Baby and Toddler Routine
How important is it to have a daily toddler routine?
It is extremely important because toddlers feel safe when they can predict what's happening in their lives. They can't understand yet, that time passes by.
From a toddlers point of few a day is measured by the order of events that are happening. Help your baby to understand his world and develop a sense of security with creating a daily toddler routine for him.
Having a daily toddler routine in place at your home will not only be of benefit for your toddler, it will also enormously improve your live.
If a toddler has no routine at all, he will eventually show unpleasant behavior. Establish a daily toddler routine and you and your toddler will both be happy.
Here is an example of a basic daily toddler routine:
| 6.00am – 7.00am |
Breakfast: Solids, followed 30 min later by breast/bottle/cup of milk |
| 9.00 am - 9.30am |
Morning Sleep: Put to bed. Use settling strategies for about 5 minutes ie verbal reassurance, head stroke, dummy if necessary. Leave the room and encourage self settling, listen to cry. Re-attend if necessary. Aim for 1.5 hours sleep. |
| 10.30am - 11.00am | Morning tea is optional. Light fruit snack and ½ strength Juice or water in a cup. |
| around 12.00pm |
Lunch – solids first, followed 30 min later by breast/bottle/cup of milk |
| 1.00pm – 1.30pm | Afternoon sleep, same process as morning sleep. Aim for 1.5 hours in cot. |
| 2.30pm - 3.30pm | Afternoon tea is optional |
| around 5.00pm |
Dinner: Solids |
| 6pm – 6.30pm | Milk and Story time: breast/bottle/cup of milk, followed by quiet story time |
| 7pm – 7.30pm | Bedtime routine |
| Optional: late night | Late night feed: breast/bottle/cup of milk. Aim to cease this around 8-9 months. This can be offered prior to midnight or on demand. |
Daily toddler routine and tired signs