5 Mistakes That Make Bedtime Harder (and How to Fix Them)
Bedtime doesn’t have to feel like a battle. If your baby or toddler is fighting sleep, waking multiple times a night, or dragging bedtime out way too long, chances are a few small tweaks can make a big difference.
Here are 5 of the most common mistakes parents make at bedtime — and how to fix them.
1. Starting Bedtime Too Late
When your child goes to bed overtired, their body releases stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) to keep them going. This “second wind” makes it harder to settle down, fall asleep, and stay asleep.
How to Fix It:
Most babies and toddlers do best with a bedtime between 7:00–8:00 pm. Watch for sleepy cues like rubbing eyes, zoning out, or fussiness, and aim to get them down before they cross into overtired territory.
2. Dragging Out the Bedtime Routine
A long, drawn-out routine confuses your child. Instead of winding down, it signals more playtime or stalling.
How to Fix It:
Keep bedtime routines to 30–45 minutes max. Simple is best: bath → pajamas → feed → book or song → bed. Repetition is soothing.
3. Inconsistent Routine
Babies and toddlers thrive on predictability. If bedtime looks different every night, they don’t know what to expect, which often leads to more protests.
How to Fix It:
The order of the routine matters more than the exact activities. You don’t have to read the same book every night, but keeping the steps in the same order helps your child know sleep is coming.
4. Too Much Stimulation Before Bed
Screens, bright lights, or active play right before bed can delay melatonin production — the hormone that helps your baby feel sleepy.
How to Fix It:
Dim the lights, turn off screens an hour before bedtime, and focus on calm, connecting activities like reading, snuggles, or quiet play.
5. Feeding to Sleep Every Time
Feeding before bed is normal, but if it’s the only way your baby falls asleep, it can lead to frequent night wakings when they need that same help to get back to sleep.
How to Fix It:
Offer a big, full feed before bed, but try laying your baby down drowsy but awake. This gives them the chance to practice connecting sleep cycles on their own.
Final Thoughts
No parent is perfect — and your baby doesn’t need perfection to sleep well. Even small changes, like adjusting bedtime or keeping your routine consistent, can lead to longer stretches of sleep for your little one (and more rest for you).
If you’re ready for step-by-step guidance tailored to YOUR baby, check out my personalized sleep plans
