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The benefits of following a daily routine go without saying. Routines can provide us a sense of familiarity, comfort, and predictability in our own lives. I believe this is true for adults and children alike and I believe implementing a daily routine from birth is an essential ingredient for consistent nighttime sleep.
I call it a routine (and not a schedule) because while an overall structure is important to keep in place, we must consistently allow for flexibility so we can ensure we are never compromising our baby’s needs in any way. The timing of everything (start of day time, naps, feeds, etc) can and will fluctuate based on your baby’s age and the day. Some days feedings may be 30 minutes earlier or 15 minutes later, and everything gets moved up or pushed back accordingly. I believe that maintaining flexibility in our daily routine makes establishing sleep much easier because we are able to flow with our babies and take them into consideration, as we consciously make choices about their routine and what they need in each moment…to ensure their needs are fully met during the daytime hours.
It’s always helpful to track your baby’s day…when & how much/long they are feeding, when they go down for their nap, how long they are sleeping, etc. This will help you stay on top of age-appropriately managing their day which will help establish & maintain your consistent nighttime sleep…and also help you to know when it’s time to make changes to their daily routine.
By 8 – 12 weeks old, you can easily have your baby sleeping through the night with The Full Feedings Method®, without having to “sleep train” or “cry it out”.
Need help sorting out what a daily routine looks for your baby? Sign up for The Full Feedings Method® Online Programs and let’s say goodbye to those sleepless nights…