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The importance of a perfect routine to raise a happy baby

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

A healthy babycare routine is essential to raise your little one right.

Contents

The importance of a healthy babycare routine for your little one
How to start and maintain a routine for your baby?

“What is learned in the cradle lasts to the tomb.”

It means, ''Whatever is learned in the early childhood stays within till the last breath.''

When parents follow a scheduled life, the organizer in them is brought to light. Such responsible and organized parents would definitely make it a point to inculcate values and skills in their little ones to establish a routine for their future. Though a baby’s needs may seem to be quite simple- food, sleep, and lots of love, it is indeed a challenging task, especially for first-time parents to figure out and quench the needs of their little one. Then, with experience, the parents would find that framing a regular schedule or routine for their kid would make life much easier for both of them.

The importance of a healthy babycare routine for your little one

When parents decide to frame a routine for their little ones, many queries would pop up in their mind- like when to start, how to start, are there any options to choose, and so on.

Well, though it is still under debate whether a routine and organized life is essential for a baby and when and how to establish a routine for the little one, health professionals recommend that by week 2, it is important to develop some sort of sleep and feed routine for babies. While many experts say that babies are ready for a general schedule between the age of 2 and 4 months, some pediatricians say most babies’ feeding and sleeping habits become more consistent and predictable after three or four months of age, but one factor they all agree with, is that babies and young children feel safe and secure when they know what and when things are going to happen.

How to start and maintain a routine for your baby?

Moms must know that each baby is unique. Establishing a routine for a baby depends on the baby’s individuality. There is no hard and fast rule or pre-set guidelines for developing a routine for a baby. Parents have to initially study and observe their baby’s needs and demands and establish a routine accordingly.

Flexible on demand:

For newborn babies, it is best that feedings and sleeping are on demand. You can try developing some caregiving routines around sleeping and feedings that will lay a foundation for establishing a routine later on. For example, to lull your baby to sleep, you can nurse him, play a soft music while caressing his head. Later on, playing soft music, nursing, and caressing will become a cue for the little one's sleeping. Your child will find it comfortable to anticipate what will take place next.

Expose your baby to the difference between daytime and night:

Most babies may sleep for longer hours during the day and be awake at night. Helping them to learn about the day from night is a significant step to frame a routine. Expose your baby to the morning sunlight and keep your house bright with full of life activities and movements. Have lots of fun during playtime, keep the little one engaged and make the day lively. At night, keep the lights dim and quiet with very fewer movements in your room and change his clothes before going to bed and sing a lullaby for the sleep time. These changes will help him learn that daytime is sunlight, play, and fun time, and the night is about lullaby and sleeping.

Let your baby be your guide:

Your baby will express his needs through coos, fussing, rooting. Learn to read his cues. Tune a routine for your baby for his regular feeds, playtime, and sleep. In the beginning, you need to have lots of patience because the routine may not fall in place perfectly. With the course of time, the routine may prove handy and pave way for some relaxation. Sometimes a small surprise in the routine, like going outdoors during the day makes the little one get more fresh air and daylight, and it soothes him to sleep better at night.

Grandma's Tip: Yes, a routine for your baby is important. But at this stage, a routine for you as a new mom is imperative too. Keep your ears covered most of the times and keep a close watch on what you eat. Along with your baby, you are prone to infections too, and in case you catch a cold, your little one would catch it too. Stay away from flu and other kinds of ailments. Your routine will directly affect your baby's routine. So, make sure it's a healthy one.

Prioritise your baby’s routine as number one:

Consistency is the key to a successful routine. When you make your baby your number one priority, you will help him understand that his feedings, naps, and playtime will happen at particular times.

Behavioral patterns:

Look for patterns in the behavior of your little one, it will assist you to develop routines. To learn your baby’s needs, it takes patience and time. You can log the daily activities of your baby regarding feeding time, sleeping time, and his play time. To record them, you can use a notebook and pen, a spreadsheet on the computer, or a smart tracking mobile app. This record will help you later to track and frame a suitable routine that works better for the little one. With emerging patterns, you will be able to anticipate his needs from time to time.

Foresee changes during growth spurts and milestones:

Growth spurts are sudden change (increase) in the growth pattern of the baby. Your baby is likely to have a growth spurt at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, then 6 months. During these growth spurt times, his needs may drastically vary. Like, sleeping for long hours or waking up many times at night, fussing around more, or feeling hungrier than normal. Be cool and make a few adjustments to the routine as the previous routine may not help in achieving the milestones. After some days probably, you can come back to the earlier routine.

Tips to remember:

1. No matter what the routine says or the approach you take, it is essential that your baby’s well-being is the topmost concern for you. The routine is a guideline but should never become bigger than your baby's health and safety.

2. The routine for the first 8 weeks is based on the mom’s needs and not on the needs of the baby. This is because a breastfeeding mom needs to feed her baby more often in the first eight weeks to build up a good supply of breast milk.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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