Caring for a newborn is challenging, but getting your baby used to regular sleep and feeding times will make things a little easier. Experts believe that a newborn is ready for this between 2 and 4 months.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare a Daily Schedule
Step 1. Take note of your baby's habits
Before you start, buy a booklet to keep track of her habits. It will help you understand if your table is working or not.
- On the first page of the booklet, create a simple table with the following columns: time, activity, notes. Take note of the main activities of the day, for every day of the week. For example: 6 o'clock: wake up, 9 o'clock: baby food, 11 o'clock: rest.
- You can also create a table on your computer or use one you find online.
Step 2. The chart should be made according to your baby's natural rhythms
Find out if there is any regularity in the meal and sleep cycle.
- If you notice that the baby needs a diaper change or becomes irritable at some point in the day, mark it on the chart.
- This will help you create the table according to the child's needs more easily.
- A full, rested child will be more willing to play, be pampered and learn new things.
Step 3. Try to keep the alarm time fixed
Babies sleep a lot during the day. In fact, in the first weeks of life, they need 16 hours of sleep a day.
Since sleeping is the primary activity of newborns, a certain order must be created to prevent them from waking up in the middle of the night
Step 4. The first thing to do is to set the alarm time
Although it can be difficult, you need to try to wake your baby at the same time every day, even if he is asleep. If you tend to wake up earlier than your set time, you will need to adjust your nap times so that you can go to bed later.
Step 5. Feed him, change him and play with your baby
When the baby wakes up, change his diaper and dress him for the day. So, hug him while he eats. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, your baby needs your closeness.
- After breastfeeding, play with your baby. Talk to him, sing, pamper him. He will appreciate your smell, your voice and your closeness.
- After you have him play, put him for a nap. Do this as soon as you notice signs of fatigue, such as yawning, irritability, crying, nose-rubbing.
Step 6. Get him to sleep for 2-3 hours
He will likely wake up after this time has elapsed. If he doesn't wake up by himself, you wake him up. A child who sleeps too much does not eat enough, could become dehydrated and lose weight.
Step 7. Repeat this throughout the day
Sometimes it is best to breastfeed them before changing their nappies, as many make them dirty while they eat. You will avoid having to change it twice. Therefore:
- Wake the baby from the nap.
- Breastfeed him.
- Change his diaper, then play with him for a while, talk to him, sing, cuddle him.
- Put the baby back to sleep.
Step 8. Distinguish daytime napping from nighttime napping
To get the baby accustomed to sleeping at night, it is important to differentiate between daytime and nighttime sleep.
- You can do this by putting the baby to sleep in a slightly lit room during the day and in a dark room at night. Putting him to sleep in a completely dark room during the day will confuse him and cause him to sleep more than he should.
- Don't be afraid to make noise during your daytime nap - you have to get used to it. Leave the radio on, vacuum, and speak at a normal volume.
Step 9. Feed your baby when he is hungry
It is important that you do this whenever he is hungry, even if it does not fit your table.
- It's not fair to leave a baby hungry just because it doesn't fit the table.
- A hungry baby cries and sucks his hands.
Step 10. Feed your baby every 2-3 hours
If he doesn't cry or looks hungry, you still need to breastfeed every 2-3 hours. It is crucial at this stage.
- If the baby does not eat at this rate, the mother's breast will fill with milk, so it can hurt her and then it will be difficult to breastfeed.
- On the other hand, if the baby eats too often, the breasts will not have time to fill. That way he will always be hungry, even if he continues to eat.
Step 11. Learn the language of crying
Babies communicate by crying, and you will soon learn to recognize if they cry because they are hungry, nervous or in pain.
Part 2 of 2: Establish a Night Table
Step 1. Set your sleep time
Follow your baby's natural rhythm and determine the best time to go to sleep.
- Don't play too much with your baby before bed. It would be too stimulating and would make it difficult for the baby to fall asleep.
- Give the baby a bath before bed, or give him a massage with baby oil. This will relax him before bedtime.
Step 2. During the night, reduce noise
Sing a lullaby, or play some quiet music. Sing, even if you can't. The child loves your voice and is not a music critic!
Make the whole house quiet. A quiet environment will make the child understand that this is not a daytime nap
Step 3. Dim the lights
Put him to sleep in a dimly lit room. It doesn't have to be completely dark because you always have to be able to see it. The dark environment will help him sleep.
Step 4. You must prepare for the fact that the baby will wake up in the night
When that happens, pick him up, breastfeed him, and put him back to sleep. Do not change his diaper unless absolutely necessary.
- If he doesn't wake up to eat, wake him up. As nice and peaceful as it is to let him sleep all night, it is not a healthy thing.
- The newborn needs to eat every 2-3 hours. If not, he will be dehydrated and hungry, which will cause fatigue and weakness.
Step 5. Stick to the table as much as possible
It is important, especially when it comes to bedtime and baby food. This will make it easier for the baby to get used to it. Over time, he will need less sleep and will require more attention from you.
