Mom Life Monday’s: Nighttime Routine 

Ever since Aria was a newborn we’ve had the same evening routine: bath, wind down, milk, rocking with songs/story, then bed. Sure it’s changed a little here and there as Aria has gotten older, but we have generally stayed pretty consistent.

I think I was always afraid of mixing up days and nights since babies sleep a lot. So when Aria was about week old we started our bedtime routine that we still use today for both girls.

First step starts after dinner, the lights in the house go down to the lowest dimmer setting and start using lamp light. This begins our wind down time. We then generally do a bath every night with Aria (occasionally she wants to refuse), but as a baby and with Amelia, we do one every night. With Aria I started off using Johnson’s Baby Head-to-Toe Wash because I had gotten a small bottle as a shower gift. After that, I got the Johnson’s BEDTIME Baby Bath and have never used anything else.  After using that for the first time, paired with the Johnson’s BEDTIME Baby Lotion, Aria really did sleep better (she was sleeping 12+ hours a night at 7 or 8 weeks). Plus, it just smells so AMAZING !! With Amelia I bought the original Baby Lotion because the pink bottle matched her room and I do love that fresh baby scent, but quickly switched her to the BEDTIME products and saw the same results. I’ve also been a believer in baby massage so I work that in when lathering them up.

After we’re all in our jammie’s we wind down with an episode of Mickey or Aria watches her kid songs on YouTube. I generally get Amelia settled with rocking and nursing her and she’s in bed around 8/815 and sleeps 9-10 hours a night. After winding down a bit Aria goes to brush her teeth, goes potty and bedtime routine with daddy, which finishes up as I put Amelia down then I go in sing her songs, rock her and tuck her in. Both girls are down by 830 and then it’s time for James and me to hang out, catch up, watch a show or whatever.

One of my favorite things about putting Aria down for bed is we always talk about our day. We go though what her favorite part was and what she didn’t like and how it can improve the next day. These little moments are so sweet.

I’m not an expert, but keeping a routine has really worked for us. We even maintain the same routine when we’re traveling (bedtime does usually end up about an hour later, but none the less it’s all the same). I just think a routine, whatever it is, really helps get their minds set for bed.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great week!!!

Kallie