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I used this routine with all of my children and it was a lifesaver!

 

It gets them on a great schedule, sleeping through the night earlier, and just overall, helps them to be very content. I don’t think any kid likes being in charge…Deep down inside they want someone to set the boundaries for them so they don’t feel out of control of themselves (which is what happens when  a child is left to his own).

 

So even from the time of infancy, a good schedule can begin to develop good boundaries in our children and a strong sense of Mommy and Daddy being in charge—not in a controlling sort of way, just in a protective way.

 

Studies show that children who are allowed to “call the shots” as an infant for when they want to eat (i.e. every time the baby cries you feed him) develop into children who are more demanding and expect their own way.

 

We have seen this play out in our children, in the opposite way. Each of our kids has developed a strong sense of time, schedules, boundaries, responsibility, the ability to delay gratification, and most importantly, we have developed strong relationships with them.

 

It may sound funny that a “schedule” could accomplish all of this, but if you are in doubt, try it for yourself.

 

I never got so rigid that I wasn’t aware of the babies ever-changing needs (like growth spurts or family interruptions). Life happens and you need to flex.

 

But this schedule will truly make you feel like a real person again…a lot faster than letting the baby decide what he or she is going to do!  Hope it helps you get your sanity back!

 


 

 

In the Hospital

Feed baby every three hours around the clock (approximately 15 minutes per side if nursing).  Do not be concerned with awake or nap times, simply feed the baby and put them back to bed (with lots of snuggles and kisses in between).

 

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First Two Weeks

 

6:30am: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 7:30am

*Nap until next feeding

 

9:30am: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 10:30am

*Nap until next feeding

 

12:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 1:30pm

*Nap until next feeding

 

3:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 4:30pm

*Nap until next feeding

 

6:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 7:30pm

*Nap until next feeding

 

9:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**To bed after feeding

*Night expectation: Expect one night time feeding that you stretch out to eventually meet 1st morning feeding.

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By Four Weeks (through 11 Weeks)

 

6:30am: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 7:30am-8:00am

*Nap until next feeding

 

10:30am: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 11:30am-12:00 noon

*Nap until next feeding

 

2:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 4:00pm

*Nap until next feeding

 

6:30pm: Feed/Nurse

*Extended awake time to help solidify nighttime hours

 

10:30pm: Feed/Nurse

**To bed by after feeding

*Baby may be sleeping until 1st morning feeding or very close. Keep this routine until solids are started between 12-16 weeks.

 

[one_half last=”no”]

Twelve To Sixteen Weeks

 

6:30am: Feed/Nurse

**Back to bed by 8:00am

*Nap until next feeding

 

10:30am: Feed/Nurse

*Introduction to solids

*Back to bed by 12:00 noon

*Nap until next feeding

 

2:30pm: Feed/Nurse

*Introduction to solids

*Keep this a short nap to insure no disruption to bed time

 

6:30pm: Feed/Nurse

*Introduction to solids

 

7:30pm: Bedtime for night

 

Sixteen to Twenty Weeks

 

7:30am Breakfast

*Nurse

*Solids

 

9:30am-11:30am: Nap

 

12:30pm: Lunch

*Nurse

*Solids

 

2:00pm-4:00pm: Nap

 

5:30pm: Dinner

*Nurse

*Solids

 

7:30pm: Bedtime

(If bedtime is later, you can offer optional liquid feeding at that time)

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Points to Remember

 

1.  Adjust your routine to meet the needs of your lifestyle, situations, and other children.

 

2.  Keep in mind that your routine needs to be consistent, simple, and progressive.

 

3.  Day time feedings should span between 3 and 4 hours.

 

4.  Night time feedings should be progressively stretched to meet 1st morning feeding.

 

5.  If nursing, begin with 15 minutes per side.  In a few weeks when your milk has come in good, you can drop bak to approximately 10 minutes per side.

 

6.  If bottle feeding, a non-dairy-based formula is highly recommended.

 

7.  While you are nursing or bottle feeding no extra fluids are necessary unless you offer water in-between feedings.

 

8.  Snacks or juice bottle are not recommended.  They interrupt digestive cycles, condition children to sweets, and ruin appetite for the next meal time.

 

9.  Remember–this is a sample routine.  Some parents will choose to progress a little faster or a little slower.

 

Adapted from Family Resource Network.