"Nap? NEEEEEEVEEEEEERRRRR!!!"
John and I were talking the other night about getting Rohan on a schedule. I’m of two minds on this. On one hand some more predictability would be great…on the other hand, I don’t want to deny him something he’d want (food rightthisveryminute) or force him into something he doesn’t want (nap at X o’clock) while he’s so young.
The first month at home with Rohan was super crazy. No sleep, no daytime/nighttime awareness, feeding every hour it seemed, and each cry indistinguishable from the next. Now that he’s almost 4 months things are easier in a lot of ways:
- sleeping well at night
- understandable cries
- able to sooth himself and play independently
- eating less frequently
But other things are still making daytime life a bit difficult. Namely:
- napping less frequently
- unpredictable cluster feedings
- unpredictable bouts of the clingies
I seriously feel like it’s not so bad, and am happy to deal with whatever comes each day, including unexplained fussiness, or teething fussies. I don’t mind wasting precious working time spending my days snuggling him instead of doing my work 
I’m just not sure if I’m setting myself up for a problem later. In my heart I feel like I’m not, and I’ll likely go routine free for several more months….but John thinks we may be in for it later.
When did you start a routine with your infant?
I had a hard time getting Nia on a schedule because we’ve always kept it moving from the beginning and she’s been a good trooper about keeping up with me out and about the city. I did keep logs off and on for the first year to try to see what her natural rhythms were so I could see where naps/meals made sense. Then of course teething/walking or some other milestone would throw it all off! P.S. Congrats on your new layout!
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Not a mommy but not exactly sure but my friends started a bit later than that and it’s hard for a week and then it’s okay. I have friends who started a schedule at 10/12 months and they said he was much happier as he knew his routine. Good luck deciding lady.
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replying late as all get out, but, i was very laissez-faire when it came to schedules with my babies. as a stay-at-home mom i had that luxury. i nursed on-demand, co-slept, etc. and so forth. we had some routine as they got older and i could see patterns forming (sponge bath before bed, nursing in a particular spot at nap time, etc.) but i didn’t begin to enforce a real schedule until both of my boys were into toddler-hood, and i could tell they were ready and understood “the world” a little bit more. at 6 and 4, they’re fine.
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