What time to put baby to bed?

Categories: Baby's Room

When baby is small, it's not always easy to know what time to put them to bed. Indeed, establishing a routine starts notably with choosing a bedtime that suits baby's needs. So what is the ideal time to put baby to bed? Which bed is most suitable according to baby's age? How to ensure a suitable environment for baby's sleep? How to help them find sleep and what to do in case of difficulties?

When should baby go to bed at night?

New parents know it well, with a newborn, there aren't really any set schedules. Indeed, very young babies don't yet have a well-defined rhythm, which is why wake-ups and bottle requests happen at different times day or night. But gradually, baby starts to differentiate between day and night and begins to have a more regular rhythm.

You can start creating a bedtime ritual from 6 months of age. Generally, bedtime between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM is recommended for children from 6 months to 2 years. Of course, each child is different and has their own needs, so it's up to parents to find the ideal bedtime. This is the time when baby will be able to find sleep and wake up feeling refreshed the next morning.

Which bed according to your child's age?

Beyond your child's bedtime, you also need to ensure you have a suitable bed for them. Indeed, your child's bed won't be the same depending on their age:

  • For newborns: From birth to 6 months, a cradle is recommended. Smaller and more contained, this baby bed is more reassuring for such a small baby. You can also opt for a co-sleeping version to place against the parents' bed. In any case, WHO recommends placing the baby's bed in the parents' room for the first 6 months.
  • For babies: From 6 months old, baby can be placed in a crib, and in their own room if you wish. The crib should be used until about age 2, when baby starts having escape attempts.
  • For children: Then, your child can move to a big kid bed. This can be a 70x140 cm bed that can be used until age 6, or a 90x190 cm bed that can be used until adulthood.

What about choosing a convertible baby bed?

Parents who want to save money can opt for a convertible baby bed. The convertible baby bed 0-6 years is a baby bed that grows with your child. First a cradle, it then becomes a crib and finally a child's bed. The convertible baby bed can also allow direct transition from a crib to a child's bed. This is the case, for example, with our vintage OCTAVE convertible baby bed - oak.

There are other possibilities for baby beds such as twin baby beds or combination baby beds for example

How to ensure a suitable environment for baby's sleep?

Beyond choosing the type of bed, there are also various precautions to follow to ensure baby has a suitable sleep environment, such as:

  • A temperature between 18°C and 19°C
  • A humidity level between 40% and 60%
  • A clean and calm environment
  • Setting up with only a sleep sack (no duvet, pillow, stuffed toy, bed bumper, etc.)
  • Sleeping only on the back

The room where baby sleeps should be a reassuring place, where they feel comfortable enough to find sleep. If at 6 months you feel baby isn't ready to move to their own room, you can extend their stay in the parents' room and maybe start with naps in their room so they can get used to this new environment.

How to help baby find sleep?

Putting baby to bed at a regular time helps create good sleep habits. But the success of bedtime also depends on the entire ritual implemented. Here are some key points that can help you:

  • Make sure baby isn't hungry or needs a diaper change
  • Start to limit noise and speak in a soft voice as bedtime approaches
  • Calmly put baby in pajamas then in their sleep sack
  • Take a moment together to cuddle, sing a lullaby or read a story
  • Place baby in their bed very gently even if they're not yet asleep
  • Explain that you're nearby, that you can hear them (make sure you have a baby monitor), that they can call you if they need you
  • Offer them a pacifier if they usually use one
  • Calmly leave the room leaving the door ajar or turning on a night light for example

Of course, each parent will find their own routine depending on the child. But this ritual will not only reassure baby but also help them find sleep.

What to do in case of sleep difficulties?

In case of sleep difficulties, there are many solutions to implement. Using a music box, a night light, a bath before bedtime are examples to explore. You can also discuss the subject with your pediatrician, your midwife, a pediatric nurse, or a child sleep consultant.

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