Clever Bedtime Routine Ideas for 18 Month Old

Hi! We get jammies on and then read books for a good 15-20 minutes. We find this to be "calm down" time. Then we brush teeth. When it is time for bed we say good night to all the things in the room (good night dresser, good night window, etc.). Then we put my son in bed and sing one song, say good night and leave. I like this because it translates easy when you travel. With any new night time routine - it takes time for the child to get used to it. Good luck!

I agree with the other poster -- consistency in the routine is critical. If you do the exact same thing, every single night, the routine will work. Your son will go through stages when he tests you and wants to prolong bedtime, but just stick to the routine, without any changes. Also -- anyone who puts your son to bed should use the exact same routine.

That being said, it's important that YOU enjoy the routine for it to be effective. Our kids will adapt to anything, so make it fun and relaxing for you too! Do you like to sing? Then add lullabies into the routine. Are you a book lover? Then have a set number of books you read each night (3, 5, 10, whatever you want!) Does your son like to be rubbed? How about a mini baby massage? If you create a routine that makes you happy, he will respond as well! (Of course, make sure your hubby is on board with the routine, so he can follow it too.) :)

when Elise (now 7) stopped nursing she was about that old and I had to find a different way to put her to bed. I read her a book (board books are great cause they are short), then I rocked in a chair with her. I used to nurse in the same chair so I had to change that part of the routine. So during the last month of nursing I started counting down as I patted her back. I started at 10 and slowly, rubbed her back and counted down to 1 in a slow, steady, calm sleepy voice. At 1 I put her in her bed. The first week I warned her in between each number what was going to happen. "when I get to 1 you are going into your bed", then the next week I only said that for the last 3 numbers and then I didn't have to say it at all.

Hi Celina,
I think just having a routine is key, our son gets home from daycare, plays, eats dinner. Then it's bathtime followed by reading/watching a favorite tv show. Then I say it's time for bed, and I let him pick out a toy or two to bring into his crib with him. I leave a nightlight on and play music at very low volume. Like I said, just starting a routine where the child knows what happens after each step seems to be the key!
L.

My daughter is about 22 months and she's been pulling some bedtime tizzies too! Last night I told her she needed to put her "babies to bed" which were a bear and a My Little Pony baby. She covered them with her blanket, gave them kisses and I told her she needed to lay with them and help them go to sleep. She seemed to get a kick out of it. A fancy nightlight to help her if she's afraid of the dark, if she knows about the princesses they had some really cute one's on sale at I think Kohl's this week and a book about bedtime never hurts! Good Luck

I'm going through a similar thing, although my daughter was GREAT at bedtime, and has just started fighting us. We have a solid routine- bath, jammies, toothbrush, books, bed, and lights out- that has worked since about 9 months. But the past week she has been fighting and trying to stall me at the door. She tries to get me to cover her again with the blanky or something. What we've done is purchased a lamp timer and set it for 15 minutes. That way it's not me turning it off, and ending the fun, it's automatic. We do everything else the same, but when I put her in the crib, I tell her that when the light goes off, its time to lay down and go night night. She now stays up and "reads" in her crib. She still fusses a little when the light does go off. But it's not too bad.
The key is finding a routine that works for you and STICKING to it. Yes, it will be hard because she's gotten used to things one way. You might want to start earlier too, if possible. I'm not a fan of crying it out, but we did do gradual extinction. You do go in and respond, but at intervals, (5, 10, 15 minutes, whatever you're comfortable with) and try not to pick her up. Just comfort verbally, maybe a pat on the back or whatever.
Remember if you do cave and let her in your bed, you are reinforcing her behavior. She will learn that if she cries long enough, she will get what she wants.
I know it's hard. Good luck and be strong!

Hi Celina,

You could try reading her some books for kids her age while in her room or rocking chair so it is relaxing. Or perhaps giving her a bath and then rocking her and singing to her and putting her to bed while awake. It might be awkward but I would give it a week and then she'll figure it out that it's time for night night after all that. :) Good luck!

I was in your position 10 years ago w/ my first child!! My ped had me bring him in for a check up to make sure there where no ear infections, then sent me on my way w/ the book Healthy Sleep, Happy Child! by Dr. Weisbluth (sp??) Anyway there are step by step instructions in this book, and let me tell you it was a lifesaver!! Then when my second child came along, there were absolutely NO sleep issues!! Warning though, it's hard at first, but stick to your guns and know that your doing the right thing for your child in the long run!! good luck!!