In general, a baby is ready for a schedule between two and four months of age. Experts say that most babies’ feeding and sleeping habits become predictable after 3-4 months. However, many new mothers find it difficult to create a schedule for herself and her baby.
Getting your infant into a new routine is beneficial in many ways. It helps you schedule naps, feeds, and activities to make things easier. In today’s article, we will give you some tips that can help you create a perfect schedule for you and your baby. Read on!
Focus on Bedtime Routine
Although you can establish a bedtime routine after two months, it is essential to teach your infant to go to sleep at the same time at night. Remember, it will take some time to train your baby before he or she develops the sleeping habit.
A successful bedtime routine depends on consistency, and it is crucial to come up with a schedule that you and your little one can rely on night after night. For instance, the best routine recommended by expert moms is bathing your little one, putting on his sleepsuit, offering a breastfeed, reading a short story, singing a lullaby, and placing him down properly.
The routine you develop must not go longer than 20 or 30 minutes. Otherwise, your little one will become over-stimulated and cause problems for you. Similarly, you will have to start the routine again. Therefore, try to remain calm and consistent.
Pay Attention to Your Little One’s Cues
A perfect schedule always puts your baby first. In simple words, create a routine that goes in line with your baby’s needs. If you read your little one’s cues, he or she will tell you what they need. It is essential to learn about your baby’s needs and keep in mind that it takes some time and patience to understand everything.
Use a diary or a smartphone app to make notes about when your baby is hungry, gets tired, needs sleep, or is ready to play. Making notes help you create a schedule that works for you and your little one.
You can anticipate your baby’s needs by analyzing the emerging patterns. For example, if you determine the signs that show your baby is hungry, you will feed him on time. That way, you can avoid problems like crying.
Make Changes as Your Baby Grows
You will see a lot of changes in the first year. For instance, you will notice that your little one has tripled his or her weight. You will also see some major developmental changes, such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Therefore, pay attention to your baby’s growth when he is two weeks, three weeks, six weeks, three, and six months older.
During this period, your baby will sleep for longer and wake up a few times at night. Studies show that babies between the age of three and six months are hungrier than usual. It is not easy for most mothers to make changes in the schedule or routine. However, you have to make changes according to your little one’s developmental milestones.
Make a few adjustments to facilitate your baby and fulfill his new needs and skills. For instance, if your baby is learning to sit up, you must support him to ensure he stays upright during play, feeding, and or bathing.
Your baby will start eating solid foods at about six months, and this requires more time to prepare meals and clean up. In that case, pay attention to the baby’s cues to understand his needs. Changes in the schedule will seem more often and natural as you learn your little one’s cues. Consult a health provider if you have difficulty adjusting the plan according to his age.
Final Words
Creating a schedule for you and your baby is not always easy. Although your baby likes consistency, you can expect day-to-day changes as he or she grows. When you come to know about your baby’s needs, it becomes easier to manage things.
The tips mentioned above can help you develop a perfect routine. Lastly, the key to success is bringing consistency in your day-to-day routine and making changes in the routine that perfectly reflect your little one’s needs. Good Luck!
