with the baby. For important events such as the start of the day, changing diapers, eating, sleeping and playing, fixed rituals work especially well for your baby. As a result it feels safe and secure and family life becomes generally a little calmer. Tip: Talk to your baby during the rituals and tell them what you are doing (e.g., 'Now I'll change your diaper first.'). Although your baby doesn't understand the words yet, after some time they will recognize the way you speak and therefore know what is going to happen. This will make them calmer and more content, because they know the routine.

With babies rituals are useful in all recurring everyday and caregiving situations. Certain songs, touches, or sounds are a way to communicate with your child. Very quickly your child will recognize these things and associate them with the corresponding action: Knowing what happens next gives your baby a sense of security.

Which rituals suit my baby?

Some children respond particularly strongly to a song, others to certain touches or sounds. Pay attention to your baby's preferences and turn them into small rituals. Of course this doesn't work when changing diapers, but for feeding, naps or bedtime you should, if possible, have regular times. Sounds boring, but it helps the whole family get through everyday life more relaxed.

Which rituals suit me?

If you don't like singing, there's no point in introducing a self-sung song as a bedtime ritual for your baby. Try to find things that bring you and your baby equal joy. And if it's just the music box that you wind every evening to help your baby fall asleep – what matters is regularity.

How do you structure the daily routine with a baby?

Once the little miracle has arrived, everything simply changes. Your everyday life is turned upside down and you constantly face new situations that need to be mastered. But how do you structure the Daily routine with a baby (Link) best? First of all, it's important, to observe your baby closely.Soon you'll know what it needs when and whether it's tired or hungry. Once you've figured out which times your little one prefers for playing, sleeping and eating, their rhythm should form the basis for your daily routine

Are you looking for practical baby items for the daily routine with your little one? Then browse our online shop.

The most important daily routines with your baby:

Playing:

• cuddle a lot with your baby

• show your baby objects it can follow with its eyes

• talk to your baby to familiarize it with your voice

Feeding

• Newborns drink eight to twelve times within 24 hours

• watch for your baby's hunger cues

Diaper changing

• your baby will fill about six diapers per day

• at first your baby's stool is greenish-black

Sleep

• a baby sleeps up to 17 hours in a day

• at first there is no fixed sleep-wake rhythm

Bathing

• you can bathe your baby once the umbilical cord has fallen off

• three baths per week are enough

• wash your baby with a sponge or cloth

• the water should be clear, at most with a mild bath additive

Would you like to learn more about how your baby develops during the first twenty-four months of life? We've summarized that for you on a separate page.

How important are regular times for a baby?

A certain Routine is a big advantage, especially for your baby's development. Rituals in the daily routine with your baby may seem boring to you after a while, but they give your child the opportunity to sort the world for itself. As a result, it doesn't have to use its energy repeatedly to get used to new routines.Instead it can use its capacities to further develop. That creates a good basis for creativity and new perceptions. Parents also benefit from it: Babies who are familiar with rituals sleep better and at set times.

This also allows mom and dad to catch their breath and have some time to themselves.

Tip: Once you have a routine in everyday family life, that does not mean the rituals with your baby are set in stone. You can also accustom your baby to new rituals if you want. However, you must be prepared that it will take a while for your baby to accept them. At first it will certainly cry because it does not yet know the new situation. But this settles down over time.

When and how: bedtime rituals for babiesIt's best to get your baby as early as possible accustomed to bedtime rituals and a regular bedtime to become accustomed. In the first month this is not really possible yet, butYou should also teach your baby the difference between day and night. This is another crucial step toward a regular daily routine. So that your baby can recognize the difference, it should be bright in your home during the day and rather dark and quiet at night. It also helps to speak little with your baby during night feedings. That way it understands that night is for sleeping and resting.

Are you suffering from sleep deprivation? On a separate page we have compiled tips on how you can deal with it.

Our tips for bedtime rituals with your baby:

Songs: Whether it's a children's song, your favorite song or a simple hummed melody – your baby recognizes your voice and will soon recognize the song as well. Especially when putting the baby to bed, but also during diaper changes or on car rides, little songs provide orientation. Also musical toys can be used for this.

Cuddling: Upon waking, before bedtime or naptime an extra cuddle session is often in order – it conveys closeness and security.

Reading aloud: is a good bedtime ritual for your baby. Even very young children like to look at a book together with their parents or simply listen to the familiar voice – often such a story is also an incentive to talk about or process the day's experiences.

Brushing teeth: is great as a small ritual before bedtime. From six months on you can playfully accustom your baby to the bedtime toothbrushing ritual. It's fun and important for oral hygiene.

Sounds: The sound of the sea, forest noises or other ambient sounds help babies in certain situations, to settle – and for parents a gentle background sound can also be very relaxing. How about, for example, a musical mobile as a bedtime ritual?

Massage: Similar to a cuddle session, a baby massage is suitable, for example, before bedtime or after bathing. It provides overall well-being and strengthens the bond.

Is your child finding it hard to fall asleep? How the bedtime can still work, you can read about it on a separate page.

Image credits

Father plays with adorable baby in the bedroom © pololia - adobeStock

Mother kisses the bare feet of two baby twin sisters on the soft bed at home © Evgeniya Grande - adobeStock

Father having fun with a toddler boy in the bedroom at home before bedtime © Halfpoint - adobeStock

Mother sits with legs bent on the sofa, baby lies on her legs © alphaspirit - adobeStock

Tattooed bearded father plays with his son © Zamrznuti tonovi - adobeStock