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On a Schedule
Does Baby Need Structure or Freedom?
By Shannon McKelden
Imposing a strict schedule early on could be frustrating, says Spiegel. "The most current research on infant crying shows that very strict schedules in the early weeks can lead to increased crying at three months," she says. "So be flexible, soothe the baby as best as possible and know that this phase will not last forever. If your baby is predictable, respect that inner clock and try to work around it. If your baby sleeps and eats at different intervals each day, trust that you are just helping her adjust to the world."
By the third or fourth month, neurological and physiological changes signal it's time for more structure. "This is the juncture where some scheduling seems to make a huge difference in a baby's mood, amount of crying and digestion," says Spiegel. "Routine and repetition help children begin to predict their world and that, in turn, makes them feel safe and cared for. A regular, early bedtime routine and stretching out daytime feedings to at least three to four hours makes most babies easier to take care of, more content and regulates their bodies."
The ages of 5 through 12 months is a time that a general schedule is beneficial to your child's development, Spiegel says. "Regular daytime and nighttime sleep and mealtimes help order the day," she says. "This does not mean that each and every minute must be accounted for or that all will unravel if the schedule isn't precise and unbending."
Spiegel reminds moms, too, that there will be special days and disruptions occasionally, but a schedule is a reliable and reassuring foundation on which to fall back.
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