Description

Jessica Hartshorn explains why baby routines work and how they make your life easier.

Transcript

How to Make Baby Routines Work Host: From sticking to a bedtime to organizing bath time, keeping babies on a schedule can really prevent a lot of headaches. Julie found out a few routines that actually really do work. So it's no secret that babies really thrive on routine and Jessica Hearth Shorn from American baby magazine is here to guide us through some of the most common routines. How are you? Jessica Hearth Shorn: Good how are you? Host: I’m good; it's good to have you here. So tell us why babies do so well on routines. Jessica Hearth Shorn: Well a baby doesn't know what to expect from anything right? They’re born into a brand new world. The reason you start setting up routines is so they are not surprised when we lay them in the crib, they’re not surprised when you sit them in the bath water. You introduce to give them idea of how the day is ordered and what to expect and that makes them happier and ultimately make your life easier Host: All right, so let’s start with bedtime because if anything can get your baby sleep through the night I’ll try it. I’m sure all moms and dads will try it. Jessica Hearth Shorn: And all bets are off when you have that little newborn because there and some crazy sleep wake cycle but around twelve weeks or three month mark. They start to consolidate their sleep at night so that is your cue to set up a night time routine and this is to cue them that night time is coming so we switch into pajamas and a night time diaper and we close the curtains and we sing a song. You can read a book, even if tiny you can read some simple bored book so that they’re hearing your voice. They get used to it, they just—they’re watching for this cues and then you know you nurse or bottle feed one last time. You do this every single night then it is not gonna be a surprise to them when they are laid in the crib. Which doesn't mean and I gonna cry when but you know they're getting used to the idea that now its bed time. The daytime fun has stopped and I'm supposed to sleep and all through the night you have to keep up the light stay off and we don't have fun at night, its time for sleep. And then in the morning is when you come in full energy and the lights on and the curtains come open and it's now ten feet and quiet dark right nighttime everything might be quiet and everything that they should be more fun and this is how you teach them the difference between day and night and set out the expectation that you’re going to sleep. Host: But what about bath time and I know its important have a routine here and sometimes it's even more from mom and it is for a baby. How do you keep it stress free though? Jessica Hearth Shorn: If you just organize everything you’re going to need before hand, make sure you have every thing with you from the towel to the bath washer, the change of outlet, the new diaper. Everything out and ready before you get started and again you can have a special bath song or a bath toy that comes out. A puppet, something that you know warns your baby that now we’re going to the water. Some kids love the water, some don’t like it so much and eventually you’ll probably move this routine up again the bed time routine. So it comes another cue that the day is over. But eventually you want to pick a time and sort of stick to it because again its going to help them organize their day and know what to expect form the day. Host: How about meals, I know getting on a routine with a baby is good but also its something that you can keep for years to come. Jessica Hearth Shorn: Definitely, I definitely know families who try to get the baby to sleep and then have dinner with their spouse which I understand. But long term if you can just think long term here, it is better to get your baby early and introduce the idea of eating with the family and that means sitting there next to the table while you’re eating. Host: Jessica thank you so much and for more great advice of that routines or anything about your baby, pick up a copy of American Debut Magazine and for even more information including on how to make bath time fun, check out parents TV on parents.com, we’ll be right back.,