Some young mothers are wondering how to better organize their child's day regimen. The position of pediatricians on this issue at the present time is fundamentally different from that which was in Soviet times.
Regime and daily routine
Previously, pediatricians recommended that a strict daily regimen be followed from birth. At night, the child was not fed, and during the day they gave breastfeeding strictly according to the clock. If the baby was asleep at this time, he was sure to be woken up. This position was justified at one time. Previously, children were sent to kindergarten and nursery very early so that a young mother would go to work. Of course, the teacher simply was not able to adapt to the individual regime of everyone, so it was easier for everyone to have the same regime. All the kids in the kindergarten were fed and put to bed at the same time.
In fact, the child's psyche is designed in such a way that it is more comfortable for the baby to live according to the usual daily routine. When a child knows what awaits him next, he becomes much calmer. For example, daily bathing, feeding and going to bed. If this sequence is repeated each time, the baby falls asleep much more calmly. But the daily routine does not imply strict adherence to the regime. A young mother herself adjusts to the rhythm in which her baby lives.
The easiest way to establish a daily routine is by starting from feedings. The baby can only fall asleep when fed. If he is hungry, it becomes extremely difficult to go to sleep.
Natural feeding
Up to 6 months, the child feeds only on breast milk. Modern breastfeeding experts recommend feeding such a baby on demand. This means that the mother gives the baby the breast when he wants it, day and night. Some babies sleep for several hours from birth, while others barely let go of their breasts.
If the baby wants to eat, he will wake up and call his mother crying. You don't have to wake him up to feed him. When the mother follows the baby's biological clock, her body also adjusts: milk will flow just at the moment when the baby wants to eat. The first 2-3 months of a baby's life is the time to establish a daily routine.
Artificial feeding
The situation is a little different if the baby is artificially fed. The formula is much higher in calories than breast milk. Therefore, you cannot feed her on demand. This will cause the baby to gain weight too quickly. In addition, the mixture is absorbed harder than mother's milk, if the child drinks it too much and often, this will put a heavy load on his digestive system and kidneys.
It is not necessary to feed your baby formula only at certain times. But it is better to keep a sufficient interval between meals for the baby: about 2-3 hours. You should not wake up the baby if this time has already passed. As with breastfeeding, the baby will wake up when hungry. But it is not necessary to give the mixture more often than every 2 hours.
Baby over 6 months old
From six months, pediatricians recommend introducing complementary foods. At first it is only breakfast, and over time, lunch and dinner appear. It is from the moment of the introduction of complementary foods that it becomes easier to establish a daily routine. You should not strive for a tough regime so that the child's breakfast is always at 10 o'clock and lunch at 14. But the traditional sequence of actions will not hurt. For example, after waking up breakfast, and then a walk. Over time, the baby will get used to maintaining a fairly long period until lunchtime and his daily routine will become quite stable.
For the baby to be comfortable, a young mother needs to be flexible and listen to her baby's biological clock. Imposing a tough daily routine on a baby without taking into account its characteristics will not benefit either himself or his mother.
