View Full Version : questions re:bedtime rituals
marie
11-03-2003, 04:00 PM
1. when did you start doing a bedtime ritual/routine with DS/DD?
2. what do you do (brush teeth, bath, storytime, etc.) and how has it changed as DS/DD gets older?
3. for co-sleepers - do you put DS/DD in the crib until you're ready to go to sleep yourself? (we're using an arm's reach co-sleeper right now but i'm thinking ahead to when she won't fit in that and may be in our bed)
right now, DH and i switch off - he stays on the couch with DD from her 11pm'ish to 3'ish feeding so i can get some sleep and then she goes in the co-sleeper next to me so DH can get some sleep. is it better to have her in one sleeping place for night-time? (my parents just left after a 10-day visit and grandma has me doubting our decisions :()
thanks for your input!
KUvsOU
11-03-2003, 10:21 PM
I think we have pretty much tried to keep the same ritual other than adding brushing his teeth when he started getting his first tooth. Our bedtime ritual is pretty short as the evenings can be a little crazy and it we draw it out he thinks it is playtime.
As far as baths, he usally gets one before a nap. With reading, I tried to read to him when he was little, but he would just wiggle out of my lap and want to go play with his toys. He really did not show an interest in books until he was one. There are 6-8 books I keep out all the time and he brings one over to us when he wants us to read a story throughout the day. I also sit down with him and read to him at some point during the day. We usually do not read to him at night.
Shawna
Mom of Cade 6/16/02
parkersmama
11-03-2003, 10:39 PM
Well, we don't co-sleep so it's maybe a little bit easier for us. Starting around the time they naturally being to fall into a schedule (maybe around 3 months??), we start a bedtime routine and try to stick to it. We do bath, brush teeth & hair for older kids, read stories, nurse (for baby), prayers, and tuck into bed. I am trying really hard right now to wean Amy Grace from having to be put down asleep to going off to sleep on her own in her crib. Thankfully, I've at least got her going to bed at the same time as the other kids so that dh & I have some alone time after they're all in bed. I think that establishing and sticking to a routine is very important for the whole family. It lets the child know that bedtime is coming, it's time to settle down, and it gives the parents the ability to set the limits. I do think it would be hard to implement too much of a bedtime routine for you until your dd is a little bit older but you're wise to be thinking about it now!
cdlamis
11-03-2003, 10:55 PM
We started a bedtime ritual with Julia at about 3 weeks old. It was bath, massage, lie down with her until she was asleep and then transfer to the crib. Now it is dinner, teeth brushing, bath, massage, bed. She doesn't sit still while reading so we read throughout the day.
We did co-sleep for about 9 months and she slept in her crib until we went to bed ourselves. She did fine in her crib or we would have bought a co-sleeper.
Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b32dc745c42b
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.