Changing routine - help needed

[Overanxiousmummy]

I have always had a routine with 8.5mo ds, it works well for both of us but we start swimming classes next week and I need to change so his nap doesn't fall during swimming time. He is still having 3 naps but the first one is early after wake up and usually short. I'm thinking of stretching his awake time in the morning to allow for two naps a day instead of 3, was already thinking of changing routine anyway but swimming just makes it happen (if he has little sleeps in-between in the car/pram that doesn't bother me).

I'm also trying to juggle weaning and doing solids first so he is hungry for them rather than offer milk.

Just after some advice from people about how you manage when an activity falls during usual nap time and what your general day looks like with feeds/solids/sleep for 8/9 month old.

I struggle with feed cues and I have anxiety which I am getting help for but this is why I have no confidence in managing change well.

Any and all help is appreciated!

I had exactly this issue. Key thing is - DON'T go swimming with a tired baby. They will be grouchy when they swim, then screaming wrecks when you change them afterwards. Shudders at memory.

I used to leave for swimming early and make sure DD had had a cat nap in the pram before we arrived.

She put herself into a routine of two naps a few months afterwards (10 months ish?), and while she was transitioning to that swimming was tricky. I really wouldn't force it for swimming in particular before he's totally ready.

But baby swimming is awesome. Enjoy!

Thank you, glad to know I'm not alone in this!

We think he may be ready sometimes for 2 naps, especially if he has had a good night's sleep but sometimes he needs that early nap.

I'm just struggling to see how I'd fit food in but I am going to try and not worry to much and let him guide me as much as he/I can and take it from there, thank you!

My two have both been in a routine from 3 months or so but can be flexed when needed.

What time is the lesson?

If it helps my 8.5 month old goes as follows
7am wake and milk
8am breakfast
9am nap 1.5 hrs max
12pm lunch
1pm nap 2.5 hrs max
Milk on waking
4:30 tea
6:30 bath, milk, bed for 7pm

I find mornings are a bit more open to change and generally a shorter nap in the pram if we are out and about. I try to be home for the afternoon nap so 1pm onwards is pretty consistent.

Thanks, that is helpful, swimming is at 12pm (classes are really busy so I took what I could get) and on another day we have a class at 1pm, his usual day is
6:45 wake
7:15 breakfast
7:45 milk
8:15/8:30 nap until 9:00/9:15 depending on how awake he was in the night
10:45 lunch
11:15 milk
12:00-12:45 nap (sometimes until 13:00 depending on morning nap or what we have on)
14:45 tea
15:15 milk
15:30 nap, no later than 16:30 wake up
17:00 snack
18:30 bath, bottle and bed

We do food followed by milk on consultant advice (baby is fine but under consultant for anxiety support after still birth with first baby). We know the last nap is a bit late now because he is fussing at bed time so we need to do something, swimming or not!

Yes so I would probably make that first wake window a bit longer and drop to two naps - aim for 2, 3, 4 hr wake windows

I find that as she is still having milk and food she's never overly hungry if things change round or change time slightly then it's not too bad. She doesn't really like eating on the go yet so if we are out over lunch time I make sure she has had a good breakfast of things that she reliably eats.

At this age it's still all about offering and trying new things so do what works for you!

Thank you, if we are out and about I just take finger food with us, little Philadelphia or dairylea sandwiches and slices of cucumber seem to work well with him. Still gets messy though!!

Good idea about breakfast being bigger, will definitely do that, thanks so much