https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:48:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2773471 Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:45:59 +0000 Littlebit7 2773471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since my kid was about 12 months we've done the following: dinner, straight into tub, Pjs, some quiet play (with the lights dimmed, TV off) and during quiet play this is when I give her a straw cup of milk. So the quiet play lasts from about 6-640 and she works on the milk then, so there isn't a super strong association with bedtime. Then at 640, we brush teeth, i put her in her overnight diaper and sleep sack, and hold her for a minute or two singing her bedtime song and then into the crib lights off. She's 2.5 now.<br /> My husband isn't home during the week, so I don't have the step of him coming home to interact with her. If he isn't traveling and comes home I will admit it jacks up her routine a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2773381 Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:06:08 +0000 joy 2773381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone, Most of us get tired when their babies want to sleep. Let him run around for a little while before moving on to something more calming, such as a quiet game, bath, or bedtime story. You should stick to a consistent daily schedule, including bedtime and nap times. Make sure your child is able to fall asleep on his own. You may want to consider not rocking, nursing, or singing your child to sleep so he'll learn to settle himself back down when he wakes up at night. Kids need to sleep, this helps their growth and improve immune. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771199 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 13:06:53 +0000 wrkbrk 2771199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could sub a cup of milk for a couple of months and then sub that for water! Gradual approach? My DS didnt really care so much about what was in his bottle/sippy cup - he just liked the security of having it at bedtime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771173 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:44:46 +0000 meadow 2771173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Awesome.</p> <p>@bees_knees: I am kind of a wuss about naps. At the end of June I weaned from naps (which had been going poorly on the weekends anyway). I replaced nursing with a brief lunch took them to their room, warm-ish bottle of whole milk while sitting on my lap. DD went into her crib awake and DS I would hold and walk slowing back and forth as he fell asleep - which got quicker and quicker as we established the routine. My plan was to get rid of the warm &amp; get rid of the bottle by the end of summer before they go back to daycare. Well - once we got going, the routine worked so well and our days were great that I wussed out and decided daycare will force them to change (they are going into a bottle free room next week) and we'd adjust accordingly at home. SOOOOOOOOOO, unfortunately not a good model :-p Thanks for the tips about talking - I've seen them really understanding so much this past month that I think this will be a good thing to remember.</p> <p>@LindsayLou: What kind of snack do you offer?</p> <p>@peaches1038: This is hope! Thanks. I know I should separate nursing from sleep --- but it is so sweet and peaceful to watch them fall asleep together. That is truly what I will miss most from our nursing journey!</p> <p>@catomd00: Yeah - I like the idea of a sippy cup of water. It's not something to really get attached to like a cup of milk could be. Good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771113 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 08:26:20 +0000 erinbaderin 2771113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>W weaned himself at 14 months, so it's not exactly the same, but I would do milk with dinner and then have a bottle of water in their cribs. Your routine sounds pretty similar to ours. Even when I was nursing we did dinner, then I'd nurse him, then bath, jammies, stories, bedtime. I agree with what @peaches1038 said - I think you'll have an easier transition if you separate nursing from sleep first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771086 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 05:35:13 +0000 brownepiano 2771086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did our normal routine but skipped the nursing and had Daddy put him to bed. He wasn't really falling asleep while I nursed him any more though so we knew he could go to sleep on his own. If dinner is really close to bedtime, they shouldn't need a bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771084 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 05:08:20 +0000 catomd00 2771084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd offer a zippy of water if they are demanding nursing. Definitely wouldn't offer milk after brushing nor would I give a bottle personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771081 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 02:10:45 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2771081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I weaned at 13 months and replaced that feeding with a cup of milk. My toddler needed it and still does for the calories, in my opinion. It's part of her routine now at nearly 2. We do dinner at 6:30 and then she can play downstairs if there is time, bath at 7:30-8. A sippy cup of milk and stories in bed follow for 15 minutes or so and then brush teeth and lights out by 8:30. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771061 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:31:50 +0000 peaches1038 2771061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We weaned at 18 months and I didn't replace nursing with anything. However, when I was getting ready to wean, I moved nursing up in the routine so he wasn't nursing to sleep anymore. So we ate dinner, did bath or played something quiet, got into jams and then I would nurse with lights on, then read 1-2 books, then sing twinkle one time in the rocker with lights off, then into the crib awake and one more round of twinkle. Kiss kiss, mama loves you, see you in the morning and MAMA OUT. </p> <p>I think it was easier to do it that way so the transition was more gradual. Now at 21 months, we just don't nurse and read more books, everything else is the same. im probably in his room 15-20 min for the whole routine. