Should I put my 6 month old on a schedule?

Question

I have a healthy 6 m/o. He will be officially 6 months on Tues. I was just wondering if other mommies have or had there little ones on schedules. I just want to make the little guy happy. And i have read that babies love consistency. Our lives are anything but consistent. One day he will go 3 hrs in between his next feed. Then the next he will go only 2 in between. When we are at home he only wants to stay up for an 1 hr 1/2. But if we go out to church, target etc. He will stay up for 3 or so hrs at a time. How do i put him on a schedule if he doesnt stay up very long when we are home, but along time when we are out. So needless to say we are out and about alot. When or how should i put him on a schedule. Did you put your baby on a schedule. Is it weird that he only stays up 1 1/2 hrs. at home and way more when we are out. I dont know what to do. Im a desperate first time mom, just wanting to do the right thing. Any suggestions would be so wondeful. Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

It is true that kids thrive off consitency and routine. While I would not worry about minor variations such as 2 or 3 hours between feeds, it is easy to, and very beneficial, to start up some sort of daily routine.

For example:

*Try and establish a 'waking time' in the morning (maybe try opening up the curtains at a certain time).

*Establish (as best on can) nap times. If these are preceded by quiet activities (such as reading together) your child will naturally calm down and learn to anticipate the nap.

*I make afternoons (after lunch, before dinner) the high-energy play time (ie. running around, going to the park, dancing etc.). This way she gets to let off all her loose energy before dinner and really exhausts herself for bed! I always find that the afternoon is the time where she is most likely to get silly, and that if I let her expend all of this silly energy it will be less likely to wreck havock with her eating dinner/going to bed etc.

*Try to establish a consistent bed time. I have always stuck to the bath-feed-book-bed routine with my little girl (from about 4-6 months, and she is 23 months now) and found that it worked really well (well, usually!). Once she gets in the bath (at about 6:45pm) she knows that her milk is coming after (7:00pm), followed by a book or two (7:15pm), and then to lie down and relax for bed (7:30pm).

The world is a big and crazy place for littlies, and they do benefit from the consistency of routine. It allows them to predict what is coming next, and helps them to feel safe and secure in their surrounding.

Good luck with your little one, and relax, you sound like you are doing a wonderful job!!

Answer 2

My daughter was very difficult as a baby--just screaming non-stop, weird feeding times, up in the middle of the night, etc. My best friend (who has 6 children) suggested scheduling her. It gives a child who is a little lost some parameters, and as you said, consistency. My 2nd child is much more easy-going, and hasn't needed the same structure of a schedule. What's interesting is my daughter is now 4, and she stills requires somewhat of a schedule. I think it has to do with her personality.
Anyway, here's what I did:
--write down your tentative plan for a schedule after you have observed your son for a couple of days. What was his schedule and time frame for things when he is the happiest? This will help you find his natural cycle.

--post the schedule, so both you and your spouse can see it

--adhere to the schedule. Now this can get a little tricky! He will likely cry, and be upset at the scheduling of feeding and naps. You will need to prepare yourself for this, and be strong. When my daughter cried, I asked myself the 3 magic questions--1) has she been changed/have a clean diaper?2) has she been fed? 3) had she been burped/rid of gas? As long as those 3 things had been checked, I would let her cry it out. It's gut-wrenching, but you have to endure some crying to make the adjustment. However, you need to set a time limit for the crying. If you feel that you can't take it after 15 minutes, then go into the room and soothe him, hold him, and then put him back to bed.

Scheduling is not for everyone. It took a weekend to put my daughter on a schedule, and it was difficult. The payback was a happy baby that slept through the night, and had a totally changed manner. You gotta do what you think is best for the both of you, and good luck!

Answer 3

If a schedule fits into your family's lifestyle, it's great. But it doesn't really sound like that's your case. I tried schedules for quite some time and found that, for us, it just never worked out the way I had planned. By the time I got it going one way, something would change in someone's work hours or my son didn't need as much sleep or something else. I know families that are absolutely strict about what time meals and naps happen and it works great for them. It's all about what fits with you.

Babies do like consistency. It makes them feel secure. But that doesn't mean that you have to feed him and have him nap at the exact same time everyday. It's the 'routine' of things that they like. A bedtime routine is a great example. If you do certain things in the same order every evening before bed, then he gets geared up for bed. He knows what's going to happen next, next, next and then to bed. Good things to incorporate into the bedtime routine are baths, reading books, singing soft songs, rocking, and having a bottle. You probably already have a routine more than you know. Say, you always change diaper, wash face, and comb hair before you leave to go somewhere.

I think it's totally normal that he stays up longer when he's out somewhere. He's just stimulated by the people, sounds and things to look at.

My suggestion is that if you want to try an actual time-based schedule it's fine. If you find that it doesn't work for you, don't worry about it. Just kind of keep the routine (order of events) for some things.

Answer 4

The earliest you start developing a schedule the better. I have a six month old son also and since he was 4 months he has been gong to bed around 9-10 pm and every 3 hours awakes to be fed a 6 ounce bottle then goes back to sleep. Awakes at 8 am or usually a half hour give or take from that. Naps at 11 or 12 plays all day till 5 then naps and plays and eats before bed again around 9 or 10. try awaiting bath time until about that time because a bath usually gets them sleepy. Pop a botttle into their mouth and lay them in the crib with lights dimmed or off. Once they are asleep you can take the bottle away.

