What Baby’s Sleep Routine is Missing

Soothing Secrets to Restless Nights!

I am a proud, restless, loving, hungry, happy, emotional new Mama! Like many other moms, both seasoned and first-timers, I’ve got what you might call the most basic sleep routine nailed down. It starts with dinner solids, followed by a little wind-down play, then a warm bath, a bedtime story, and a final bottle feeding. And then, boom—baby should blissfully sleep through the night, right? WRONG!

Despite following all the ‘recommended’ steps, night after night, my little one would wake up—sometimes once, often multiple times. Each wake-up call felt like a pop quiz in patience I was destined to fail. But why? I followed the rules! I checked all the boxes! What was I missing?

That’s when I started a deep investigation into the lesser-known reasons that could be disrupting my baby (and yours) from dreamland. And, oh, the enlightening secrets I’ve unearthed! Whether it’s a sneaky discomfort we might overlook, or a clever little tweak to their nighttime gear, I’ve found some helpful tricks that could transform restless nights into peaceful sleep for babies and us tired moms and dads. Ready to unravel the soothing secrets your baby’s sleep routine might be missing? Let’s get to it!

Our Typical Routine

I’ve got my little pumpkin on a milk-feeding marathon, spacing out about 3-4 hours with at least 8 oz of liquid gold—be it breast milk or formula—at each pit stop. Our evenings kick off with lively playtime—tummy time, crawling, and those adorable early steps—packing our pre-dinner hours with stimulating activities that not only tire out our little one but also enrich his day.

Dinner could hit the table at 5:45 PM, 6 PM, or even as late as 7 PM, because hey, life’s a bit unpredictable with a little one, right? Sometimes, pushing dinner a bit later seems to magically stretch Baby’s sleep longer through the night.

Post-dinner, we tone it down a notch. Bath time turns into splash time, which Baby loves, as he revels in his aquatic playground. Warning: keep towels out of reach unless you want a soapy chew toy on your hands! Those adorable little float bubbles I snagged from Amazon last Christmas? Super fun, both in and out of the tub. And when the splashing subsides, it’s time for the Aveeno Baby deluxe spa experience—complete with massages from scalp to tiny toes and a gentle nail trim to tame those little talons. We use the soothing lavender wash on his body and the gentle shampoo on those wispy curls. This gift set even comes with a lavender treat for you, Mama. If we’re pressed for time, it’s a swift wipe-down and moisturize with Baby Magic.

With our air purifier doubling as a white noise machine, we block out the world’s rumbles and roars, creating a serene soundscape. Our 360-degree baby monitor is set to serenade with lullabies, easing Baby into the Z’s after our bedtime story and the final bottle, which brings us to our first extension to our routine—Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher.

Doctor Brown Pitcher

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Dad and I recently purchased this Doctor Brown’s mixing pitcher from Amazon hoping to make those bleary-eyed overnight and early morning feeds a bit more manageable. Honestly, it’s been a lifesaver. Mixing up the baby’s formula in advance means we can simply pour it out when needed, no measuring or mixing required when we’re half-asleep. This little change has made a surprising difference—there’s no fumbling around in the dark trying to get the formula right and no waiting around for bottles to be ready. Just having that pitcher of pre-mixed formula ready to go has taken some of the stress out of our nighttime routine. It’s not just about saving a few precious minutes—it’s also about reducing the chaos of those groggy moments and giving us a smoother, quicker way to feed our baby and get back to sleep. Each feeding is consistent and clump-free, which seems to be more comforting for the baby, too. So, while it might seem like a small thing, for us tired parents, it’s been a pretty significant help.

But feeding isn’t the only challenge we face when the sun goes down. Sometimes, the issue is a little stuffier—literally. That’s where our next invaluable tool comes into play: the nasal aspirator. Just as the mixing pitcher has streamlined feeding, this simple device has revolutionized how we handle those inevitable stuffy noses. Clearing up congestion before bedtime or during those night wakings makes a world of difference, not just for baby’s comfort but for everyone’s sleep.

