https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 03:37:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2183273 Tue, 19 May 2015 12:59:13 +0000 snowjewelz 2183273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She didn't have a good routine till probably almost 4 months! When her wake times and nap times are more predictable. It's trial and error.. I found that she can stay awake for much longer for the stretch before bed time, and also she does not go to sleep early (before 8) or else she wakes up and stays up MOTN. So she goes to bed now between 8:30-9. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2183189 Tue, 19 May 2015 12:21:19 +0000 psw27 2183189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a similar routine as @SweetiePie and it works well for LO. He goes to bed right around 7 and usually sleeps until 6:30-7. Sometimes we push his bedtime a few minutes later but its usually a disaster. However, I also agree with other posters that you have to find what works best for your LO. I think routine is more important than the timing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2183147 Tue, 19 May 2015 12:05:16 +0000 pmrlady 2183147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also agree with others that an early bedtime is not for everyone. We put our 4mo old down at 9pm after a bath and bottle and she sleeps until 6am. When we tried putting her down earlier she either wouldn't fall asleep or she would wake up at 4am. Every child is different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2183059 Tue, 19 May 2015 11:23:23 +0000 Kbee 2183059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS is 15 weeks now, and so far we've had a variable bedtime depending on when he wakes up from his last nap. Usually bedtime ranges from 8-10. We've noticed it's more often between 8-9 now that he's past the 3-month mark, but it still varies. We just make sure he's not awake more than 2 hours after his last nap. We start his bedtime routine about 1 hour after he last woke up.</p> <p>I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child when he was 6 or 7 weeks old and I started obsessing about his bedtime, thinking we had to be getting him to bed between 6 and 7 since that's what the book said. However, when we did that, he would wake up countless times (4-5!) throughout the night and would be difficult to get back to sleep. Whereas if we put him down between 8 and 10 he wakes up only once, and gets about 2 hours more of total sleep each night. And he is much happier during the day when he gets more sleep at night! So, while the earlier bedtime is probably good for a lot of babies, it just isn't working for him yet. I tried to force things on him based on these recommendations, and I really regret doing that because of the stress (and little sleep) it caused.</p> <p>I would experiment with bedtimes based on her last wake-up and see what happens, but don't force any particular bedtime just because someone says it's a good idea. I will say that now is a good time to get a "routine" started though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182918 Tue, 19 May 2015 10:26:28 +0000 raintreebee 2182918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just want to counter somewhat what all the books say about early bedtimes. Sometimes, they just don't work for certain kids. I used to put my son down at 7 pm b/c that's what all the books said, and he would get up at 5:30. We were exhausted, and we never saw him after work. We then put him down for several nights at 8 pm around when he was ten months old. He started sleeping until 7:30. So he got MORE sleep when we put him down later, AND we got to see him more. I do think you have to try something for several days to see if it works, and I no long believe everything I read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182803 Tue, 19 May 2015 09:23:58 +0000 SweetiePie 2182803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jape14: yeah same! If I were to put him down after 7 (which I did once out of curiosity and once out of necessity) he just is miserable and still gets up at 6am. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182794 Tue, 19 May 2015 09:15:41 +0000 jape14 2182794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I second basically everything you've said! DS is 8.5 months and goes to bed every night between 6 and 7pm. The exact time varies based on his mood and the timing of his naps, but in general he sleeps better the earlier we put him down. DH has morning duty and I work earlier hours (7:45-4ish) so we both get a nice uninterrupted chunk of one-on-one time. My MIL thinks we are crazy for having such an early bedtime - she was a SAHM and would keep DH and his brothers up to see their dad and so they'd sleep later. In our case, DS will get up early regardless of when we put him down, so earlier bedtimes are key to making sure he gets enough sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182671 Tue, 19 May 2015 08:17:02 +0000 MrsRcCar 2182671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E is 15 months old and goes to bed around 9 or 9:30. N is 2.5 and goes to bed somewhere between 9:30-10 most nights. We are late raisers at our house so the late bed times work for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182659 Tue, 19 May 2015 08:09:57 +0000 miramira 2182659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 6 weeks DS just came to bed when we did. It was only when he started having more defined sleep/wake patterns (around 2.5mo) that we started a bedtime routine/bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182648 Tue, 19 May 2015 08:02:18 +0000 SweetiePie 2182648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SleepyMonkey: This! Most people don't realize that the witching hour is just overtired-ness and they should be going to bed!</p> <p>Pretty much any infant sleep book you read will say that the ideal bedtime for an infant or child is between 5pm and 7pm and one of the biggest mistakes parents make is keeping them up longer so one (or both) parents can see them. I read recently that parents should think of time with their child in terms of quality vs quantity. It's better to have less, but pleasant time with a well rested child than more, fussier time with an overtired one. If that makes sense how I wrote it. I can find that article somewhere if it interests you. </p> <p>We have experimented with my sons bedtime between 5pm and 7pm since he was about 5 weeks old. I understand that infants sleep anywhere at first and it seems less "important" to have a bedtime, but it will pay off in SPADES if you start early. They will learn (sooner than you think) that once you start the bedtime routine and put them in their bedtime resting place (crib, bassinet, etc) it is night/bedtime. Which should actually help with wakeups because they will understand better that it's night time vs daytime.<br /> With my son, at around 6:30 we start routine:<br /> -take him in his room, undress<br /> -bath (every other night now)<br /> -snuggles/maybe a book<br /> -PJs<br /> -sleep sack<br /> -Lovey<br /> -light off<br /> -sound machine on<br /> -bottle<br /> -snuggle for a minute or two BUT not rocking to sleep. I'll hug him and give him kisses and let him play with my hair or something.