Toddler Bedtime Routine (ages 1-3)

Toddlers sleep best between 8 p.m. and midnight, so set their bedtime based on when they must wake up in the morning. However, aim to get them in bed by 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. As soon as you can, try to instill proper sleep hygiene in your toddler because sleep is really important to them.

A Sample Toddler Bedtime Schedule

6:30 p.m.Take a bath, brush your teeth, and comb your hair.

6:45 p.m. Storytime or group book reading

7:00 p.m. It's time for bedtime with some white noise or soothing music.

It might be challenging to make this toddler sleep routine work for working parents who frequently return home at 6 p.m. and still have dinner to prepare and possibly assist older children with homework.

If you have a spouse, it can be quite beneficial to alternate who puts the baby to sleep while the other prepares dinner and assists with homework. If you are cooking alone, it can be helpful to prepare food in bulk over the weekend or to prepare something simple that your toddler can eat before supper.

routines for naptime

Your nighttime ritual should be scaled down to a shorter, less than 15-minute naptime routine. Establishing a schedule also aids in preventing sleep regression.

12:45 p.m. Wash your face and hands, share a book,

1:00 p.m. If you use a particular white noise machine or calming music for bedtime, putting it to use during nap time will help your child link it with sleep at all times of the day.

3 p.m. It's time to get awake.

Your child will be overly fatigued the next day if they stay up too late since they will find it difficult to go asleep at bedtime. Although it can be difficult to rouse a sleeping child, there are instances when it can be useful if you want them to stay asleep at night.