Baby Nasal Aspirator

Speaking of additions to our nighttime routine, there’s another little gadget that deserves a shout-out: the Gowns Baby Nasal Aspirator, which I snagged from Amazon too. It’s become a crucial part of our post-spa wind down, believe it or not. I’ll be honest, the initial reaction from Baby can be a bit of a fuss—who actually enjoys having something up their nose? But this gadget comes with a light and music feature that quickly distracts him, and before you know it, those pesky bogies are gone. It’s a quick process, which I absolutely appreciate.

What I love most is just how simple it is to use and clean. Once Baby drifts off, I give it a quick rinse with warm water and a Q-tip, and it’s all set for the next round. Not only does it help clear up those stuffy noses to make breathing easier for a better night’s sleep, but it also means we’re all more likely to enjoy uninterrupted sleep—crucial for those of us running on less than eight hours!

Adding the Gowns Baby Nasal Aspirator to our nightly arsenal has been a sanity saver, especially when little noses get stuffy. There’s nothing like a congested baby to turn what should be a quiet night into a long ordeal for everyone. This tool is not just about immediate relief; maintaining clear nasal passages can prevent further complications associated with congestion, such as ear infections or aggravated teething pain. It’s those little things that make a big difference, ensuring that both baby and parents can rest a bit easier.

Using the nasal aspirator has definitely taken some of the stress out of our nights, but there’s another trick up my sleeve for those times when it’s not just stuffy noses keeping us up. Yep, teething. That’s where Mommy Bliss Teething Gel comes into play.

Mommy’s Bliss Teething Gel

Teething can really turn our nights upside down. Just when we think we’ve figured out this whole sleep thing, sore gums come back around to remind us that parenting is full of surprises. That’s where Mommy’s Bliss Organic Teething Gel comes into our nightly ritual. This gel, also copped from Amazon, has been a gentle helper during those tough teething nights, offering relief without any harsh chemicals—just natural, soothing ingredients that I feel good about.

Before applying, I always wash my hands to make sure everything’s super clean. I dab a little gel onto my pinkie finger and gently rub it on my baby’s gums. Sometimes, I let him bite down on my finger; it seems to give him extra relief. If we’re using a teether, I make sure to rinse it with warm water before and after applying the gel to keep everything clean and safe. After applying, my baby is relieved for some time until he drifts off to sleep or back to sleep.

Teething isn’t just a milestone—it often turns our nights into a bit of a circus, with my little one becoming the ringmaster of restlessness, and yes, I’m the bleary-eyed attendant! Again, that’s where Mommy’s Bliss Organic Teething Gel steps into the spotlight. This little tube of wonder offers sweet relief with its safe, gentle ingredients, calming sore gums and coaxing those tiny clenched fists to relax. Applying it before bedtime, smoothing the path to sleep and cutting down those midnight curtain calls. Plus, it’s kind to tiny tummies and blissfully easy to use—no mixing, no mess, just instant peace. It’s always ready to go, which is a blessing during those especially tough teething episodes when quick comfort is what we’re desperate for. Trust me, on those ruff nights, it feels like a little magic at our fingertips.

What I love most about this gel is how it fits so seamlessly into our routine. There’s no need to refrigerate it, and it’s ready to go right when we need it. It’s not just about easing the pain; it’s about helping us all get back to sleep more quickly and peacefully, making those challenging teething nights a little easier to handle.

Wrapping It Up

As I’ve navigated the often unpredictable waters of parenthood, I’ve found a few key items really helpful for getting through the night: Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher, Gowns Baby Nasal Aspirator, and Mommy’s Bliss Organic Teething Gel. These items have become my go-to for smoother nights, helping both my baby and me get some sleep. But here’s the funny part—while these soothing secrets have upped our sleep game on countless nights, there are those miraculous evenings when even without using any tricks, my little one just blissfully sleeps through on his own. Maybe he’s just really tired, or maybe babies, in their infinite mystery, just like to keep us guessing. While these tools often save the night, remember every baby is wonderfully unique, and sometimes, they surprise us by just snoozing through the night on their own—just because!

Join the Conversation and Stay Connected!

Did you find these tips helpful? Or maybe you have some sleep tricks of your own to share? I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and let’s start a conversation. If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with other tired parents looking for a little nighttime relief.

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