Answer 5

I found that a scheadule has worked wonders for me and my son. He actually has been on a schedule since about 3 months. I found that he is generally happoer when we stick to the schedule. Of course every now and then certain things just have to be done that conflict with it. But with a little time you will figure out to work around it. Your baby probably stays up while out because he is being stimulated. At least that's how it is with my son. He wnats to see EVERYTHING around him. Well Good luck! Let me know if you want any tips on how to implement a schedule- i lookef up a ton of stuff and tried what seemed to fit my style the best and it worked great!

Answer 6

The reason babies were put on schedules was for their feedings, every four hours.That was old hospital rules. Nowadays things are more flexible. The benefits for today would be routine. Some babies like routine. You need time for nurturing, nutrition, stimulation, and observation..If you are a working mom he has to work around your schedule. But be aware that if you're too scheduled he will get bored with it. I have two new grandsons and already they like spontaneous outings. Its exciting and new.That is why he stays up more when you are out.So observe his built in schedule and have a basic routine around it. ie naps and meals, and bathtime/bedtime.( and even these need to be flexible because some days he will be more tired than others.) but leave the rest of the day for spontaneous new adventures.It will be more fun for you both!!!

Answer 7

Schedules are not necessary, although they can be helpful... It is especially nice to have a schedule if someone is watching your son that is not familiar with his cues for hunger or being tired...

The consensus seems to be that he should have been on a schedule since birth... Not so. A newborn needs to be fed when he is hungry and allowed to sleep when he is tired. It is around 4 months that most babies put themselves on their own schedule because they are napping less and going longer between feedings and eating a consistent amount at each feeding.

I've been helping raise my nephew while living with my sister, and we let him make his schedule at about 6 months. I documented when he woke up, when he ate, and when he slept for 3 days. I realized that he did all of these things pretty consistently. So he did not wake up at the same time every day or go to bed at the same time every night, but about 3 hours after waking up he was ready for a nap. Sometimes he slept 40 minutes, sometimes 3 hours. So the schedule was pretty lenient and allowed him to sleep extra if he needed it.

Is your son happy? Is he reaching normal growth curves (height and weight)? Is he healthy? If yes, then you are doing fine. He should be eating about every 3 hours and sleeping when he is tired. When you are out he is less tired because there is more to see and do... Normal for all babies.

And never wake him up from a nap just because it is the time he is supposed to eat according to a "schedule" -- That is just ridiculous!!!

Answer 8

"Wanting to do the right thing" is wonderful, but can you maintain your sanity and health doing what you are doing. I suggest you try and establish some consistency, especially at night-time. I note you did not comment on this.

You have to be in good shape and humor to be able to "do the right thing", but don't push things too far. No baby ever suffered becaused his parents only "batted" 500 in doing the right thing. Moreover, schedules can be flexible. If junior has to cry a few minutes until you can get your act together, so be it.

Go to it, and send me a picture. I'm a grandfather of two, one of which is 7 months old.

Answer 9

Wow this may sound slightly harsh, but your son should have been on a schedule a long time ago. Some people believe that children should compose their own schedule, but I strongly disagree. Because I need to live a life that isnt based about my children solely. That may sound hateful, but I have more than one baby at home and daily chores and errands to run, so my daughter has a schedule that I have set up for her and it works. As did my son! I have both kids in bed by 7pm and they are up at 7:30 every morning. I feed them at exactly the same times every day. They nap at the same times every day. And I have never had my children wake up in the middle of the night for anything other than teething discomfort or a fever. I know you are doing your honest best but what's best for you and your little one is establishing a schedule that will work for your family. A good book to help you with this is Ask Supernanny by Jo Frost. It is very insightful. If you ever feel overwhelmed, just remember that all of the things you are doing are for the good of your child and that this too shall pass. It will be hard in the beginning while your little one gets acclimated to a schedule, but it works! Trust me! THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!

Answer 10

my son is the same age. Babies really do thrive on a routine, and yes they do love it. You have a much happier baby and very content. It is normal for him to be awake more while out, as frustrating as it is. Probably would have been better on a routine a little earlier but it is not too late. I read a book called save our sleep by Tizzie Hall, it was fantastic. It gives you a schedule from birth right up until introducing solids, even up to 2 years of age. This is a typical day for us:
7am bottle

8am solids

9-11am sleep (might not need this much, maybe an hour or so)

11am bottle

12pm solids

1-3pm sleep (again, might not need this much depends on his mood really)

3pm bottle

4:30pm nap

5:20pm solids

6pm bath

6:15pm bottle

7pm bed time


This really does work, you have to persevere at first, but after about a week, he should be used to these set times. If he wakes up earlier than 7am, just alter the schedule by keeping the same time frames. He can stay up a little longer though at his age, about 2 1/2hrs, but if he gets too grumpy put him to bed. It takes time, but once you are both used to it, you will be better off, and if you are going out, the best thing to do if you are out and it is sleep time is put a blanket or shader over the pram so it blocks out the sight of everything around him.

If you have trouble keeping him up for 2hrs, when he get's grizzly, try going outside or putting his feet in a bath, it distracts them. Oh one more thing, if you use a pacifier, get rid of it! If they use one to go to sleep, they don't sleep properly because they are using comfort to go to sleep and not learning to self settle. If u r using one, get rid of it after the 3rd day on the routine, so as to not shock him too much!! Baby steps

Good luck