Thursday, February 4, 2010

First Time Mom Jitters...


I am pretty extreme when it comes to Genevieve's schedule which I believe is in part the reason she sleeps 12 hours a night.  However, I am super nervous to leave her for another 4 days.  Although I am leaving her with people I trust with all my heart and soul (which Genevieve is) I still had to leave this list of instructions for them. 
 I may be what some people call "anal".  

Genevieve

Morning

Wake up 9:00 am.

Hint: if she is not awake by 9:00am please wake her up
*If she wakes up before 9:00am make sure she is completely swaddled and put her pacifier back in until 9:00am.
*If she won’t go back to sleep get her up and adjust her schedule to the time she awoke. Should not need to eat any earlier than 8:00am.

Change Diaper/Put Winnie the Pooh lotion on her face

Bottle 6 oz. of water (only for morning feeding)
Microwave 30 seconds
Check temperature
2 1/2 scoops of formula
Burp every 2 oz.

Hint: she has a leaky lip, meaning she will let the milk fall out of her mouth. *Be sure to put a bib or burp cloth tightly under chin and wipe under her chin and neck with a wipe after feeding her.
*She may fuss while feeding her. If so she either needs to burp, the bottle is not warm enough or she would like to be sat up and fed.

Playtime

Hint: loves to play on the ground however, she will begin to fuss after 15-20 minutes of floor time.  This does not mean she is tired she may want some attention or lap time. 
*To detect tiredness look for rubbing her eyes, or fussiness while holding her.

Nap Time 10:00am or 1 hour after rising (not after feeding).

            Hint: swaddle, binky, kiss and place in swing.
* If she does not act tired that’s okay put her to bed anyways… there might be some tears involved but putting her binky in or a few cuddles and she will go to sleep.
*Nap time with no disruptions in a quiet area.
*If she awakes before noon put her binky back in and let her cry up to 10 minutes.  She should put herself back to sleep.
*If she continues to cry after 10 minutes rock her until she settles down and put her back to sleep.  Should sleep until 12:00pm
Afternoon

Wake up 12:00pm
           
            Hint: if she is not awake by 12:00pm please wake her up

Change Diaper

Bottle 5 oz. of water
Microwave 25 seconds
Check temperature
2 1/2 scoops of formula
Burp every 2 oz.

Playtime

Nap Time 1:30 or sooner if she becomes fussy

            Hint: before her afternoon and evening naps I try to read to her at least once

Wake up 3:00pm

            Hint: if she is not awake by 3:00pm please wake her up

Change Diaper

Bottle 5 oz. of water
Microwave 25 seconds
Check temperature
2 1/2 scoops of formula
Burp every 2 oz.

Playtime

Hint: she may want to go to sleep right after her 3:00pm feeding, you will know if she is very cranky or rubbing her eyes, if so put her back to sleep)

Nap Time 4:30 or sooner if she becomes fussy

Now this is where she becomes a little tricky
(Trust your instincts and play it by ear)



Evening

Wake up 6:00pm
           
Hint: she may wake up earlier from this nap.  If so get her up but she should not want to eat until 6:00pm however, play it by ear.

Change Diaper

Bottle 5 oz. of water
Microwave 25 seconds
Check temperature
2 1/2 scoops of formula
Burp every 2 oz.

Playtime

Nap Time: in the evenings she cat naps.  She may want to go to sleep until her next feeding she may not. 

Hint: although she will not sleep as much in the evening she CANNOT go all evening without a nap.  Either put her to sleep from 7:00-8:00 or 8:00-9:30 or both depending upon her mood. 
*Remember if she does not act tired that’s okay put her to bed anyways… there might be some tears involved but putting her binky in or a few cuddles and she will go to sleep.

Wake up 8:00pm

Change Diaper

Bottle 5 oz. of water
Microwave 25 seconds
Check temperature
2 1/2 scoops of formula
Burp every 2 oz.

Playtime

Bath time

Hint: usually bath time right before her 9:30 feeding (it’s a good way to keep her calm and pass time until her final feeding)
*Remember to get all the soap out from her rolls and under her joints
*Lotion after bath time, Aquafore all over and Winnie the Pooh on face
*Clean her piercings with a q-tip soaked in cleaner
Nights

Final feeding 9:30pm

Hint: she may struggle to stay awake for this feeding, she may fuss and cry *Try to feed her as much of the bottle… if she does not finish it that is fine.

Change Diaper

Bedtime 10:00pm (or before but no later)

Hint: swaddle, binky, rock for a minute or two with a song.  A kiss and she is off to sleep.  You made it through the day!

She should not wake up during the night

Hint: if she wakes up re-swaddle her if she has come undone and binky
*She will not need to be picked up, or fed before the earliest 8:00am.



6 comments:

Tyler and Shelley said...

ummm...my children have never slept through the night. My three year old has never slept until 9:00 ever!!!! I'm jealous

Unknown said...

It looks like you have read Babywise? I didn't know about that book until a few moths ago. Wish I would have known sooner! And I think its a great idea to giver babysitter's an exact schedule. Otherwise all your hard work could be ruined in 4 short days (trust me). Have a great vacation though! :)

Shane and Kelci said...

this schedule is briliant. When did you actually start this schedule? and how old was she when you let her cry? My baby is still only 8lbs so i feel like I shouldn't let her cry yet. If i do it's no more than 10 min.

Joe and Raylene said...

This is Joe, I couldn't stay up late enough to do the last feeding. You are tough old married people. Party hard in Vegas for us you lucky dogs!

Tiffany Graham said...

Wow you are a brave woman. I have only left my baby two times with non-family. Have fun in Vegas.

Madison Grunig said...

You are too funny. Yes, that schedule seems a little "anal" but I'm totally the same way. It's so much easier to just follow the schedule. Baby is happier and therefore, mommy is happier.