how do you get a baby into a routine??

[Tumtitum]

I can't get my head around how to get a baby (5 mo DD) into a routine of sorts. What if she refuses to nap at nap time? Do I just let her stay awake until the following nap time? Overtiredness is I think a big problem for us so the idea of that panics me, but she does seem to get upset by changes eg visiting family so I'm wondering if she might benefit from a more scheduled routine?

I wouldn't worry too much about a set routine, especially if your bf on demand and not back at work.
I tended to do easy routine concentrating on wake times rather than length of naps. So short naps = more naps. My LO is now 10 months and mostly follows the 2/3/4 routine but I look out for her tired signs and if the 2 naps are very short then she will have a third. Although she sometimes has to be persuaded to do it. If I'm at home then it's cot naps (since 6 months) but I'm not a slave to them. She will nap out and about so some naps just happen when and where ever. I'll admit that sometimes I go out in the car/pram or sling walk just so I didn't have to fight with her to sleep in the cot.
Don't worry about a set wake up time, if LO has been up all night let them and you catch a few more zzzs.

Tum - when he was your baby's age I dreamt of the same! They do get there, hang on in there.

Around 10 months I think, I swapped to 2-3-4 routine. That meant nap after 2 hour wake time, then 3 hours after they woke up from nap and then 4 hours to bed.

Like a PP said, when they drop a nap it really throws you!

EASY routine. Every time. I swear by it. DD1 took about 1 month to fall into it (catnapping and 4 month sleep regression aside), after that you could set your watch by her. DD2 fell into it by a week. Tips - don't stress if times don't go according to plan, and be patient. With gentle persistence you will get there

I should add these were started at 11-12 weeks.

I remember posting in here at 11 weeks asking how the hell do you get baby into a routine and all of a sudden it just fell into place! You'll get there

I think my problem is the patience thing!! ;) some days I have it and other days it just disappears...

Tum - yep, can agree with that one

Day two of trying to find some sort of pattern...
19.30 bed
22.30 fed
22.45 slept
23.45 feed
?00.00 - 1.50 slept
?1.50 co-slept and fed on and off until ?3.20 then put back in cot
Awake around 4-something? Fed and co-slept?
Awake around ?5 put in cot with dummy and babbled
DH woke at 6 and she was awake so he took her downstairs
Brought her up at 7.30 - fed in bed
8-8.20 rocked to sleep
8.20-9 slept
9 fed
11.20-11.45 nap in sling
12 small feed
13 small feed
14 - 16.20 nap in sling
16.30 small feed
17.45 bigger feed
18.30 bath feed bed
19.30 asleep