Last Updated on June 29, 2022 by melissanreynolds
When I was a brand new mama, waddling after my episiotomy with an unsettled windy baby, I took real solace in having a miniature framework to follow at home.
Frameworks for the Newborn Period
I am a big fan of frameworks over rigid routines, not that newborns are into routines either.
At first it was just feeding 2-3 hourly and taking medicine at 6-8 hour intervals. This was enough to keep me feeling tethered.
A quick note on feeding in those early days (first 12 weeks): 2-3 hourly tends to be a good guide but both my boys cluster fed in the evenings and look out for growth spurts. I don’t believe in “stretching out” to a certain length between feeds until baby is bigger.
I created a chart that I populated for several months. I am a pretty chart person as opposed to an app person. But apps do the job too.
By the time my second baby came along I had learnt many good things. Including the magic of appropriate wake times per age. So my chart became augmented not just logging sleep but helping to pre-empt when it was due. It made a huge difference not letting baby get overtired. Who knew you had to tell a baby they needed sleep?
It also helped as I mix fed my second, so I had to track feeding physically and formula and expressing. It was crazy, this alone took most of my day!
I also made it a point to track my rest and medicines so it wasn’t all about baby. “Rest” includes a nap (if you can), meditation, restorative yoga, a hot bath or shower etc. Things that are nourishing for you. As in pregnancy, the postpartum period is not a time to forget mama’s quality of life.
More Information About the Newborn Period
For more information on wake times by age, I love this article with this chart.
For more information about nursing see my article about it here and about expressing/pumping for your baby here.
I like this article on the fourth trimester (aka the first three months).
I like these tips for newborns from the author of The Gentle Sleep Book.
Did you have a framework you followed in those early days? How did you track feeding, sleeping (and other baby stuff) and your medicines and other stuff?
For more about pregnancy and fibromyalgia, from fertility through to coping with toddlers, grab my book.
Please note that the above link is an affiliate link and if you make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you would like to come and join the Pregnancy and Fibromyalgia Facebook community – we’d love to have you.
