https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 10:57:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261927 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:20:11 +0000 ineebee 2261927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: The books I'm reading all say the routine should be 20 min, some say 30-45 min! Too long, IMO, but the rationale is that they want you to use children's pattern-seeking brains to your advantage so that they can gear up (or down) to bedtime. I really want to do exactly what you're doing! And it's great to know that it works well for you! </p> <p>@Mrs D: Thanks for your input! We want to start sleep training soon so I want to establish a solid routine before that happens so that, like you, it'll really help DS to sleep well!</p> <p>@Adira: Yeah, I really want it to be short and sweet with minimal shushing and rocking! I'm thinking, after reading all these responses, that I can probably keep my routine as is. </p> <p>@jetsa: Nice. I like a short routine too! Thanks for your input!</p> <p>@sapphire: Same with DS. Baths require so much coordination, and since I'm doing bedtime solo every night, setting it up, etc. would take so much energy every night! And if the ped says 2-3x/week is fine, I'm not doing more work than I have to! :)</p> <p>@Alivoo01: Wow. That is the simplest, shortest bedtime! Maybe when DS is older we can do something like that. Awesome.</p> <p>@mrs.shinerbock: That sounds like a very reasonable bedtime routine! </p> <p>@Ms.Badger: Aw, I wish I could! I'm in the Northeast. I envy you that!</p> <p>@yin: Half an hour or more with two wild kids? Sounds pretty quick to me! :) </p> <p>@snowjewelz: I decided on a bed-time-only book, too. I think I'm gonna do two books: the first one will be a rotation of books from the library, and the second book will be constant. And 10 minutes is pretty nice! I like that I'm seeing such short routines!</p> <p>@blackbird: That makes sense. I think once DS gets older, I may add a bath if he sweats, gets dirty and ends up needing it everyday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261907 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:49:31 +0000 kgbee 2261907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baths precede the bedtime routine on days when he needs/takes a bath, but we don't do baths every day -- usually twice a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261807 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:11:11 +0000 LilSprinkles 2261807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO takes baths on S, T, and F. Our routine is the same, except we start at 6:30 on bath nights.</p> <p>Routine (start around 7)<br /> Brush teeth<br /> Lotion<br /> PJs<br /> Get Bear Bear (his lovey)<br /> 2 books<br /> Potty<br /> Lights off<br /> Prayers , Night Nights, and sing "You Are My Sunshine"<br /> In bed by 730 the latest </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261794 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:03:13 +0000 LuLu Mom 2261794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 yes, especially in summer and playing outside but DD2 no, she has eczema so we do every other day. </p> <p>starting at 8 we do bottle, diaper change, lotion, pjs, and cuddling/rocking and then to bed awake but tired. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261791 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:56:27 +0000 Mae 2261791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do baths e/o night. Either way the routine is the same. </p> <p>Bath (or not)<br /> Change into nighttime diaper and pjs<br /> bottle<br /> brush teeth<br /> play in room for about 10 min<br /> Read 2 books (about 5 min)<br /> Into sleep sack and turn off light and turn on white noise<br /> Rock/sing a song<br /> Lay down in crib</p> <p>The routine takes 30 min start to finish with no bath, 40 with bath. We COULD skip the play time and not mess with sleep I believe, but our LO still struggles with reflux so we like for her to stay up a bit after her bottle. Before she was old enough to run around and play I'd just hold her and read books for 15 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261769 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:36:38 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2261769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bath is not part of our routine because we only give her a bath every 2 to 3 days unless she gets particularly dirty. </p> <p>Our bedtime routine consists of diaper change, swaddling, bottle, bed (2.5 months old). All this is done with just the night light on and quiet voices. It really doesn't take very long. I don't see why you would need to drag it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261762 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:27:26 +0000 gingerbebe 2261762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do bath every night. My son had colic and basically bath time was the only time he would be quiet and calm as an infant and so we never dropped it. He LOVES bath time, so we always do it. It relaxes him and he's always so much happier afterwards that we think its important to his sleep. However, we don't necessarily do it RIGHT up against his bedtime - mostly like an hour before? So there's usually about 30 minutes of play time between bath and bedtime bottle. </p> <p>Our routine is pretty fast: (DS is 11 months).</p> <p>- Bath at 630pm after we're done with dinner. When its with Daddy, its only like 10 minutes. When its with Grandma, she indulges him and lets him hang out in there for 30 minutes!<br /> - Lotion, diaper, jammies - 2-3 minutes.<br /> - We play and hang out together until its about 715pm.<br /> - Bedtime bottle at 715pm (we're close to dropping this, its just for hydration really - like 2-3 ounces).<br /> - Sleepsack, blackout curtains, white noise machine, humidifier, close door. We sing the same 2 songs at every nap and bedtime while swaying with him, say a short prayer over him, lay him down, hand him his lovey and say "Have a good night night S, mommy/daddy loves you" before we leave. </p> <p>We've basically had this same routine forever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261752 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:12:46 +0000 sleepybear 2261752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only do a bath every few days and it's normally earlier in the day.