I need a good schedule for a 6-month old. What time to feed and put to bed and when do you try to start your mornings. We just went for 6 month checkup and she said that I need to have a schedule, I Guess that I probably should have already had one, but I didn't. She says that I need to start letting him cry himself to sleep and do not get up with him in the middle of the night. I don't really even know where to start. He does not nap longer than 45min 2-3 times per day, and the longest he has ever slept was 6 hrs and that has only been 3 times in his life. Please help!!!
2006-10-13 13:38:33 · 8 answers · asked by Bird79 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
As much as the new age of parents tells you you don't need a schedule, your doctor is right. It will be easier and happier for both of you if you do. Once he starts sleeping through the night he'll nap better during the day. Put him to bed at 8, but have a nightime routine that is the SAME every night. Bath, reading, bottle or breast, then bed. Crying it out will be the most difficult thing you've ever done, but after a few nights he'll sleep all night long. YEAH! Then you can work out a daytime routine. Usually wake, bottle or breast, play for 45min-1.5hours and then nap for an hour or so. Repeat throughout the day.
Good luck!!! Don't worry or stress yourself out too much. You two will find a rhythm and a schedule that works for you both. You're a great mom!
2006-10-13 13:46:16 · answer #1 · answered by Jilli Bean 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter (10 months) has always been a good sleeper so I guess she has always just set her own schedule but to give you an idea-- she wakes up around 7-730 -- generally takes a nap for 45mins by late morning-- -- 2 hour nap by 3 dinner with us around 6, bath, feeding and in bed by 730--- the key like the doctor said is to be consistent with bedtime rituals etc
also don't get stressed out about it, I think babies often pick up on our frustrations; letting them cry themselves to sleep is hard at first but trust me it works-- just set a timer for yourself (I started with 5 minutes) and walk away-- if they're still crying after that then you can respond--- i found with my daughter the more I tried to rock her etc I was just prolonging bedtime-- now she still whines sometimes but is usually out like a light ib a few mintues! Just start with babysteps and realize that routines will benefit both you and the baby!
2006-10-13 14:30:00 · answer #2 · answered by tessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know what? That Doctor is not very sensitive at all!! She doesn`t live with you, does she?? MY rule is...do what FEELS right for all of you. For a Doctor, that is trained to heal illnesses not to give advice on Parenting, to tell you to let your baby cry it out is totally ignorant. What works for some parents, doesn`t work for others. I never let my kids Cry themselves to sleep. EVER! And they are wonderful, good behaved kids! I could not bear to have my baby cry for me in a dark room! For me that is totally cruel. I can see why some parents do it, they are tired and want a quick fix. Sorry, I`d feel guilty, so it would never work for me, that does not mean I`m a sucker. I never really had a planned out schedule. I just listened to her cues and worked from there. My older one is almost 8 (next week) and the little one is 3 1/2.
2006-10-13 17:17:54 · answer #3 · answered by Roxie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, your Dr. sounds like a |3itch! But anyways...I am all for scheduling, but everyone is different, so a schedule that works for one child and parent, may not always work for the next. Mine is 10 months now, but her schedule at 6 months was as follows:
6:00-Wake up, and I would give her about 8 oz. milk
Then I would change her diaper, and she would stay up for about a half hour longer.
7:00-9:00-Nap
9:00-She would again wake up, and I would feed her a small bowl of oatmeal, Change her diaper, etc...Before I would lay her down again, I would give her some fruit and crackers.
11:30-13:30-Nap
13:30-Wake up, and would then feed her lunch, play, change diaper, run errands, etc...(Don't forget about snack)
16:30-18:00-Nap
!8:00-Wake up, and immediately feed her dinner. Play, Change diaper, etc...
19:30-Give another 6-8 oz. Bottle of milk
Get ready for bed, Give bath, brush teeth, etc...
20:00- Bedtime, I always kept a night light on, and I still do to this day.
20:30-Go check on your baby, make sure she is sleeping in the right position, etc...
23:00(Or whenever you go to bed) Make sure to check on your baby again, just for comforts sake.
Then the schedule starts all over again the next day!
Things will change for your baby of course, but this is basically the rough draft of how we did it, and still do. Life changes, circumstances change, you can't help that. The most important thing is that your baby is being well taken care of. And no matter how much you "schedule" them is not going to change how well they are being taken care of. Yes, I noticed a BIG difference from when our daughter started on a schedule then before, when she woke and went to bed whenever she wanted. She is a lot more settled and happy now. As for checking on them in the middle of the night, I don't see a problem with it. I just peek in the door to make sure that she is alright. 75% of the time, she is in a weird position, has taken off her diaper, has her foot stuck in the crib bar, etc...So I would not encourage NOT checking on your child. Even if they look like everything is fine, they might have had a bad dream, or they might just miss you. Hold them for a few minutes, and, as they know that you are still there for them, it will comfort them. They will be fast asleep before you know it. But you need to make that decision, not your Doctor. Okay, I think I have typed enough...I hope this was some sort of help..God bless! And enjoy your angel as much as possible, the time flies!
Added: As for him not napping for very long, sometimes I will just put a small toy in the crib. Even though they are not sleeping, they still learn that it is quiet time. This can be a great mind saver for you, when you just need a break!
2006-10-13 15:30:43 · answer #4 · answered by yoohoosusie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My ped. said the same thing and my daughter was waking up in the middle of the night cause she was hungry. I would get up with him and feed him then put him directly back down.My daughters schedule is as follows
8am- wake up half a cup of cereal and then 4 oz. of formula, awake for about an hour
9am-11am-nap.
11am- wake up and eat two stage two jars of food and then a little juice, play time and anything else I had to do outside of the house.
2pm-3pm- nap
3pm- 4oz. of juice or formula
5pm-6pm- nap
6pm- dinner two jars of food and 4oz of juice or formula
6pm-8:30pm-playtime and dinner time for adults
8:30pm-bath time
9pm-last bottle for the night and the bedtime.
I do let me daughter cry herself to sleep but only because normally she wont cry for then five minutes.
2006-10-15 05:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by g_bug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get him in a comfortable position, try letting him fall asleep on your chest. Dont wear a shirt , keep it skin to skin, the warmth of your skin will soothe the baby and the beating of your heart will relax him.If he wakes up in the middle of the night, you dont have to pick them up, just touch them softly and talk calmly to him, he will fall asleep. As for a schedule, there is none, they will go with what you do.They will let you know when they are hungry
2006-10-13 13:45:22 · answer #6 · answered by sinclairbratovich 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends do you wanna get up early or later? if you want an early schedual do..7 or 8 get him up and keep him up then around 10 put him back to sleep then at 1 put him bac k to sleep til 2 keep him up the rest the time and he sho ul dbe worn out by the time 8 comes...lol at then if you want a late schedual you need to wake him up at 10..put him to sleep at 1 or 2 and keep him up the rest of the time and put him to sleep at 8 ....goodluck i almost confused myself but goodluck!
2006-10-13 13:47:25 · answer #7 · answered by cutenwild1769 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had similar problems...
Get the book Coping with your child's sleep problems by Richard Ferber...it changed my life...and I guarantee it will change yours..but you must follow the instructions...
Please try it...it will work...NURSE
2006-10-13 15:27:03 · answer #8 · answered by BunnyRabbit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