Baby routines
Babies need routines for many things in life like eating, going to the bathroom, playtime and then some. These routines are useful as babies are most comfortable when they know what is going to happen next.
While having a rigid schedule is impossible in most households, a baby’s day can be regulated. Your baby’s feeding and playtime should be scheduled in such a way that they complement each other. One routine you really should endeavour to get right is their sleeping routine as this will allow you and your baby to get that much needed rest at night.
When your baby is around 2 months old, you can start implementing your baby’s sleeping routine. Your baby will quickly come to appreciate the consistency and predictability that comes with a well thought-out routine.
Whatever you decide to include in your baby’s routine, make sure it has events and tasks that will calm and soothe your baby. You might also need to adapt your baby’s routine depending on age because babies’ sleeping patterns change as they develop. Newborns, for example, sleep in short bursts of about 2-3 hours between feeds throughout both day and night.
Baby routine ideas
The best baby routine you can devise for your little one is one that works for you, your household and your baby. There is no ‘one’ definitive routine to follow, but here are a few ideas to put you on the right track:
Let your baby de-stress
Being a baby is hard work. At the end of the day, your little one may also need to blow off some steam. You could play some fairly active games to get your child to expend some excess energy so that he/she will sleep like a ‘baby’.
A soothing bath
Baths can be a soothing and relaxing activity for your baby. The warm water can ease your baby into bedtime mode, and make sure your baby is nice and clean before getting into bed.
Washing up
Get your little one into the habit of practising good personal hygiene by giving your tiny tot’s face and teeth a good clean, especially if you didn’t have time for a bath.
Talk to your baby
- With all that you have going on during a normal day, you might forget to talk to your baby. Even if you little one can’t reply, have a keep chatting as your voice has a comforting and soothing effect.
Read a bedtime story
Find your favourite fairy tale or classic child’s story and read it while your little one drifts off to slumber land. You could also sing a lullaby if you want.
Bear in mind, these are just ideas. If this routine seems a bit too comprehensive, just take one or two ideas from it and incorporate them into your own planned routine. The best thing about putting a baby routine like this together is that you can plan some of your own evening in order to get a bit more ‘me’ time at the end of a busy day.
