I am just curiuos to know how other moms out there structure their day in terms of activities, naps, feeding etc. with their little ones. I am looking to add some more variety to our day and was hoping for some ideas from other moms. Sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough or feeling like I need to be engaged with my little one the entire day which as much as I love him can be exhausting :-) I would greatly appreciate others thoughts, experiences etc! Thanks, L.
I wanted to thank everyone so much for your responses. It is very easy to feel like you are not doing a good job or enough~espeically as a first time parent. It was helpful beyond words to hear what others are doing, going through etc... and to realize as Belinda said that my son is letting me know what he wants/needs. Another thing that I have realized is that it is dangerous to read too many books/artilces as it just becomes overwhelming! The one resource that I have recently found that is refreshing is a book called Our Babies Ourselves~it talks about the fact that how we raise our children (not just in the US, but around the world) often has more to do with cultural norms than what the actual biological needs of our children~it was just refreshing to read about the many ways for example cultures view feeding, sleeping etc. Thats all for now as I am beginning to ramble :-) Thanks again to everyone!
Hi L.,
I think that you need to take your cues from your baby and no need to be engaged with your little one the ENTIRE day. It's important for a babies development to do things on their own also. My suggestion is if your son is enjoying himself let him explore. I'm a certified Infant/toddler and preschool teacher. I hope this helps. : )
L.,
The adjustment of life with new baby can be tough at times, huh? My little one just turned 10 months and we are finally into a groove!
He is up around 6 AM. He has a bottle at about 6:45 and then breakfast at about 7:30. Then we may play and if it is not too cold, we take our dog to the dog park.
His first nap is at 9 AM. When he is up from his am nap at about 10-10:30 we do errands or go to the library, our local Barnes and Noble (they have great kid play areas!), a music class, lunch with friends, or the my gym (my son LOVES the gym nursery because he is used to it). These activities stimulate him and they are fun for me too! We fit in lunch around 11:30 or so either on the go or back at home.
He has a bottle at 1 PM and then a nap at 1:30 and it usually lasts for 1-2 hours. When he is up form his PM nap he has a snack (bottle or yogurt) and then we may play a little or go for a walk or run to the grocery store for dinner prep!!!
I try to give him a bath before dinner so that he can spend time with Daddy after dinner (while I CLEAN_UP!!!!).
A key to my schedule was his Napping schedule and sleep habits. If your baby is not in a napping routine at this point it is key to establish it. I got a lot of great info from the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth.
Hope this helps!
xox
Jen B
I have 3 children. Two are twins. I desperately needed a break in my routine. I would get the oldest on the bus and head out for a walk or in the winter go to the mall and walk. I found the kids just liked being out and seeing different surroundings as much as I did. Babies are easily stimulated and you don't have to constantly engage them for them to develop. Some one on one every day is needed, but even feeding time is a time to interact and talk to them. Play time was best in the morning they were much more engaging. Good luck. The routine can get to you day after day. Break with the routine and get out some. Structure is over rated. I was very structured with my first and then when the twins came along all structure went out the window. I became a much more laid back mom. I did think naps and feeding times needed to be consistant, babies do like routine in those areas.
I am a great, great grandmother who reared four children, fostered many, and was a home day care mom for many years.
I founf that when the weather was good, I would take the babies, children, outside. Even resting outside, just watch a baby's face as it watches the leaves blow, an animal cross it's path, etc.
Inside, I could play with the baby or if busy, often set up the little seat so I could talk with the baby while I folded clothes on the couch, cooked dinner, etc.
Buut do not forget that a child also need to learn to entertain him/her self so when there is time alone there is no anxiety. As the child developes you will realize how important that is. That is a reason it is best to put a child in its crib while awake, so the babe can learn to be alone and feel secure within itself, and learn to sleep without being held all the time.
Hope this helps. I enjoyed this time in the children's lives for it is a time of exploring, learning, and beginning to feel that it is apart from its mother and not " attached physically" any more.
Jan
Right around the 4 month stage I felt like I was starting to lose my mind with our routine and just feeling shut off from the world. One thing really changed it for me: I joined a mom's club. It really saved me. At first, it was hard being the new girl, but I stuck with it and ended up so happy I did. Going to play groups twice a week gave me a chance to converse w/adults, talk about our kids (which you hate doing w/everybody else because it feels like all you talk about) and it gave something for the baby to do...I highly recommend it. Research on this site for one. They're all over. good luck! Jen
Hi L.- My daughter is 8 mo. and we are finally into a bit of a routine...emotionally I often feel the same way you do- a bit bored and uncertain...but here is our general schedule for what its worth!
6ish- she wakes up I nurse her- her dad takes her out into the kitchen and she hangs out while he is getting ready for work- I go back to sleep for 20 min or so!
7-8:30- we play a bit- we sit her on a blanket w/ toys in the kitchen- she watches us as my husband gets ready for work- I do some stuff in the kitchen, make breakfast, etc.
8:30ish-10ish- I nurse her and she naps
after her nap I change her out of her pjs- we play a bit- I throw in laundry and then we often go run errands- we have a music class one day a week- or we'll go grocery shopping- sometimes I do housework while she is sitting on my bed playing w/ toys or sitting on a rug in her room playing-
11:00 I've been giving her cereal and some veggies
12:30 nurse
1:30-2:30ish nap
3:30 nurse
6:00 cereal and veg or fruit again
7:00-7:30 dad gives her a bath if she needs one- put her pjs on and I nurse her to sleep
There it is! Not very exciting! I find there are a lot of times during the day that I'll do housework and feel a bit guilty b/c she is sitting by herself- but plenty of times I will sit and play w/ her- I just started this music class 1x per week and love it b/c it is s/t structured and fun we can do together-
hope this helps-
I second Jennifer B's response. That's exactly what I did after I had my first daughter. We moved to a new state and I didn't know anyone, so I sought out local baby activity classes like Gymboree and such. I met a lot of other stay at home moms and that led to playdates (and friendships). There is also a club for stay at home moms called MOMS Club which has chapters nationwide. I was a member for years and highly recommend it. Google it or look in the events listings in your local newspaper to see if there's a chapter near you. Enjoy this the one on one time with your baby. It passes so soon!
Hi L.! I know its really hard to feel like you are engaging your child enough-I go through this all the time!! I tried to find some outside the home things to do too-the Springvale library has 10 Baby Rhyme Time on Thursdays and a lot of other kids go-Xavier LOVES it (hes almost 8 months)!
We also do Swimming on Monday mornings-infant massage on Wednesday mornings and then the library on thursdays that helps break up the week a little!
Xavier wakes up around 7-8 and I nurse him
Breakfast of fruit and cereal or yogurt around 830
Play time until 1030
1030 is nap time til about 1130
1130 nurse then lunch (either cereal/fruit/veggie/or stage 3 meal)
Play time until 2
2 nurse and snack
230 3 ish nap time for a couple hours (hopefully)
630 dinner bath time story time bed time! :)
By play time we usually either read a story or play with his drums-he loves those-also his little scooter/rocker thing and the baby keyboard that hooks up to the computer! I pretty much let him decide what we do but having time with the other kids during the week he really seems to enjoy! Hope it helps!!
Hi L.:
I can't write a long email right now b/c I'm at work, but I have the same questions and concerns about structuring the day for my 8 month old son. I work part time and am w/ him 2 days/wk. I go crazy sometimes!! Recently, I started wearing him in a backpack and that has helped a lot in terms of being able to so more things around the house when I am w/ him. I just signed us up for a class which will be a nice way to have a structured activity on a regular basis. I can email you more when I get another chance. How has it been going for you so far this week?
-Sista (my nickname)
