Tell me like it is: is 18 weeks too early for any kind of routine?

[EilsFinMart]

My first born DD is 18 weeks and, as far as I can tell, a fairly contented and chilled out little boy. Actually, he's on the 98th percentile so he's not so small.

After a number of early b/f challenges, he is EBF - normally 4 hourly (big) feeds in the day and and one or two feeds over night. Found that he wasn't too interested in feeding more regularly during the day (? Too many distractions) and that when I moved to 4 hr feeds his napping during the day improved (gradually from 30 mins to 50 mins to 90 or 120 mins). It took a lot of trial and perseverance to get to this situation and appreciate I'm probably lucky to be here now.

Now that he naps for longer, the naps seem to remain all over the place - some days he'll nap for 2+ hrs in the morning and other days 45mins. I try to be led by him - If he wakes grumpy I'll try to get him under again and if he wakes happy, he'll get up. Likewise, despite his set bed time, his days start at different times - over the last week they've varied from 5.45 to 7.30! Over the course of 24 hrs he gets a total of 16 hours sleep which I'm told by my HV is on target.

My query is: should I be expecting (or trying to manage) more of a predictable day time nap routine - or is it too early and should I continue to wing it?

Thanks for any insights - the perspective of others is often invaluable when living in a baby-bubble!

What do YOU want to do? I find myself caught up all the time in what I think I'm expected to do. Perhaps if it aint broke, dont fix it?

That sounds fine to me. Neither of mine had daytime naps to schedule. They just had a nap when tired. I would be more bothered about a nightime routine than a daytime one

Thanks, Both. I do feel trapped between what I feel I ought to be doing and what is actually happening. I'd like to believe in my instincts more but feel vastly under qualified to do so.

Ideally, I'd like DS to sort out a vague routine for himself - this way there would be structure without me imposing it. I appreciate this may never happen. And, as I keep reminding myself, as he grows older day time naps will become less of an issue as he'll have more awake time. Feel very comfortable with our evening routine bath/boob/bed/lights out - at best he'll have a natter to himself for a few minutes and at worst a wee grizzle for the same before turning over to sleep. I suspect I'll wing it for another month in the hope he sorts some routine out during this time.

My DS is almost 17 weeks and have been wondering this myself. I keep telling myself I'll impose a 7am wake up time but after an unsettled night (most nights - sleep regression) I don't have the willpower. I struggle to get him to nap for more than 45 mins at a time meaning he's frequently tired after a short time awake! it is very frustrating, I feel like I spend half my days (and nights) trying to get him to sleep!