How to Help Your Child Sleep Before the Babysitter Arrives

Is bedtime a battle when someone new is coming to watch your child? You're not alone. Many parents find their little ones struggle to settle when a babysitter is due. Fortunately, with the right bedtime routine—and the support of a trusted babysitting service like Sitters—you can help your child feel calm, safe, and ready for sleep.

Why Kids May Struggle to Sleep When a Babysitter Is Coming

Children thrive on routine and familiarity. The idea of a new person stepping into the bedtime routine can cause:

• Anxiety or excitement

• Difficulty winding down

• Separation fears, especially in younger children

That’s why parents across the UK turn to Sitters.co.uk — because our babysitters are not only experienced and vetted, but also trained to create a warm, reassuring environment right from the start.

Create a Calm Pre-Bedtime Routine (That Works Even When You're Out)

Whether you're heading out for dinner or a late meeting, a consistent evening routine is key. Here's what many parents find helpful:

• Stick to a familiar schedule (even when you're not home)

• Avoid screen time at least 60 minutes before bed

• Set out calming activities like books, drawing, or quiet play

• Use comfort objects (blankets, stuffed animals) to help children self-soothe

💡 Bonus Tip: Let your Sitters babysitter know your child's favourite bedtime book — it builds rapport and helps the sitter ease into your routine.

Communicate Your Bedtime Plan with the Babysitter

Every Sitters babysitter is happy to follow your instructions — but the more detail you provide, the better the bedtime experience will be.

Make sure your sitter knows:

• Your child’s usual bedtime and wind-down routine

• What to do if your child struggles to settle

• Any special songs, stories, or cuddly toys that help

Many parents using Sitters write a Booking Note, available within the Sitters app, with all these details — it’s quick, clear, and gives you peace of mind.

Ease Your Child's Nerves Ahead of Time

To make the transition smoother:

• Talk positively about the sitter (e.g., “Sarah is coming tonight, she’s really good at bedtime stories!”)

• Show a photo of your sitter or remind them they’ve met before if it's a returning sitter

• Use Sitters’ Favourites feature — when you need a sitter, we will always reach out to your favourites first

During the Babysitting Session: Set Up for Success

Here’s what we recommend at Sitters:

• Keep goodbyes short and confident — children take emotional cues from you.

• Let your sitter know if you'd like to receive updates (e.g., “Send a text when they’re asleep.”)

• Don’t worry if it’s not perfect — our babysitters are trained to gently manage bedtime wobbles.

After the Night: Debrief and Reinforce the Routine

Once home:

• Ask your sitter (and your child if they're awake) how it went and what they particularly enjoyed doing together.

• Favourite your Sitters babysitter if the night went well — we'll offer your future bookings to your favourites to help build trust and routine for your child.

Summary: Sleep Success with Help from Sitters

With Sitters.co.uk, you’re not just getting a babysitter — you’re getting someone who can step into your child’s night time routine with warmth, professionalism, and care.

Find fully vetted babysitters in your area now: www.sitters.co.uk