Bridging the Big Pond: Evan's evolving schedule

A recent conversation with a new mom had me thinking about Evan's daily schedule. While I tried to remember how his schedule evolved to what it is now, I had a hard time remembering much about it! Another new mom I know has done a nice job of documenting her baby's schedule over the months in her blog. So, while thinking about what Evan's schedule used to be, compared to what it is now, I thought it may be an interesting blog topic for me to write about.

Luckily I documented his schedule when he was a newborn (in a blog post that I drafted, but never published), and then at 5 months old for our childcare provider. She had asked for it as Evan began daycare so she could try her best to mimic his normal routine. Thus, I thought it might be fun to have a then and now comparison of his schedule, because it has changed a good bit. While finding these old schedules did bring back memories of when we followed those routines, I still cannot remember how the evolution took place to what we follow now. In particular, I don't recall how we knew Evan didn't need a 3rd nap anymore. Maybe one day the baby-fog will clear and my memories will come back, but for now I need to save space in my memory for the more precious baby moments, like the smiles he gives me at bedtime (and now almost any time of day), and the hugs he gives me when he rests his head on my shoulder. :)

Schedule: < 1 month old

Wake mommy up at ~1am and 4am and 7am for feedings. He sleeps well in between feedings, and even after the 7am feeding until his 10am feeding sometimes, which allows me to sleep in later and get more accumulated sleep if needed. This is okay now, but will not work when I am back to work!

He spends some time awake and alert mid-day, when we try more tummy time, floor gym time, reading books, dancing and singing to music.

He nurses again around 1pm, and then naps in his swing until his 4pm feeding. Depending on what John or I are doing that evening, he sometimes spends time on daddy's lap or in my arms, while he either naps or looks around, until his 7pm feeding, and again until his 10pm feeding. He goes to sleep in his bassinet after 10pm usually, when John and I are ready for bed too.

Schedule: 5 months old

7:00am Wakes up (this can shift plus or minus an hour some days)

Breastfeeding

7:30am Playtime (under floor gym)

Tummy time (until he gets upset, he doesn’t last long usually)

Book reading time

9:00am Naptime (in swing; typically short nap ~45 minutes or so)

10:00am Bottle (4-5 oz breastmilk)

10:30am Playtime (Jumperoo or bouncer chair)

“Sit up” time (practice having him sitting up with Boppy or Bumbo or just with us holding him)

12:00pm Naptime (in swing; this is often his longest nap of day, 1-2 hrs)

1:30pm Bottle (4-5 oz breastmilk)

2:00pm Playtime (Jumperoo or bouncer chair)

Floor time (with teething toys and handheld toys)

Tummy time

3:30pm Naptime (in swing; can vary from 45 min to well over an hour)

4:30pm Bottle (4-5 oz breastmilk)

5:00pm Playtime (Jumperoo or bouncer chair)

Floor time (with teething toys and handheld toys)

Book reading time

7:30pm Get ready for bed

Breastfeeding

8:00pm Bedtime

Schedule: 11 months old

6am (plus or minus 30 minutes): Wake up, followed by breastfeeding (most often in our bed)

~7am: Breakfast

Breakfast is most often oatmeal mixed with prune juice, plus other pureed fruits and sometimes YoBaby yogurt mixed in. We also give him some Cheerios or Yogurt Melts to keep him occupied while we mix up breakfast.

8am: To daycare (twice a week), otherwise play time (LeapFrog activity table and VTech walker are favorite items right now)

9am: Nap, in crib with pacifier and blankie and bunny bear (usually an hour, can be up to 2 hours). We read him stories before every nap time.

10:30am (or whenever wakes from nap): Bottle 3 oz breastmilk (or breastfeeding), then playtime

Noon: Lunch time

Lunch is usually Puffs or Cheerios (the "appetizers" while I prepare the rest!), cheese, and usually 4-8 oz of pureed veggies/fruits/meat or grain mixes.

1:30pm (or about 3 hours after waking from morning nap): Bottle (3 oz breastmilk) or breastfeeding.

2pm: Nap, in crib with pacifier and blankie and bunny bear (usually an hour, can be up to 2 hours). We read him stories before every nap time.

4pm: Bottle (3 oz breastmilk) or breastfeeding

5:30pm: Home from daycare followed by dinner.

Dinner usually starts with some Puffs or Cheerios, and then is typically 4-8 oz of pureed veggies/meat and grain mixes, and sometimes an arrowroot cookie (for dessert!). We do try other finger foods with him, but haven't come up with enough variety that he can handle (or that he likes) yet.