Creating and Maintaining a Schedule {Poll Discussion}

 

There is a difference between have a schedule, or routine, in your day each day and having a pattern in your day each day. Most people who follow the principles of Babywise want the routine or schedule, not just a pattern from day to day. Despite that preference, many find themselves in a pattern position and can’t figure out how to make the jump to the more predictable schedule position.

 

Enter this poll.

 

Please take a moment to answer the questions below. Doing so will help other parents now and in the future. It is very helpful for me when compiling answers if you at least number the answers you give. You can also copy the questions and answer them. If the question does not apply to you, simply put “N/A.”

 

1. What age did you aim for more of a schedule/routine and move away from a pattern?

2. What did you find vital for attaining a predictable schedule/routine? What did you implement that made the difference?

3. What did you find sabotaged your efforts for a predictable schedule/routine? What would you recommend people avoid?

4.Any words of advice for parents out there?

 

 

Thank you for participating! Mwah!

You can see the results of the poll on how to create and maintain a schedule here. 

 

4 thoughts on “Creating and Maintaining a Schedule {Poll Discussion}”

  1. 1. What age did you aim for more of a schedule/routine and move away from a pattern? We started trying to schedule/create a routine after about two weeks. We worked on full feedings first. Once that was established, we concentrated on waking up at the same time each day and going from there.2. What did you find vital for attaining a predictable schedule/routine? What did you implement that made the difference?To keep it predictable, we had to start at approximately the same time each day and go to bed for the last time around the same time of night. That really helped balance everything – even when all the naps were wonky. We didn't really implement anything (other than Eat/Wake/Sleep), it just took some time to get it established. So… I guess I tried to implement patience :)3. What did you find sabotaged your efforts for a predictable schedule/routine? What would you recommend people avoid?My own expectations sabotaged me to some extent. I wanted everything to work immediately and really had a hard time when a nap didn't go as planned. Again, give yourself some grace and avoid too much 'troubleshooting' if one nap is off.4.Any words of advice for parents out there?We persevered and I'm so glad we did. Our little guy is a happy, well-rested, scheduled kiddo who handles changes so well because so much of his day is on a routine. Stick with it because it really does get so much easier.

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  2. 1. What age did you aim for more of a schedule/routine and move away from a pattern? Daily wake time (give or take 15 minutes in the morning) and putting the kids down 12 hours afterward, give or take 30 minutes at night. So we aim for 8:/8:30 and the kids go down at 7:30/8:00, but no earlier than 7:30 and no later than 8:30. I base that a bit more on tiredness for my 2.5 yo than I do for my 7 mo. Also, to establish the schedule rather than the pattern, you just first need to get on a pattern! 🙂 I think you can work to get your child to move toward a more predictable schedule that way, so establish the pattern first and then really get that daily wake time consistent. 2. What did you find vital for attaining a predictable schedule/routine? What did you implement that made the difference? Three things: as said above, the daily wake time. Next, knowing sleep signals and making a point to remain calm when hearing peeps, grunts, talking in sleep, etc. Finally, and this is important: if either my toddler or my baby wake up extra early (say, an hour or more before DWT), I treat it as if it's night wake. With my toddler, I make a point to emphasize that it's still night time, and I give her a simple book and a water bottle (this happens whether or not it's dark or sun's a blazin'. With my infant son, I nurse him if necessary with as much as he needs and then put him back in bed right away. He babbles but then sleeps soon and then wakes up about a half hour after DWT.3. What did you find sabotaged your efforts for a predictable schedule/routine? What would you recommend people avoid? Sleeping in too long. I know – everyone wants to sleep in, but it ends up backfiring on me way more than it helps anyone at all. 4.Any words of advice for parents out there? Don't worry!!!! Give it an hour, a day, a week, or even a month for things to work. You will see improvements every day, even little ones, as you try to get you and your baby on the same wavelengths. It will all come together, and you will get to know each other in a wonderfully intimate way.

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  3. 1. What age did you aim for more of a schedule/routine and move away from a pattern?4-6 weeks. I tried around 4 weeks, well actually I tried much earlier but the babies weren't having it. By 6 weeks I really felt like they were in a groove and started expecting feeding and reading my cues.2. What did you find vital for attaining a predictable schedule/routine? What did you implement that made the difference? always always always fed as soon after they woke up as I could. Usually it was a diaper change then feeding. We also had a nap routine when they were less than 4 mo, so they knew what I wanted them to do. We dropped the "routine" and started a simple–kiss, lay down, come get you after nap–quick routine once they got older and could self soothe better.3. What did you find sabotaged your efforts for a predictable schedule/routine? Leaps (wonder weeks), any change in environment (church, family events, daycare) What would you recommend people avoid? Try to be home as much as you can for naps. Although you can't always do it, respecting nap time really helps. One day a week or so won't mess them up but can make for a stressful day.4.Any words of advice for parents out there? Love your babies. Hold them, snuggle them, enjoy them. They grow up so fast, and all they want to do is jump out of your arms and move around.

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