We seem to be having some problems with our bedtime routine being too stimulating. Or maybe it is just the thought of having uninterrupted milkies access all night...

Either way I would like to try some changes to our routine to try to make things a bit more sleepy. How does your routine go?

I'm not sure how old your little one is, but my daughter is 7 months old. We stopped letting her take a nap after 6:30ish so that she is good and tired by 9 or 10pm. Her routine is taking a bath and getting all powered up and night gown on. Then I give her the last bottle of the night sometimes she will fall asleep while eating (if she's really really tired) if not when she is done I cuddle with her closely (she's a huge cuddler) and sing her soft songs. I also make sure I have her arms under mine otherwise she wants to wave them all around and try and grab things. Once she has fallen asleep I wait a few minutes for her to fall into a deeper sleep and then put her in her crib. Usually her whole routine only takes about 30 min. She has adapted really well. I think the key for us was making sure she didn't take a nap too late.

I definitely think having a set routine every night at the same time helps. Even as adults having a time you train your body to get tired by helps with sleep. So does doing calmer activities before bed such as a snack or bath or quiet reading or listening to music.

The first thing is, I don't allow him to sleep past a certain hour which is about 5:30 in my case. I take him for a walk if possible, then bath him, feed him and we read a story together and then he falls asleep. (Most times)