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How to Build a Safe Sleep Routine for Your Baby (Month by Month)

May 01, 2025 By SwaddleAn

Getting your baby to sleep can feel like a mystery—but with a gentle, consistent routine, it becomes a rhythm. A safe and predictable sleep environment helps babies fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and feel more secure.The key? Start small, stay consistent, and adjust as your baby grows.In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build a safe, age-appropriate sleep routine from the newborn stage through toddlerhood—and which SwaddleAn sleepwear pieces can help along the way.


Safe Sleep Basics (For Every Age)

Before we dive into routines by age, here are foundational safe sleep practices:

  • Always place baby on their back to sleep, in a crib or bassinet free of pillows, blankets, or toys
  • Maintain a comfortable room temperature (20–22°C / 68–72°F)
  • Dress baby in breathable layers and use a baby sleep sack instead of loose blankets
  • Choose well-fitted sleepwear (not too tight or too loose)

👶 0–3 Months: The Fourth Trimester

This phase is all about warmth, closeness, and helping baby adjust to life outside the womb.

Routine Tips:

  • Follow the “eat–awake–sleep” pattern
  • Keep lights low and sounds soft during night feedings
  • Use calming cues like gentle rocking, white noise, and warm hands

SwaddleAn Essentials:


🌙 3–6 Months: Transition Time

Your baby may start rolling or resisting swaddling—this is when sleep sacks shine.

Routine Tips:

  • Create a predictable bedtime ritual: bath → lotion → story → sleep sack
  • Use white noise consistently
  • Introduce a comfort object (outside crib) like a soft blanket during wind-down

SwaddleAn Essentials:


🌤 6–9 Months: Strengthening Sleep Independence

At this stage, babies are often capable of sleeping 6–8 hours straight—but routines matter more than ever.

Routine Tips:

  • Keep a regular bedtime (within a 30-minute window)
  • Avoid overstimulation an hour before bed
  • Add simple calming phrases like “It’s time to sleep now” to help build sleep associations

SwaddleAn Essentials:

Related: How Many Sleep Sacks Does a Baby Need?


🌼 9–12 Months: Nap Schedule Becomes Key

With 2 solid naps a day, sleep routines aren’t just for bedtime—they help daytime rhythms too.

Routine Tips:

  • Use the same calming steps before each nap
  • Continue using sleep sacks to reinforce sleep cues
  • Limit screen time or loud toys before sleep periods

SwaddleAn Essentials:


🧠 12+ Months: Toddler Rhythms Begin

Sleep regressions may return here—but routines are your best friend.

Routine Tips:

  • Keep the same sleepwear, story, and cue words every night
  • Begin giving your toddler small choices (e.g. “Which sleep sack do you want tonight?”) to promote cooperation
  • Keep using sleep bags until at least 18–24 months if possible

SwaddleAn Essentials:


💛 Bonus Routine Tips (All Ages)

  • Choose one calming “anchor” before sleep (music, story, phrase) and repeat it daily
  • Keep lights dim and interactions quiet during night wakings
  • Remember: progress isn't linear. Stay gentle and consistent.

💬 Final Thoughts: Every Baby, Every Stage, Every Night

There’s no perfect way to build a baby sleep routine — only a gentle, loving rhythm that works for your family.SwaddleAn is here to help make that rhythm softer, safer, and more beautiful — with bamboo sleepwear designed to wrap every stage of your baby’s sleep in love.Browse our full Baby Sleepwear Collection and find your essentials for peaceful nights and restful days.

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