Routines with a 6 week old baby…
Week 6 with Baby Yanez. Here’s what I’m learning:
This week, we’re focusing on routines.
I’ve been reading a lot (like I do with everything I’m interested in) about how to support baby’s sleep schedule.
While there’s all sorts of conflicting info about “sleep training” there is one common theme: routines.
Instead of sticking to a specific time schedule, keeping a routine is more helpful for a good night’s sleep. Example: instead of trying to always get to bed at 8pm, sticking to the routine of bath time, nursing, then bedtime.
We’ve started implementing this and with every night, it gets easier and easier to get Shay to fall asleep and stay asleep a little longer.
What does this have to do with you?
Where are you trying to stick to a schedule instead of leaning into routine?
Another way to think of routine is habit, and another way to think of schedule is strictness.
Where are you white-knuckling (and likely struggling to maintain habits), instead of leaning into habits that help you feel good (and will help you achieve your goals)?
So what can you do about it?
This is a two-part opportunity:
Identify where in your life you are forcing a schedule instead of leaning on your habits
Practice stacking habits to help you get closer to your goals
How do you do that?
What is something you always do, no matter what?
For me, I always wake up and brush my teeth. An example of stacking habits here could look like this:
>> Whenever you brush your teeth, take your supplements right after.
Another example: When I change Shay into daytime clothes, I put him into the baby carrier and we go out for a walk. The time of day varies, but we both know now that once we change clothes, we go outside. This helps takes the guesswork out of when we’ll get outside for a walk. I don’t have to plan for it anymore, that’s just our routine.
Where can you stack habits instead of trying to stick to a rigid schedule?