https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 22:44:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2786867 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:31:00 +0000 Mamag511 2786867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Awesome, Thanks! I’m hoping once I get his reflux under control, I’ll be able to get him on a loose schedule like this! Plus my DD will start am daycare, which I think will help as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2786866 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:29:47 +0000 Mamag511 2786866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Thanks - I’ll be sure to reach out if I need some help! I’m glad to hear your boys grew out of it quickly...I’m hoping the meds make a difference for us as well!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2786832 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:05:11 +0000 Mae 2786832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kiddo is 7 weeks and just this week I'm figuring out a very loose schedule for her. Mostly I'm just trying to make sure she gets a little nap between every meal. She seems to do well with an awake time of 1-1.5 hours before she gets fussy for a nap. So days where I"m home all day look (very loosely) like this: </p> <p>7:30ish - baby wakes up and I give zantac, I get Lo1 up and dressed and down for breakfast<br /> 8- I feed baby<br /> 8:30/9- Lo1 leaves for daycare with husband, and I put baby in the swing for a nap (she falls asleep best in the swing)<br /> 10:30ish- if she hasn't woken up yet, I wake her up and feed her<br /> 11:30/12- I put her in the swing for a nap<br /> 1:30/2ish - I wake her up to eat if she hasn't woken already<br /> 2:30/3 - put her down for a nap<br /> 4:30 - wake her to eat if needed<br /> 5- go pick up Lo1 at daycare<br /> 5:30/6 - give a small bottle to tide baby over until bed<br /> 6:45 - give zantac<br /> 7:30 - take baby up for bath/nursing/bed</p> <p>She is usually up twice overnight to eat.</p> <p>If I have errands to run I usually go after the 10:30am feed and hope she sleeps in the car/carrier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2786831 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:05:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2786831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamag511: Hi! I have 2 boys who both had reflux, so I have a lot of say on the matter. But I'll spare you unless you need the info - feel free to ask questions if you need anything. </p> <p>One thing I will say is that Zantac dosaging is weight specific. You may find it works well for a few weeks and then he starts fussing and not sleeping again. If that's the case, you can ask for a dosage adjustment. HOWEVER, its also possible (and fairly common despite what your doctor will tell you) that Zantac stops working on some kids. (True of DS1 - he was happier for 2 weeks and then it was worse than ever). If that's the case, ask for Prilosec, ask for it to be compounded into a syrup, and be advised that your kid may temporarily be a zillion times worse for the first week or two while transitioning to the new meds. For DS1, the first week was ROUGH but then he was like a completely different child. With DS2, I knew he had reflux and declined Zantac and demanded Prilosec from the jump and he was better almost immediately. Both boys were off meds quickly - DS1 by 5.5 months, DS2 by 4 months - and its typical that babies outgrow it by 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2786766 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 04:47:49 +0000 Mamag511 2786766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: pumping this to say that my pediatrician did want to treat him with Zantac for reflux. Thanks for giving me the idea to ask about it - I wouldn’t have even thought to ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785689 Fri, 10 Nov 2017 21:16:14 +0000 Mamag511 2785689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Thanks for all your feedback! I think you are absolutely right about working on getting things under control during the day and hopefully that will help at night!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785617 Fri, 10 Nov 2017 13:24:33 +0000 SweetiePie 2785617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamag511: Yeah that’s really tough at night.<br /> They do say that if they get enough during the daytime 12 hours the nighttime 12 hours should require less feeding. So maybe focus on keeping him awake to eat and extending the time between feeds during the day and HOPEFULLY he gets enough that the night time falls into place accordingly.<br /> Agree with gingerbebe earlier saying that EASY was helpful at that point. It might be rough to get him into it if he’s falling asleep every time he eats, but i think you can make it work. Make sure during the day feedings happen in a bright room with lots of noise. TV or big sibling or whatever. Undress to wake up. Tickle feet or use ice cubes. Then when done feeding try to keep awake for small increments. Even if it’s just 10 mins. Because aside from the snacking sucking from a schedule perspective, you also want to separate eating from sleeping so that you don’t always NEED to feed to sleep. </p> <p>Babywise is also a good resource if you really want to get serious about a schedule, Sleep, etc. Its pretty rigid but like @ginerbebe that’s what my son thrives on (he’s now 3 and we still follow a pretty rigid routine/schedule). And they say that babies in general do better with routine and predictability. It’s boring for us but soothing and reassuring for them. </p> <p>Good luck! I think it may seem daunting but with consistency and sticking to it you can do it relatively quickly and save your sanity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785613 Fri, 10 Nov 2017 13:15:09 +0000 Mamag511 2785613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I don’t think it’s reflux. I honestly think he’s just snacking instead of taking larger feeds, but I’ll ask my pediatrician about it next week!