Bedtime routine

Help pēpi settle to sleep

Set up pēpi's sleep space once, then follow the same calm steps in the same order each night.

TakesAbout 30 minHow oftenEvery night

Set up once

Every time

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What you'll need

15 of 15

Bassinet or bedside bassinetEssential
Pēpi's own sleep space in your room: a firm, flat mattress no more than 40 mm thick, and rigid sides.
Not in our range yet
CotEssential
A cot meeting the cot safety standard, for when pēpi can roll or push up.
Cot mattressNice to have
Firm, flat and the right size for your cot, with no gaps around the edges. Measure the cot before you choose.
Fitted cot sheetEssential
Fits tightly on the mattress, so there's no loose fabric near pēpi's face.
Electric heater with a thermostatNice to have
Keeps the room warm on cold nights without gas fumes. Keep it at least a metre from the cot.
Not in our range yet
Feeding chairNice to have
A stable, comfortable seat for night feeds.
Not in our range yet
Warm, dim night lightNice to have
Lets you see during night feeds without bright light.
Baby bottlesNice to have
Glass or clearly labelled BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free, with a slow-flow teat for newborns.
White noise machineNice to have
A steady, quiet sound across the room can help some babies settle.
Cordless blackout blindNice to have
Darkens the room for naps once pēpi is a few months old. Cordless means no cords to reach.
Not in our range yet
Cotton burp clothsEssential
Catch spills on your shoulder during and after feeds.
Not in our range yet
Nappies (fragrance- and lotion-free)Essential
Full materials disclosed, no fragrance or lotion, chlorine-free pulp.
Zinc barrier creamEssential
A thick layer helps keep wetness off the skin.
Cotton sleepsuitEssential
The soft layer under the wrap or sleeping bag. Domes or a zip make night changes quick.
Light cotton wrapEssential
Keeps pēpi snug for sleep in the early weeks, with no loose blankets in the bed.

We only list products that meet our standard. Where we don't have one, we say what to look for.

When to get help

Need help with pēpi's sleep and settling, or worried they're unwell?

PlunketLine — 0800 933 922 — free advice for parents and whānau, any time
Healthline — 0800 611 116 — free health advice from a nurse, 24/7
Emergency — Call 111

Good to know

Same steps, most nights

In a trial with babies and toddlers aged 7 months to 3 years, starting a consistent bedtime routine improved sleep within the first week. In a larger survey, the more nights a week families had a routine, the better young children slept. (Both studies were funded by a baby-product company.)

Normal daytime noise is fine

Vacuum, shower and talk as usual during daytime naps. Most babies sleep through household noise.

Keep the cot empty

Nothing in the sleep space with pēpi for the first 12 months: no toys, comforters, pillows or bumpers.

Nothing near their face

Sleep pēpi on their back for every sleep, with nothing near their face like toys, loose blankets, cords or pillows.

Sleep close, safely

If you want pēpi right beside you, put them in their own safe sleep space next to your bed. Many Tamariki Ora providers have wahakura and pēpi-pods you can borrow or hire.

A how-to guide, not medical advice. Steps follow the New Zealand health sources linked under each step.

Put it on the fridge

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