Schedules are part of our daily lives. School, work, evening routines, it’s all one big schedule! Schedules keep a rhythm and help us anticipate what is next in our day, week or even month. They allow us to put aside time for certain things and keep us sane! Believe it or not, babies are no different!
Should your newborn be on a schedule? YES.
Yes, your newborn should most certainly be on a schedule. Not a “watch the clock” plan, but at least a loose daily schedule and routine.
Babies are always changing. They are growing, developing, reaching new milestones and constantly learning new things. Always remember, no matter what schedule you put in place, it can (and should) be flexible to meet your baby’s ever changing needs. Never feel discouraged if you have finally gotten into a rhythm with Baby and all the sudden, it’s just not working anymore. Tweak your plan and keep going!
Log It
Postpartum brain is a thing of its own. No one has time to remember the details! Keep a running log of your baby’s day. Nap times, feeding times, poopy diapers, all of it. Having these things written out, or in an app, allows you to see patterns that your baby has already developed and tweak as you see fit. Following a baby-led schedule is the best way to keep baby on track! Although Parent-led schedules are more difficult to transition into, it’s certainly not impossible! These types of schedules fit best for parents who keep themselves on a strict schedule as well, needing baby to eat and nap around outings or work schedules.
Schedule
Your schedule can be as simple as eat, play, sleep. Or as strict as nap times & lengths, meal times & play times. If you need to be out the door and on your way to daycare by a certain time, start introducing your baby to that schedule a week beforehand. Allowing you to experiment with times and routines is important to do when you have the time to adjust to their responses. Note: If you know daycare has specific nap times, try getting baby on that schedule at home before their first day. This insures a smooth transition for everyone! No one wants to pick up an exhausted, screaming baby after a long day at work!
A schedule is not only the basics (eat, sleep, play), but it also includes walks, bath times/ times per week, bedtime routines & specific activities.
Bedtime
Keeping bedtime the same is crucial! And by bedtime, I mean the whole routine. Having a predictable routine helps your baby understand the difference between nap time and bedtime, making it less likely that they confuse day and night sleep habits.
Bath, bottle bed ... Bath, story, song, nursing, bed ... 2 Songs, 3 books, rocking & bottle, bed ... it can be anything but it must be consistent! What is your bedtime routine?
Baby’s Well-being is #1
If baby is acting hungry “off schedule” feed him. There are a number of reasons your baby could be needing the extra cuddles, longer naps, or more frequent bottles. Always remain flexible and remember that there is always time to get your baby back on track.
Ask For Help
Keep in mind that while implementing any schedule can be tricky, there is nothing quite as important as a sleep schedule! Don’t ever feel like you have to do it alone! A sleep consultation could be the next step in getting your baby to become an excellent sleeper!
*** My favorite tracking app- Baby connect! Easy to use, has nice graphs, allows multiple users for baby profiles and is even great for multiples! ***
Newborn Matt, taking a snooze at only a few days old! 2015
