When do I start a sleep routine?

[s2391r]

When my 6 week old son naps during the day, I keep him in the front room with me, so it's still daylight and there's background noise so he's aware it's daytime, then during the night he sleeps in the crib. Am I doing it wrong? And when should I start structuring his naps and getting him to always nap in the crib. Day and night? Or do I just keep on doing what I'm doing? I'm a new mum and read so many different things online, just a tad confused!

[Ftm1234]

It’s all up to you and what you feel best! I’m a first time mum too and feel like I’m winging it constantly

My little one naps on me today or in a Moses basket with us downstairs in the light and all the noise, then at night time I keep it as dark and quiet as possible. He’s 9 weeks now and he def knows the difference between night and day!

As for structuring naps, I was the same as you trying to find out how and when I should structure these more as he naps randomly throughout the day. I figured a bedtime routine and sorting out his nighttime sleep was more important first so I have recently started a nighttime routine. Once he’s more consistent with his sleep and he starts becoming more alert in the day I’m sure (hoping) he will sort out regular day time naps on his own. This is what I have been told anyway!! lol

[WhatALearningCurve]

I have a 7 month old and for me he always napped in the moses basket downstairs if we were at home, however more often than not we were out so he napped in the car seat / the pram. In terms of a routine, he's definitely found his own, a nap at 10ish and a nap at 2ish. If we're in the car he'll probably have another nap about 4 as well but if we're at home I try and stop him having this one unless he looks like he's about to drop.

If we were at home then probably from around 12 weeks I'd put him in the Snuzpod to try and settle him, but he never really liked it for naps. He's now just over 7 months and he'll nap in his cot in his own room absolutely no problem.

I honestly wouldn't worry too much, my child has completely found his own routine, the only thing I did out of fear of bad habits starting was at around 10 weeks I started putting him to bed on his own (with a video baby monitor and regular checks). This was because I was sat playing with him one evening, I hadn't turned the lamps on yet (makes me sound Victorian) and the curtains were closed with the TV off and he was getting fussy and I decided I didn't want him getting used to falling to sleep at night with so much background noise and light. (This was when I used to take him up to bed with me later on).

I hope that in between my blathering on I've made some sense for you!

[s2391r]

This great information from both of you! I feel a lot less worried about whether I'm doing wrong, really helps so thank you so much! I'm going to focus on the nighttime routine first most definitely!

[Harrysmummy246]

Bear in mind though that guidelines for reducing SIDS risk state they should be in the same room as you for all sleep until at least 6 months

[Parker231]

Be in the same room as him whilst he sleeps for the first 6 months. I was never set on times for naps - they slept in the car, buggy, cot - all depended on where we were. They went to nursery full time from six months old and they were brilliant at a routine which we benefited from at night.

[Moonshine160]

We had a Moses basket in the lounge downstairs for DS and he had his daytime naps in that until he grew out of it at around 4 months. From 4-6 months he napped in his crib in our bedroom, and then from 6 months all naps and night sleep is now in his cot in his own room. I didn’t plan it all out this way, he just outgrew each little place to sleep. Obviously if we were out then he would nap in the car or pram and I’ve always let him have snuggly naps on me too. Just do whatever works for you.

[NeedAnExpert]

I deliberately made sure DD slept in lots of different places. Friends who insisted that their babies napped only in their cots could never meet for lunch. :(

Didn’t bother with any routine. DD found her own eventually.