What’s your toddler’s bedtime routine and what do you do if you’re out and about? 🛌

[SmalIPotato]

We don’t really have a consistent bedtime routine for DS although I’m starting to think we should make one.

What do your routines look like please?

For background: DS is breastfed; I have been able to move away from feeding to sleep such that DH gets him to sleep these days. I do need to feed DS before bed but then if he has to ‘officially’ say good night to me, he gets distressed. So I sort of leave the room, vaguely muttering that I’m off to the loo! Then DH will do a story before helping him get to sleep. But I saw something on here about a toddler saying goodnight to teddies and choosing one to sleep with which I thought was quite sweet so I’d like to include that?

What do you do about the bedtime routine if you are out for the day a bit later than usual, and/or if you’re away for the weekend etc? So maybe not getting home until the evening?

On the flip side I will say that I don’t think it’s great that DS doesn’t ‘officially’ say goodnight to me, but on the other hand I don’t want to get him upset before bed so I suppose it’s the lesser of two evils?

We do stories, bathtime and teeth and last wees, then into bed and I say something that I'm proud of them for or has gone well during the day or that I enjoyed doing cutting and sticking with them etc. Then I sit on the floor between them holding their hands and we all sing twinkle twinkle together and then it's no more talking. I hold their hands for about five mins and then say love you, night night, I'll check you in a little bit.

We've done this since they were 3 and 1 (now 5 and 3). Maybe you could add the last bit so that he knows you'll come back and check him but you're not sneaking out? When I was still feeding (I did until 18 months) I'd do the last feed downstairs and then my husband would take them up if it was his night (we alternate).

If out late we take toothbrushes and PJ's with us and do teeth and change either at the venue or in the car before driving home at bedtime and just dump them in bed once home as they fall asleep in the car.

Thanks so much, that is really helpful and some great suggestions there!

I don't say good night or good bye to my 19 month old, it sounds mean but it causes too much upset. If dad takes her up for bath or I slip out, she is fine but it's a nightmare if I say good night/bye! So I BF downstairs after dinner, then husband or I take her up for bath, dressed, stories, songs and then lie with her in her floor bed til she's asleep. If we're out, ideally we get her ready for bed before coming home so we can take her straight to bed. If we're away, just do the same as at home. I'd let your DH try what works, when he does bedtime, it doesn't have to be the same as what you do.