One thing that sleep experts do not argue about is the importance of a bedtime routine. The world’s leading expert on sleep says although there’s no hard and fast scientific evidence for babies  his best guess after years of studying sleep among adults is , ‘the most important strategy for improving..a person's...sleep is to set a daily routine and stick to it.’

Here is an example of a typical bedtime routine. The younger your baby probably the longer it will take, but once established for a month or two it should take about 20-30 minutes and it should be calm and slow to help your baby make the transition from an active day to a sleeping night.

Some experts believe that babies are programmed to go to bed between 6.30 and 7.30, and most parents find this to be true. But if you work later, there's no rule that says your child can't have a later bedtime. The important thing for a good bedtime and a good night is a long slow wind down to bed.

Remember, how your baby drops off is crucial. If they fall asleep fed, or rocked or patted or 'helped' in anyway they will need the same help when they wake in the night and will not be able to get themselves off to sleep without you.

Typical Bedtime Routine

1. Give your baby a bath because it’s sufficiently different from normal daytime activity to 'cue' nighttime.

2. Dress for bed

3. Give last feed of the day

4. Read a story/and or sing some special bedtime songs

5.Make sure the room is quiet and at a comfortable temperature.

6. Put your child to bed.

7. Say goodnight and leave.

Footnote

It’s a good idea to have 1 or 2 special bedtime songs, that you always sing at bedtime and reserve for bedtime (like a lullaby) because on those days or times when you cannot follow the routine (like when you’re travelling or are late starting) you can sing the songs and still give your baby ‘bedtime signals’. Once your bedtime routine is well established, this shortcut can work very well.