next thing you have to ask yourself is whether you should let the kids have a joint bedtime or a different one. A newborn and a toddler has different needs and are at different developmental stages. However, even though they are at different developmental stages and whether you choose to have the same bedtime or different bedtime for them, one thing remains the same.

Bedtime Routines for both the newborn and toddler should be the same even if they have different sleeping times

Whether you choose to have an earlier bedtime for the newborn and a later one for the toddler, one thing is the same. The bedtime routine for both the newborn and the toddler should be the same.

A warm bathGetting ready for bed - (brush teeth, change into pyjamas etc - the older child can do this with some help and you can do it for baby)A bedtime story (it is never too early to read to a child)A calming down process - allow some time for you and your child to calm down from the dayLights off

I chose the same bedtime for my children. I found that it worked perfectly for me because I would breastfeed the baby while chatting with the toddler. We would read nursery rhymes and sing together or I would read a story to her. This way, by the time baby has finished breastfeeding, the toddler is sleepy enough to go to sleep at the same time. I also found that having the same bedtime allows me to have more time with my spouse after the children are asleep. I don't have to repeat the process with the toddler after baby sleeps and the toddler will also have more bonding time with the baby.

Of course, it may not always work so perfectly as the baby could awaken as soon as you put her down but I find that being consistent with their bedtime routine helps. In fact, I still have the same bedtime routine for the kids who are much older now.

If you are reading this, you could be planning to welcome your new baby or over tired from lack of sleep from a baby who never sleep and an overactive toddler during bedtime.

Find something that works for your family and your circumstancesStick to the same bedtime routine even if you choose a different bedtime for your kidsRemain consistentDon't be too hard on yourself or feel too frustrated if the routines don't quite work out as plannedGive yourself a break from time to time

Congratulations on the new addition to your family and Good Luck in establishing a smooth sleep routine.

This post was written by Mimi Koay, a Mommy Blogger who maintains 5 blogs as well as over 30 Squidoo Lenses with special interest in Parenting, Children, Kids, Crafts, Mothers and Women.

Why not visit her blog for Mothers at http://motheringtimes.blogspot.com/ for more articles like this.

You will also find many interesting sites for kids and toddlers at her Squidoo lenses http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/mumsgather