We all need a little Zen in our lives after a busy day, and having a routine helps us get there. This is why a bedtime routine is often recommended for newborns. Let’s face it, newborns need a little Zen too!
If you’re new to the bedtime routine for newborns, I’ve provided some useful info when it comes to finding techniques that can make bedtime a little easier.
Why is a Bedtime Routine Important for Newborns?
Having a bedtime routine for your newborn can help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The result? A rested baby and a rested you!
Bedtime routines are also a nice way to bond with your baby after a hectic day. We can all use a little timeout at the end of the day, don’t you think?
The Best Time to Set a Bedtime Routine Is …
Setting a bedtime routine as soon as you can is best. Some parents try from day 1 (this can be hard), while others wait a couple of weeks. The eight-week mark is the typical time that most parents start, but you have to do what works best for you.
Remember, if your baby starts getting bad sleep habits now, they’re going to be hard to break down the road. This is why the sooner the better is ideal. Your baby is going to take some time to get used to the routine, so be patient. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
How Can I Set a Good Bedtime Routine for My Newborn?
While all babies follow a different beat, there are several common things you can do to try to set a good bedtime routine for your baby. Remember, not all babies are going to have the same results with the same tactics. You may have to improvise a bit with a little trial and error to set the best routine for your newborn.
Give these a try…
Start Early in the Evening
The bedtime routine is a process, there’s no sugar-coating it. No matter what you’re incorporating into your routine, start early enough at night so you have time to get through everything. Once you decide what elements are going to be part of your routine, you can have a better idea of how long everything is going to take and plan accordingly.
Bath Time is the Best Time (Usually)
Isn’t a bath so relaxing? Sitting in water can be a soothing experience, which is why it’s part of many newborn bedtime routines. But, not all soaks are winners. If your baby absolutely hates the bath and throws a fuss or gets too stimulated and wants to party like it’s 1999, perhaps a bath before bed isn’t the best idea. For those little ones who enjoy a bath, this can be a good time for them to unwind.
Last Call for Feeding (At Least for Now)
You feel sleepy after a good meal and babies are no different. Including a last feeding before bed can be a good idea. Whether you’re bottle feeding or breastfeeding, getting a last feeding in before bed helps babies sleep as long as possible before they wake up in the middle of the night craving a little snack.
Take Care of Business
Before putting your baby down to bed, you want to take care of the basics like giving them a clean diaper, wiping their gums or brushing their teeth, and getting them into some comfy pjs. When you do these things every night as part of your bedtime routine, your baby begins to know what is coming next…sleep!
Read a Bedtime Story
Many adults find reading before bed calming and hearing a story read has the same effect on babies. Reading a bedtime story is a bedtime routine favorite. Not only does your baby get to spend some quiet time with you, but it will also help them learn and recognize new words. Reading to your baby builds their listening, memory, and vocabulary skills. Even the smallest of babies is taking in every word you say. Looking for book ideas? Check out my favorite list of bedtime stories for children of all ages. You’ll find some good ones there!
Sing a Soothing Lullaby
Just as reading a bedtime story can relax a baby, so can singing a lullaby. This one is an oldie but goodie. Hearing their favorite sound, a.k.a. your voice, with a soothing melody, can be the magical combination to help them drift off. You don’t have to be a great singer, just sing a few words and see how your baby reacts. After a while, you’ll begin to know which lullabies get the job done and which ones to toss. “Hush, Little Baby” and “You Are My Sunshine” are a couple of favorites.
Play Some Baby Jams
If you don’t want to sing, have someone else do it for you. While you may not want to rock out (or maybe your baby likes that), typically lullabies or classical music are a good choice to help settle your baby to sleep. Put it on low to help them make the transition from being awake to falling asleep. You can also play this relaxing music after you’ve sung to them. A sound machine can also help soothe them to sleep while drowning out any background noise.
Be Consistent
Once you have a bedtime routine that works, stick with it! If you start changing things up, your baby is going to get confused, and you can’t expect the routine to work. After all, it wouldn’t be a routine if you’re constantly changing things. Keep it simple, keep it brief, and keep calm.
Sample Newborn Bedtime Routine
(Duration: ~25–30 minutes)
1. Dim the lights & quiet the environment (3 mins)
Start by lowering the lights and reducing stimulation to signal it’s time to wind down. This helps cue melatonin production and prepares baby for sleep.
2. Diaper change & fresh pajamas (4 mins)
Change into a clean diaper and comfy, cozy PJs. Consider a sleep sack or swaddle if your baby is still in the swaddling stage.
3. Feeding (12–15 mins)
Offer a full feeding (breast or bottle). A calm, unhurried feed can help baby relax and fall asleep more easily. Try to avoid having baby fall asleep during the feed so they start to learn to fall asleep independently.
4. Gentle cuddle, rocking, or lullaby (4–5 mins)
Hold baby upright for a few minutes to burp, followed by gentle cuddling or rocking. You can hum a lullaby or play soft white noise to create a soothing atmosphere.
5. Short wind-down cue (2 mins)
Say a key phrase like “It’s sleepy time now” in a calm voice. Repeating the same phrase every night builds sleep associations over time.
6. Place in bassinet drowsy but awake (2 mins)
Lay baby down while they’re calm and sleepy (not fully asleep). This supports early sleep independence skills.
Tips:
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Consistency is key, even if bedtime varies slightly.
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Don’t stress if it doesn’t go “perfectly” — the goal is to create comforting patterns.
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Respond to your baby’s needs with flexibility; newborns still wake frequently.
Hi there, I’m Violet
—a Newborn Sleep Specialist, Registered Nurse, and the Director of one of the world’s top sleep consultant certification 
programs.
When I’m not training future sleep experts, I’m here working one-on-one with families like yours to solve sleep struggles with calm, confidence, and care.
But more than that, I’m a mom who’s been exactly where you are. When my baby wasn’t sleeping, I was overwhelmed and running on fumes. I remember thinking, “Why is this so hard?”
Since then, I’ve helped over 10,000 families finally get the rest they need using gentle, science-backed methods—with an almost 100% success rate.
If sleep feels impossible right now, I promise—it doesn’t have to be.
Explore my sleep support options here and let’s get your whole family sleeping again.
Best Bedtime Routine for Newborns
Now that you’ve explored what to include in your routine, take a moment to map out a few options that feel right for your baby. You know them best—and even small changes can make a big difference. And if you’re still feeling unsure about where to start, I can help you create a bedtime routine for newborns that works for your unique little one.
Simply reach out—I truly love hearing from parents like you, and I usually respond the same day. I know what it’s like to be up at all hours of the night with a newborn, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
