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Parenting

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Original poster

Talk to me about routines...

29 replies

wanttoplayboardgames · 10/08/2023 17:58

My little girl is 8 weeks and is now feeding every 4 to 5 hours, this means feeds aren't the exact time everyday.

We're completely led by her in terms of when to feed, nap, play etc.

I've read how people have bedtime (and other) routines at this age, and even younger - and I'm confused!

Do you feed the baby the same time every day even if they're not giving hunger cues?

Do you wake the baby to feed / bath them? Or if their nap is too long?

Fortunately I'm off work so I'm not pushing for a routine but I'd like to work this mystery out!

PS any tips on how to deal with 'a sicky baby' also gratefully received 😁

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

DuploTrain · 10/08/2023 21:22

My best tip for sicky baby - don’t bother with the little muslin squares - use the big swaddle sized muslins and drape over yourself.

I really wouldn’t worry about a routine this young. It’s amazing that she’ll go 4-5 hours between feeds. My DS would only go about 90mins at that age!

wishIwasonholiday10 · 10/08/2023 22:08

I never woke from naps or in the morning but I did start to follow wake windows around 8 weeks as she was starting to get overstimulated or overtired and wasn’t just napping when needed anymore. I also tried to offer milk every 3 hours or so during the day to try to get the daytime calories up (and hopefully get more sleep at night).

As for going out, if I anticipated wanting to go out during nap time I would just put her in the pram and head out a bit earlier than planned and she would sleep on the way (hopefully!). Basically if I wanted to go out in the morning I’d have everything ready (and myself ready) and packed in the pram so I could head out when she started to get a bit grizzly and ready for sleep.

fullbloom87 · 10/08/2023 23:42

RampantIvy · 10/08/2023 20:19

Depends on the baby. Some cope with flexibility, some don't. Some will nap in the buggy others won't. Some will change month to month.

Play the baby you're dealt, you'll know best.

I agree with this ^^ I don't think parents whose babies fell into a routine when their babies were tiny are better parents. They were just lucky.

DD was breastfed and cluster fed all evening at that age. All thoughts of getting her into a routine went out of the window. We did have a fairly structured daytime routine, but the evenings were endless.

Exactly. So many I know gloat about how wonderful they are because their baby is so placid and sleeps 15 hours a night.
Your baby is easy sod off with your gloating 🤣

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mondaytosunday · 11/08/2023 00:11

I had a routine at night from day one. During the day it was more baby led, though I did wake baby up from nap if i though it might interfere with bedtime.
It takes a while to sink in, but by three months the nights were fairly straightforward. Bath, little story, feed, cuddle then down while still awake if possible, lights out. Then I'd wake baby up for a sleepy feed before I went to bed, then if baby woke up again another quiet feed with lights off. Then between 6 and 7 (my son was, and is, an early riser so around 6) up for the day.
My children were very different in temperament. But keeping to a routine helped.
During the day I went out and about as usual - if baby napped in pushchair fine, and they do seem to settle into their own rhythm soon enough so you know if they are likely to get tired at X time and you can plan accordingly.

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