<br /> -put in crib drowsy but awake<br /> -music crib soother if needed (if he's not super drowsy)<br /> We've been doing this for almost his entire 8 months of life and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that he goes down so easily ANYWHERE because of this routine and an early bedtime. The only exception has been normal developmental bumps/"regression" and teething.<br /> And I adjust bedtime if needed. If his naps were shit or he's cranky, I have no qualms putting him to bed at 6pm instead of 7pm. He doesn't wake up earlier than his usual 6am when I do. He just needed that extra hour of sleep. </p> <p>Yeah, if my husband can't leave work a little early he doesn't see him in the evening. But why would he want to see him if he's a cranky crying mess anyway? That's not fun for anyone.</p> <p>The compromise is that he gets up with him every morning and spends one on one time from about 7am to 7:45. So he sees him then and if he also sees him in the evening he just considers that icing on the cake. </p> <p>Of course this is what I've read and what has worked well for us. I'm not a doctor or a sleep guru myself :-) But I am very passionate about it and have read a ton and followed my pediatricians recommendations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182541 Tue, 19 May 2015 06:09:26 +0000 SleepyMonkey 2182541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When she started getting really fussy at night and wouldn't stop unless being held. Around 6 weeks she started having this really fussy period starting around 6-7 and i called it a witching hour. Then i asked the pedi about it and she said that she was overtired. So we started putting her to bed at 730 and it stuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182404 Mon, 18 May 2015 21:23:40 +0000 sapphire 2182404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: My LO has started going to bed earlier now that she's in daycare. She is do stimulated there that she is quite tired when she gets home! Definitely sleeping more at night although only short naps now during the day. Before we were putting her to bed by about 10 but now it's between 8 and 9. We have always done swaddle, singing, white noise, bassinet at bedtime since the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182390 Mon, 18 May 2015 21:05:50 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2182390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine baby is only 4.5 weeks so we really just always have her where we are and found that going to bed late, 11-12 pm means I only have to wake up once in the night so thats been easier on me mentally. (she is always asleep way earlier in the evening though)Once she gets a little older we will start some sleep training and get her to bed early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182262 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:13:37 +0000 sarac 2182262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: No, I think that's a perfectly fine bedtime routine. With my first, she just slept on or near us, until we went upstairs to bed. Then we took her up and settled her in her crib in our room. It worked wonderfully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182257 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:08:53 +0000 yellowbird 2182257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MOMTOLITTLEB: true!! My daughter had a 7pm bedtime forever. If ds is the same Dh will see him about 30 mins a day. That's sad :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182256 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:07:53 +0000 yellowbird 2182256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: @Astro Bee: @Kemma: sounds like I may be getting ahead of myself worrying about this at just 6 weeks! As long as he's happy it's okay!</p> <p>Wondering how it will go when I'm back at work and he'll have to wake up a lot earlier. Maybe that's what pushed dd into a routine? I can't remember! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182254 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:04:49 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2182254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wanted him to have a fairly early bedtime but I noticed when he was about 6 months that the earlier I put him to bed, the longer he slept. We still put him to bed by 7 most nights and up around 6 in the morning. I like it because we get time to do chores, exercise and relax after bedtime. However I'm lucky I can leave work early otherwise I'd never see him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182224 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:37:06 +0000 Kemma 2182224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: my wee guy is 6 weeks and doesn't crash out till after 10pm so I usually start getting him ready for bed at around 9 (pj's, a wipe down then into the bedroom to nurse). I'm hoping he's going to start shifting his bedtime up soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182218 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:34:52 +0000 Astro Bee 2182218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pawprints: I had been doing the same with my LO - just letting him sleep and hang out with us until whenever we went to bed, right up until the last couple of days. So you're not alone with baby not having a real bed time. </p> <p>@Yellowbird: Just as an experiment, since Friday we've tried putting our 6-week-old in his crib in a swaddle sleepsack shortly after 8 (8:30 realistically by the time he went to sleep). He's slept between 3 and 4 hrs (which is the longest he's ever slept!) Unfortunately, because of the long sleep when he would normally be eating, he's been waking up much more frequently at night to eat (previously 1-2 times, now 3-5). Obviously, we're still figuring out a routine. And it might settle down, as it's only been a few days. It'll be interesting to find out what works for others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182207 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:20:03 +0000 PawPrints 2182207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Um ... we put LO to bed when we go to bed at 10:30 or so. She falls asleep earlier than that but just hangs out with us in the living room. She's six weeks old. I guess we should think about a bedtime routine soon, though then we'll need to finally set up the video monitor. So far we've just been staying with her in whatever room she falls asleep in throughout the day/evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-know-what-time-to-put-your-infant-to-bed#post-2182195 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:02:48 +0000 yellowbird 2182195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With dd it was easy because she fell into her own natural rhythm. With ds im usually wearing him in the evenings so he can nap and he's basically always asleep. I've been doing a pseudo bedtime routine around 8:30 but I feel like it's too late. I have a hard time doing it earlier though because dd is so noisy and it's still light out. </p>