When Should I Start Night Time Routine? How to Keep Her Sleeping.......

Hi S.,

My vot is for starting a routine now. Get her up in the mornings at what time you want her up to start the day, change her diaper and get her dressed. My daughter ate every 4 hours and she got up at 6 am and was in bed at 8 pm. during the day I would keep the blinds open and keep it bright in the house. As it beacame night time I would start shutting the blinds and turning off the lights. She would eat dinner at 6 pm and then we would play for a little bit get a bath at 7 and have our nightime bottle and be in bed by 8 pm. A couple of things let her take her naps in the living room during the day, and let her sleep at night in her bed. swaddle her at night but not during the day. Also you may turn on a radio in her room and don't keep the house quite during the day when she is sleeping.

I have another vote for the No Cry Sleep Solution book, and encourage you to check out any and all books by Dr. William Sears (I believe he wrote the forward for the No Cry book). I'm a big believer in trusting your intuition when it comes to parenting. With my first (now 5yrs), I "followed the rules" and tried things like crying it out, feeding on a schedule, etc. but I've found that life with our second (18 mos.) is much better because I tried to follow her cues, and just did what felt right to me. And our second is a LOT better sleeper than our first was (we STILL have sleep issues with her).

I would say to start a little bit of a routine now (at this age, it may just be to dim the lights 20 minutes before bed), and as she gets a bit older you can add a book, change to pjs, etc. Just be sure to follow her cues, not the clock, when it comes to bedtime right now. Let her find her own rhythm-- put her down at the first sign of sleepiness now, and eventually you'll see a pattern as to what time she likes to sleep.

The sleep issue will be prominent in your life for the next year or so. And what works for you today, probably won't work for you next month (or even tomorrow), so just try to be flexible. Good luck & celebrate your small victories!

A good book I read was the baby wise book by Dr Ezzo, or a book by a British Nanny called the divine secrets of the baby whisperer. They both have the same great tips and advice concerning a sleep schedule, and they both suggest that it start at birth. My little one was sleeping 6 hrs through the night at 8 weeks. Good luck and do what feel best for you, I know that basic schedule helped me out greatly!

My daughter is 8 weeks old, I have had her on a routine since she was 5 weeks...I had to start befor I came back to work at 6 weeks. I give her a 4 oz bottle (pumped milk)at 8pm and change her and get her swaddled and put her to bed. She's going to cry the first few times. If you can't stand to hear her cry go in the room and talk or sing to her for a few min then leave the room again but don't pick her up (may have to do this a few times)!! Each night it will get better. I don't have to do anything anymore just put her in bed and she's good until about 4:30 am. At that time I feed her, change her without un swaddling the arms and put her back down until its time to leave for daycare.

S.,
You both sound like you are going to be super parents! Routine is very important in babies into 1 and on and on. At 10 wks. oh how cute, its ok, I believe, to reinforce baby, mom and dad are here for you. There are tons of controversy over this. I tell everyone to read about it, theres tons of information out there on this subject. I think, routine changes at different ages. As baby gets older, needs are different somewhat. Be a good judge on what your childs needs are. Individualize them to your child. Get the book, "How To Discipline Without Spanking or Shouting" I can't remember the author, but the book stores are real familiar with the title. I know this jumps the gun, but your baby won't be baby for long, and you can start out on the right foot. Educate yourself a lot and individualize to your childs' personal needs. Always make gradual changes to routines, talk about routines first, let them know whats going to happen before it happens. As far as baby, do what makes everyone feel better. Take turns when baby cries, is there a pattern? what is she's needing? when she cries, is she only wanting us, if so, should we put her in our room for a few months up to 3 months at the least , when you think your ready to put her in the room by herself, try it, gradually, put her down, stay for 30' even read to her she hears your voice, how soothing, when you've only been in the real world for 10 weeks! Always read to your baby, she will learn to love it herself. I could go on forever, I just love children and new parents are so special, esp. when they love their children so much to look for answers. Can you find a bassinet, or move the crib to your room (definetly not forever). This will help you at first, to see how she is sleeping, and get used to her and her you. You might get more sleep. like I said, I could go on, sorry, congratulations on being parents, its a huge job and your going to do great!
D. E.

Since your baby is only 10 weeks old, you should respond to her when she starts to cry. She is way too young to "Cry It Out." A baby that young cries for a reason, and you can't spoil her yet.
Some great sleep books are Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child (Weissbluth), Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems (Ferber), The Baby Whisperer (Hogg) and The No-Cry Sleep Solution (Pantley).
You could also talk to your peditrician.
All of these books reccomend a routine before bed. Our son is 5 months old and we give him a bath and lotion him up, change him into his jammies, then play a lullaby CD with the lights dimmed while I breastfeed him.