</p> <p>@SweetiePie: I think what you are describing with the snacking is exactly what’s happening. Night time has been a disaster because he wakes up every hour or two and just eats 1-2 oz instead of getting a good feed. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to extend it. He does take a paci - I was able to get him back down this morning using that. I’ll try extending by small amounts. Thanks for the advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785536 Fri, 10 Nov 2017 07:53:22 +0000 SweetiePie 2785536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: was just coming to say the same thing. The small feeds/always seeming hungry, always fussy, etc.<br /> If there’s no way at all that it could be reflux, he could just be in a snacking pattern which did happen with my son when he was itty bitty. They take small 1-2 Oz increments and then stop because they fall asleep or whatever and then don’t stay full since it was just a snack and it becomes a cycle. My ped told me to kick it in the bud early by extending those snacking periods little by little and not letting him doze off while feeding. It can be painful (ie some crying) but after a few days we were back on a normal 3-3.5 hour schedule and by 12 weeks he was solidly on a 4hr schedule. Which felt life changing. </p> <p>Also wonder if the feeding is a comfort thing, does he take a paci? I️ know you’re talking about daytime but at night I️ found many times if I just replaced the paci that was enough, like he wanted to suck and instead of just assuming it meant hunger the paci was enough. </p> <p>I️ know you’re not a FTM but just trying to think of the things that helped or sound vaguely familiar! And sorry for these stupid characters, apparently I️ have this iPhone bug. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785529 Fri, 10 Nov 2017 02:32:22 +0000 gingerbebe 2785529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamag511: could it be reflux? Reflux babies comfort eat to soothe the pain but then it makes it worse. 3 hours between feedings outside growth spurts should be doable at this age if he's taking about 4oz a feed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785517 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 22:40:30 +0000 Mamag511 2785517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Depends on how long he is going between bottles. Anywhere from 2-5 oz. He’s really all over the place. He typically goes 2-4 hours between bottles. I’ve been trying to get him on a more consistent schedule, but have been struggling because he always seems hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785504 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 20:39:59 +0000 SweetiePie 2785504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamag511: I just saw your comment about spacing out feedings. How many oz is he getting in each bottle? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785479 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:36:58 +0000 Mamag511 2785479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: @catlady: Thanks! Did the EASY routine with my first, but she was ebf where we are formula feeding this time around. So I’m having trouble getting him to space out his feedings. I’ll just keep at it! </p> <p>@gingerbebe: Thank you! Honestly, we just called to put DD in half day daycare until I go back to work. I just feel so guilty that I can’t really play or do much when ds is fussing like crazy. So I’m hoping that will help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785350 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 11:56:32 +0000 gingerbebe 2785350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes its possible. I actually have detailed notes from this age.</p> <p>Our 2 boys are 20 months apart. DS1 was in fulltime daycare the first few weeks DS2 was born, but then our daycare shut down suddenly, so he was home with me!<br /> It was bonkers.</p> <p>DS1 is a very routine driven child, so his schedule was military precise. At that age, he was up at 730am, snack at 10am, lunch at 1130pm, nap at 1230pm, snack at 330pm, dinner at 500pm, bedtime at 730pm. Literally. He is like Rainman.</p> <p>DS2 is way more easy going, but because DS1 needed that rigid schedule, we basically adjusted DS2's schedule to fit DS1's as much as possible. We used eat, play, sleep, a set bedtime and waketime, a strict bedtime routine, scheduled feedings every 2.5-3 hours at 3 weeks old, and putting down drowsy but awake for sleep. DS2 (like DS1) had reflux and once he was medicated, I let him fuss for 10 minutes at a time (around 6-8 weeks old?) before naps and waited 5 minutes before getting him if he cried (and I knew he wasn't hungry). </p> <p>At 8 weeks, DS2 was eating every 3 hours and had 1 hour wake times, so we started the day at about 7-715am for him so that he was changed and fed by the time we had to get DS1 up. We'd put baby on the floor in his play gym and let them coo at each other. Then we'd give DS1 breakfast, and by the time DS1 was finishing up around 8am, DS2 would be getting drowsy. I'd throw on a video (like a Tayo episode that runs like 12 minutes) and I'd use that time to put DS2 down for nap. We had a very quick sleep routine for our kids - dark room, white noise, swaddle, 2 songs, prayer, and down.