Keep it short and repeatable
Think bath or wash, pyjamas, feed, cuddles, song or story, then bed. The exact steps matter less than the consistency.
Use cues, not perfection
A routine tells your baby that sleep is approaching. It does not need to work like magic every night to be useful.
Protect the atmosphere
Dim lights, lower noise and fewer sudden transitions usually help.
Important: baby sleep varies enormously. Avoid one-size-fits-all promises, and always prioritise feeding, growth and safe sleep advice.
Safer sleep reminder. For babies, use a firm, flat sleep surface and follow the latest safer sleep advice from the NHS and The Lullaby Trust.
Want to know what is disturbing your baby's sleep?
The Petit Nuage sleep quiz looks at age, naps, night waking and settling habits to show you what to focus on first.
Take the 2-minute quiz →Frequently asked questions
How long should a bedtime routine be?
For many babies, 15 to 30 minutes is enough.
Should bath time be every night?
Only if it works for your family. A routine does not need a bath to be effective.
Can a bedtime routine fix everything?
No, but it supports better timing and calmer settling.
Reference sources: NHS baby sleep guidance · The Lullaby Trust safer sleep information. Last updated: 24 September 2026.