i want to put him on a routine.. but there are hurdles...?

Question

i belive in babies having routine.. if you don't, please don't asnwer this question.. i want answers that agree with my way of parenting..




he's 4 months and is able to go 4 hours between feeds. and play 2 - 2 1/2 hours before needing a nap. So i want to establish a routine where he'll eat, play, then sleep untill he's hungry again. This will work out perfect will the hours of sleep he requires during the day.. One problem.. he only takes 45 minutes naps.. then is cranky after an hour... Any suggestions on a different routine that don't require feeding before nap?

when i put him back to sleep after that 45 mins ( with alot of crying ) he'll wake up when hungry and is much more happy baby and our day is so smooth when i stick to this.. i would love to make it work.. but i can't change his catnapping habit

no, he doesnt sleep longer if he's fed right before naps.. and he also wakes up at night every 45 min's wanting to be fed.. soooo no

Answer 1

i think that maybe if you keep putting him back to sleep after 45 min's he'll eventually sleep through by himself.. It may take a couple of weeks though.. Or you can throw the routine out the window and watch him for a couple of days.. see when he sleeps better, and eats better and then draft a new one that both of you can be happy with..

good luck

Answer 2

i think that you should be letting him play before eating and then take a nap. All my kids eat before going to sleep and they sleep much better. About 2 hours. The only time that I had a problem with my children taking good naps is when they were getting food before they laid down. My kids wake up around 8 and play and have a snack and then a nap...when they wake up they are hungary and then they play for quite a while and then take another nap. When they wake up its about time for supper so they eat, play and then lay down for bed with snacks in between here and there.

Answer 3

this must be your first child.....

you need to listen to you baby. your routine is obviously not working since he's still doing a lot of crying....he's not doing it for the fun of crying. i know you like routines, but try following his cues a little better. it's obvious he has worked up a hunger after all that playing. i allowed my little one to make her own routine simply by watching her cues. at about 4 months, she'd wake up, play, eat, play a little more, then down to bed. 8 months later, it's still working and she's a supremely happy child.

Answer 4

feed him then play for a few hours give him a bottle then nap

he will sleep longer if he is fed right before nap