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771057 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:09:22 +0000 skinnycow 2771057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I weaned we just started doing story + rocking to sleep. DD was pissed at first because she was used to nursing but it worked fine after a few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771053 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:01:12 +0000 LindsayLou 2771053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We added in a bedtime snack as part of the bedtime routine at around 15 months. We didn't wean until 19 months, but the bedtime snack did help. She still gets a bedtime snack now at 24 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771052 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:47:57 +0000 bees_knees 2771052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you do for nap times? Currently still nursing my 14 mo old before bed, but when we weaned from naps I just replaced it with some snuggles/rocking. So our routine is sleep sack, story, music, cuddles/rocking, crib. </p> <p>It's easy to forget bc they are still babies, but they understand SO much more than we give them credit for. So I'd make sure to talk them through it, too. GL! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771047 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:19:12 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2771047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I weaned at 15 months. I didn't replace the nursing session with anything. Our routine was bath, then brushing teeth. We moved into the nursery that already had the white noise on and a lamp instead of the overhead light. Then we got her dressed and followed that up with cuddles and reading before putting her in the crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-at-about-15-months#post-2771044 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:06:13 +0000 meadow 2771044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know I've posted before about sleep and I know there are a million threads about sleep - so sorry in advance.....but I've googled and read on here until blue in the face and I feel so lost....</p> <p>I currently nurse my twins to sleep. Goal 1 - wean completely by the end of September (when they are 16 months). If it happens sooner - so be it. Goal 2 - establish a bedtime routine that makes sense.</p> <p>Currently we do dinner, diapers &amp; PJs, small amount of playtime with me and DH (he typically gets home halfway through their dinner or at the very end as I'm doing diapers.), we read a story then nurse.</p> <p>I guess I'm posting this rambly post because I don't know what to substitute the nursing with. My gut says to read the story then sit with them and give a bottle of cows milk then put them down. HOWEVER, I also think it is silly to introduce a bedtime bottle at this age. Do I give them a sippy cup of milk while sitting in my lap? Is milk inappropriate at this time because we should be brushing teeth before bedtime? What is normal at this age? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2391340 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:26:06 +0000 hellobeeboston 2391340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 10 week old is similar. He won't nap at home, but he sleeps great in the car! I end up putting him in the car seat and driving around and running tons of errands because he will sleep forever in there, like 3 hours. But he won't sleep at home unless he's on me, or in the Rock nPlay for 30-45 min only. He's doing pretty well at night though, but yeah, daytime sleep is no good. My little man would sometimes stay up for 1.5 hours at 6 weeks, just had to make sure to balance eating and sleep but he was ok being up for that long, usually in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2391334 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:15:10 +0000 peaches1038 2391334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I'm going to wall you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2390219 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:57:49 +0000 SweetiePie 2390219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @hilsy85: @Littlebit: that 1-1.5 hours is a long wake time for that age. It took me 4-5 weeks to figure that out! Make sure to read about sleepy signals, there were some I didn't even realize were sleepy signals so I was ignoring them. And that's when he wouldn't nap!<br /> Also, I'm totally going off the cuff - is it possible that if he is getting too much to eat (like hilsy85 suggested) maybe he's uncomfortable when he goes down to sleep? My pediatrician once said to me "if they are too full before going to sleep it can make them uncomfortable. Think about when you eat too big of a steak dinner then try to go to bed. Sometimes you lay there uncomfortably for a while". She was saying that in reference to trying a dream feed or top off before bed, but thought maybe it applies here? Since a dream feed is sort of a force feed.<br /> Agree that eating every 2-3 hours is probably more normal at that age (start to start).<br /> Good luck! Between 2-3 months is when my sons sleep vastly improved! Partly because I learned those sleepy signals and partly because they do a lot of growing and maturing in that time. By 3 months it starts to normalize. I have written novels about naps here, let me know if you would like more info and I can point you in the direction. I'm not an expert, just obsessed with my sons naps after going through what you're going through!<br /> Also, Dr Weissbluth's book on infant/child sleep is priceless! Get it! Chapters on each age are relatively short so you can read only the part you need in 10-15 mins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2390216 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:55:51 +0000 red_seattle 2390216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With nursing frequently-- DS was nursing every 1.5 hrs (that's start time to start time!) when he was awake during the day until about 10 wks. Then, on his own, he started spreading feeds apart to 2-3 hours, then soon after to 3 hr intervals. Don't worry too much about the frequency of how often he nurses just yet. Your LO may do it on his own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2390203 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:48:33 +0000 sslm 2390203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Just to give you another perspective, I had an extremely alert newborn. At 6 weeks I saw my midwife and remember asking if it was normal for her to be awake 4-5 hours at a time!!!! I tried everything to get her to sleep when she was "supposed" to, and none of it worked and I felt like a crap mom. All to say, some babies are just different. My daughter has just always been a crappy napper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2390198 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:45:25 +0000 Littlebit 2390198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @hilsy85: that is a long wake time. When does he first show a sleepy sign? I didn't realize I was keeping my LO up too long. At that age it was more like 45m-1hr of wake time. </p> <p>I also had a crap napper - 36 minutes to the dot for the first 8 months of his life. He eventually grew out of it. So I still had not great naps, but figuring out wake times made him a lot happier! Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2390187 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 08:38:15 +0000 peaches1038 2390187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone! I will try shorter wake periods and not push sleeping in the nursery. I just got a ring sling and he took a great nap in there yesterday, so maybe that will help. </p> <p>@hilsy85: great advice. Maybe that's why he's gaining so much-I'm force feeding him haha</p> <p>@wrkbrk: yeah, I think @hilsy85 is right. Maybe I'm feeding him too much and mistaking his crying for hunger instead of tiredness. I'm going to ask my ped about it all today as well. I'm jealous of your 3 hour naps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2389755 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:30:01 +0000 hilsy85 2389755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's possible he's overtired--at 6 weeks, staying up for 1.5 hours is a LONG time. Also, is it possible that when you think he wants to nurse, he is actually tired? If he's getting 4oz at a time, I would be surprised if he was actually hungry again an hour later--often, when my LO cries after having recently eaten, its' because she's tired. So maybe if you know he's eaten recently and eaten well, try doing a nap instead of nursing? That being said, I think it's VERY normal to not take great naps at that age unless they are being held or on the go. I agree with trying the swing/bouncer/baby carrier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2389711 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:41:14 +0000 sapphire 2389711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO had to nap in the swing at that age or in a carrier or stroller.or just be held.<br /> I should also say that she didn't do a good job of napping at daycare but that was okay. She started sleeping long stretches at night to make up for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2389255 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:23:24 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2389255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO (9 weeks) is a good night sleeper like yours, and she doesn't have a good nap routine during the day. She'll nap 30 minutes sometime or as long as an hour and a half. She nurses pretty frequently during the day. I let her nap wherever. I don't swaddle her or put her in the nursery. She naps in the bouncer, swing, her car seat (when we run errands), on my bed, etc. I think she'll eventually settle into a daytime routine and good nap schedule like she did at night. As far as daycare, there might be a learning curve for a couple days but I'm sure your LO and the providers will figure it out. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2389202 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:57:51 +0000 wrkbrk 2389202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Ugh sorry! I meant to comment on the month thread about this. Have you tried letting him nap in a bouncer or swing? That's what our little guy does and he does sleep 3 hours or so (more than he does at night - naturally lol) between feedings. You can't "sleep when the baby sleeps" if you use a bouncer or swing (well I guess you can but it's not recommended to leave them in there unattended) but it's still a really nice time to get things done. Plus, since he is napping in the living room with the lights and tv on and the doorbell and dogs, etc., I have some illusion that he will figure out nights and days. Haha. Good luck! I am sure this is frustrating. PS My LC said they should gain an ounce a day - sounds like your baby is gaining two ounces a day if he's up a pound per week?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2389109 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:04:02 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2389109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will lo sleep in the swing? My 10 week old sill tends to nap on the go and so did his sister. Don't worry about daycare. A lot changes between 6-12 weeks old, and things go up and down but daycare providers have seen this. Sometimes kids get overtired, you can't always predict it, it'll be ok. You also may have better luck with a shorter wake time, but honestly all that sounds typical/good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/6-week-old-nap-strike#post-2388986 Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:47:58 +0000 peaches1038 2388986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our guy is a champ at night in his rock n play (4-5 hours, followed by a couple 2-3 hour stretches) but is NOT a fan of daytime naps. I nurse him to sleep in his darkened nursery with the sound machine on and then lay him down. He will usually sleep for 10-20 minutes and then right back up and crying. Occasionally he will sleep for an hour. I've tried a swaddleme, Aden and anais swaddle blanket, no swaddle and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I try to bring him in the nursery for a nap once he's been up for 1-1.5 hours.<br /> Im also nursing on demand and he likes to eat at least once at hour, if not more. My friends say that their babies go 2-3 hours during the day between feelings. I go to a breastfeeding group and he has gained about a pound per week (he weighed 11 pounds last week) They also weigh them before and after nursing and he always weighs about 4 oz more after so I know he's getting enough.<br /> I'm not sure if it's too early for a flexible routine, but I'm getting anxious about him starting daycare in 6 weeks bc I don't want him to be overtired from not napping and I'm not sure how they will handle the frequent eating. I don't want them over-feeding him and/or wasting my breastmilk! Any advice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-to-be-at-work-super-early-whats-your-morning-routine-with-baby#post-2323118 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:25:16 +0000 Alivoo01 2323118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I left an extra bottle with daycare with instructions to feed him when he wakes up. I don't always have time to wait around for him to wake up, nurse, change him, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-to-be-at-work-super-early-whats-your-morning-routine-with-baby#post-2323114 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:22:38 +0000 blackbird 2323114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH leaves the house at 5:40am. He makes the bottle bag for the day (the night before) and sets it in T's carseat for me. If our roles were reversed, I would expect to nurse the baby (if he was awake) and....that's it. Otherwise, pump. I don't think there's a lot you can prepare for unless the baby is actually awake that early! Which, probably not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-to-be-at-work-super-early-whats-your-morning-routine-with-baby#post-2323104 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:16:34 +0000 buttermilk 2323104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: oooh good idea! yeah that's what I've been wondering too - she doesn't wake up at exactly the same time each day. </p>