Babies and Schedules
Scheduling is heavily on my mind because I’ve been re-evaluating my own schedule. Since all the administrative parts of doula/postpartum work are done at home with my boys, I work in pockets of the day. When Isaiah was younger, it was easier because he slept a lot more. Now, his schedule is closer to Lucas’ but you have to have you eyes on them both ALL DAY LONG. At 2-years-old and 9-months-old they are already wrestling and having little battles; they also appear to like to team up on us and are becoming the best of friends. A pretty typical thing for boys this age but it has been very demanding on top of all the other new responsibilities in pandemic times. (Anyone else get to the store only to have no mask in the car?!) So I’m doing this for myself again and will be doing it for some mamas in the coming weeks as they return to work from their new home-kitchen-closet-floor offices.
One of my favorite things about schedule creation is that you can be as detailed as you want. I’ve made schedules for people who are staying home and or going back to their corporate jobs and most of the concerns are the same. I incorporate things like B&B (breastfeeding and bonding) or F&B (feeding and bonding) into most schedules because connection is an important part of the feeding puzzle. If you are formula feeding or weaning (like me!) particularly for my kid’s age, I replace that with Hang Time - where there is no feeding involved but you still make space for connection with you and baby. One of the most common questions I have to answer is, “do babies even follow schedules?!” yes and no! The schedule is more for you the baby will (eventually… usually… some of y’all have stubborn babies) get on board.
Show Me What You Mean…
The schedule below was created specifically for a mama who had certain goals for a baby of a certain age - feeding/increasing weight, eliminating the use of formula, and easing back into a regular work schedule by returning part-time from home. I think this is a great example of what creating a schedule can do for you! This schedule gave her the confidence to discover what pumps worked best for her and the freedom to go on vacation (pre-Rona) knowing baby would have plenty of breastmilk, as they transitioned away from formula. This schedule takes into consideration the best times of day for her to work, her partner’s work schedule, the baby’s age, current feeding schedule, and so so much more. I love helping people simplify their lives postpartum! (*I only included one of the notes from this schedule because the schedules are really personalized!)This one goes on to include some info on baby wake ups and what the weekend variation schedule would mean for her.
Mama
4:45AM Pump (electric)
5:30AM Breastfeed
8AM Wake up
9AM Breakfast
10AM - 12PM Work
12PM Lunch
1PM Pump (electric)
2PM - 4:30PM Work
Post dinner pump - 7PM*
9:45PM Bedtime
Baby
5:30AM Breastfeeding
8AM Wake up
10:30 Breastfeeding/nap
12:30/1PM Bottle feed
2:30PM Nap
4PM Breastfeeding
6PM Bottle feeding
7:30 B&B (breastfeeding & bonding)
(Another short nap is expected before bedtime)
8PM Bedtime**
Weekend Variation***
5:30AM Breastfeed (manual pump opposite side - hand pump)
1PM Pump (electric)
4PM Breastfeed (manual pump opposite side - Haakaa)
Skip post dinner pump
12:30AM Pump (electric)
*I would say try to keep the flexibility within 30 mins - 1 hour of the suggested times here. With her about to start hitting some major developmental milestones, you may find it difficult to put her down for bed or even naps, on OCCASION. its normal and expected!
Let me know what you think of this schedule! Questions about schedule creation?!
Leave them in the comments!