Routine or schedule

I'm pretty sure a 2 month old can't control you

i have a 2m and a 2yr this is a typical day when im not working 6am-baby up, diaper change, bottle, change clothes 7a- toddler up take to potty, get dressed have breakfast brush teeth 9a- lay baby down for nap and spend time with toddler doing an activity like coloring or something 11:30- toddles lunch time newborn activity like tummy time or sensory activity 12- nap/bottle for both kids 3p-toddler snack time/baby nap 4-5 family activities, errands cleaning house etc baby naps/feeds on demand 6p-dinner 6:30- baby gets his bath routine and does more tummy time/baby activities until bedtime at 7:30-8p 7p- toddler gets her bath routine done and plays until her bedtime at 8:30

I just go with the flow. But I work from home currently and my other child is 12 and in middle school so I don't really need to follow a schedule.

I’ve had 4 and never had a baby on a schedule at 2 months because they’re usually all over the place. What I like to do is write down on my notes app when they start eating and I’m nursing so I also write down which side I started on and then I track naps. This one only takes 20 minute naps at a time and maybe one 40-60min nap a day. Sometimes pieces of a routine will pop up once I look back on what I’ve written down which is good information to have. He’s not really scheduled throughout the day but at nighttime he’s starting to settle into one on his own. At 7-7:30 I know he’ll eat and take a nap for 20 min and then by 9-9:30 I’ll be feeding him to put down to bed. He gets up at 1am and 4am and then is up for the day at 7:30. I do all the things and he still wakes up because he needs to. Some of mine slept through the night by 2 months and some have woken up like this one. Just remember he’s only been doing this in the world stuff for 2 months now. He’s still figuring things out

My friends who have had babies around the same time as me all have their 2 mo 3 mo baby in a routine and i feel like such a slacker that i go with the flow. I try to keep things proactive during the day brightness outdoors if possible stretching tummy time visual books and cards walks outside close facial contact conversation... when the sun goes down dark lighting not as proactive more relaxing wind down etc. Thats where i am at right now but that works for us and her at the moment of being up during day sleep most of the night

@Courtney Cantillo thanks for your input

@Fran i don't mean it in a bad way love. I just meant a baby has no control over you, nor even thinks about controlling you. Their brains aren't wired that way. However at 2 months it's hard to have a schedule, just follow their cues!

@Mackenzie ok so I’m not crazy for feeling like I should have a routine. It’s even harder because I nurse him on demand and he doesn’t like to sit in his swing longer than 10-15 mins for me to get other things done. He’d rather me hold him. I’m only able to lay him on his back in the bassinet long enough to cook breakfast before he gets fussy

@Johnna so your baby goes down for naps at scheduled times that’s amazing. My son is nursing on demand as well but I will try and get him up and nursing at 6am to see if he will follow a schedule. Thank you 🙏🏾

My baby is 12 weeks and I have an almost 5 year old in preschool (both kids attend same daycare) But our schedule is: 6-wake for the day with bottle 6:30-wake brother up for school and get him dressed/breakfast. On weekends he just sleeps in 7-7:30ish- baby cat naps/ then load up car on school days 9-bottle then play 10-12- nap 12-bottle then play 1-3- nap 3-bottle I pick up both kids from school at 3:30 5-5:30- cat nap (her worst nap) 5:30- bottle 7-8-nap 8 bath time routine 8:30- bottle and bed For the most part she sleeps all night except this week 🥲 small regression.

@Fran baby wearing is a life saver! I have a bouncer that I have in the kitchen with me that I put him in and sometimes can’t stop bouncing him but at least he’s not crying lol you don’t have to fit him in a box. Some babies eat/sleep/poop on a schedule lol and some babies just do what they want and that’s okay too. I’ve found that if my son eats past 20 minutes then hes just sleepy nursing and sometimes I can pull him off and put him down or sometimes he’ll eat for another 10 minutes. You’re not doing anything wrong momma I promise. Embrace the chaos and again, look for those few moments a day where he may start putting a routine together

@Kelli i WFH and go back in two weeks. Im trying to limit outside childcare…any advice?

We are all over the place. Hope it gets better soon

@Leighann I'm only temporarily allowed WFH because of the inability to afford outside care. In May I'll be hybrid for the two days my FIL can watch my daughter. For the summer I'll no longer be WFH at all because my husband can watch her since he's a teacher. We have to figure out what we're going to do in the fall when school resumes. I do any phone calls while my baby is asleep and wear her to do other work when she isn't okay with being on her play mat, swing, or bouncer.

Hi! I have a two month old and we have a routine :)

hmm, I totally get that! I found that having a loose schedule helps, like set times for naps and meals, but also being flexible when needed is key, especially with a toddler in the mix! here's what the 'Heal App' says.... "Establishing a routine can be incredibly helpful for both you and your children. Start by creating a flexible daily schedule that includes set times for feeding, napping, and play for your 2-month-old, while also incorporating activities for your 3-year-old. For example, you might align your baby's nap times with quiet play or storytime for your toddler, allowing you to manage both their needs simultaneously. Another tip is to involve your toddler in the baby's care, like helping with diaper changes or choosing toys for playtime, which can foster a sense of responsibility and keep them engaged. Remember, it's okay to adjust the routine as needed; flexibility is key when managing young children.

My daughter is 3 months and we’ve been using the huckleberry app to track everything. She’s on a schedule for the most part when it comes to naps and feedings. It’s been helpful. Hope this helps

@Courtney Cantillo girl, I know that. I didn’t mean it literally. “He’s controlling my day” meaning I have no control over my day nor a schedule because I’m a bit disheveled with this newborn stage all over again and also have a toddler on my hands. I was looking for helpful advice not scientific facts about how babies’ brains work. Thanks and take care.

@Mackenzie thanks so much 🥰

@Dominique thanks I’ll give it a try, I’ve never heard of this app.

@Leighann sometimes, acceptance is all we need 😂 I feel that

@Fran yes he eats on demand but he usually gets sleepy the smell times of days and once i implemented having bap time during those times it changed his night sleep drastically he would wake up MINIMUM every 2 hrs now that his routine is a little more fixed and has structure he goes to bed around 8-9p and stays asleep until 6-7a

@Dominique do you use the paid version of Huckleberry? Trying to decide if its worth it

@Leighann I used the trial but I use the free version. The difference I see is it doesn’t give you the sweetspot time for naps or stay on your screen so you have to remember to log everything . There’s no reminders with the free version

@Dominique I have the free version and get reminders that it's time to feed my baby or pump for her, also to give her her vitamin d supplement. There's just no reminder that you can set up for sleep and naps which doesn't bother me.

@Kelli that’s awesome.