the baby routine

I know it’s probably wrong to tease you with a word like ‘routine’ paired with ‘baby.’ You’re probably wondering, ‘do the two even go together?!’ I think the answer is ‘yes,’ but that maybe wait a few months before considering it!

So, with that said, what is our baby routine like?!

Wake time: Nia wakes anywhere from 7:30am to 9am. It’s nice when it’s later, but even if it’s earlier, I try to encourage ‘hang out in bed with mom while she wakes up more’ time.

Day feedings: Usually occur every 1-2 hours. I think we’ve regressed a bit in the past few weeks, because I do feel like I’m feeding her more often than I used to. I do like and aim for every 2 hours (or more if I can get away with it), but sometimes when she cries and I’ve tried all other options, it does come down to her just being hungry!

Night feedings: I’ll feed her right before she goes to sleep (which is usually what gets her to sleep) and then her first wake up/feeding happens anywhere from 2-4am, with a second one between 5-7am. This has been the pattern for the last few weeks, which is totally fine with me because my body is used to it and they don’t last long. So, I can feed her and then put her back in her crib.

Diaper changes: I don’t know how many moms struggle with constipated babies, but mine is definitely not one of them. This might be TMI, but sometimes she can poop up to 5 times a day, and normally goes at least twice a day. First one happens shortly after waking, so I can experience these smiles.

As for the night, it’s normally just one diaper change, that usually happens for the second feeding – just a reeeeally wet diaper!

Sometimes if she does mysteriously go on the first feeding and I forget to check her, she’ll definitely let me know! She’ll continuously squirm in her crib (not getting fussy or crying), while still asleep, so that’s when I quickly try and change her!

Bath times: Probably a good one to go over after the poop talk . We give her a bath every other day, and just transitioned from bathing in the sink to a big girl tub! She loves her baths!

Laundry: I normally do one big load of her stuff on the weekend, and then wash a few things throughout the week (like some sleepers and receiving blankets). But, once she outgrows all the stuff for her now (because we don’t have very much for the next size up), we’ll probably have to do more frequent washings until we replenish her clothing!! Another reason why babies should stay small .

Daytime activities: I’ll be mentioning this in Nia’s 3 month update coming on the weekend, but she is quite the observer. She tracks me wherever I go. If I’m in the kitchen prepping food, cleaning, etc, I sit her in her chair on the island and she just watches me. I’d like to think that she’s watching what I’m doing so she can take over as soon as she’s old enough or that she just admires me that much . Either way, girl is like a hawk!!

-She’s so content sitting in the chair, and I think one of the best things to have for a baby (luckily my sis-in-law gave us hers to use!). She sits in it while I’m in the kitchen, and it’s what also allows me to shower (or blow dry my hair)!!

-We also like to tell each other stories throughout the day. She can be such a chatterbox and I love every minute of it!

-We read (but more books are something I seriously need!!)

-We lie on the ground and lie under her playstation (not even sure what to call the thing, but it has a caterpillar hanging above her and bright colours)

-Practice tummy time, which normally only lasts a few minutes, but still!!

And the last thing we do brings me to the next point…

Naps: My other new mom friends know that a few weeks ago, nap times were virtually nonexistent! Luckily, that has changed. The turning point? She learned how to self-soothe. Now instead of staying awake after she startles herself out of sleep, she latches onto that thumb and goes back to sleep. This is also effective for going to bed at night and after feedings. She loves her thumb! I used to suck my thumb when I was little too, so I compleeeetely get the girl .

Now that we’re in napping heaven, she typically takes about 3-4 per day; some longer than others. Her longest so far has been about 2 hours and her shortest at probably 20-30mins. Either way, I’m just happy that we’re actually getting naps now!

I know that we’re still learning and changing, but this is our routine at the moment! I consider myself pretty lucky to get to hang out with this little lady all day!! I know the hubby loves his time with her when I’m at school too! It really is amazing how things change so quickly. All the stuff we’re doing today could be completely different tomorrow, which is why I say it’s the routine at the moment. We’ll see what tomorrow brings .

Things I’m looking forward to in the future:

• Getting to run OUTSIDE with her in the BOB!
• Starting solids
• Traveling to SC in a month and a half!

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New moms: tell me something about one of the points above for your baby!!