Now I lay her down to sleep and hope that she will find her sheep, so Mom and Dad may rest at night and be less cranky when it turns light!
Sleeping and Feeding Schedules: Use as Guideline
Implementing structure and consistency in to your family’s life from the beginning is helpful for both you and baby. Simple schedules will enable you to have a sense of control and organization, while providing your little one with the discipline and stability needed to successfully develop.
Infants thrive on the balance of support and challenge, meaning that providing a healthy, happy and loving environment establishes a strong foundation upon which to grow, learn and push past future changes and challenges. While structure is quite helpful for baby (and parents), it is always important to remember that both you and baby are learning together and “hiccups” happen.
Try to be flexible and recognize that every baby is different, and even each day is different. One day your baby could be right on target with your schedule, and then the next, anarchy could ensue. Often this shift in “attention to detail” can be due to a growth spurt, the pain and discomfort of teething, babies innate curiosity and inability to focus in the presence of too much stimuli (florescent lights, people, noises), etc.
Try to be patient with your baby and of course with yourself.
Refer to the below suggested schedules when initiating a structure in to your daily lives. As always, consult your pediatrician for their recommendations, and remember to do what feels the most comfortable for your family.
Feed and put your baby down to sleep before she has reached "the point of no return." Pre-planning by Mom or Dad will avoid quelling your little monster's moods.
SCHEDULE: FOOD
(Implemented below schedule at approx. 6-8 mths)
▪7:30 am: Breakfast: Milk and Solids (ie: oatmeal and fruit)
▪10:30 am: Snack: Milk
▪1:30 pm: Lunch: Milk and Solids (ie: rice cereal and veggie)
▪4:30 pm: Dinner: Milk and Solids (ie: protein/grain, veggie, fruit for “dessert”)
▪6:30 pm: Snack: Milk
SCHEDULE: SLEEP
(Implemented below schedule at approx. 6 mths)
Tired giraffes serve as loyal companions and are the perfect sleeping solution for your little ones.
▪9:30 am: Morning Nap (30-60 min)
▪2:00 pm: Afternoon Nap (2 hrs)
▪7:30 pm: Bed (12 hrs)
Sleep Associations:
Wubbanub/Paci, Lovie/Stuffed Animal, Sleep Sack, Read, Sing, Nightlight, Dark Shades, Classical/Lullaby Music
MODIFIED SCHEDULE: FOOD AND SLEEP
(Implemented below slightly modified schedule at approx. at 9mths)
*7:00 am: Breakfast: Milk and Solids (ie: oatmeal, fruit, yogurt)
*9:30 am: Snack: Milk and Fruit or Yogurt
*10:00 am: Mid-Morning Nap (1.5-2 hrs)
*12:30 pm: Lunch: Milk and Solids (ie: grains, veggies, protein, fruit/yogurt for “dessert”)
*3:00 pm: Snack: Milk and Fruit or Yogurt
*3:30 pm: Mid-Afternoon Nap (1.5-2 hrs)
*5:30 pm: Dinner: Milk and Solids (ie: grains, veggies, protein, fruit/yogurt for “dessert”)
*7:30 pm: Bedtime (11-12 hrs)
Even active Boston Babies need their rest and rely on Mommy and Daddy to set the tone for their naps and sleep schedule. Like many city slickers, this baby’s days are full of fun activities. Balancing those adventures with more calming days, will enable your baby to have stimulation and consistency–both advantageous elements in development.
Providing babies with such structure will enable them to recharge their batteries, which will inevitably lead to more productive feedings and a restful sleep.
Boston Babies 