by Brook , Contributor, babyandsofia (@babyandsofia)
When I was pregnant, I had big ideas and big plans on mothering. I read every baby book out there; I wanted to be informed and prepared. My baby was going to be on a strict feeding schedule from day one. I was not going to introduce any solids (including rice cereal) until exactly six months of age. He was going to sleep in his crib every night. And be on a perfect sleep/nap schedule. You get the idea.
Predictably, my plan did not exactly work out.
I was able to keep some semblance of a feeding schedule. But only because Paolo was an excellent nurser from the moment he was born. (I was very lucky, I know.)
When he was about four and a half months old and waking up to eat a lot every night, the pediatrician told me that Paolo was hungry, and I should probably start giving him some rice cereal as “desert.” I couldn’t believe it, I mean, everyone-including the AAP, says to wait until the baby is six months old. Aghast, I waited about two weeks, until exhaustion beat my stubborn streak causing me to break down and feed him the cereal. He loved it, of course. And I got a little more sleep every night.
And as for sleeping in the crib every night: HA! Against ALL ADVICE, I would bring Paolo into bed with me on the nights he woke for a 3am feeding. I mean, this way he can nurse and we can both sleep. Call me crazy, but I thought it was glorious. And eight months later, I still do.
One thing that I have never worked out is regular a nap schedule. The best I have ever been able to do recognize when my baby is growing sleepy and start my naptime routine. Which basically includes a diaper change and a nursing session. He usually goes down two times per day, but sometimes one and sometimes three.
I have never been able to just put him down and wait for him to fall asleep when he was not ready for a nap. Mostly because I have never, ever let Paolo “cry it out.” I know this is a hot topic for parents everywhere, but I simply cannot let my baby cry. Lucky for me, Paolo is a very happy baby and rarely cries. But, this method does not lend itself to a regular nap schedule.
As a stay at home mom with only one child, I can afford to have unscheduled naptime. I don’t have any chores that need to be done at a certain time everyday and I don’t have any other children that need my attention. At least not yet. And my baby is a happy, rested, flexible child. He doesn’t have to be in his bed to fall asleep. Any crib, bed, car seat, or stroller works just fine for his naptime. I love that I am not a slave to his sleep schedule.
So genre of naptime is best? Scheduled or unsche duled?
Despite what I had always imagined, I think that unscheduled naptime is the best. I am happy and so is my baby. We will have to see how I feel when I have more than one little guy to manage, but for now, this works just fine.
What works best for you? Any nap tips to share?
(picture source)
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