So, I decided we need to get Beth on a schedule. I'm not sure if hubby agrees or not (I do know he wants her to bed earlier at night). It would just be nice to know when she's gonna feed, sleep, play, etc. I'm just not sure how to go about this. So, I wrote a tentative one on the fridge, and what'd you know, it's only 10 am and it's already gone out the window. (I changed it to work for her having fallen asleep at 10 am.) How do people put their babies on a schedule? Here's what I'm thinking will/should happen today:
She fed at 8 am, but slowly, so she finished around 9:15.
10 am - nap until 11:30
11:30 - feed
12 pm - 1 - play/awake
1 - 2 - nap
2 - feed
2:30 - 4 - nap
4 - 5 - play/awake
5 - feed
5:30 - 7:30 - play/awake/nap
7:30 - feed
8 - 9:30 - play/awake
9:30 - 10 - bath/read
10 - feed
10:45 pm - 4 am - sleep
4 am - feed
4:30 - 8 am - sleep
How does this look to all you parents out there? Am I crazy for trying to have such a tight schedule? She is 2 months old today! I would just like to know when things are gonna get done and when I need to be ready to feed her. Hope this works. If anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE let me know :D
HAPPY TWO MONTH B-DAY,
BETHANY!!!
10.30.2007
Schedule?!
Posted by Ali Kat at 10:04 a.m.
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9 comments:
Okay, terrible day to start her on a schedule. She had her first immunization shots today - she didn't do too bad, but was obviously not herself!
Miss you in the blog world. Beautiful baby!
Thanks Reg :D I'm working on it (the blogging)!
Oh Ali Kat!!! I am the QUEEN of schedules and I BELIEVE in them wholeheartedly!!
Babies thrive on schedules...parents thrive on schedules. You can finally know what is supposed to happen and when. When she is fussy, you'll know weather or not it's because she's hungry or tired.
My advice is to RUN out and get a book called Babywise authored by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam M.D. It saved my life and I used it on all 3 of my babies! I could not belive how RIGHT ON it was. It's written by Christian authors too. There are several books to follow that one that help with eating habits, potty training and discipline also. I have them all!
Bethany is at a perfect age to begin a schedule. She will probably adjust to it perfectly but even if she doesn't, it will come in a few days.
Scheduling v.s. not scheduling is a HIGHLY controversial topic in parentworld as I am sure you will find out. It seems that you are either WAY for it or WAY against it. There are a lot of people who are non schedulers who hate this book and say horrible things about it that are SO not true. You can trust me as you know me a little bit and atleast know that we are a like in many ways, Christianity being the main one.
The cycle you want to follow is
Feed
Awake
Sleep...in that order. If that's the only thing you follow, you will have her on a good schedule. The book is co-authored by a pediatrician and it's great b/c he gives you so much info. like how long their naps should be, how long they should be sleeping at night based on their age, when to start solids and how to go about doing that and so much more!
I hope you get the book, I know you will love it!
Hope that helps...sorry it was so long but it's kinda a passion of mine b/c I know how good it worked for me. You have my e-mail if you have any other questions. :0)
you can get the book on amazon.com or Barne's & Noble. I am sure any other bookstore too. Might check the Library too.
Thanks, Logzi! I'm gonna check out that book a chapters tomorrow (that way I can get an iced mocha, hee, hee). Things are going better. She's only eating every 3 hours now, and she's awake after she eats and then naps for a bit before she eats again. So, I'm thinking we're starting to do what the book says?! YAY!
It does!! That's great...you're a natural Ali Kat!! :0)
oh alison. scheduling children is such an issue! i think the parents personality plays the biggest role b/c most babies/kids like schedules. i have babywise, and have read it, and it makes sense, but i didn't follow it. my boys were both big eaters and nursed more along the lines of every 2 hours (at least), and monkey was a terrible sleeper for his entire 1st year (unrelated reasons). we had no schedule. now, by the 3rd, we accidentally have a great one, but it didn't happen right off the bat. one piece of advice - stay home for a week or so while you try to get into a predictable routine - going out messes with it, esp b/c at 2 months, she is gonna nap often still. good luck!
My experience has been that some kids adjust nicely to a schedule and others really fight it. Logziella is right about kids needing a sense of rhythm in their day that is more or less the same every day. That much I do really believe in.
However, if after you've tried for a while to get her on schedule and she really doesn't take, I wouldn't push the issue. My girl hated schedules, my boys loved them. Don't apply a "one size fits all" rule here, take it instinctively and flexibly.
Consider too, that if you leave her with a sitter:
-the schedule may not be followed 100%
-if she's at the sitter's house, that is already a major disruption even if the rest of the schedule is in place
-she may not accept the routine from someone other than you.
Basically I'm saying, you should try to allow small amounts of flex in any schedule to accommodate those times when things change. My friend was a big-time scheduler, and as a result could hardly leave the house b/c her kids would freak out.
But yes, some level of schedule will make her happy and give you some framework for your day - which makes you happy (and a happy mom's attitude makes baby happier too).
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