Infants on Schedules

[Lilbutterflie]

I have a parent whom I am watching their 2 1/2 month old son for this week, and then permanently in August. Yesterday was his first day, and his morning sleep schedule was off. He was so tired, and took almost a 4 hour nap before mom asked me to wake him up. Today she informs me he's now on a schedule of eating every 3 hours, specifically at the times of 8, 11, 2, 5. If he's napping at these times, I have to wake him up. I informed her that I would try... I have 5 other kids to watch. And that at home daycares, the daycare usually makes the schedule. Am I wrong? Anybody out there trying to adhere to every mom's schedules? Or has anyone had to let a DC baby go b/c of an issue like this? Has anyone worded their contract to avoid issues like this?

[nannyde]

No I don't allow the parents to set feeding schedules but I will listen to what works for them.

I do 9 a.m. 12 p.m. 3p.m. for this age group. (after morning nap, before afternoon nap, and after afternoon nap). Their feedings are scheduled to maximize the least interuption of nap.

Good feeding schedule = good napper = happy provider

[tymaboy]

I make it clear at the interview that I let the baby make his/her own schedule. Around 4-5 months if they are not on a decent schedule (one that fits our schedule here at DC) then I will then work with them to get them on one. I usually just do what works for me & the parent can do what works for them at home.

[Unregistered]

8jqaes

I do not let parents set a shecdule in my daycare I work the shecdule out for me and whats best for me and if it works for baby. I have a 6 month old he eats at 7 before Mom brings him then he eats here at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm and he naps 8:30- 9, 11-1, and 4:30-5 sometimes he skips morning and or evening nap but he always takes afternoon nap I also wanna add he is breastfed so he eats every 3 hours a formula fed baby may go longer I also have a 12 month old and when he was on the bottle with formula Mom fed him at 7 before she brang him then he ate at 11am and then at 3pm.

[actaktmdt]

I would let the baby dictate the schedule...untill about 5 or 6 months if not have a set routine by then. I feel moms know their babys needs the best. Young babies are constanly needing things changed as they grow

[mismatchedsocks]

I dont think with a baby that young you should be waking them up, and definetly not on such a set schedule. I would just tell mom, you will try, then let her know at end of each day when baby ate and when napped. It could be different each day. I agree with previous posters when saying 5-6 months they are usually on the other childrens routines, mostly, and used to nap times/set eating schedules. Good luck!

[momma2girls]

I was once told to wake a colicy baby up after one hr. into his nap, so he slept better at night for them!! Are you kidding??? Wake up a colicy baby that screamed all day for me!!!!!!!!!!!!
Babies will develop their own schedule, til then, you learn to do whatever is best for you- you can try and go by parent's schedule, but sometimes there's no way it will work with yours and what you have scheduled all day!!
I had another parent wanting their schedule to a T!!! UGH!!!

[Lilbutterflie]

Though I didn't think to put this on the contract, I myself usually let the babies dictate the schedule as well. If they are sleeping, let them sleep. When they are hungry, feed them. I'd like to get him on a schedule in August of naps at 9am and 1pm and feedings before each nap, and then another feeding at around 4 or 5. I thought she'd be fine with this, b/c right now she lets him dictate the schedule. However, I think she got upset at me yesterday for letting him sleep 4 hours in the morning. Now she wants the schedule.

[grandmom]

Are you licensed? Does your state have a section on infant care? My state says infants are allowed to sleep and nap on demand. If your state has a similar rule, just explain that to the parent. You are required by law to let the infant set the schedule.

[Lilbutterflie]

No, I'm not licensed. I am listed with the state of Texas, which means I can only keep 3 unrelated children. But in August I will need to become Registered, which then means I have to follow the regulations and get inspected. I will check to see if this is a requirement, thanks for letting me know.

[MarinaVanessa]

Yeah I agree with pretty much everyone else here. I don't let parents dictate the infants routine. Even at home you can try to have a routine but it's difficult to follow it even if you have only one child much less if you're watching more DC children. I let the infant tell me what he needs. I feed on demand and if the baby is fussy and has already eaten and has had a diaper change then most likely the baby is tired so it's nap time. Babies that little should be getting a total of 15 hours of sleep total, 10 hours should be at night and the other 5 during the day. If you have the baby all day and the parents don't nap him then he should be taking 2-3 naps at daycare and sleeping about 5 hours.

Sometimes I don't understand parents. They think they know (and yes I know every child is different) but I've had parents tell me that their baby sleeps too much at DC but when they come in the poor little things are struggling to stay awake. If they are tired, they need to sleep.

[fctjc1979]

I keep seeing articles that say that if we listened to our bodies the way infants listened to theirs (ate and slept according to what the body requires), that we would all be healthier. I say if infants know best in this area, don't mess with a good thing.

[jen]

I'd just smile and shake my head..."uhhh huh, OK, sounds good..."

[QualiTcare]

my daughter's pediatrician told me to wake her up to be fed if she didn't wake up on her own, but i was breastfeeding.

is the baby breastfed?

[Janet]

Schedules

I think sometimes parents don't take into account that a baby's schedule can change based on the surroundings. Yeah, maybe at home they eat at 3 hour intervals and they sleep at the same times each day, but daycare is not home. I know that I just made an obvious observation, but I have heard the whole "this is baby's schedule" tune before and the babies have never followed their home schedules here. Until they get a little older, I let them sleep on demand and they have their bottles on demand. They still follow their home routine at home, they just have a different one here.