How Do I Get My Baby Into a Routine? (Without Losing Your Mind)

Newborn days can feel like a beautiful blur of feeds, cuddles… and total chaos. One minute your baby is asleep on your chest, and the next they’re wide awake at 2am ready to party. It’s no wonder one of the most common questions we hear is: How do I get my baby into a routine?

At Calm Babies, we’ve helped thousands of Aussie families build gentle, flexible routines that suit their baby’s natural rhythms, without the stress. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what a good routine really looks like (hint: it’s not rigid!) and how to set one up that actually works for your family.

What Does a Baby Routine Actually Do?

A baby routine provides predictability. It helps your baby feel safe and secure knowing what’s coming next and it gives you a roadmap to your day. When routines are age-appropriate and flexible, they:

• Support better naps and nighttime sleep
• Help regulate feeding and hunger cues
• Reduce overtiredness and meltdowns
• Create confidence and calm for parents and baby

But don’t worry — we’re not about strict military schedules here.

📌 For a full guide broken down by age, check out our online guides: Age Specific Online Guides

When Can You Start a Baby Routine?

You can start introducing gentle rhythm and predictability from as early as 6–8 weeks, once your baby is alert for longer stretches during the day. That said, routines really begin to stick between 12–16 weeks.

In the newborn stage, it’s more about setting up sleep-friendly habits rather than enforcing times on the clock.

🍼 Check out our newborn sleep guide: Surviving the Fourth Trimester

5 Steps to Create a Routine That Works

1. Start with Wake Windows

Wake windows are the periods your baby can comfortably stay awake before needing to sleep again. These change rapidly in the first year.

2. Use Anchors, Not Schedules

Instead of watching the clock, focus on daily “anchor points” like:

• Wake up time
• Morning nap
• Lunchtime feed
• Bedtime wind-down

These help shape your baby’s rhythm naturally.

3. Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine

A 20–30 minute wind-down before bed tells your baby it’s time to sleep. This might include:

• Bath or wipe down
• Feed
• Book or lullaby
• Cuddles and into bed

4. Calm Babies Signature- Feed, Play, Sleep Routine

This simple routine helps babies learn that sleep doesn’t have to be tied to feeding. After a nap, feed your baby, then have some playtime before the next sleep.

This is the foundation of healthy sleep habits for babies to toddlers.

5. Stay Flexible!

Growth spurts, regressions, teething — life happens. Be ready to adjust your routine without throwing it out the window. Flexibility keeps things realistic and sustainable.

Real Routine Examples

Here’s what a sample day might look like for a 6-month-old:

Want a personalised routine based on your baby’s age and temperament? Book a 1:1 consultation with Calm Babies for tailored support.

What If My Baby Resists the Routine?

Totally normal. Some babies adapt quickly, others need time. You might experience:

• Catnapping (especially in babies under 6 months)
• Short naps or early wakes
• Fussiness during transitions

Try:

• Keeping your wind-down routine consistent
• Watching for sleepy cues (rubbing eyes, yawning)
• Offering naps in the same sleep space each time

If things don’t improve, it may be time to look at deeper sleep associations or routine tweaks. Our blog on why babies won’t sleep through the night can help troubleshoot further.

Bonus: Tools That Help

• Blackout blinds to create a dark nap space
• White noise to mimic the womb and block outside noise
• Our signature Calm Babies swaddle to support safe, snug sleep

🛒 Shop the Calm Babies Swaddle

Babies routine

Getting your baby into a routine doesn’t require a rigid schedule. With some gentle structure, responsive care, and the right support, you’ll soon feel the fog lift — and maybe even get a hot cuppa in peace.

For more help:

• Book a sleep consultation
• Download one of our online guides
• Explore more blogs