Becoming a parent is an exhausting job. Your baby is crying all the time, waking you up in the middle of the night, doing all other kinds of things babies do. But, what would you do if you were told that there’s one thing you can do which will make your life so much easier? Probably jump out of joy. That one thing is to create a routine for your baby! Here are some tips that will help you make a successful baby routine.
- Don’t play with your baby during nighttime feedings
It is highly important that your infant learn the difference between night and day. In order to teach them, you should make nighttime feedings as least disruptive as possible. What does this entail? Basically, try not to play with them and talk to them in a lower voice. Even changing their diapers can sometimes be enough to perk them up making it harder to put them back to sleep. To avoid this, change the diapers only if they’ve done a number two. In the beginning, it will seem challenging, but after a while, your baby will get used to the difference and realize that the night is reserved for sleep whereas daytime is for playtime and socializing.
- Create a bedtime routine
Creating a routine before you all go to bed is very important for a small baby. Even if they seem too little to know the difference, babies indeed pick up on the routines and their meanings. In order to prepare your newborn for a good night’s sleep, follow a couple of simple steps every night. This may include changing them, giving them a bath, giving a final feed of the day, and singing them a lullaby or reading something to them. You should stick to this routine even when your infant becomes a toddler and even when you inevitably decide to travel together. Of course, you can rotate the products you use; if you decide to travel to Singapore, for example, you don’t have to carry everything from home just to stick to the routine. There are plenty of baby products in Singapore!
- Focus the feedings during the day
Another great way to teach your youngling to sleep longer during nights is to feed them more during the day. Remember that babies get fussy sometimes and that if they’re acting up or crying it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are hungry. Check their diaper to see if they’ve soiled themselves or give them a pacifier to calm them down. Try to stick to the feeding schedule as much as you can. Of course, sometimes this simply isn’t possible and there will be some deviation, but even when it happens don’t let it get out of hand.
- Routine comes first
In order for the routine to stick with both you and your baby, you have to make it your top priority. This would mean that you need to plan your life around your baby’s schedule. If a relative or a friend would like to go on a walk with you and your baby when it’s scheduled nap time tell that to your friend. You can arrange something later when it’s time to play. Naturally, we’re human and not everything always goes according to plan, and occasionally changing things up isn’t a big deal but don’t make a habit out of it.
- Routines are bound to change
Babies tend to grow. Wow, a shocker! It is inevitable for the routine to change as your baby grows. The reality is that a six-month-old simply needs different things and behaves differently than a newborn. As they get older they won’t need to sleep as much during the day and will like to socialize more. Also, you won’t need to breastfeed them or feed them formula as much as they will start to eat solids. All of these factors will affect your previous schedules. The routine needs to grow along with your baby!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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