Getting baby into a bedtime routine

[Heartburn888]

My little one is about 9 weeks old now and I’m starting to think about getting him into a bedtime routine.

Tonight is the second night and it’s going pear shaped already. I’m sat looking at him on the monitor and he’s wide awake - he may as well shout down the stairs mummy come and get me coz I’m not going to sleep yet!

Last night he fell asleep in my arms on the sofa at about half 6 and I carried him up to his cot and he slept until about 10.30 when he woke for a feed. He went back down okay but wasn’t falling into a deep sleep I can only put this down to how windy it was last night by me as it was making a racket in his bedroom against the window.

Tonight I have bathed him and again let him fall asleep in my arms and carried him to his cot at the same time and he slept until about 7.30. He was starting to get a bit distressed ( I was watching him on the monitor) so I went up and stroked his head and spoke to him in a soft voice to get him back off but he was wriggling and was making noises as if he was going to start crying so rather than let him get worked up and wake up fully I picked him up and give him some cuddles. He felt like he was getting heavier so I thought he was drifting back off so I put him back down but no he was wide awake so thought sod it I’ll go downstairs with him as he was due a feed at about 9. He fell asleep on me until 8ish and was quite whingy so I give him his bottle early.

We had a cuddle and I’ve taken him back up as he was doing his tired eyes.

Since I’ve started writing this he has started drifting off but has lost his dummy out of his mouth so looks to be awake again

Does anyone have any tips for me or dos and donts? Should I bolt up the stairs and give him his dummy? Or should I leave him to drift off without? Any advice is much appreciated - I think I have included everything and sorry if not and it’s a drip feed ha the lighting in his room is quite dim I have the bathroom light on with the door cracked open so it’s not bright at all but just enough for me to see his face.

He is in his own cot in his bedroom and my reasoning for this is that he doesn’t seem to settle well in the Moses and likes to stretch his arms out when asleep but can’t do this in the Moses. Some may say it’s too soon but I can only do what I think is best for him and I want to trail him in his big cot.

I know it’s only day 2 so he’s still adjusting but any tips or advice from experienced parents?

The theory that your breathing may help
To regulate your baby’s Is just that. A theory. Definitely not an established fact and definitely not something to beat the OP up with.
If your baby settles better in a nice quiet room in the evenings, then go with that. And you are watching him and listening to him on a monitor the whole time.
Your routine sounds perfect. Keep going!!

@GenevaMaybe Have you missed the massive decrease in the number of SIDS cases since the advice about back sleeping and room sharing was introduced?

Of course not. But room sharing is not amongst the most important factors. The major risk factors are tummy or side sleeping, maternal smoking, prematurity, and overheating.

They think it's the breathing regulation but there is no doubt that room sharing brings down the risk of SIDS (alongside smoking etc)

Have you read about the 4th trimester? There is a safer co sleeping guide that might be good for you. As others have mentioned your baby is very young to be on their own. It is your choice as a parent what you do but I would urge you to look at the lullaby trust. As for routine at this age I opted for a routine but for me. We went in the bedroom with our baby read to him as I nursed him to sleep and we had a hot chocolate or cup of tea and spent time just chatting in the bedroom. We've remained consistent with the time we go in the bedroom with a few exceptions when we have been out but during the last 4 month's his sleep and wake up times have changed constantly. Before 3 months babies can't tell night from day. They just need to feel warm, secure and comforted and being alone in a room will provide the opposite so you might find it makes babies sleep worse

I'm aware this it's down to luck but my 1st DS is 10 weeks now and he seems to have fallen in with when we sleep. We have a loose routine in that every other night he has a bath, every night he has a massage and a clean nappy and sleep suit, then he's fed and cuddled. We keep the lights in our room dim and put him down to sleep. Sometimes he's completely asleep, sometimes he'll wake a little but unless he gets upset we don't pick him back up. He drifts off and wakes somewhere between 6:30 and 8. I personally wouldn't want him in his own room until he's older but you're his mum and if you've weighed up the risks and are happy with your decision then that's what matters.