Hello everyone! Well I unfortunately have to go back to work in a few weeks...and I am just trying to figure out a schedule for my 4.5 month old daughter. When I go to work my husband is going to be watching her until he goes to work at 3...then my father will watch her until I get home at 5...which works out great...but I really need some sort of structure and routine...so everyone can plan their day accordingly...and make sure she gets all her naps in and all her feedings in. She is formula fed and we are slowly introducing solids at this point...just once a day right now..but will be moving on to twice a day soon. Can you please share what your schedules are like for your 4 - 5 month olds. Thanks!
Good Luck, I don't know how a person can put a 4.5 month old on a schedule. Routine is good as far as who does what. Each day and second is different.
Actually, I did write out a loose schedule for all my caretakers (my neighbor, child care, family, etc) I updated it about every two to three months. I based it on the routine my child and I were doing at home. it was more of a timetable to the day based on my child so they knew what he was expecting to have happen. I left a lot of wiggle room, but things like feeding and naps aren't really negotiable in terms of when the baby wants/needs to nap/eat. I also gave guidlines like (2 - 4 oz feeding, but if he doesn't eat, no problem, try again before nap #2) or something similar to that. I did map it out hour by hour or 1/2 hour. Once they got comfortable with him though, they picked up on the baby's schedule pretty well and started sharing changes with me:)
What type of routine are you currently on? Start with that.
For example, baby wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30 and eats 2-3 ounces after waking. Baby is awake for 2-3 hours then naps for approximatley 1-2 hours and eats anouther 2-3 ounces after waking., etc.
just take one of your typical days and jot it down and there is your routine.
i wouldn't focus too much on actual times, except for approximations. They are going to change on their own anyways. :) One day the baby might sleep for 1 hour in the morning and other day sleep for 2 hours.
one last questions....is your baby easy of fussy? does she already have her own little pattern/routine or do you have to struggle to try to keep each day somewhat consistant? i only ask because i have had experience with both and feel free to contact me if you want to chat further :)
I agree with Cynthia that a "schedule" sounds a bit much at this age, but guidelines to leave for her caretakers are possible. One nap in the morning, one nap in the afternoon, change her when needed, and feed her when hungry...
My son is 4 months and this is his routine... give or take . Wake up 7:30 - 8:00 AM. Breast milk or formula bottle. Play - tummy time etc. Nap around 10AM. Wake up around 11. Play a little bit. Bottle around 12ish. Go for a walk, tummy time, play etc. Nap around 1ish until 2:30 - 3:00PM. Play. Bottle at 4PM. Exersaucer, another walk, swing, play. Sometimes a short nap around 5:30PM. I start bath at 6:30PM . Bottle at 7:00pm. Bed time whenever he finishes bottle and read books and songs so around 7:30 ish. He sleeps through the night until the next morning when the routine begins again. I have a three year old also and she didn't have such a developed sched until 6 - 7 mos. I guess I just tried harder with #2. Of course this routine changes with preschool drop off/pick up and me needing to go out but he is a very happy baby. I personally think babies need consistancy and think he is the perfect example of that. Hope this helps.
