A baby schedule may be the most useful tool in a new mom's arsenal. The most important fact to remember when employing a baby schedule is to understand that your baby's feeding and napping habits will affect your baby's ability to sleep through the night. (defined as any 5 hour stretch for a newborn) Specifically, how your baby eats and naps during the day will affect his ability to sleep through the night. The purpose of this schedule is to insure that your baby eats enough and sleeps enough during the day to be able to sleep through the night (10pm - 6 am) by 4 months old. Use the schedule as a guideline and be flexible, using your babies cues to meet his needs while staying on track.
Up to One Month
- Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours
- 8-10 feedings a day
- Wake to feed at the four hour mark
- Do not let baby sleep more than five hours at night if breastfeeding
Two Months Old
- Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours
- 7-9 feedings a day
- Napping 4 times a day ie. 8-10, 12-2, 4-6, 8-10
- Milestone: Baby may be sleeping through the night (11-5)
Three - Four Months Old
- Feed every 3 1/2 to 4 hours
- 5-6 feedings a day
- Napping 3 times a day ie. 9-11, 2-4, early evening
- Milestone: Baby will probably be sleeping through the night
Five - Six Months Old
- Feed every 4 hours
- Feeding lined up with family's breakfast, lunch, dinner times
- Feed at bedtime
- Breastfeeding moms feed or pump 4-6 times a day for milk supply
- Napping 2 times. Morning and afternoon
- Milestone: Baby's 10:00pm feeding is dropped
Seven Months - Year Old
- Feeding 3 times a day with a fourth at bedtime
- Napping 2 times 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours each day
Follow this baby schedule and you will be sleeping through the night before you know it. Remember to ask your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby's sleeping schedule. Best of luck and go get some sleep tonight!
Claudine Wolk, Author of It Gets Easier! And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. Visit me at my website http://www.Help4NewMoms.com
