When I had my first baby, I was completely unprepared. I guess my strategy was to “wing it”. Not a good idea! Tre only slept while we held him (day and night) for the first 2 weeks of his life. No one was sleeping and we were all miserable. He nursed for 1 full hour, every 2 hours around the clock. I literally was nursing half of the time, and I was miserable. I was nursing him to sleep, and then putting him back on to nurse more at the first peep he made (because that’s what the one breastfeeding book I had told me to do). While talking to some women at church one day, someone mentioned their baby being on a schedule. This baby was only 2 weeks older than mine, and I was intrigued. I asked how it was possible to schedule a baby. She said that with five kids, you really don’t have a choice. I knew that a schedule was right for my family. I immediately read Babywise.
I started the eat, wake, sleep cycle and our nursing time was immediately cut down to 25 minutes and every 2.5 hours. It was heavenly! Tre started sleeping better for naps and during the night. He was well-rested, I was well-rested and we were all much happier. I continue the -wise series with him, and have never been disappointed. He is a fun, active 2.5 year old that obeys my voice, plays by himself daily, and still naps.
My second son is 4 months old. It was a no-brainer that I would be following the same Babywise principles with this one. Jabin has been a dream. Part of it might be his natural disposition, but I can’t help but credit much of it to our eat, wake, sleep schedule. He perfectly went to a 2.5 hour schedule the day we came home from the hospital. I can pick him up from playing independently in his gym, put him down for a nap, and barely hear a peep as he puts himself to sleep.
For me, it was much easier and more peaceful in my house after Jabin was born, than after Tre was born. Our family already had a routine, which made it easy to plug another person in. It is refreshing to know what times Jabin will eat and be able to schedule independent things for Tre during that time. I honestly think I would’ve had a mental break down those first few months if my boys weren’t on predictable routines.
Jamie – well-rested mommy to a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old