Get him on some sort of schedual(is it even possible?) Like say ok, I know he is going to eat at 7, 9, 12, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 2, 4, 6...yes, the time inbetween fluctates, but so does he. I don't mind as long as it's consistant...it would really help me plan my days and time....any ideas? Is he stil too young? He'll be 6 weeks monday.
When you are nursing a baby, it's best to nurse on demand, especially when he is so young. What would be better is to look at how he nurses. How long does he normally nurse at a given time during the day, then how long in between nursing sessions? The thing is, when he is going through a growth spurt, he will nurse like crazy. Will probably seem like he's nursing 24/7 some times. But as he gets older, he should be able to get more milk per nursing session and start spacing them out more.
I think trying to put him on a schedule now, will probably frustrate you more than help you.
I would just figure - he'll nurse at Y a.m. for X min and then give me 30 min to get some thing done.
While nursing him around 1 pm, I'll read a book to Michael. (Multi tasking here - maybe let Mike hold the book and turn the pages.) Or if you can nurse with just one hand supporting Dean's head (after he's latched on), play with Mike then - little cars, blocks, etc.
Nuring his afternoon nap - prepare supper - put in oven at a certain time later on as needed. Or take a nap if you can - you'll feel better and probably be able to get more done.
Want to take a hot bath? Put Dean in the bouncy seat next to the tub. You can pick him up and nurse him while you sit in the tub if needed. I also found it a much easier way to bath DD when she was that small.
If you have a baby carring device that works for you - put him in that while you do some light house keeping. Often the movement will calm fussy babies.
I didn't bf so I don't know how to schedule babies while bf but, Cayten figured his own schedule out. Just watch him for a few days, I bet you will start to see similarities. As you notice the similarities btwn feeding time, bath time, nap time, etc. you will be better able to prepare a schedule based on Dean and what he is doing. Good Luck.
I didn't have a schedule at that age either. Here some things that I did.
If I needed to go to the grocery store (which means walmart) I would nurse right before I walked out the door. Once I was there I would get all my non- perishable stuff, then go to the dressing rooms and nurse, then go get the rest of my groceries.
I would also try to prepare dinner through out the day. I am known for my crock pot meals.
My girls seemed to love hanging out in a sling while I vaccummed. The rythmn of my motion and the noise was sure to soothe them to sleep.
Once they were around 3 months it seemed easier to predict their nap and feeding needs.
I agree with the three months, it was around then Tai started to develop a schedule until then had to be creative on doing things. Hope he cooperates for you soon!
10-09-2007, 02:41 PM
how do i...
