When Should You Start Sleeping Routine?

If you want to change anything about your babies routine then I'd begin doing it now. The longer you wait the more engrained your current routine becomes and it's what's expected. In my opinion 4 months is early for letting them go the night without feeding; we let our daughter decide her self when she didn't wake up anymore since I too am a stay at home mom and her wake up episodes took only about 15-20 minutes to do everything and get back in bed...so they didn't bother too much. She was 10 months when she stopped. I read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth and really enjoyed it. Our little girl is the best sleeper! There are many opinions out there and everyone's different, so I would read a book and decide for yourself what works best. Good luck.

You are a great mom listening to you mama instincts and following them!!! I would keep on doing what you're doing - you are in sync with your baby and that is the most important thing. Sounds like you have a nice routine going; and at some point, that too, will change again as your baby and his needs change. My kids nursed through the night for a long time; it all ends soon enough.

oYur son sleeps for 5-6 hours from 10 pm on, so that is a good indication that he is on his way to sleeping through the night. When he wakes up after that, are you automatically feeding him, or do you know if he can self-soothe himself back to sleep without it? That is where sleeping in a crib could give you your answer. You are right to think about if it is time or not to sleep in a crib, but only you can make that choice as to what is best. It seems that he is taking an awful lot of naps, and should be on more of a routine of night sleeping, then 2 naps during the day.That said, every baby is different, and yes,for the most part, routines can be learned at this age. The only way to know is to try, and if he doesn't adapt, then try again in a month. Expect some crying initially, but not excesively. Try the crib sleeping during daytime naps to gt him used to it and see how that goes. I agree with the others that you have to do what is best for you, and sometimes that means crib sleeping.

my kids slept with me in the big bed for 6 months.. I moved them to the crib on their 6 month birthday.. it was no big deal- they adjusted fine..

My only concern with your plan is if your son needs to sleep right up close to mom - he will have a hard time adjusting to the crib.. I gave my kids 1/2 the bed... I got the other half... we did not cuddle all night.

Also it might be nice to move up his bedtime so that you can visit with hubby without the baby awake..

My kids both breastfed.. got up every single night.. one for a full year and one for 7 months... and the smaller lighter baby is the one that slept through the night first..

I think sleeping through the night is a developmental milestone.. they have to be mature enough to do it.. they just gradually learn to sleep in a more organinzed manner for longer periods more like adult sleep.

I continued to bf my kids int he middle of thenight as long as they wanted.. It is easier than listening to them cry.

I think that you have a great schedual already. If you want to start transitioning to the crib I would do that at the nap times. As far as babies not needing to eat during the night I just plain disagree with that, especially for a bf baby. You breast milk has a higher fat content during the night. None of my kids slept through the night until about 18 months.
Enjoy your baby and don't worry about what you "should" be doing. You are his Mother and you know what is best for him.
Blessings, K.

About this age the babies become much more aware of their surroundings so I would do now what you plan to do when he is 1 1/2 and 2 years old.

Unless you don't have another bedroom I would move him to his own room now. Otherwise you may have a hard time tranistioning him later.

I have posted possible schedules on my blog. You may want to check it out.

www.shapinglittlesouls.blogspot.com

You should do whatever works for you and baby...who cares what anyone else thinks. All baies have wierd sleep things going on well into their first birthday and then some. Co-sleeping is wonderful We had all three of ours in there with us...all my friends thought we were crazy..oh well! They eventually went to their own beds. He is only 4 months old...he needs to eat when he is hungry. Go with your gut, do what feels right for you and baby and don't worry about the "schedule" everyone else thinks you should have.

I do not believe in scheduling a breastfeeding baby. They let you know what they need. Lots of cuddling and attention and nursing on demand. Relax and enjoy your sweet baby! That's my advice.

Sounds like you have a wonderful understanding between you and your baby!
Just wanted to share my experience.... I had a very similar routine and when my baby started sleeping from about 11pm-5or6am (about 5 months) we started to slowly transition to the crib and moved bedtime up to 7:30ish....
However, when we did this she started waking about midnight, but after the midnight nurse she slept until 6am so that worked for us. It wasn't until closer to a year that she was regularly skipping that midnight nursing.
Enjoy your time getting to know one another!

I just wanted to chime in and say that I don't think that it is bad that your child co-sleeps or goes to bed when you go to bed. I think the most important thing is that whatever you are doing is working for you and your family.

I am very relaxed about sleeping and eating. I have a 4 year old and a nine month old and I do not schedule for either children. Bed time is at a reasonable hour, but based in part on what is going on in our lives and ques from the children. Both children and doing great and our family is happy so it is working for us.

In terms of sleeping through the night, I really think all babies are different and that some babies desire more touch and contact than other babies.

If my baby wakes and wants to nurse, I feed her. I feel like babies nurse for all sorts of reasons and if she wakes and nurses only because she is looking for comfort, I am okay with that. Even if this is a learned behavior, I am happy to teach my baby that she is loved and that I am there for her even in the middle of the night.

I encourage you to listen to your heart and make decisions based on what your child and your family need. Best of luck.