What is the best age to start introducing a sleep schedule to babies?

Answer 1

Never. A baby will sleep when she/he is tired. That's the best schedule for your baby, although it will sometimes be inconvenient for the parents.

Answer 2

Babies are really smart.
When they are tired they sleep and when they have had enough sleep they wake up.
Why not listen to your baby and let him/her tell you want he needs? It is hard to go wrong when you listen to and trust your baby.

Did you know that schedules were only invented a couple of hundred years ago when people began working in factories rather than in their own homes or farms? The factory owner would have a big clock outside the building so that people could see when it was time tio come to work. Before that, only rich people had clocks.

This system was also used in the army, and then adopted by Florence Nightingale when she started training nurses in the late 19th century. Nurses worked eight hour shifts so they fed the babies at the beginning and middle of those shifts.

Obviously, this has nothing to do with what babies really need. It is completely artificial, just a convenience for employers and the military and hospitals.

Answer 3

I was actually shocked to read so many people suggesting you attempt to put a NEWBORN BABY on any kind of schedule!! Ludicrous! Let baby lead the way for the schedule. Baby knows when to sleep, when to eat, and most babies (save some preemies who you need to wake to make sure they eat enough) will do what they need to do. They may need help falling asleep, but their behaviors let you know when their ready. You can certainly start introducing the concept of night and day. Keep things bright during the time, dimming some while they nap, and very dim, low key, low stimulation during the night. But that certainly doesn't mean baby will suddenly start being awake during the day and asleep at night. They don't work that way.
If after a month, baby is still awake often or for lengthy times at night, you may need start making sure she's not taking 2-3 hour naps during the day. Wake him/her up after an hour or two. But mostly, babies do best if you only gently, slowly, push for some sort of schedule. Let them lead you with when they need to eat, sleep and play. They know what they need.

Answer 4

As soon as you can start it is better to have a baby on a schedule for your and the baby's sake, but with a newborn you have to be on demand at all hours of the night so it's a little tough with the new ones. My daughter was on a regular sleep pattern by 4months. Your main objective is to get the baby use to that the night is for sleeping and the day is for being awake and active.

Answer 5

Four months was a good time for me with my two sons. My ped. recommended after doubling birth weight to let them self sooth at night and stop midnight feedings - bad for their teeth (when they get them anyway) That is of course assuming the baby is healthy.

If you mean all day sleep schedule start right away. Don't let them get their nights and days mixed up. Keep the lights bright at "awake" time and dim at sleeping times.

Answer 6

from the very start you'll want to start "teaching" them the difference between night and day. you may have noticed when you were pregnant that your baby started kicking more just as you getting into bed... because your movements during the day (walking, etc) lulled her to sleep. So now you'll have to teach her the opposite. During night-time feedings keep your voice low, no bright lights or distractions (including the TV), no playtime. Also, try to set a routine around her "bedtime" -- changing into PJs, bottle from daddy, reading a book, taking a bath, whatever works for you. I also had her take her daytime naps in well-light rooms and not in her crib... so she learned that when i did finally put her in the crib/bassinet, it meant a new phase of the day.

Trying to keep your baby awake during the day is not a recommended solution. A baby who hasn't taken all the naps she wants/needs will become cranky and fussy. A cranky, fussy baby is not likely to fall asleep easily at night. My baby takes many long naps during the day, this never effected her sleep at night.

Answer 7

Let your baby do her thing. She'll let you know when she's tired and then you cuddle up with her and sleep or put her in her crib. You don't schedule sleep--your baby sleeps when she's tired. Introduce a sleep schedule when your "baby" turns 1.

Answer 8

babies sleep a lot when they're still infants, but they get up regularly for feedings....i think you have to feed a newborn every 2 hours or so...its best to start introducing a sleep schedule early...like get them used to seeing light during the day so they know time for being up and darkness during the night, so they know its time for sleep...

Answer 9

I had a similar situation with my son, so even as he became 4 months, I made a plan to no longer do something yet feed and regulate him between the hours of 12am and 5am. beforehand or after that, i ought to stay/ upward push up. Then as he were given used to that agenda, i began stretching the cases that he had to sleep. interior of a few months, he replaced into drowsing from 9 to 6. He did awaken different cases at evening till he replaced into 15 months, yet i imagine it is because he replaced into starting to be so quickly, that he ought to burn correct by his foodstuff. inspect mom2mommy for extra large parenting data. and prefer us on facebook!

Answer 10

With mine, there's no sleep schedule. I find babies adjust themselves naturally. They'll sleep well after a good feeding.