The Feed - Play - Sleep Routine Babies thrive best when the day is structured to meet their needs, not the needs of adults. The Feed - Play - Sleep routine is the core structure of a baby’s day at any age, making life more manageable for everyone. Each repetition of the routine takes about three or four hours, and always follows the same order.
It’s important to feed at the beginning of each repetition of the routine. Well slept babies feed better and suck more effectively. A feed should last no longer than 45 minutes in total. After a feed, sit your baby upright for a short while
Playing
Playtime is important to a baby’s mental and physical development. Even a new baby can spend a brief period alone on the floor on a blanket, stretching, looking around and not being held. Other activities for playtime include massage, going for walks, and baths. Play until your baby’s tired cues are evident. The play period is quite short for a young baby
Sleeping
During the day, a young baby needs to be in bed for one and a half to two hours per sleep. Stimulation in the late afternoon or early evening will lower the quality and quantity of sleep overnight. At night, the pattern continues but the play period is omitted. This routine may take some weeks to be learnt, and needs to be sustained for most of the first year. As your baby grows, the play periods lengthen and sleep needs decrease. Unsettled periods are common later in the day for babies under three months of age. Sickness or normal developmental changes may disrupt the pattern and this routine might have to be re-learnt.
In conclusion ...
It takes some weeks for this routine to become familiar and we all need support from our partners, family members and friends as we introduce it. You will be able to refine it to suit your baby and your own situation with time.
One last thing...
If your child is crying for more than 60 minutes in a row and for more than two times per day and several days a week your child may have COLIC problem.
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