Establish a routine (without feeling trapped at home)
Written by Jazz Kostov, Mum, Midwife, Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant and Founder of Let’s Sleep.
When you're starting to establish a routine for your baby, it's easy to feel like you need to stay at home all the time to make it work (you don’t - trust me!).
Consistency and a routine don’t have to mean being stuck indoors! You can maintain a predictable routine for your baby while still living your life and enjoying the activities you love.
Key Times to Be at Home
There are just a couple of important times during the day when it’s best to be at home for your baby’s sleep:
The Longest Nap of the Day (usually the lunchtime nap): The lunchtime nap is typically your baby’s longest and most restorative sleep of the day if you are following a short long routine. To help them settle into a deep, consolidated sleep, aim to be home for this nap, allowing them to sleep in their cot where they’re comfortable and familiar with their surroundings. Try to arrive home about 30 minutes before nap time to give your baby enough time to wind down. This will help prevent them from dozing off in the car or pram before you get home, which can disrupt their nap.
Evening and Bedtime Routine: In the evening, aim to be home in time to go through your baby’s bedtime routine at a relaxed pace. Whether this includes bath time, a final milk feed, or dinner if applicable, a calm, predictable evening routine sets your little one up for a peaceful night’s sleep. Try to arrive home with plenty of time for bath/shower, winding down, and avoiding any last-minute rushing.
Enjoying Flexibility the Rest of the Day
Outside of these key moments, you have plenty of flexibility. You can be out and about all morning or afternoon, allowing your baby to nap in the pram, car, or carrier. I used to love getting out for pram walks and grabbing myself a coffee whilst listening to my fav podcast. This flexibility means you can still attend your favourite gym class, meet up with a friend for coffee, or join a baby activity group without disrupting your baby’s routine too much.
Tips for Feeding While Out and About
If you're planning to be out of the house during milk feeds or solid meals, it's helpful to set reminders to avoid having a cranky, hungry baby on your hands!
Here are a few ways to make feeding on the go easier:
Pre-prepare Baby’s Food: Bring along snacks or a pre-prepared meal. Reusable pouches and the SUBO bottle are fantastic for purees or mashed textures when you're out.
Pack Smart: Bring a bib, wipes, and a cloth for easy cleanup, especially if you're feeding on the go.
Bring a Reusable Wet Bag: Babies are messy as you’d well know!! A reusable wet bag is perfect for storing any soiled clothes or items when you're out, so you can deal with them easily once you’re home.
Establishing a routine doesn’t mean you need to feel trapped at home. By being mindful of key nap and bedtime moments while allowing flexibility during the rest of the day, you can create a routine that works for your baby and your lifestyle. Enjoy your time out and about, and take comfort in knowing that with just a little planning, you can keep your baby’s routine on track no matter where the day takes you.
Jazz x
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