Why A Routine Is Important For Your Baby (and You!)
I hear so often from parents that they don’t really want to be tied to a certain nap schedule or restricted by a set bedtime… but routine is really important!
Getting into a regular routine makes life much easier. You learn quickly how to read what your baby needs and when. Babies like the predictability of knowing that certain things will happen at the same time every
day. For example, they have a sleep then they have a feed. This understanding makes them feel safe and secure. Importantly, a well rested and well fed baby is going to be much happier. Essentially a baby’s needs aren’t that complicated: feed-play-sleep-cuddles-love and attention… but knowing when and how can be a bit more of a challenge!
NAPS - From about 4-6 months a baby will need 3 set naps a day: a good morning nap, a longer afternoon nap, then a short powernap later in the afternoon.
From 6 months they drop that third nap and continue to have their 2 naps, morning and afternoon. These 2 naps will remain at the same up until 18 months when the morning nap will drop. The important long afternoon nap will remain until nearly 3 years old generally.
Don’t drop naps too early, there will be times when they are a challenge but this will just be a phase. Stick with their ideal routine until the right age hits otherwise you can end up with a consistently overtired baby. Being overtired tends to result in a baby that finds it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep and wakes early. Some babies can seem to survive with less sleep but that doesn’t mean they are thriving and getting all the rest they need.
BEDTIME - A consistent bedtime routine is important too; creating a calm content environment will aid good sleep during the night.
• Bath. • Pyjamas on in bedroom, lighting low.
• Story and feed. Don’t allow baby to fall asleep on the feed, let the story keep them stimulated yet calm.
• Clean teeth. • Lights off.
• Lay baby into bed, awake, nicely full, calm, and relaxed.
Once your baby’s routine has developed you will find that the predictability you may have dreaded will actually make life much easier. Your baby will be much happier and you will know that when the set routine times hit you can make sure they get what they need wherever you are.
Author, Lucy Smith, Sleep Consultant,
www.daysanddreams.co.uk, Tel. 07739961852 Email:
lucy@daysanddreams.co.uk,
Editor, Helen McClorry, Babies on board Magazine. 18
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