Feeding Schedule
Dear Susan:
Thank you so much for your good advice. However, I do have one more question regarding your advice to put him on a schedule. Could you give me a “typical” schedule format for me to go by. I realize that a schedule should be accommodated to fit his personality, etc. but a general outline of sorts would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Carey
Dear Carey:
Generally, do not bother calling it a schedule, just call it:”
- Stretching the time between feedings, especially at night.
- Creating more activity during high alert wakeful periods.
-
Cuddling, bathing, massaging, and soothing at low alert or fussy times and most importantly, recognizing your baby’s need to self-regulate himself and to be more able to calm himself, play, hand objects and to respond to “people”. By now, he is an expert at locating you and enjoying a large number of toys that he can see , hear, smell, taste, touch, etc.
He is a real little personality now - you can recognize some traits that define who he is, and not “what a baby does”. Activity level? High or low? Moody? Persistent or not interested? More visual than auditory? More “Touchy-feely” than visual? His personality and how he views the world is coming through. So do not worry about the exact same schedule every day – just a general plan for the days, so he begins to organize himself into that plan.
Have fun and thanks for writing,
Susan H. Turben, Ph.D.
