General routine for a young baby made E.A.S.Y.
How routine can help you learn about your baby
In the early days and weeks with your newborn baby, you need to follow their cues for feeding and sleeping. This is particularly important if you are breastfeeding, as you "feed on demand" while you and your baby are establishing how much milk your body needs to make. This can take approximately 6 weeks to establish.
This is your full time job for now! So be sure to have additional help for washing, cooking, cleaning, making dinner etc and try to sleep when baby does, as you will be tired - you will be getting up in the night too! Getting enough sleep will help you cope more calmly with a crying baby, so don't think of it as an indulgence, it is important (and those dishes really can wait!)
Using routine to help read your baby's cues
For newborn babies there are recommended routines that can be followed up to 4 months of age. A routine is NOT a structured time slot, but a rough guide to what your baby may need at times that babies of this age tend to naturally follow.
Following a routine can help by giving you a rough idea of when to expect baby's hungry signs, tired signs etc, so can be useful as you learn to interpret your newborn baby's crys and actions.
E.A.S.Y. Routine for babies up to 4 months
Here is the E.A.S.Y routine recommended from the book "The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems" by Tracy Hogg.
E = Eating
A = Activity
S = Sleep
Y = You
E – 7:00 – Feed
A – 7:45 – Diaper change. Some playing, talking. Keep an eye out for sleepy cues.
S – 8:15 – Swaddle and lay baby in crib. May take 15-20 min. to fall asleep.
Y – 8:30 – You nap.
E – 10:00 – Feed
A – 10:45 – See 7:45 above.
S – 11:15 – 2nd morning nap.
Y – 11:30 – Your time.
E – 1:00 – Feed
A – 1:45 – See 7:45 above.
S – 2:15 – Afternoon nap.
Y – 2:30 – Your time.
E – 4:00 – Feed
A – 4:45 – See 7:45 above.
S – 5:15 – Catnap (about 40-45 min)
Y – 5:30 – Your time.
E – 6:00 – 1st Cluster Feed
A – 7:00 – Bath, bedtime ritual
S – 7:15 – Another catnap
Y – 7:30 – You eat dinner.
E – 8:00 – 2nd Cluster Feed
A – None
S – Put baby right back to sleep.
Y – Enjoy your time until the dream feed (between 10-11).
This routine assumes baby isn't below birthweight, doesn’t have special needs, isn't going through a growth spurt, etc. As these all require extra feedings.