<br /> Bedtime routine is:<br /> Nurse<br /> Read a book<br /> Brush teeth<br /> Diaper/pjs/sleep sack<br /> Say prayers<br /> Lay in crib and a quick belly rub and 'night night'</p> <p>It's a lot easier for me if I just keep it short and simple. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261748 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:10:00 +0000 Foodnerd81 2261748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>C is 2, and we have never done bath as part of her bedtime routine. Like others, she has dry skin, plus, I'm lazy. Our routine now is:<br /> Brush teeth<br /> Diaper and PJs<br /> Read 3 or so books in her room with the lights dimmed and sound machine on<br /> Sing songs in bed with her<br /> Turn lights all the way off and sing one more song<br /> Say goodnight and I love you. </p> <p>Unfortunately since she switched to a big girl bed, now the "routine" also included her getting up a bunch of times but that's another story. I think 20 minutes is sufficient for a bedtime routine. If we get home late sometimes we shorten it by doing fewer books or songs, or I will lengthen it with more books or songs if I sense she isn't settling down. </p> <p>Then again my kid is a crap sleeper so maybe don't listen to anything I say. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261726 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:49:16 +0000 blackbird 2261726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is for my toddler but not for the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261725 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:47:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2261725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted others b/c we don't bathe every single day. So on the days without bathe, we just wipe down face/hands/feet instead. Our routine -- </p> <p>Turn on lamp in her nursery (instead of the brighter regular light)<br /> Diaper change<br /> Wipe down while singing a lullaby<br /> Rub on lotion (singing continues)<br /> Change into Pjs<br /> She used to take a vitamin D drop but not anymore<br /> Say goodnight to stuff, say good night to and turn off light<br /> Read bed time only book<br /> Turn on white noise<br /> Bottle/nurse</p> <p>She us 8 mo old and without bathe it takes no more than 10 min </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261676 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:37:21 +0000 yin 2261676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't bathe every night because of eczema. Our routine looks like this:</p> <p>Floss and brush teeth<br /> Wash Face<br /> Diaper change for LO2<br /> Lotion<br /> Pajamas<br /> Read 3 books<br /> Sing songs<br /> Turn on sound machine<br /> Sleep</p> <p>This process takes about half an hour or longer with two wild kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261664 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:26:25 +0000 Ms.Badger 2261664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you want to make your routine longer, you could take a walk with your baby in the carrier. I did that with L because he was so hard to get to sleep and the walk made him tired. So I would do lotion and jammies, walk (I think it took about 10 min), turn on white noise, nurse, rock to sleep.<br /> ETA: I"m in SoCal where this walk outside idea is fine all year round but I bet that doesn't work in all climates </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261651 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:14:08 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2261651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bath is not part of our routine because our ped said she really only needs a bath every 2-3 days unless she gets really dirty playing. I'm surprised that anyone would be pushing a really long bedtime routine, I've always been told to have a standard order of things, but it just needs to be a few cues that bedtime is happening and then putting them to bed.</p> <p>At 5 months, our routine looked like this:<br /> Fresh diaper and lotion<br /> Pajamas<br /> Turn on white noise<br /> Say good night to the giraffe<br /> Turn off light<br /> Sit in rocker with her and sing while she nurses<br /> Put her in crib while I finish the songs<br /> Say "Have a good night, I love you."<br /> Walk out</p> <p>Depending on how long she took to nurse, it was usually 20-25 minutes. Once we stopped nursing at night, we added in reading 2-3 books after PJs, but the whole routine takes maybe 20 minutes now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261643 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:05:09 +0000 Alivoo01 2261643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really. I give him a bath after dinner because he's messy. Then I let him play and do whatever for an hour or so. When it's bedtime, I just tell him it's bedtime and we go into the bedroom. He climbs into bed, lays down and asks for milk while telling me to turn off the lights. He'll finish his milk and sit up/crawl around on the bed while talking or do whatever he does. When he's tired, he'll lay down and go to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261625 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:50:58 +0000 Ajsmommy 2261625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bath is not part of our routine and our routine is less than 10 mins.</p> <p>I change DD into bedtime cloths after dinner/after bath on bath nights.</p> <p>Once she's ready for bed we go into her room<br /> change diaper 1-2 mins<br /> read 2 short books (same books every night) 5 mins<br /> Short lullaby and into bed with mobile on and paci 1 min </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261621 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:48:11 +0000 sapphire 2261621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes our routine ends up taking that long if she won't go to sleep, but it's not intentional! We do diaper, jammies, feed, sing songs (same 2 every night, sometimes additional if not getting sleepy), sound machine on, fan on, mobile on.