Editor's note: This schedule is a parent-led routine
6 a.m.: He has 6 ounces of formula and falls back to sleep.
8:30 a.m.: We hang out and cuddle, watch TV, and play. I talk and sing to him while we watch Regis and Kelly.
10 a.m.: He has 5 ounces of formula.
10:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.: We have playtime. He lies on the activity mat or tummy mat. He holds a toy now if I put one in his hand!
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Naptime.
2 p.m.: He has 5 ounces of formula.
After eating, he swings in his swing, watches his mobile or sometimes TV, and then falls asleep for a short nap.
4 p.m.: The fussiness begins. He's cranky for the next several hours.
6 p.m.: He has 5 ounces of formula and sits in his bouncy seat. The vibration helps him to digest, but crankiness continues until he falls asleep for short nap.
7:30 p.m.: Playtime with Daddy.
8:45 p.m.: Bath time and bedtime routine. I massage him with lavender lotion and put him in pj's. He gets really happy and giggly while I'm doing all of this, so I sing and talk to him. Then we have mommy and baby quiet time together. I dim the lights and speak very softly. I do all I can to make his surroundings soothing. We listen to lullabies. This time is really special to me.
9:30 p.m.: He has 6 ounces of formula and then goes to bed. I stand by the crib holding him until I get one more burp before putting him into his crib. I turn on his nightlight, give him a kiss, leave the room, and he's asleep in minutes and sleeps until 6 a.m.
Editor's note: This schedule is a combination (parent-led and baby-led) routine
Our little one wakes up around 6:30 a.m., but I give him his pacifier so he'll rest until 7. I really don't want his wake-up time to be before 7 a.m.
He nurses seven times during the day and night: At 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m., and whenever in the middle of the night — usually between 3 and 4 a.m. He'll usually spend ten minutes on each breast, or drink 3 to 4 ounces if I pump.
He always takes a good nap in the morning from about 8 until 11 a.m. I try to do the eat, then play, then sleep cycle. He usually gets really sleepy or fussy about an hour after he eats and falls back to sleep for half an hour to an hour until his next feeding.
Between eating and napping times, we do things together. He just started to grab the toys hanging above his bouncy seat. I hold him and sing to him. He loves to "talk," but he only speaks whale right now. He also loves to stand and he "walks" up my belly. He loves to go for rides in the car.
After his 7 p.m. feeding, I give him a bath and a massage with lotion. We read a story, then I put him to bed. This usually begins his fussy time. He will eventually fall asleep around 8 or 8:30. I wake him up at 10 p.m. to change him and feed him. He always goes right back to sleep without crying and is out for five or six hours until his 3 or 4 a.m. feeding. I love that I can count on that.
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