Sleep Schedules

When Lyla James came into this world, I became obsessed with her sleep schedule and making sure she was getting what she needed to thrive. I am also pretty OCD and I need a plan to be able to get through the day. While I understand that babies are unpredictable, I was determined to get her on a schedule that would allow us all to survive. I asked every mom I knew for tips and tricks then I read every book and blog available. I was driving myself and my husband crazy! But, I feel like we found what worked for us and since about 12 weeks, Lyla James has successfully slept through the night. Naps have been a whole different ballgame so I will tackle that later. Many have asked so here are the schedules we used and the resources I turned to for advice. 

Around 8 weeks I started putting her down drowsy in her crib or bassinet for naps at the same time everyday. This helped us to develop a schedule for the day. We started with 4 nap times (because she was a 45 min naper) and then an 8pm bedtime. I followed the eat, awake, sleep routine so Lyla wouldn’t depend on a bottle to go to sleep.

Please keep in mind all babies are different and I definitely don’t think this is the right way. It was what worked for us. Lyla James was fed both breast milk and formula until 4 months then only formula. We also used the Magic Merlin Sleep Suit from 3-7 months then transitioned to a sleep sack. It truly was magic and I believe that along with the book, 12 Hours by 12 Weeks, were the tools to our success! 

Here are the schedules I followed....

2-4 Months

7:00 Wake for the day- 6oz bottle

8:30 Nap

10:00 6oz bottle

11:30 Nap

1:00 6oz bottle

2:30 Nap

4:00 6oz bottle

5:00 Nap 

7:00 6oz bottle

7:30 Bath/Books

8:00 Bed

4-6 Months (Bottle increased to 8oz by 6 months)

7:00 Wake/Bottle 

9-10:30 Nap

11:00 Bottle

12:30-2 Nap

3:00 Bottle

3:30-4:30 Nap

7:00 Bottle - Bed

6-9 Months (Solids were introduced around 6 months)

7:00 Wake/ Bottle

8:00 Oatmeal

9-11 Nap

11:00 Bottle

12:00 Puréed Fruit

1-3 Nap

3:00 Bottle

4:30 Catnap if afternoon nap was short

5:00 Puréed Vegetable

7:00 Bottle - Bed

9-14 Months

7:00 Wake - Bottle

9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Nap

12:00 Bottle

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Nap

4:00 Bottle

5:00 Dinner

7:00 Bottle - Bed

14 Months (Down to 1 Nap- No more formula)

7:00 Wake - Milk 

8:00 Breakfast

10:00 Snack

12:00 Lunch 

1:00 Nap (Usually 2 hours sometimes longer)

3:30 Snack

5:30-6:00 Dinner

7:00 Bed

We are currently approaching 18 months and I am hoping we don’t have an regression issues. She really hasn’t had any to this point, or at least nothing that has been too terrible to deal with. But I like to refer to the book Healthy Sleep Habits as well as the Baby Sleep Site website when I have questions. 

Happy sleep!!! xoxo