Is my schedule too strict?

Question

I have a five month old that I'm starting to put on a more structured schedule. I'm worried that I may be over doing it. But, he hasn't given me any ques that this is too much for him, but (as a first time mommy) what do I look for?

Here's my typical schedule:
7 am wake up and eat
7:30 am play time on the play mat
8 am nap time
9:30 0 10 am wake up and play, sing, dance, or read until 10:30
10:30 am eat
11:30 1 serving of fruit, veggie, or rice cereal
11:45 nap
3 pm wake up and eat
5 pm another solid serving
5:30 nap
7 pm wake up and play until 8 pm
8 pm bath time
8:30 bottle
9 pm rock and lullabies (bedtime routine)

What do you guys think?
How can I be flexible, should I be flexible? Is scheduling my baby too mommy-esqe?

Yeah.

I think I'm becoming obessive about everything. Today I also cleaned out my closet, did three loads of laundry, getting my maternity clothes stored, and babies outgrown clothes stored. Plus, I made homeade ice cream sanwiches (from brownies).

Perhaps, I need to settle down.

Yes, I'm a stay at home mom.

Answer 1

as nice as it would be to have a set schedule, babies can be unpredictable and if he decides he's hungry at 5:30 and tired at 3 there's not much you can do about it. don't get me wrong it's good to have routine but you have to work with your baby, he's not a schedule book to be followed. If he keeps to that schedule that's great but if he signals for change be ready to go with the flow.

Good luck

Answer 2

Its nice that you have a schedule for all of this. I am a mother of 4 and a schedule is hard to stick to. Most likely because I have 4 kids.
As for your question, if your baby is happy with it and is abiding by your schedule majority of the time, well then obviously it works out for him. I do suggest that as he gets older you start taking away the nap times, have more play time/learning time. But you most likely already know that.
I'm still amazed at this schedule, but then again your a stay home mom and I work(recently changed from stay home mom) But now as I think of it I kind of did have a schedule kind of like this. I just never wrote it down.
But your baby will let you know when to change your schedule around. Its good to have for when they start school. I would just take out a nap some time through out the day, probably the evening nap. let him play some more. After all he is learning new stuff every day.

Just read the added. It seems as if you are getting a little restless with the time on your hands. But then again you might be enjoying all the extra time on your hands to make snacks and such things. Your a hands on mom which is GREAT!!! The world today needs a little more of hands on parents. Not saying all the time but sometime through out the day spend some time with the kids.

Answer 3

As long as he's happy with a structured schedule, keep him on it! Obviously, there will have to be some flexibility when you need to go somewhere or it's a holiday, but some babies thrive on a schedule. I'm working on getting my 3-month old on a schedule, and some days it's way off, and others it works well. Sounds like you're an involved mommy, and your little guy loves it! Keep up the good work!

Answer 4

i'm really confused. How does it take from 10:30 till 11:45 to feed a baby? Same with 3 till 5:30. Its nice your making a schedule but is everyone following it? If you have someone else watch them I doubt they are going to follow it the same as you do. Does your schedule ever change for appointments? I don't think its a bad idea, it just seems very impractical to do every activity at a scheduled time.

Answer 5

If this is working for you and your baby, then that is fine... but from your question, I get the feeling that you are not that happy with it!

Are you enjoying your baby?
Are you feeling confined by your schedule? Like, the sun is shining and you would like to go to the park or visit with friends but it is *time* for baby's nap?

Why do you think you have to have a schedule?

What do you think would happen if you didn't have one?
Do you think your baby would let you know he was hungry? How?
Do you think it is important for him to recognize hunger so that he can learn to eat only at those times, and not because the clock says it is time to eat?

What it all boils down to is, why not trust your baby to TELL you what he needs WHEN he needs it?
There will be plenty of time for schedules when he goes to school and work - in fact, the rest of his life.
Think how much easier YOUR life would be without a schedule!

Answer 6

It's great to get little ones on a schedule early. It sets limits and its something they know will be afforded them during a day with mom. Baby's will let you know when enough is enough, just be a little flexible. Oh work on that 5:30 nap the kid needs a little more stimulation even if it's watching you folding clothes while your talking to him.

Answer 7

I think that is great, starting off with a structure is good, b/c when he gets older he will have learned responsibility and time management, but remember he is a baby and all kids need to roam around and get into trouble every once in a while. Have a time when there is no set schedule.

Answer 8

Schedules are business enterprise and much less chaos for my area, while you mustn't plan each and each factor of the day, you will desire to have a ordinary it particularly is suited for each age of the youngsters. that's okay to have a 4 300 and sixty 5 days do a pair of issues that are age suited to assist the kin, it may all be placed on mom or that cycle will proceed onto their infants. below 3 is as much as you, I had my infants assisting interior the kin from the time they'd walk, putting away toys and so on. i think of you will desire to start each little thing youthful or you would be wanting sassy spoiled youthful infants ruling your place. additionally interior the person international there is often scheduling so why does not you present them the present of preperation for that?

Answer 9

i have kept the same schedule with my son since i brought him home. it's similar to yours,just different times. i think it's made it easier, in the long run. if you can keep that schedule, keep it. you know that you can always count on him to do the same thing every day. some experts say that this structure will make your child feel secure because he always knows what comes next. what i love the most is, i have ME time at nap time. whether it's a shower, walk on the treadmill, laundry. i know at 1:00p.m.he's going to be asleep. you go girl!!!!

Answer 10

I im a stay at home mom with a 18 month old. I think it is good you have a schedule for your little one. As long as this works for you and your baby i think it is fine.