Is there such thing as too much of a routine?

kimandjared

Our week days are pretty much the same, every day (of course other than going to the store, out with friends, walks, etc). Wake up is at the same time every day, for the most part, nap time is at the same time every day, and our bedtime routine is the same every night. On the weekends I feel like Cole's routine gets so thrown off because we are visiting family/friends or going to special places. I try and schedule car rides during nap times so he gets somewhat of a nap. But come Monday, I feel like everything is all thrown off!! So is there such a thing as too much of a routine, or is this normal for most babies?

BFab11

The downside of a routine is when LO gets used to it they may have a hard time dealing with different circumstances, like your weekends. Maybe try and loosen up the schedule during the week?

WildcatPrincess

All babies are different.  If DD is tired she'll sleep no matter where we are or what we're doing, but then she's used to noise and being held at nap time.  Don't know if that makes a difference.  I've always just followed her cues.  Feeding times are wildly different day to day, but her nap routine is usually somewhat similar.

kimandjared

BFab11:

The downside of a routine is when LO gets used to it they may have a hard time dealing with different circumstances, like your weekends. Maybe try and loosen up the schedule during the week?

This may sound stupid, but how to you loosen the schedule? He takes 3 naps a day and if he doesn't... you don't want to be around him:) 

kimandjared

WildcatPrincess:

All babies are different.  If DD is tired she'll sleep no matter where we are or what we're doing, but then she's used to noise and being held at nap time.  Don't know if that makes a difference.  I've always just followed her cues.  Feeding times are wildly different day to day, but her nap routine is usually somewhat similar.

Yeah, his feedings are normally all over the place as well. He used to sleep where ever because I used to hold him while he napped, but when I started babysitting another baby I had to start putting him in the crib to nap. So he is used to quiet during his naps. So it's nice he's in his crib, but sucks he won't sleep anywhere. 

Ciconrad

DS #1 was the type of baby that NEEDED the routine.  Without it, he'd be horribly fussy and difficult and it would take a day or two to get him back on track.  He couldn't sleep anywhere except his crib after he was about 4 months old and without proper sleep was HORRID!  We just learned to do things that would work with his schedule and only mess with it when it was something really important to us (like a family event).  It will get easier once they get down to 2 solid naps and then easier when they go to 1 nap (usually between 12-18 months) and are eating meals when you are.  We really let DS lead the way on telling us what he could handle and how much routine he needed instead of pushing his limits and ending the day with a miserable, overtired infant who slept horribly that night.  

Even as a toddler he needs a routine.  I have to outline the morning for him when he wakes up and he does not like deviations.  It's just his personality and we've adjusted our lifestyle to it.