Is my 13 week old baby to young to be set in a routine for eating and sleeping. He sleeps most of the way through the night but only when we go to bed at about midnight. He has no feeding pattern and grazes all day. What do you mare experienced, yet modern parents think?
2007-02-19 09:35:14 · 9 answers · asked by AnchovySoden 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Although setting a fixed schedule is hard.....you should start trying as early as you can.....a couple of key things....do not every withhold food if he is hungry......but set bed times and the like are good...the sooner you start the better....just remember set you times....but with young children you have to be flexible also.....
2007-02-19 09:58:00 · answer #1 · answered by yetti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babies tend to develop their own routine, but it changes frequently. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, sometime between 3-6 months he should get into a routine that includes about 5 feedings per 24 hour period. If he is bottle fed, 5-8 ounces 5 times a day is a pretty general guideline. If he is grazing, there may be two things happening. One, he may be easily distracted while eating. If he tends to stop and look around or stops eating when he sees someone or hears noises, try feeding him in his room with the blinds pulled and the door closed. If he has nursed well or consumed at least 4 ounces and he seems hungry again before 2 hours goes by, he may not be hungry, but needs a little extra sucking so try a pacifier. Also, every time he fusses or cries does not necessarily mean hunger. Hold off on the bottle or nursing and try to take him to a different room or outside or show him a book or a toy that he likes to look at. Talk to him or sing him a song or play "This little piggy" with his toes. Breast fed babies, especially, will go through "growth-spurt" times when they seem to want to nurse every hour. This seems to often occur around the 3 month age. Having a last feeding around midnight and sleeping a good 6 hours is a true blessing and is quite normal, but so is waking up to nurse or bottle feed 1-2 times in the night at his age. All babies are different. You can certainly try to ease him into a routine, but don't make it too rigid as his sleeping and eating needs will change as he grows. Plus, there will just be days when he is off routine so you will have to be flexible.
2007-02-19 10:11:31 · answer #2 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's never too early to set a routine. You jsut have to be okay with the fact that the routine will change and need to be adjusted as the baby grows.
While they're this little, focus on making routine with bathtime, bedtime. Feedings will become more routine as he gets older. If staying up until midnight is working for you... then go with that for now. I would slowly send him to bed a little earlier over a few weeks.
2007-02-19 09:41:22 · answer #3 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally dont believe in routines or schedules for babies.
Both my daughters set their own. They know when they need to sleep and eat and play. As they grow it changes. So I always went with what my daughters needed. They still have no concept of timing or anything so why force them into it.
When they are tired they will sleep. When they are hungry they will eat. When they want to be awake and social they will be.
Grazing all day is normal and natural. Babies need to do that.
You will find as he gets older he will start sleeping at around the same time everyday, and his periods of wakefullness will be around the same time. So just go with the flow and what he needs.
2007-02-19 10:43:26 · answer #4 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no the sooner you start him on a routin the better. Grazing all day is not cool, and your doc will be the first to tell you that. Trust me, spending many many years in day care I know. Setting what time he eats, sleeps and such will help both you and him. You should talk to your doc about what a good schedual would be for him. Don't be afraid to ask!
2007-02-19 09:42:37 · answer #5 · answered by pissedoffpoet20 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 13 weeks, the baby will let you know when they are hungry.And When they need to sleep. That is the joy of being a new parent!! My daughter is a year old now and still goes to bed at 8 PM one night and she will be dancing to barney at 11 PM the next..At 13 weeks, a schedule is not yet possible..
2007-02-19 09:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by ksk_05 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not have children of my own, but I have been a child caregiver for most of my life. Children respond very well to routines and it is very healthy for them to be on one. You should try and start a routine as soon as you come home from the hospital. Good Luck!
2007-02-19 09:51:52 · answer #7 · answered by katyh124 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try starting a routine but remember babies routines are not set in stone and are subject to change. They will always let you know what they want, babies to toddlers.
2007-02-19 10:17:29 · answer #8 · answered by HAH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds normal. Be very thankful that hes sleeping at night *knock on wood* If you do certain things at the same time every day..or every other day...like giving him a bath, changing his clothes, putting on music he'll catch on soon enough.
2007-02-19 09:39:32 · answer #9 · answered by santobugito 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