When to start a routine

Question

Hi all, I'm just wondering when the best time to start a proper routine woth my baby is? He is currently 6 weeks old but was 4 weeks early so I feel is still playing catch up developmental wise. He sleep on and off during the night and every few days will have a complete meltdown and not sleep for hours so I was wondering if a routine would help this? Anyone got any suggestions on where to start or where to find some information about implementing a routine? Thanks!

Answer

So I am a big believer in the 4th trimester. That until you hit 100 days everything is about baby and when they want it. So no scheduling until then. My guy is 11 weeks today but also 4 weeks early. Starting at 13 weeks we will be implementing a nighttime routine. But I don't plan on sleep training just yet. Still will be feeding on demand at night and he'll sleep in his bassinet. But this way when we choose to sleep train the routine will be well established and that will be one less stresser. I also read they can't recognize routine until 12 weeks.

Answer

We are just starting to get a routine down  I wasn't worried about it but then we didn't put her to bed early enough and she had a really rough night. Our routine starts at 8 with a bath then lotion or just bed time lavender lotion. Then it's breastfeed on one side, change her diaper, feed on the other side, then swaddle. After that it's cuddles and rocking until she falls asleep. She normally has a 4-5 hour stretch and then is up every 2 hours for a quick diaper change and sometimes to eat. She hates wet pants and usually wakes up when she goes to the bathroom. (Fingers crossed that will mean easy potty training later on. Haha)

Answer

I didn't feel like we had a routine until 5 mins ago. On the weekdays me, my husband and 5 year old son are up getting ready for school and work. to say is Saturday and baby is up at 6am! He uses to our routine already. He even goes to bed at 8 or 9 like his big brother and sleeps all night

Answer

We don't have a strict routine during the day but we have had a bed time ritual since she was born.
we have a small feed so she can't fall a sleep at 7.45 bath with mummy at 8pm dressed in night clothes lights off at 8.30 and breastfed. She's usually in bed a sleep by 9pm. We only out her in her Moses basket at bedtime never during the day so she can determine the two but she sleeps throughout the day whenever she wants usually on her play mat or bouncer chair. 
At night time I feed her when she wants it but it's usually only once lights stay off and never talk to her just cuddles for comfort and feeding. 
She's 7 weeks and she slept through for first time last night 10 till 6 :) xx

Answer

Thank you. There's so many varied opinions. I know people that started a routine at 6 weeks but I feel it's too early and want to make the most of my evening snuggles before I have to implement a bedtime. but I also don't want to create any bad habits that will be hard to break later. I don't even know how I'd implement any kind of routine right now...I think there's too much going on for my baby as it is.

When to start a routine

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