Routine vs flexibility?!?

sytom · December 2011

I was talking to a friend yesterday. She doesn't have kids, but she got me thinking about the importance of a routine vs my baby being able to sleep anywhere. By herself, my daughter found a good day routine that works for her. She likes to sleep and eat at around the same time each day and her timing is perfect for me!

During the weekend, we went shopping and we had to go to dinner with her. She slept in the car and that was about it. I was feeling like I was messing her up. She was fussy and was crying a lot.

How do you balance the two? Is there an answer?? : )

I'm really scared with Christmas coming up!

TIA!

CA2006 · December 2011

Honestly, just do what you can to stick with the routine and know there's going to be some deviation from it. This young, it isn't a major issue, After 4 months, you will want to try to keep them in their routine as much as possible. But there will still be times when you gotta do what you gotta do. They will adapt and be fine

cottonlily84 · December 2011

I do what baby wants. At this point in her life I feel that's my job. We went shopping on Saturday and she was really upset by supper time. So we learned our lesson and will keep our trips with her to a 2 hour max now. She doesn't really have a routine though, just the ins and outs of shopping made her ill.

kagl04 · December 2011

Both my kids are on a pretty nice routine and most days we stick to it. But both my kids are also able to deviate from that routine. I personally think that flexibility is very important. My DD is 16 months old and has no problem deviating from her routine if we need to. My DS will sleep in his car seat just as well as he will in his swing. I have no problem going out and making plans during either of their naptimes... They can both easily sleep in the car. I think with kids they teach you that every day is different and curve balls are thrown at you every day. Setting a routine is nice (and my kids love their routine) but you also have to have some flexibility too. My life didn't just stop because I had kids, instead we still do almost everything we did before. They just come with us. Smile

teachermeesh82 · December 2011

Graciesmomma:
Both my kids are on a pretty nice routine and most days we stick to it. But both my kids are also able to deviate from that routine. I personally think that flexibility is very important. My DD is 16 months old and has no problem deviating from her routine if we need to. My DS will sleep in his car seat just as well as he will in his swing. I have no problem going out and making plans during either of their naptimes... They can both easily sleep in the car. I think with kids they teach you that every day is different and curve balls are thrown at you every day. Setting a routine is nice (and my kids love their routine) but you also have to have some flexibility too. My life didn't just stop because I had kids, instead we still do almost everything we did before. They just come with us.

Totally believe in this. I take my LO anywhere lunch dates, shopping etc. He sleeps in and out of the car. Yes this week I plan to stay home more with him to get him used to napping at home and in crib more, but I def agree with you. Granted he is only 2 months old but I will hope to coninue you this as you did

sap05e · December 2011

DD made her own schedule too. We went shopping on Saturday and she slept the whole trip but it messed up her night! I was up from 3 am to 6 am when she decided to have awake time. I just figure that at such a young age, there's no way they will always do the same thing every day.

LadyMadrid08 · December 2011

We've been taking LO out to malls and restaurants since day 5 and I think that is part of why she's so great with going out. Either that or we're just lucky as hell. She falls asleep anywhere -- the carseat, the stroller, the moby, the ergo, the swing, her bassinet, on the boppy next to me on the couch. Anyway, I feel pretty sure that having her out from so early and just taking her along with me wherever I go has helped her not get into a routine that she can't live without. She's able to sleep whenever she needs to wherever she needs to.

So, needless to say, my LO has no routine really. She usually sleeps a long nap in the morning and shorter ones throughout the day, but she can sleep those anywhere so I just take her along with me wherever I go. The only time I feel like I need to get her into more of a routine is the evening. I've noticed that if we stay out later than 8 or 9 she will often get overly tired and she'll have a hard time getting to sleep.

Personally, I'm a fan of flexibility more than routine, but like I said I may just have gotten extremely lucky to have an LO who will sleep and eat anywhere!

ETA: I never wake her from naps if I can help it though. So if we're out or home and she's sleeping and someone wants to hold her I don't let them. I tell them, sorry she's asleep and that maybe next time they'll get to see her and hold her if she's awake.

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