I decided tonight to share Olivia's nighttime routine. In all the baby preparation classes and books we read there was a constant reminder about having a bedtime/nighttime routine. I started this very early on with Olivia- probably 5-6 weeks old. We mainly stick to the same routine nightly and we have little to no problem getting her to bed. At first it was awful- I was about to give up but like anything in order to get into a routine you need to keep practicing. We always aim for a bedtime between 7:45ish- 8:15ish, she is lucky if it goes to 8:30. So here it goes:
6:30ish (or after she eats her dinner of oatmeal and a veggie) we go up to her room to do what I can sing and swing. I play nursery rhymes from a cd and Olivia swings in the swing. Not sure what I will do once she is to heavy for the swing! I am sure she will miss it too! But this time also gives me time to put away laundry or pick out my clothes for school.
7:00 read a book.
7:10ish play in her room. We have some toys in her room to play with- a farm, a light up book, a puzzle, a soft book, or anything else she decides to do.
7:25ish get to the bathroom- now that she is mobile she can crawl all the way to the bathroom. She has gotten quite quick at it. A few weeks ago it was taking 5+ minutes. Tonight it took about 2.
7:30 bath, blow dry, pajamas. Olivia still cries when we put on her pajamas EVERY night. Why?? We have no idea. I think that she knows that the day is over and it is time to go to bed. But the past 2 nights I may her favorite noise of making raspberries and she didn't cry. So maybe that will do the trick for awhile.
7:45ish Bedtime bottle. She usually takes about 6-7oz before bed. We are trying to get her to drink on her own- but that is a work in progress.
8:00ish- BED! Sometimes she talks and kicks herself to sleep. Other times she is zonked right out!
8:15ish- me- exhausted. I usually wash out her bottles and make 2 bottles for the next day.
8:30ish- set aside time to blog and read email.
9:00ish finish any school work or do the school work that didn't get done that afternoon.
And that is about it!
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Sing and swing time! |
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Book time! |
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Playing with my toys! |
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I love opening and closing the door on the farm! |
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Gotta go OVER mommy's legs |
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Got to the bathroom! |
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bath time! |
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Bedtime bottle...trying on my own! |
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Goodnight mommy! I love you!! |