Establishing a Baby Routine: How to Create Predictability Without Pressure
- Morgane Besins
- Sep 1, 2025
- 3 min read
From newborn naps to bedtime rituals, here’s how to build a flexible routine that works for your baby — and your life.
Written by parenting expert Prudence Beeby — founder of A Mother's Touch, Norland nanny, and trusted support for families navigating the early days of parenthood.
As adults, most of us have some kind of daily rhythm — brushing our teeth in the morning, sipping a cup of coffee, unwinding with our evening rituals. We find comfort in knowing what comes next.
Babies are no different. In fact, having a gentle and predictable routine can help babies feel safe, settled, and secure. But here’s the key: a routine only works if it works for you.
Why Establishing a Baby Routine Matters
A routine doesn’t have to be rigid. Think of it as a flexible framework that:
Helps your baby know what to expect
Supports better sleep and feeding rhythms
Gives you more confidence and breathing space
Makes everyday life — and travel — a little easier to manage
Routines create predictability, which helps reduce fussiness, regulate naps and feeds, and support your baby’s emotional wellbeing.
When to Start a Baby Routine
You can begin establishing a routine from birth — or not. There’s no rush.
Start when:
You feel ready (physically and emotionally)
Your baby shows signs of predictable patterns
You’re craving more structure
Avoid starting a routine just because you saw another parent doing it on Instagram. Every baby — and every family — is different.
“Don’t rush into anything that feels uncomfortable. You’re not behind — you’re building what works for your baby and your life.”
How to Choose the Right Routine
A good routine should:
Fit your family’s lifestyle
Adapt to your baby’s natural rhythms
Leave space for spontaneity and connection
There are plenty of routines already published — and you may want to follow one — but if it keeps you housebound or trying to settle a baby who isn’t tired yet, it’s probably not the right fit.
Start small. Build gradually. Adjust often.
A Norland Nanny’s Advice: Start With Bath and Bedtime
After 15 years as a Norland Nanny, I’ve found that the easiest place to start is with the evening.
The bath and bedtime routine is:
Easy to replicate anywhere (home, holiday, friend’s house)
Anchored to a time of day when most babies naturally wind down
A lovely way to bond and calm your baby
Most babies (depending on age) are ready for their bath between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.
Top tip: Pick a calm day to begin — when there’s not much else going on. This helps you enter the process relaxed, not rushed.
How to Know When It’s Time to Change the Routine
As your baby grows, so will their needs. Routines are not fixed — they evolve:
Newborns nap often, but toddlers don’t
Milk feeds become meals
Play becomes park time
Your baby might naturally show signs (like fighting naps or waking earlier). Or you might need to make small adjustments — dropping a nap, shifting bedtime — to keep things smooth.
Routines are guides, not rules.
The Magic of a Flexible Routine
Once your rhythm is in place, you’ll be able to:
Plan your day more easily
Know when to feed, play, or rest
Get out and about without disrupting everything
Reconnect to structure after busy days or travel
A good routine supports your family — it doesn’t control it.
Final Thoughts
Creating a baby routine can feel overwhelming at first. But once you tune into your baby’s cues and find what works for you both, it becomes second nature.
Whether you follow a set schedule or just introduce a few predictable anchors in the day, the goal is always the same: helping your baby feel safe, and helping you feel confident.
Need support building a routine that works for your baby?FOUR MAMAS offers access to expert maternity nurses and newborn specialists who can help you create gentle, effective routines from day one.
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