Setting a Routine for your baby

Oh how we all wish our baby gets into a good routine as soon as possible and we can get the much deserved sleep for ourselves. It’s a true blessing and success to have our little ones following a routine from starting.

Every baby is different and follows a different pattern of feeding, sleeping and keeping awake. Some change to the suggested remedies and trick can help majority of them to follow a daily routine.

To start off with a newborn, whether breastfeeding, giving formula or expressed breast milk, its important to set a feeding duration and sleep cycle. Generally, it starts with 2-2.5 hours (30-90ml) gap between each feeds for the initial months (1-2 months) then you can increase the gap to 4 hours (120-150ml) for the next 2 months and by the time baby is around 4-6 months one can attempt to keep the gap from 5-6 hours (~180-240ml) between each feed. Important thing to remember is not to force the baby to take more quantity of milk than he/she can take. Stay calm and relax, when the baby’s stomach is full he/she will give you indications in form of feeling tired and sleepy.

Once the duration between the feeds is set, prepare yourself before the next fed. Its best to keep everything ready for diaper change and the milk bottle (formula or expressed breast milk). Change the diaper, feed the baby, get them to burp and let them doze off!

This also helps in avoiding diaper rash if you keep your diaper change and eating duration in sync, it keeps soiled diapers away.

Feeding

Set a duration for feeding time. Better to feed the baby in a room of less distraction and too much noise. It helps the baby to focus on feeding and eventually fall asleep. Feed the baby , burp, clean the face and wipe the tongue and gums with a clean muslin cloth(good oral hygiene). Remember, be gentle and careful to not disturb the baby too much so that baby can gradually fall asleep.

Some sleep problems

As the babies grow so will their sleep patterns. Be prepares to bring changes to the routine you have set for your baby. Modify according to needs of the baby. For older babies, who start with solids, its advisable to start them with solids in the evening also. They have a fully stomach for a longer period of time and helps them to sleep better too.

There may be days when baby would feel under the weather or have a teething issue. They interfere with baby’s daily routine or sleep. Small tip is to give your baby icy nibbles/ tether before bedtime. It helps to calm down those gums and lets your baby sleep peacefully. For a baby suffering from fever giving the paracetamol dose before bedtime is helpful in letting them sleep with less disturbance from the illness/ symptoms.

If you are facing sleep problems with your baby even after repetitive attempts of putting them in a routine, its best to seek help from a health advisor.