Questions about putting baby on a routine

DO any of you BTDT moms do this? If so when did you start a routine? Are you BFing? Do you demand feed ever?

Im just trying to sort out things ahead of time.

THANKS

any advice would be great

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

It is possible, but totally dependent on the baby. It's one of those things you really can't plan out in advance!
Sorry!

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

BEST thing I did!! It helped us SOO much to figure out what she needed and wanted... I BF in the begining... after the first few weeks.... i didnt BF on demand, but on a schedule... i dont remember what the time frame was... I know a lot of people wont agree with me, but even if she was sleeping during the day, i woke her to eat if she went more than 3.5 hours (again, i dont remember the exact time frame)... but she had her days and nights confused...

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

My best advice (of course I've been a mom for only a week now) is to be OPEN to all options...there are too many confounding variables (you, your health, baby, baby's health, your milk supply, your lifestyle, schedule etc)

I am a planner too, and when things get settled I will get a schedule, but right now I think it would be kind of impossible to have a real schedule with a newborn

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

NO! Honestly, try not to stress about this stuff now because there is NO way of knowing what your baby will be like and you really can't put them into a schedule/routine in the beginning. They do it for you! Best advice I can give you is to try and relax the best you can (NOW) and go with the flow!

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

I do think every child is different, but it worked for both my DC.

Both my DC slept in the crib from day 1. At 8 weeks old I started a bedtime routine - bath, bottle, book, bed. I put them down at 8pm. My DD slept through the night (8 - 6) when I started this and my DS started sleeping longer stretches (8-3-8).

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

Personally I think in the beginning there can't truly be any routine...you feed the baby when s/he's hungry; they sleep when they want, etc.

With DD we worked towards a routine about 8 wks when she started sleeping through the night...we had a bedtime routine of bath, books & rocking/singing & in her crib. I'd put her in still awake & she's always been a good sleeper.

She's 2 now & still goes in at 7:45 & sleeps until 7 am or so. We have a naptime routine as well (shut the shades, do "tuck tucks" w/ the blanket & turn on her CD).

From the beginning even simple things let the baby know what is to come...we always put a bib on for feedings; at night-last feeding it was always in the glider.

It's also impt. to work around baby's routine until the routine is established. I made sure NOT to be out/about when it was DD's naptime.

A lot DOES depend on your DC though..

Re: Questions about putting baby on a routine

There are so many different opinions on this, so try not to plan too much b/c everyone will tell you something different. You probably won't know what's best for DC until you try it.

I tried a feeding schedule, it didn't work. It was almost impossible to wake DD for a feeding, and when I did, she was cranky b/c she wasn't hungry. And she was upset about being woken up b/c she wanted to sleep. However, if more than 4.5 hours went by without food, I would wake her and this was fine. I also tried to get her to eat at certain times to try to force her into the schedule, but she just threw up all the milk! So it didn't work for DD. I completely feed on demand.

However, i did start a bedtime routine at about 4 weeks (I think it was 4 weeks. It was really early), and it has worked out well. We don't stick to a time b/c DD changes a lot, but we have a routine: diaper change, clothes change, nurse, swaddle, bed. I am happy with this routine and so is DD.

BTW, I exclusively breastfeed.