To Schedule or Not to Schedule

Sometimes you may feel like you can tell the woman whose baby is on a schedule. She looks like she may have used a hairdryer and possibly even knows where her mascara is. She is also wearing an “outfit” as opposed to “clothing” and the baby is sleeping in the stroller. Comparatively, as an on-demand breastfeeding mom, you may feel at the beck and call of Junior and consequently, harried, overwrought, unkempt. If you find yourself feeling this way, there are some things to consider before attempting a schedule.

In the early weeks, on demand breastfeeding is important for both your own milk supply and related to that, your baby’s growth. When you allow your baby to determine how often they need to feed, they will regulate their caloric intake sufficiently during growth spurts and your milk will increase accordingly. There are also studies showing that on-demand feeding is connected to lower rates of adult obesity. If a child is able to decide when they are hungry and when they are not, it bodes well for their future ability to employ conscious eating and recognize their own satiation.

As babies age, their feeding and sleeping cycles will settle into a schedule-like pattern on their own. Generally, they will feed every two hours with one four or five hour sleep cycle during a 24-hour period, ideally, 12am to 5am. This can vary from baby to baby as they are different sizes, weights and temperaments. Certainly, like every other aspect of parenting, eating and sleeping routines are possible and can be affected by parental guidance. Establishing order in the chaos of life for these important parts of the day will help children as they grow to feel safe and secure.

The temperament of your baby and your family’s dynamics has a lot to do with whether a schedule is right for you. If you feel like life has you spinning, try putting your baby on a schedule. If it creates a sense of peace where before there was none and if you and family thrive, those are good signs. If it becomes another struggle and solves none of the issues you were facing, you may choose to let go a bit. Chances are it isn’t the baby’s demands that are preventing you from using the hairdryer anyway.

Like all of it, this stage will seem like a mere moment when you look back on it. Enjoying life in that stage when the needs of a dependent soul are pulling you in every direction may be just what you need.

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