Establishing a Daily Routine

Coming home with your first baby can be pretty bewildering, and the first few weeks can be difficult; aim to establish a routine as soon as you can.  Daily routine helps you as much as your baby, it lets you focus on where you are in the day, and prepare for what comes next.  Once you establish a routine, you'll find that your are more prepared and things are less manic!

You'll need to adapt your routine around your baby.  You'll soon see feeding and sleeping patterns - go with your baby's natural cycle (unless feed and playtime seem to fall in the middle of the night because then you'll want to wean them onto a daytime routine!).  Your routine might include sleep, feeds, trips outside (maybe around the park or to the shops), baby and toddler groups, activity time and interactive play.  Baby gyms are a good way to occupy your baby while you can be doing other chores that need doing in the home.  Make sure that you find time to spend with your baby playing peekaboo, doing massage or other touchy feely games.