Infant Schedule - A Way To Give Yourself A Break!!!

As you have probably heard, a "Baby Schedule" is a key to survival as Mom. To be honest I didn't believe nor did I know how it could even be possible. Here I have a new baby who sleeps all the time and on her own schedule. How could I put her on a schedule. Boy was I wrong!! I realized the schedule is the most important tool in taking care of your newborn. Although my daughter was on a schedule, of her own, that didn't mean I couldn't adjust that schedule. 


Although we all love to see those little baby yawns. Those baby yawns symbolize sleep deprivation. Your baby is not getting enough sleep. This can lead to several issues, cluster feeding and constant fussiness. I have a pasted my schedule as an example, feel free to copy: 


8:00am: Wake Up, Wash-Up, Change Diaper and Clothes.


8:30am-9:30am: Feed her bottle 5-6oz


9:30 -11:00am: Active time. Play time on mat and reading of one book.


11:00am: Feed her bottle 5-6oz.


11:00-1:00- Take a nap.


1:00-2:00pm: Wake up, change diaper, playing for a little while, take a nap to.


2:00pm: Bottle feeding 5-6oz.


2-3:00pm: Interactive play time.


3:00 - 4:00pm: Take a nap


4:00pm -5:00pm: Change diaper, feed her bottle 5-6oz. Awake rest in swing, play mat, tummy time. Boopy pillow or sitting up on couch.


5:00pm-6:00pm: Take a nap.


6:00pm: Wake up, change diaper. Awake play or awake rest time.


8:00pm: After a few hours of play, feed her bottle 5-6oz.  Then keep awake until bath time.


10:30pm: Bath time.


11:00pm: Feed her last bottle 5-6oz. for the night. Put in sleep sack and then to bed. 




I know seeing a 11pm bedtime, freaks most of you out, but when this was written it worked from my little one. She now goes to bed around 9-9:30pm. The point of the schedule is a dual focus; give you a break and the baby ample sleep time. Always keep in mind how you start is how you finish. If you want an earlier bedtime adjust when your child receives the first feeding, wake them up a little earlier. 


I found that putting my daughter down for naps during the day gave me much needed time to complete household chores, take naps and to have all around quite time. This made me a more healthier mom and gave me a more happier less fussy baby. 


Give schedules a try. They can only help. As always remember, NEW MOMMY KNOWS BEST!!!