Transitioning a Young Babys Schedule?

My schedule changed every 3 months when my son was an infant. What I learned with my OWN (insert all babies are different spiel) is that prepping was pointless, but it only took him about a week to adjust to 'reality'.

If I had to be up while he was sleeping it was *awesome*, because I woke, showered, dressed, ate, got all of his gear together so we could be out the door in 2 minutes flat... and then I just changed his diaper while he was sleeping, popped him in his carseat, and walked out the door. If he woke during that process (my son learned to sleep through anything) it was 'Big Smiles' and snuggle and in his carseat with a bottle and out the door ... OR... his babysitter just came while he was sleeping and *I* walked out the door.

It would always take him about a week to 'figure out' the new schedule and adjust himself. With my own son, that meant sleeping while I was gone. When I was gone during the day, but home at night... he slept a lot during the day and was up half the night. When I was gone at night he dropped daytime naps (or shortened them) to be up most of the day.

Prepping was pointless, though (learned that and suffered). But just 'doing it' he had himself sorted in a week or less. A new 'pattern' emerged every 3 months. Clever little bug.

At 4 months DS had a schedule - it went wake, eat, change, play, sleep, repeat q 3-4 hours until 11p-12 am. sleep 5-7 hours then start over. Sounds like your son is exactly the same - we didn't call them naps - he just fell asleep when he was tired. When we needed to get to daycare earlier - we just got up earlier, changed him and if he seemed ready to eat, fed him. If not - he got fed at daycare. I suspect your son will shift his timing back a little when you start getting him up earlier and I don't think it will be a big problem. I am not sure why (other than the middle of the night) it matters to you when he sleeps.

At 4 months, I can't imagine this is going to be too difficult. I would just get up a little earlier than you need to in order to get ready for work (just in case he's extra needy). Get yourself ready for work, get his things ready for work and if he wakes up in the meantime feed and change him. If he doesn't wake up, just put hiim in the carseat and take him to the sitter. He'll adjust very quickly. He might have one or two cranky days, but I'm guessing that will be all!

Try not to worry! He's going to be just fine.

my daughter coslept with us. SO, she went to bed the same time I did, and usually woke up about the same time as well. at 4 months she would take about 2 naps every day (if I remember correctly).

Even if she slept in a bassinet next to the bed... she always seemed to follow my "sleep schedule".

Now that she is older she sleeps about 1/2 hour to an hour longer than I do. She goes to bed at the same time as us though (but now she goes to bed in a toddler bed... although she doesn't always STAY there...)

Anyways... unless you are a real night owl, try putting him to bed within a few minutes of the time YOU go to bed. then wake him up after you are up and dressed and have had a chance to grab a quick breakfast. If he is cranky for a few days that is OK, he is adjusting. During the day, follow his cues (or have the provider follow his cues) for when he needs a nap and for how long.

Babies this age are very "malleable" and actually adjust to change pretty quickly, because THEY are changing so fast! If you take the lead, he will follow. With a 4 month old I would guess the transition wont last more than a couple of weeks if you are consistent.

Good Luck!
-M.