Bedtime routine/last nap for 5 week old?

[Blackrain90]

He doesn't have much for a witching hour since I cut out dairy (he is more fussy but not freaking out constantly) but he is usually up from nap around 630-700pm and when we walk around to keep him calm, he often dozes off around 8 for about 30 mins.

When I try to go to bed with him then (we cosleep), he wakes up. He seems to fight sleep so it takes a lot of walking and bouncing before he falls asleep, still not usually before 10 or later.

How long of a gap should there be between last nap and bedtime if they aren't "witching"? If he is sleepy around 8, should I try not to lull him to keep him up until 9? I don't want him being overtired because he gets wired and upset, but that would make a 2 hour wake time (what he seems to do now before bed) for a 9pm bedtime.

Also want to start a bedtime routine, what did your routine consist of at this age? Want to bath but he doesn't like baths yet.

 

[ruby83]

In my opinion 5 weeks is too young for a routine. Just follow your bubs cues as to when he needs to go down as it can vary depending on the day and how well he has slept etc. I think routines become a lot easier around 3-4 months.

At 5 weeks I was keeping my baby up with me, whether he was sleeping on me or awake then he went to bed when we did. I never counted how long he was awake for back then.

 

[cjb]

When he goes to bed at 10 how long does he sleep for?

Im struggling to get any sense of evenig rountune with mine atm.

 

[Blackrain90]

He sleeps for about 3-3.5 hours that first stretch, and then 1.5-2 hours for each subsequent stretch.

 

[gingajewel]

I started my daughter in a routine at about six weeks old, I didn't really bother with times as her naps were so inconsistent and still are!! I would put her down about an hour after her last nap, this could vary between six and nine every night, but then I did the same thing consistently every night, gave her last bottle to her in our darkened room upstairs, changed her into her vest and pyjamas, put her sleeping bag on and put her in her cot. I then stroked her head until she was asleep.
Now at ten weeks old she has made her own bed time of about 6.30 and she is generally asleep by 7.30. I dream feed her at ten and she sleeps until about 7.00 the next morning with a few wake ups for dummy (and she is generally restless from about 6.00)
After my massive long post I guess what I'm trying to say is at that age I found a consistent routine was more important than the actual time it was happening 😀
Eta bath isn't part of our bed time routine as Isla stillll hates them!

 

[ElmaWG]

For a 5 week old, I would put her to bed 1 to 1.5 hours after waking from previous nap. Iv never incorporated a bath into bedtime routine for either of my boys cause it either excited or upset them. For Baby 2 though, I started a bedtime routine very early. A simple one. Lights dimmed, quiet white noise on. Diaper change with some quiet talking and singing. Then I would wash his face, neck, hands, and any other body part that might need it with a warm wash cloth. Then nurse to sleep.

Baby 2 has always settled pretty quickly with this routine, while DS1 was always hard, he was a sleep fighter/ crier, but I don't think routine had anything to do with it. I think that was just his temperament.

 

[jessmke]

Have you tried going to bed with him at 8/8:30 when he seems to want to sleep? He might be ready for bed at that time but only sleeps for 30 min because you are all still up.

 

[Laucu]

At that age, My baby was only ready for her night time sleep at around 10pm. She would nap and feed and fuss all evening before that time. Only in the last 2-3 weeks (so from around 10-11 weeks old) she has been ready to go down for the night at 7:30-8.

Still, I started a bedtime routine quite early with her, we bath her at 6ish then she has a feed between 6:30 and 7. All three kids then go upstairs for story time and I tuck them all in at around 7:30.

 

[Blackrain90]

Thanks ladies. When he napped at 8 I tried to sleep but he would wake up.

We have started bathing him around 845; then diaper and dressed, singing and nursing in quiet dark bedroom. He actually likes bath time now, but screams from the time I get him out until I nurse him to sleep lol.

We are finding that as long as he wakes up before 8, we get him to sleep by 10 latest. About a 2 hour interval between nap and bedtime, but sometimes 3 if he wakes up too early and won't to back to sleep.
Starting this routine has made such a difference for both him and us- it gives us something to do and breaks up the evening a bit, and it seems to be helping him settle easier. Usually takes a few tries to get him to stay asleep but it's definitely nothing like it used to be.

 

[wannabemomy37]

Xavier was born the same day!!

We have a routine but definitely don't go by exact times. He typically eats around 730, we get him lotioned and put pj's on, he rests a bit then around 10 he eats again and I sing, snuggle and rock him to sleep. He sleeps 1030 till 330 give or take. I wake around 1am to pump

 

[Blackrain90]

Is my kid the only one who hates being lotioned? I figured he was just mad I put him down, but even in my arms he screams when I put lotion on.

 

[cjb]

What type lotion r u using

 

[wannabemomy37]

Xavier used to hate lotion and baths but I just talk to him excitedly while doing it, and cover him up quick after too cuz he gets chilly and that's when he cries

 

[Blackrain90]

I use the purple bedtime lotion from Johnson & Johnson.