New Year, New Routines: Resetting Your Baby or Toddler’s Schedule After the Holidays

After the busyness of the holidays, many parents notice that their baby or toddler’s routine feels unsettled. Late nights, visitors, travel, and changes to daily patterns can all affect sleep, feeding, and play. As the New Year begins, it’s natural to want to gently reintroduce structure and calm into family life.

Resetting routines doesn’t mean starting from scratch or following a strict schedule. For babies and toddlers, small, consistent patterns help signal safety and predictability. With patience, flexibility, and realistic expectations, parents can support their child’s return to familiar rhythms at a pace that works for everyone.

Don't forget to visit out Back to School Hygiene Tips for kids returning to school after the Christmas break. 

Why are Routines Important for Babies and Toddlers?

Routines help babies and toddlers understand what to expect from their day. Predictable patterns around sleeping, feeding, and play provide a sense of security, especially after periods of change. When children know what comes next, they often feel calmer and more confident.^1.

For parents, routines can also reduce decision fatigue and help the day feel more manageable. Rather than focusing on exact times, routines work best when they follow a familiar order, such as feed, play, sleep. This flexible structure supports emotional regulation while allowing room for life to happen.

How Can Parents Reset Sleep Routines After the Holidays?

Sleep routines are often the most disrupted over the festive period. Instead of making sudden changes, gradual adjustments help babies and toddlers adapt more easily. Small, consistent steps are more effective than trying to reset everything overnight.

To gently support sleep routines:^2.

• Shift bedtimes earlier in small increments, such as 10 to 15 minutes every few nights
• Reintroduce calming bedtime cues like a warm bath, dim lighting, stories, or quiet cuddles
• Keep sleep environments familiar with consistent sounds, lighting, and comfort items
• Respond to night waking with reassurance, remembering that resettling takes time

Consistency over several days helps reinforce new patterns without overwhelming your child or yourself.

For newborn babies, be sure to visit our Newborn Baby Sleep Guide for more detailed advice. 

How Do I Re-Establish Feeding Routines?

Changes in mealtimes, travel, or festive foods can affect feeding patterns. Returning to familiar routines helps babies and toddlers feel grounded again. Rather than aiming for perfect meals, focus on regular opportunities to eat in a calm environment.^3.

Helpful ways to reset feeding routines include:

• Offering meals and snacks at predictable times
• Including familiar foods alongside any new options
• Keeping mealtimes relaxed and free from pressure
• Following your baby or toddler’s hunger and fullness cues

Messy meals and fluctuating appetites are normal, especially during periods of adjustment. A calm, responsive approach helps feeding routines settle naturally.

How Can Play and Activity Support a Return to Routine?

Play is an important part of daily structure and helps regulate energy levels. After busy holiday schedules, returning to predictable play patterns can support both mood and sleep.

To support a balanced day:

• Build in regular times for floor play, movement, and exploration
• Balance active play with quieter activities like reading, puzzles, or sensory play
• Spend time outdoors when possible, as fresh air can support sleep and emotional regulation
• Follow your child’s interests while keeping a loose daily rhythm

Consistent play routines help signal transitions throughout the day and support healthy development.^4.

Be sure to visit our Learning Through Play guide for ideas, activities and more information on play.

What If My Baby or Toddler Can’t Get Back Into a Routine?

It’s completely normal for babies and toddlers to resist changes, especially after a period of excitement and flexibility. Resistance doesn’t mean routines aren’t working, it simply means your child is adjusting.

If routines feel challenging:

• Stay calm and consistent, even if progress feels slow
• Offer extra reassurance through voice, touch, and closeness
• Adjust expectations and move at your child’s pace
• Focus on progress over perfection

With time and repetition, routines begin to feel familiar again and resistance often eases.

How Long Does It Take for Children to Settle Back Into a Routine?

Every child is different, but many babies and toddlers begin to settle into routines within one to two weeks. Some may need a little longer, particularly if sleep patterns or travel were significantly disrupted.

What matters most is consistency, reassurance, and responding to your child’s cues. Gentle repetition helps routines re-establish naturally, creating a sense of calm and predictability for the whole family.

Resetting routines in the New Year is about patience, flexibility, and connection. By focusing on familiar patterns and moving at a manageable pace, sleep, feeding, and play routines will gradually fall back into place.

For more trusted advice and practical guidance, visit the WaterWipes Advice and Care Hub, where you’ll find support for every stage of your parenting journey.

References

1. https://zerotothrive.org/routines-for-kids/
2. https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/sleep/healthy-sleep-routines/sleep-routines-for-toddlers-and-children/
3. https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/mealtime-strategies-and-food-exploration/
4. https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/how-play-strengthens-your-childs-mental-health