I work for a family as a nanny for a seven week-old. She is on a strict schedule which we can usually adhere to w/out trouble. But now her brother goes to swim practice at 8am, and her nap isn't until 9. She loves falling asleep to the sound of water, so she's fast asleep at the poolside? Does anyone have ideas of how to keep her awake while her brother swims for his hour-long practice?
2006-06-21
03:30:35
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14 answers
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asked by
Jewel
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Pregnancy & Parenting
➔ Newborn & Baby
Just a note. Her schedule is not that strict, and it changes to fit her sleeping and feeding needs. However,since she sleeps from 3am to 7am, there is no need for her to sleep that soon after if she slept well. Her 9am nap does have flexibility, but if she sleeps at 8, then she sleeps late (till around 10), then is late feeding, is late for other naps and meals, and it messes uup the entire schedule, and she doesn't sleep well at night. This schedule is proven good for babies, and works with her needs.
Different babies need different things, and this one happens to go on a schedule easily. I agree with the parents' schedule, and know that if she doesn't stay awake until 9, the rest of the day goes from bad to worse, and the night is even more so.
2006-06-21
04:32:17 ·
update #1
She sleeps one to one and a quarter hour at nine, then two to two and a half hours at noon (approximately. It's almost never exact.)
2006-06-21
16:45:16 ·
update #2
She might be needing more sleep because of a pending growth spurt. My boys always sleep lots, and eat lots right before a growth spurt. Abviously the schedule doesn't work for her because she is wanting to sleep. She may be cranky all day because she is teething, and it may have nothing to do with her nap.
2006-06-21 05:16:35
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answer #1
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answered by kirsty h 2
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Whether she responds to the schedule easily or not, I still think it's more for convenience to the parents than for the baby. It's like people who say they have their child potty-trained at 6 months old, but that's a whole other issue.
To keep her awake you will have to try to keep her active, but even that's not a guarantee. More than once I've seen my girls actively playing and just lay down and be asleep in less than 5 seconds. You can only do so much. It might be easier to try to move her whole chedule up by an hour. Get her up at 6 instead of 7, so that by the time 8 rolls around she does need the nap.
Of course, you have to consider the parents wishes and schedule, but it may be time to sit down with them, tell them that the schedule that worked well before just isn't working any more because of the swim classes, and work together to come up with a new schedule. They hired you because they trust you with their children. If they are good people they should respect your opinion and be willing to work with you to find a solution that works for everyone and is healthy for baby.
2006-06-21 05:00:53
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answer #2
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answered by momofmalia 2
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You should never put a baby on a sleep schedule...you should let them sleep when they're tired. If you were very tired and wanted to take a nap, but your husband kept talking to you or insisting you go for a walk with him (or anything else to keep you awake), would you like that?? I didn't put my older son on a schedule...he napped when he wanted. When he was about a year old, he started taking one big nap (after lunch) instead of one short one in the a.m. and one short one in the afternoon. My 11 month old son is the same way...he's made his own sleep schedule now and is down to one long nap every day after lunch.
I know it's not your place, but you should try to find some way to talk with the parents of this baby and let them know that putting such a young baby on a rigorous schedule isn't good for her. She should be able to sleep when she wants...not when it's "convenient" for them.
2006-06-21 04:10:48
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answer #3
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answered by brevejunkie 7
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Just a question. Why can't she nap at the pool?
And anybody who insists you can set the schedule of an infant that young is wacked. If it is the parents, and they are adament about this, I would find a different family to work with. Again, you can't set the schedule of a 7-week old baby.
2006-06-21 03:34:39
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answer #4
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answered by powhound 7
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Perhaps it's time to ask the parents to make a slight adjustment to the strict schedule for babies sake. A seven week old should sleep when she wants and not be forced awake to accommodate someone else's schedule for her.
2006-06-21 03:33:53
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Sorry but you can't keep a newborn awake! They need all the sleep they can get and they do not need to be on a schedule. I have a 5 month old and tried a schedule...yeah right! Let her sleep!
2006-06-21 03:40:11
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answer #6
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answered by Workinmamma 4
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You shouldn't be controlling the sleep patterns of such a young child. The baby will set its own schedule regardless of what you do. Playing with her or anything else will not keep her awake if she's tired.
2006-06-21 03:41:43
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answer #7
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answered by Giving/Seeking Advice 3
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wow that's strange to the ear. how do u keep a shcedule for a newborn. it's only normal for her to sleep especially at this stage. she'll sleep alot the only reason u cd attempt to keep her awake is if she does not sleep all thru the nite cos she sleeps all day long but if not allow the babe to sleep. i tried keeping my baby awake by taking her out, playing softly with her, distracting her from sleeping and it worked but i wasn't so strict on that sometimes i allow her to have it her way.
2006-06-21 03:52:30
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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It's stupid to have a strict schedule with a new baby. They need to sleep when they are tired and be awake when they want to be awake.
2006-06-21 03:37:56
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answer #9
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answered by KathyS 7
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Oh goodness, that poor baby. As a mother of 3, I can't even imagine such a thing.
Babies need sleep when they need sleep. If she is tired, she should be allowed to sleep.
2006-06-21 03:36:07
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answer #10
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answered by AOMGMC77 5
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