This post is all about a successful bed time routine with a toddler.
Routines are the best way to get anything done if you want to use every minute to be productive! In our home, we have always had a routine in place because it is how I survive motherhood. Now that our family is growing, I am set on a strict morning and bed time routine every day.
I have tried mornings and nights without a routine and felt so defeated with time, so this bed time routine has been working SO WELL! We will see what needs to be tweaked as we add a newborn to the picture so that I can share with you. Either way, there will be a routine no matter how it looks!
Our bed time routine with a toddler makes for quality time spent and easy mornings! Like the saying, “fail to plan, plan to fail.” It has happened to me, haha. Now that we have the ultimate bed time routine for a toddler, I’m sharing with you.
Here is our bed time routine that you can implement in your home with your babies for a successful morning and evening!
Bed Time Routine that Works Best for Toddlers:
Bath Time:
Because littles have such a long day and tend to get dirty, find a bath time that you stick to no matter what you have going on! Baths are always around 7 pm after dinner for us. Before your little one takes their bath, layout and open their diaper (or undies) and pajamas. It will make for a much easier transition!
Next, grab their towel and leave it on the sink in the bathroom. That way, you are prepped when they get out of the bath.
While your little one is bathing, grab the toothbrush and brush their teeth.
Bed Time Routine After bath:
Once your little one takes their bath, it will be easy to grab their towel and head over to change their diaper or put on underware. Your little one’s diaper should be open and ready to put on so that you can avoid accidents if they are still in diapers. Potty training is around the corner for us. (We will start potty training, once I get two weeks to be consistent)! If your little on is in undies, leave them out to put them on before pajamas.
After baths, lotion them down to avoid dry skin. We always lotion Kyla down because of her eczema and dry skin. You can find some of our favorite products for dry skin in this post.Now you can give them their toothbrush to let them practice and feel more independent if they are into brushing teeth. (Favorite toys work too, so you are not fighting them).
After lotioning down, is always time to brush hair. We have found that adding a small amount of conditioner at the ends of their hair, even at age 2, it helps with quick and easy brushing!
Once your little one is out of the bath and has time to play, it makes it so much easier to wash your face and change into pajamas. A warm bath usually makes them more tired. After you are all ready for bed, lay out everyone’s clothes the night before. I have found that avoiding scrambling for clothes, socks, and shoes makes time so much more productive. This is why you want outfits laid out and ready for the morning for EVERYONE.
How Your Bed Time Routine Will Help Your Mornings..
Everything is about a GRAB-N-GO for the morning! After outfits are laid out, grab diapers or a change of clothes for their diaper bag and set it by your door. Make sure you have wipes if they are still in diapers. Your diaper bag should be completely packed!
Find a bed time for your toddler that allows them to sleep while you get ready. Bed time in our home is always around 9 pm so that Kyla does not wake up too early while I get ready in the morning. Your little one might do well at 8, 8:30, and 9:30. The earlier, the better, but if you head to work, find the time they are still asleep for the morning. That way, you can have thirty minutes or so to get ready the next morning.
MOM TIP: I always wash my hair at night three times a week so that I only need to curl my hair for work. Curls also make mornings go by fast for a quick touch up 🙂
Since Kyla was born, we have always been up around 6 am. This bed time routine has saved me SO MUCH time for the mornings so that we can head out of the door + I promise it will save you time too.
The night is always the best time to prep, and I never skip the routine even when I am exhausted because I know the morning will lead to stress and lots of wasted time. I hope this bed time routine helps you as much as it helps us!!
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