Schedule?

Since one of the hardest things about being mom is getting your baby to be on some sort of schedule, especially when it comes to naps and bedtime, I decided to do some research on the matter. As luck may have it, I did my research at Goodwill where I found a book called "The Baby Whisperer" for the everyday low price of fifty cents. I heard about this book from several sources and it came highly reccommended. (We'll see!)

I read the first few chapters. I found out that I am unorganized (knew that) and that I had a "spirited baby". (We all know what "spirited" means...) Now, how shall we deal with this? "The Baby Whisperer" outlines an E.A.S.Y plan. (I like easy!) But, first says that I need to be organized and consistent. (Oh boy!)

The next four chapters outline this E.A.S.Y. plan. The E is for eating. It tells me how to feed my baby and how often. (Okay? I've been feeding her for four months now, got it!) The A is for activity. It tells me that newborns are pretty boring and don't do much, the book gives few ideas for activities to do with baby. (First of all, I have a "spirited baby". She has been "active since day one. Second, she's now four months old. She needs active play. Third, is nursing an activity?) Then, comes S! S is for sleep! This is the part I need! The two things that stick out to me most in S: (1) Do not nurse your baby to sleep (What? This is the way I've done it for four months!) (2) Put your baby down to sleep "drowsy but awake". (But, then she'll scream at me! She's "spirited" remember!) Why can't S ever be easy? Needless to say, S hasn't happened all that well yet, so I haven't gotten to Y, which is for you.

Currently, I am "tracking" her sleeping and eating, trying to form a schedule based on her needs. This was suggested somewhere in the front of the book. We loosely follow the E.A.S.Y. plan and it seems to work very well during the day, then just dissolves in the evening. I really believe that a baby's schedule will eventually work itself out. Just like us, babies have circadian rythyms (sleep at nighttime, wake in daytime). They start to get into circadian rythyms around three months. Since we live in a cold, dark place in the winter, I truely believe that this spring and summer when we have more daylight, all of the kinks will get worked out. 

I welcome all of your comments, suggestions and questions!

-Rachel