How do you have a routine and a life?!

[CkFa]

I'm trying to strike a balance between establishing good sleeping habits for my 4 month old and still going out to baby groups / socialising with him. But I find his naps are all over the place on the days we go out, and on the days we stay home it's all I focus on. I try to do the EASY routine and not put too much pressure on myself, but find he gets overtired when we're out (even with plenty of opportunity to nap in the car or pram). How do others get the balance right? Any tips would be great thank you!

Just have the life 😉 honestly 4 months is still really early for a routine please try to enjoy those groups. Let your baby fall asleep when tired and not otherwise! I spent far too much time worrying about this at the beginning and my daughter is 2 now and wish I hadn’t bothered. Enjoy your time x

I agree with crazycatlady. All my mum friends who try and force routines seem to spend half the day trying to get their babies to nap!

I have six month old twins and no routine whatsoever. We’re all still alive

Totally agree with the above. My 4 month old naps roughly every 1.5-2 hrs when we are at home but if we are out she’ll nap in the car or the buggy or even on the floor during my mums and babies exercise class!! If she’s tired she sleeps x

I needed to hear this. I have a 4.5mo who has really unpredictable naps. I was doing EASY, but then I think I ended up overfeeding and the vomit was awful.

Now just trying to go with the flow and not worry about naps. Just trying to pay attention to what he’s telling me that he needs.

This is great to hear, thank so much for the words of wisdom! I want to enjoy my year off work with my baby and not fret about things. Much appreciated!

DD is 18 months and she's only started napping/getting tired at the same time each day since Christmas. She could cope being over tired for a little bit if we were out and about but then would be a nightmare to get down if she stayed awake on the way home. Annoyingly, she likes to sleep 10:30/11ish which is when all of her friends like to have lunch so we don't socialise as much as I'd like at the moment.

@CkFa I did exactly the same as you. When I was at home I used to worry about naps and over focus on them. Was also paranoid about feeding to sleep etc.
At around three months gave up worrying and now at 10 months we have no routine 😂
He naps in the pram or car if we're out and about and if we're at home he naps on me after three/four hours of being awake.
Saved my sanity and meant I could have a life. If I could do it all again I'd go back and tell myself with newborn DS not to worry about routines.
Good luck

I used to feel being confined to the house at certain times was a small price to pay for a content baby, but then ds was an absolute nightmare if he didn't nap at the right times (had to be in his cot).

I don't think all kids need a routine, mine did though.