BABY
Baby Schedule: The Truth About Infant Schedules
Why you should put your baby on a schedule.
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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BABY
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
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Should baby schedules be shunned or embraced? Toddlers love routines, but what about babies and infants? Like so many child-rearing issues, there is more than one right answer.
Scheduling is a modern concept. The ancients did not feed babies according to the time on the sundial or make baby nap schedules. But staying organised can be a lifesaver for today’s mum and can help a baby adopt a schedule that works better for the family.
Of course, rigid schedules that ignore a baby’s cries are unnatural and unloving. But flexible baby schedules–that set approximate times for feeding and sleep–can work quite well.
A study of breastfed babies found that 2 simple scheduling tweaks yielded a big improvement in sleep in the first 2 months:
Within 3 weeks, 100% of babies were sleeping 5-hour stretches with these 2 steps, versus 23% of infants where no scheduling was tried.
When you think about it, the benefit of flexible schedules is not a huge surprise since babies are learning experts! Even before birth, your baby starts recognising your voice and favourite music. So learning the pattern of feeding and sleeping is not above her pay grade.
Some experts advise an “eat, play, sleep” schedule. They hope that by using a little play to separate eating from sleeping (rather than always feeding before sleep) will help babies learn to fall asleep without a feeding–when they awaken at 2am.
This sounds logical, but it actually goes against your baby’s biology. Infants get sleepy after feedings, no matter how much you prod and play with them. Also, before bedtime, you want to fill your little lad’s tummy to prolong his sleep.
If you are going to try scheduling, I suggest you wait about a month (until feeding is going really well), then do the following:
A flexible eating and sleeping schedule can be super-helpful if you have twins, other kids, you are a single parent, or you are working out of the house. But, the key word is flexible. If you are planning a 1:00pm nap, but your little guy is exhausted at 12:30, it is fine to bend the “rules.” Just feed him and put him down early. And if he gets hungry before his “scheduled” feeding time, try distracting him, but respond with promptness and love if the fussing persists, and return to the schedule later.
Note: Rigid and strict schedules (you never deviate even if your baby is crying with hunger) are contrary to our natural instincts, make us constantly watch the clock, and lead to underfed babies.
Follow the same reassuring sample baby routine every night:
Within a week, these will begin to work like hypnosis. As you setup a routine for your newborn baby, you will find both you and your baby will be getting more sleep!
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
