Hello ladies. I am having a bit of a confusing time and hoping some of you might be able to help me out here. Most of it revolves around creating a schedule for baby.
First off is sleeping...we have a really good bedtime routine that is working well. At the same time every night (or right around the same time) I give him a bath, read him a book and give him a bottle and he pretty much goes right to sleep. His waking in the night changes from night to night..sometimes once, sometimes twice. For the most part he has a bottle, a cuddle and straight back to sleep. On nights there are 2 feedings, with the earlier one I am slowly decreasing the amount I give him...it seems to be working as he is often only waking once now. My problem starts in the morning..he wakes at different times. Anywhere from 6 until 8 (and the other morning 10, but he was sick and hurting and we had been up much of the night). Should I be waking him at 7 every morning (if he is not yet up?) in order to create more of a schedule.
Second question is around naps. He typically takes 1 or 2 a day. I have tried making them at consistent times, but he is just not tired at the same time everyday. If I try to get him to go down even if not tired, the little monkey will just play in his crib..doesn't even cry most of the time, just plays and babbles.
Third is around feeding schedules. With him feeling better, his appetite has returned. We are back to 2 solid meals a day and about 22-25 ounces of formula a day. The times are the challenge. When he first wakes up he is almost never hungry. Usually we just change his diaper and play for an hour..then he wants to eat. So I give him a bottle first (as I was instructed..is this correct still?) He won't eat solids right after, so usually it's at least an hour or two before I can get him to eat his cereal, etc. So now it is often 10 or 11 am. This of course is making it impossible to add that third meal. But if I decrease his formula, he isn't getting enough...see my dilemma?
Sorry such a long post, but I worry I am doing damage by not creating a schedule for him. It doesn't bother me at all...but is it good for him?
Lastly, how and when did you introduce finger foods. He is doing baby biscuits well, but when I try to get him to eat pasta or any other finger type food he has absolutely no interest. Should I just leave it alone for now?
He is just over 8 months, healthy and meeting his milestones...should I just go with what he is doing?
Thanks so much...as you can see I tend to worry a bit...lol.