When your baby is born their schedule is drastically different from your own. They are used to being asleep while you’re awake and waking up while you are just settling in for a good sleep.

As soon as possible it is good to establish a routine for yourself and your baby to manage your days. Do try to remember that the introduction of a new baby into the household means that the normal household tasks you were used to getting done might not get done at all or without some help. This is okay and just a season in life. It will pass.

In the beginning baby will sleep a lot and feed at various times during the day. It will not be apparent at first how and when baby will demand these things so a schedule is difficult to stick to, but as the days pass a routine will settle in.

To encourage a routine try to do specific things for baby at the same time each day. Things such as bathing, feeding, and relaxing together for a rest.

This will alert your baby that this is a good time to do these things and they will come to look for them at the same time.

By then you will also note that your baby is more awake and ready for play or sleepy and ready for a nap at the same times each day.

Many people mark baby’s transition into a more definite night time schedule at about six weeks. Some note that baby begins to sleep through the night or for longer periods at night which means their clocks are differentiating between night and day.

Babies are different but all do require a significant amount of sleep the first 6 months. This means a few naps during the day and can be times when you get rest yourself or accomplish household or other tasks.

Even though routines and schedules are ideal when dealing with small children try and be flexible to your baby’s own needs. They are growing very quickly and their needs are changing.

Enjoy the naps while you can.

By: O Quinn

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