Babywise Mom book of tracking sheets to keep track of everything you need to know to get your baby on a fabulous schedule and sleeping well.
I always recommend to keep a log while you are problem solving, and even while you are simply starting something new. It is much easier to analyze the situation when you have the data to look at and compare.
When I say keep a log, I mean a detailed log. Details. I like to make a spreadsheet and print it out, but the same can be done just by writing it out on a piece of paper. Do what works for you.
So what kind of details are we talking about? Let’s say you are working on sleep training.
- I would start by writing down the time baby woke up and ate.
- I would keep track of playtime activities and total waketime length (including time it took to eat).
- I would track the sleep cues you went by. Was it yawning? Was it eye rubbing? Fussiness? This can help you see which cue to go by.
- I would then write down the time baby was put down for a nap. Perhaps include what the naptime routine was if it varies.
- Next, I would describe the crying before the nap. How long was it? How intense was it? Describe it honestly.
- You will then start over when baby next wakes up, and this time, write down how long the previous nap was.
After several days of this, you can look at a sheet of paper and analyze what is going on.
Are there times of day baby seems to need to be put down sooner? Are there certain waketime activities that are over-stimulating the baby? What is working? What isn’t working?
This idea can be applied to any change or difficulty going on in baby’s life. Does your breastfed baby get really gassy sometimes? Keeping track of what you eat and when he has gas problems can help you pin down the problem foods for baby.
Tracking the introduction of solids on paper can help you more easily watch for food allergies. It is good to keep a log for those early months when you are establishing routine and milk supply.
How many wet and dirty diapers are normal (this is a question my pediatrician always asks me)? How many feedings a day? Some people can remember these things in their heads, others benefit from keeping track of things somewhere, somehow.
Babywise Mom Book of Logs
I have something exciting! I have created a book of logs. I have spent many, many hours over several months making these logs.
In this book I have:
- Daily log sheets broken down by age. On each page, it provides places to record feedings, naps, diapers, stats, events, playtime (when appropriate), and milestones. It also includes information for that age, such as suggested number of feedings, feeding intervals, and independent play lengths.
- Sleep training log
- Dreamfeed log
- Optimal waketime log for tracking waketime day by day and help you figure out what is optimal.
- Optimal waketime weekly log for tracking waketime for the whole week on one sheet.
- Independent Playtime daily log for tracking indpendent play on a day by day basis.
- Solids log for helping you while you introduce new foods to your baby.
- Language log for helping you with teaching signs to your baby.
- The Babywise Timeline. Two pages that summarize your baby’s first year.
- Infographics for quick references for sleep milestones.
Here is a sample of a log by age:
You will get it in PDF form and can print it as you desire. You could print out pages and keep them in a binder, print out pages and have them bound, print and laminate and use wet erase markers to re-use pages…whatever you like.
To purchase, click the Add To Cart button below. You will then go to a purchase page, purchase, and have an instant download. It is that simple!
Logs Have So Many Benefits
Don’t underestimate the benefit of the log while you are problem solving. I look at the situation in the light of a study. I need to collect my data and analyze it.
I need to be able to see all of the details so I don’t miss something important. I need to think it through.
As your baby gets older and you become more accustomed to problem-solving (something you will do throughout your life as a parent-every age group has their things they do that require some thought and action by parents), you might not need to keep such details. There are sites online that help you track for a fee if you want/need the help.
One note, while I recommend this, I also caution to not let yourself get obsessed over it. Some people can drive themselves crazy with the log. Be as detailed as you can, but know yourself and your own limitations. We all want to be happy and calm! Happy problem-solving!
