Newborn babies—and new parents—need good sleep to function properly.
As new parents, the first four months were a nightmare due to the lack of sleep. My sweet husband was becoming snappy, and I was simply exhausted. We were both overworked and overwhelmed.
We really needed sleep—and so did our babies.
Doctors and scientists emphasize that brain development in babies happens significantly during sleep. It’s essential for us, as parents, to recognize this and help our babies regulate and adapt to life outside the womb.
There are many sleep training methods out there. I recommend doing your own research to find the one that fits your family best.
What Worked for Us: The 5-Minute Reset
This method made a huge difference in our family. Here’s how we did it:
Start your bedtime routine 30 minutes before your ideal sleep time (which should be around 7–8 PM). Our routine looked like this:
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Change the baby’s diaper
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Feed the baby
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Read a short book
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Give the pacifier, say goodnight, give a hug and kiss
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Close the door
If the baby cried, we would wait five minutes before going in. We’d comfort them briefly—hold them, reassure them that we love them, remind them it’s time to sleep—and then place them back in the crib.
Room Sharing, Crib Sharing & Transitioning
Until they were 6 months old, our babies slept in the same room as us. They often woke up when we moved or tried to sleep, which made us think they sensed our presence and sought comfort.
At exactly 6 months, we transitioned them into their own room and individual cribs.
Yes—they did share a crib at first. They slept together until they began turning over. That’s when we decided it was time to separate them, both for safety and better sleep. We also stopped swaddling at that point.
Extra Sleep Aids
A sound machine was incredibly helpful for us. It helped mask household noise and soothed the babies to sleep. We usually set a 40-minute timer so it would turn off automatically.
It’s important to remember that routines might get disrupted when babies are sick. They’ll need more comfort, and that’s completely normal. Try to return to the routine as soon as they feel better.
A dark room can help; you can buy darkening curtains that can also help reduce exterior noise during daily naps.
Growing Toddlers, Changing Routines
As babies grow, their needs change. For example, once they start potty training, bedtime routines will include a potty visit and tooth brushing after milk.
Our twins just turned 2, and here’s our current bedtime routine (starting around 6:45–7 PM):
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Clean up the play area
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Go potty
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Put on a pull-up/diaper and pajamas
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Drink warm milk from a sippy cup
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Read 2 books
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Brush teeth
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Say a prayer (Guardian Angel)
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Say goodnight, give a hug and kiss
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Turn on the sound machine and close the door
Our toddlers love going to sleep with their loveys and always ask for their blankets.
Final Thoughts
This routine works well for us now, but keep in mind that sleep regressions can happen—especially when kids are learning new skills like speaking, potty training, or transitioning to a toddler bed. Children thrive on consistency. It helps them feel safe and secure.
I hope our journey gives you some insight and inspiration as you build your own routine. Good luck—and trust that you’re doing the best for you and your babies.
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