Babies Corner

The Bedtime Stories That Actually Work for Babies

babiesdailyApril 22, 20250 Comment19

If you had told me before I became a parent that bedtime would be one of the most challenging parts of the day, I would have laughed. How hard could it be? Babies get tired, you put them down, they sleep—right?

Oh, how naive I was.

For weeks, bedtime in our house felt like a never-ending cycle of rocking, feeding, patting, and tiptoeing out of the room only for my little one to wake up the second I breathed wrong. Some nights, I was so exhausted I would have agreed to any sleep trick if it meant getting a few uninterrupted hours.

Then, I discovered something that changed everything: bedtime stories.

Not just any stories, but the right stories, paired with a simple nighttime routine that helped my baby (and, honestly, me) wind down. If bedtime has been a struggle for you too, here’s what worked for us—and how you can create a nighttime routine that actually feels magical.

Step 1: Set the Scene for Sleep

I used to think my baby would just fall asleep when tired, but I quickly learned that babies don’t just “shut off” like we do. They need signals that tell their little bodies, Hey, it’s time to slow down now.

So, we started a wind-down routine about 30 minutes before bedtime:
Dim the lights
Turn on soft white noise
Change into comfy pajamas
A warm bottle or nursing session (if part of your routine)
A few minutes of quiet cuddle time

This predictable routine became a cue that bedtime was coming, making the transition way easier.

Step 2: Choose the Right Bedtime Story

Not all bedtime stories are created equal. The first few times I read to my baby at night, I made the rookie mistake of choosing books that were way too exciting. Bright colors, flaps to lift, rhyming words that made me want to read in a dramatic voice—it was not the vibe for winding down.

So, I switched to books with:

Gentle, soothing rhythms
Soft, muted illustrations\
Simple, repetitive text

Some of our favorites:
Goodnight Moon – The gentle, rhythmic wording is like a lullaby.
Guess How Much I Love You – Sweet, calming, and full of warm fuzzies.
Time for Bed – Soft illustrations and a slow, sleepy pace.
I Love You to the Moon and Back – A simple, heartwarming story to end the day.

I started reading in a slow, whispery voice, pausing between sentences, letting the words settle. And you know what? It worked. My baby would start to relax, sometimes even rubbing their eyes halfway through.

Step 3: Add a Personal Touch

One night, when I couldn’t find a book nearby, I made up a story instead. It was just a simple tale about a little bunny getting ready for bed, but to my surprise, my baby loved it.

So, I started adding personal bedtime stories to our routine—soft little tales about my baby’s day, how much I loved them, or a sleepy adventure with their favorite stuffed animal. Sometimes, I’d just whisper, “Once upon a time, there was a sleepy baby who was so, so loved…” and rub their back while telling the story.

It didn’t have to be fancy—just a few soft, loving words were enough to help them settle.

Step 4: Create a Closing Ritual

Once the story ended, I used the same sleep cue every night:

A soft “goodnight” phrase (ours was “Sleep tight, my love.”)
A forehead kiss
Turning off the light and walking out calmly (even if I was secretly praying they’d stay asleep)

Doing the same thing every night made bedtime predictable and comforting, which helped my baby learn that this was the time to rest.

What If It Doesn’t Work Right Away?

Some nights, my baby still resisted sleep. That’s just how babies are. But sticking to our bedtime story routine helped make those nights less chaotic. The more consistent we were, the easier it got.

So, if bedtime is a battle in your home, try this: