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RE: Infant Schedule, Bedtime and Naptime Routines (0-6 months)
What a brilliant post!! My son is only 4 months at the moment, but this will be great for me to look back at for tips, especially when he is teething. You seem to have your routine sorted, well done you, it is a very hard thing to do! Go you, I look forward to seeing more of your posts :)
I 'm currently writing a post about sleep training that might be helpful to you! At 4 months old, the little babies should have switched from being awake at night, to being awake during the day. This is a good time to get them used to something consistent, even if it's only the nap/bedtime routine. As long as they can predict what's coming up next, it will be so much easier for both mom and baby!
That's great stuff! I look forward to reading it! I am currently struggling a little getting Torey to sleep when he is over-tired, as he cries and cries - yet won't sleep any earlier than 8.30pm. I'm sure I will be able to bring the bedtime forward, but right now is proving a little tricky! Can't wait for your tips! :)
Don't stress yourself. At that age it's quite normal for them to go to bed between 7-8.30 pm! I believe that once you get the naps under control, bedtime will be easy. The goal at this point is to catch the small window where they are sleepy. A yawn, rubbing their eyes, staring into the air.. those are signs that mean they are ready to sleep. Once you miss that window, their body starts producing adrenalin which helps them stay awake. You can compare it to an adult who goes to a club with friends. Around midnight/ 1am they get sleepy, but then by the time it's 3 am, they feel wide awake. Babies will cry when they want to sleep but the hormones force them to stay awake. I'd start with the morning nap, after they wake up for the day, try to limit the activities to 60mins and then put him back down to sleep. The first nap is usually the easiest to master because their bodies are still in sleep mode from the night :)
This is sooo true. But it's also crazy that he still sleeps so much now at 4 months! Yes, I am definitely trying to look out for the clues at evening time. Morning naps are brilliant. Torey generally wakes around 7am, he is then fed, bathed and had a play by 9am, when he goes back to bed for his nap till 11am. However, if he misses this nap / it is cut short, it has a huge knock-on effect for the afternoon. It's all part of this wonderful experience and I hope one day I will master it!!!