- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
ag1027
member
Newborn “routine” and questions
ag1027
member
Hi Mamas!
I’m a pediatric sleep consultant and I posted a couple of weeks ago with a 1-2 week sample routine and many found it helpful. Here is 3-6weeks if you’re interested. Don’t pay attention to the actual times, pay attention to the space between the times. Baby will not follow this beautifully, it’s just a guide to show maximum times between feedings.
My main tips for this window:
1. I would say the most important thing you can do at this point is not let baby fall asleep while eating. This will allow your little one to get a full feeding which helps with a lot of things! - Needed nutrition/weight gain, happy baby, better sleeper, and rest for you in between feedings.
2. Make sure baby is getting some chances to be awake and asleep flat on their back on a firm-ish surface (crib mattress, pack n play, bassinet, play mat on the floor).
I’m happy to answer some questions!
Re: Newborn “routine” and questions
Also, we found that when in doubt just add water. My LO finds water so calming and relaxing, so if he isn't settling down at all, it's either bathtime, shower time (I sit on a shower bench, and hold him to my chest while the water drizzles us both) or I gently run warm water over his head while swaddling, then it's hats on and lights out for a solid chunk of time!
He also would escape the swaddle to keep his hands out--even if we thought we wrapped it tight like a strait jacket, we nicknamed him "Houdini".
One thing I struggled with, was you may have to ignore some fusses. We kept the bassinet in the bedroom so would always hear when he woke up and would fuss to be held by mommy.
There was no sleep, I was tired all the time, and easily frustrated and would cry, or be easily mad.
That's why I say sometimes you may have to ignore the fusses to be held. Just sometimes; those times where you Really need to just sleep.
Also, I couldn't sleep while holding him on our couch or large chair because I was so afraid of falling asleep and having him slip out of my hands.
So I struggled to stay awake. But eventually it got to the point where I needed to sleep to be a more effective mom, and partner.
My boyfriend would say "put him in the bathroom and let him cry it out" which began HUGE fights between us. I couldn't stand that he would be in there crying just because he wanted to be held by mommy to sleep. My sleep deprived quick to anger/get upset, as well as post-partum didn't help. But also made it all the more important to try and get adequate sleep for myself.
In the end, for me to sleep at all, and it is So hard, but I had to learn to ignore some fusses.
Now that my baby is 4 months sleeping is easier, and it does get easier. He sleeps for 6-7 hours straight most nights. Also, at around 2-3 months, mostly 2 months, he didn't need to be held to sleep as much.
Hang in there 😊
For those of you using weighted sleep sacks, what brands do you like? My LO loves his swaddle but likes our hand on his chest in his bassinet to really fall asleep. I think a sleep sack with some weight to it would benefit us.