<br /> ETA: we both work and bath every night is too much of a production. Plus I think it gets her too excited, all that splashing around! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261611 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:40:42 +0000 Mrs D 2261611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: I am surprised it that they are pushing a certain length of time. I agree that a routine is critical (as I said I attribute DD's great sleep to her routine) but not sure I agree that the length of time matters. I would actually think longer would be more confusing and possibly causing separation issues? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261608 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:37:27 +0000 jetsa 2261608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our routine is short and I like it that way.<br /> Diaper Change<br /> PJ's<br /> Milk and Books (2-3)<br /> Brush Teeth<br /> Turn out lights and turn on sound machine<br /> Rock and sing songs<br /> crib/bed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261607 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:35:57 +0000 Adira 2261607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: Not sure why a routine would need to be so long for a baby... maybe if you have to include lots of rocking and shushing to help them fall asleep?? With Logan, we get him in his PJs, I read 2-3 board books, then I turn off the lights, turn on his sound machine, put him in his crib and say quietly "Good night, Logan, I love you," and walk away. But he can put himself to sleep, so I don't need to drag it out at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261605 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:34:21 +0000 lovehoneybee 2261605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: I don't think at that young I could have stretched it out so long. E just turned 3, and I wish I could make it shorter, lol! But he wants the routine exactly as it is (he'd read more books, sing his three songs 3x each if I'd let him...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261602 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:32:43 +0000 Mrs D 2261602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: It is not a part of our routine bc like @Adira: DD has eczema - so baths are 2-3 days or when needed (aka Daycare leaves her covered in paint).</p> <p>Routine:</p> <p>lights down - sound machine on (always been this way)<br /> voices soft<br /> fresh diaper<br /> lotion rub down<br /> Jammies on<br /> Other treatments (medicine, saline, nose freida)<br /> Bottle in rocking chair<br /> Book<br /> Light off<br /> quick rock/hug/kiss<br /> in bed</p> <p>Total process is about 10-15 minutes depending on how much bottle she takes and if we read more than 1 book.</p> <p>This has basically been our routine from day 1 - and I think it has been a HUGE help in LO going to sleep so easily! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261596 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:28:40 +0000 LBee 2261596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our bedtime routine is about 5-10 minutes. What makes you think it's not long enough? When I go upstairs to change from work I usually turn on his sound machine, fan, and lamp (and turn off overhead) so that when we go up for the night, the room is ready for bed. Once it's bedtime we do teeth, diaper, pajamas (onesie + sleepsack), books (x3), songs (x4 short ones - same every night), bed. </p> <p>Whenever we are with friends they always comment how lucky we are that his routine isn't some big production. We can have people over for dinner and I can literally go upstairs for a few minutes and get him down. </p> <p>We bathe him probably every 3rd night (or when he's stinky :silly: ). We tried to never have bottles associated with bed time because we didn't want to have to break that habit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261593 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:28:01 +0000 ineebee 2261593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Thanks! LOL about songs taking 5-30 min. DS is almost 5 months, and I'm reading so much about how important the bedtime routine is, and so many books suggest making it SUPER long! Like 30-45 min! I don't know how to drag it on that long for a baby this little. </p> <p>@lovehoneybee: "Squeaky clean"! Adorable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261587 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:25:04 +0000 lovehoneybee 2261587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's part of our bedtime routine.<br /> Dinner<br /> Bath<br /> "Squeaky clean" with my mom (basically she pinch/tickles him a few times while making squeaky noises)<br /> Diaper<br /> Listen to baby sister on the doppler (sometimes)<br /> PJs<br /> Brush teeth<br /> Read 2-3 books (depending on the night)<br /> 3 songs + cuddling in our bed<br /> Tuck in (his bed)<br /> Lights out</p> <p>He just turned 3, and it probably takes 30-45 minutes, depending on how long he wants to be in the tub and how much he wants to help read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261586 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:24:55 +0000 Adira 2261586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bath isn't part of our routine. Both kids have eczema, so they only take baths 2-3 times a week.</p> <p>Logan's routine (8 months):<br /> Diaper change, aquaphor (or desonide) for eczema, pjs (~10 minutes)<br /> Stories (~5 minutes)<br /> Bed!</p> <p>Xander's routine (2.5 years):<br /> Brush teeth, diaper change, pjs, inhaler (~15 minutes because I keep having to chase him around)<br /> Playing (5-20 minutes)<br /> Stories (~10 minutes)<br /> Songs (5-30 minutes because he keeps trying to drag out bedtime)<br /> Bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-a-bath-part-of-your-los-bedtime-routine#post-2261568 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:08:33 +0000 ineebee 2261568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If bath time is NOT a part of your bedtime routine, can you describe what your routine looks like? And how long does your routine take? </p> <p>So far I have diaper, massage, PJs, sleep sack, book(s), lights out, lullaby. But it's not long enough - only maybe 15 minutes at most. </p>