Sample Schedule for Newborn-9 months

I have had many parents request a sample schedule that they can use. Again, the reason you want to have your baby on a schedule is because the sooner they are on one, the sooner you can eliminate the middle of the night feeding and get a good night sleep for you and your baby. More and more doctors are linking depression in new moms to sleep deprivation. If you don't want to stick to a schedule, that's fine, but it just means you will have many more months of getting up in the middle of the night when it really is not necessary for you or your baby. You want to try to stick to a general "sleep, eat, wake" pattern except in the middle of the night when you will place your baby back in the crib after eating. Also, strive for placing your baby in their crib awake, so your baby will be accustomed to knowing how to fall asleep on their own.

Below is a sample schedule from Newborn to 9 months:

2-4 weeks: 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, BATH, 7pm, 10pm, BED, 1am, 4am

*You will need to set an alarm to stick to this schedule and wake the baby at feeding times before your baby becomes scheduled.

4-6 weeks: 7am, 11am, 3pm, BATH, 7pm, BED, 11pm, 3am

*If your baby eats 30 minutes early for one feeding, it does not mean you should adjust 30 minutes for the rest of the day. Get back on the schedule for the next feeding.

7 -10 weeks: 6am, 10am, 2pm, BATH, 6pm, BED, 10pm

*This is the time you try to eliminate the middle of the night feeding. To do this your baby should be at least 13lbs. Use the other areas of the website for feeding elimination ideas.

11-16 weeks: 6am, 10am, 2pm, BATH, 6pm, BED by 8pm if not earlier.

*Before 4 months structured naps are not really necessary. Your baby will sleep when they are tired, wherever they happen to be.

STARTING SOLIDS Milk=M & Solids=S

4-6 months: 6am (M) 10:30am (M+S) 2pm (M) 5:30 (S) BATH, then 6:30 (M), BED by 8pm if not earlier.

*Once baby is 4 months, they will usually have 2 daytime naps. One in the morning after being awake for 3 hours (Between 11-1) and then one in the afternoon (Between 3-4:30)

7-9 months: 6am (M) 10:30am (M+S) 2pm (M+S) 5:30 (S) BATH, then 6:30 (M), BED by 8pm if not earlier.

Challenges: One of the challenges that parents face is staying on the schedule. Often, at least one hour before a scheduled feeding your baby may be fussy. Most parents know that by feeding the baby you can have some needed peace. This is where the challenge comes in. You want to try to get as close to the next scheduled time as possible. It can be hard to think straight and stick to a structured plan because having a new baby can be tiring. If your baby seems to always be hungry an hour before most feedings, you can try to just adjust the entire schedule to one hour earlier.

When I found myself challenged by sticking to our schedule, I learned that when I thought my baby was hungry before her scheduled time, she was actually in need of a change in scenery and /or a new person to hold her. When my husband would take her, I learned that she was really more bored or tired since within minutes she was sleeping or swinging or getting buzzed in the bouncy chair. I soon realized it may not have been hunger at all. Parents often think that if their baby is crying it means your baby is hungry. Remember that each day you try to improve your ability and your baby's ability to stay on the schedule. Your schedule is something you STRIVE for, and some days you will not achieve your goals. That's OK. Just try to get back on schedule for the next feeding or at least the next days feedings.

A baby on a schedule will be instrumental in helping everyone get a good night sleep. Once the baby starts to sleep past the middle of the night feeding on their own, take your cue and use an approach you are comfortable with to facilitate their new schedule. When doing this remember that each night you will try to wait a little bit longer before you feed your baby. So, if your baby wakes at 4am instead of the usual 3am try and wait until 4:30. This may go on for a night or two. Then try to wait until 5am the next few nights. Eventually your baby will reach the morning feeding. Think of it as merging the middle of the night feeding with the morning feeding. Once this is accomplished you are on your way, but not in the clear yet. Your baby might wake the following night at 2am. That's when you go back to the method you have chosen to eliminate your night feeding. My method was just giving the baby a pacifier and trying to get her back to sleep and then leaving the room until she woke again. Things mostly improved and the time between visits lessened. You can also do the crying-it-out method, water method, or just stroking you baby's head to get them back to sleep. Or use a combination of all. To review methods go to Sleep/Feed page.

In conclusion, by putting your baby in their own crib early on, swaddling your baby, and using a sleep positioner, your baby will sleep more comfortably. One warning on the sleep positioner, if you have a velcro pillow for the head, take it off. Some pillows I found were actually rough to the touch and may not be comfortable. All you need are the side wedges. I will end by saying good luck, but luck in this case is really when preparation meets necessity.

Also Read: How to Prevent Picky Eaters