</p> <p>Then DS1 and I would have some time together to hang out in the yard or a quiet craft to let DS2 sleep. We'd have a small snack and then DS2 would be up around 10am. DS1 would then go into independent play time in his room (we put up a baby gate, gave him some toys set aside for that period, and I would set a timer for 30 minutes while I went to feed baby in the room next door. I could watch him on the monitor. </p> <p>Boys would play/coo at each other with the baby back on the floor from 1030-11am, then baby would be ready for his next nap, I'd put him down while DS1 got to play with my phone or something for a few minutes, and then when I came out, we'd get his lunch ready and eat at 1130am. We'd run around in the yard and hopefully get DS1 to poop before nap, he'd go down at 1230pm. He was then down for nap for 2.5-3 hours.</p> <p>I would have about 30 minutes of downtime before DS2 woke up at 1pm, so I'd pump. Then I would feed him and hang out and put him back down at 2pm. I would then get another 30-60 minutes to myself, during which I would nap if I could. </p> <p>DS1 would be up at 3-330pm, I would get him settled with a snack, and then DS2 would be up at 4pm. I would usually bottle feed pumped milk that I pumped during naps at this feeding because it was quicker. (DS1 had a real problem with watching me feed his brother -breast or bottle - so I had to keep it quick and keep them separated). </p> <p>Baby would be back on the floor or in a bouncer chair, DS2 would play toys around him, and I would watch them from 6 feet away while I put something quick together for dinner. DS2 would go back down at 5pm for a nap of about 45 minutes to an hour, during which we had dinner. Then DS2 would be up again, we'd have family time, and then at 6pm baby would have bath. I'd start feeding baby at 630pm, at which point DH would be bathing DS1. Baby would be down for bed at 7pm, DS1 would be starting his bedtime routine with DH at that point, and he would be down at 730pm. Then we'd dreamfeed the baby around 10pm and hope he'd give us a good long stretch.</p> <p>Over time, we kept tweaking the schedules because DS2 stretched to eating every 4 hours and would be able to stay awake longer. Eventually, I worked to have overlapping PM naps as much as possible. We also moved DS1 to 5 day a week preschool a few months later, so that helped things a lot.</p> <p>I fully admit that I live in nap jail for most of the first year of a baby's life. If we mess with a nap, its usually not going to be that first morning nap, so either I hustle to get back home before the baby's first morning nap or I have someone else take my older son to school. I also made liberal use of a mommy's helper when DS1 was home full time with us because it was a lot. I was very tired and I couldn't run my son to the park for a good long romp like he wanted because the baby would need to sleep. So I hired someone when I could and I have no regrets.</p> <p>I can't imagine not having a schedule. It made a chaotic time so much less hectic, it was so easy for a babysitter or my husband to step in because they knew exactly when things needed to happen, and I felt like I had some sanity. Obviously, growth spurts and regressions happen, but mostly it would be a rough week or two, and then things would go back. And if the baby isn't sleeping well or fussing, you can triage what's going on because you can ask yourself is he hungry, does he need to stay up a little bit longer now, is there a wonder week, is he overtired because he didn't sleep well last night, etc. </p> <p>Good luck. I promise it gets better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785305 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:03:17 +0000 catlady 2785305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started with bedtime, since we had a very specific routine for LO1. At that age, I think LO2 was still going to bed later than LO1, but he would join us for her bath and books, then we'd put her to bed, then I'd put him to bed. At some point, we switched them over so he went to bed first. We had them take baths together pretty early on as well (we used a little bath chair). </p> <p>Mornings are harder if your LO1 is at home with you. Our LO1 was still at preschool during my maternity leave, and at first I let DH take her every morning, but around 8 weeks or so, I started taking her and I'd bring LO2 with me obviously. So we had a routine in the morning and in the evening, and the rest of the day, I'd just use the EASY routine as best as I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785298 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:28:23 +0000 birdofafeather 2785298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age, i just went by the EASY routine. And the afternoon nap would try to correspond with my toddler’s. I would typically try to get the baby up around the same time as the toddler (or right after she has breakfast if it was a rough night) and then bedtime was typically a bit before the toddler’s because that was her preference. With the second, i really didn’t sweat a schedule otherwise we’d be trapped in the house which would have been worse for us all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785278 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:36:14 +0000 Mamag511 2785278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any advice for how to get baby 2 - who is 8 weeks old - on somewhat of a loose schedule? With having a 2.5 year old at home with us on maternity leave, we just can’t get any kind of rhythm down and hes a fussier baby so I don’t know if that would help. Don’t know if I’m just really tired and unrealistic that he could handle some type of loose daytime schedule, or if I’m still in the survival mode of getting through those first few weeks. Any advise, words of wisdom are much appreciated! </p>