Should I be starting a routine? Max is almost 7 weeks

[Kapow]

As my title says Max will be 7 weeks on Friday.

Up to now we have had no routine whatsoever other than a bath at 7-8pm then pyjamas.

I BF on demand day and night, some days are better than others. A few times he has woke me at say 11pm, 3am and 7am for a feed. Other times it's been every two hours day and night, I assumed that this was due to growth spurts as these were over the past week.

He's pretty happy most of the time and puts on plenty of weight each week.

I have been keeping him in the same room as me pretty much 24/7. When I go to bed at around 9.30 / 10pm I put him down in his crib and he usually goes off to sleep within 10mins or so.

Anyway after meeting up with two friends this morning I'm a little worried that I should be making more effort to establish a routine for him. Both friends have said that they had routines by the time LOs were Max's age.

Will it not affect my milk supply if I don't feed on demand?
How do I start a routine?
He naps sporadically throught the day, how do I set him to specific times?
What time should he be put to bed? OH doesn't get in from work until 6.15pm so he'd barely see him before bath and bed?

It all sounds so stressful but I'm really worried that I'm setting us up for a fall in the future but letting Max run the show at the moment.

Please help!

Thanks for reading.

xx

 

[Lucy_lu_84]

I'm currently doing what your do. Feed on demand...some day/nights it every 2 hours others he goes longer but I just follow his lead.

LO is always in the room with me, goes to bed between 9-10 after his bath and last feed.

interested in peoples replies

 

[Jemima]

I get the impression from what you have written that you feel it is too early to put Max into a routine and I think you're right.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a good bedtime routine from the word go and sounds like you have done well setting one up already, but when it comes to feeding and napping, at his age you really have to let him lead the way I think.

I started Poppy into a set bedtime routine when she was around 11-12 weeks but when it came to her naps, she always set her own routine and pattern started to emerge when I learned to recognise the signs that she was tired. I have always fed her on demand. Well, I say always but when she reached nine months I did start to limit her feeds as I have been weaning her off me in the day because I am back at work soon.

Sounds like you are doing great and the fact that he goes off to sleep within 10 mins is fantastic so you are obviously doing something right!

 

[Mervs Mum]

I totally agree with Jemima. Breast milk is made on a supply and demand basis so demand feeding sits perfectly with it. Carry on as you are would be my suggestion. A little bedtime routine is more than sufficient for now. You sound to be doing great!

 

[JayleighAnn]

I wont be putting Halen into a feeding routine, whenever he wants to feed is fine with me.

I'd hate it if I was hungry and someone told me I couldn't eat until X pm or whatever, so I wouldn't do that to Halen.

As for the bedtime routine, I bath him every night but he won't be having a bedtime until he's 12 weeks old and he can nap whenever he's tired

It sounds in ur post like you feel it's a bit early and I wouldn't go along with what your friends say if this doesn't feel right for you, whatever works for you and your baby is best x

P.S- I just noticed our LO's are born on the same day woo

 

[Kapow]

Thanks ladies I think your right. Just had a chat with OH about it and we're going to keep on as we are for now. Both us and Max are happy and relaxed which is more important.

I think I just panicked at my friend's comments. A lesson learned I think. Should do what we feel is right for us rather than everyone else!

xxx

 

[everhopeful]

My LO established his own routine at around 11 weeks. It just emerged from nowhere! The only thing that I did everyday was to give him a bath at his last feed before putting him to sleep for the night.
I think you are doing the right thing to let your baby lead the way a little. Before you know it a pattern will emerge.
Good luck!

 

[Shifter]

Yes, you need to do what is right for you and not worry about anyone else.

I think a bedtime routine is great from birth as it help them establish a distinction between day and night, naps and long sleep etc. We started a bedtime routine with Jack from a couple of weeks old, it took a bit of tinkering to find the right time for him. We started at 7pm but that was too early so it moved to 9pm. It's nice to have a couple of hours just hubby and me before we go to bed tbh. The few times we haven't stuck to Jack's bedtime we haven't had that and it doesn't work for us. But you need to do what works for you.