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So it has come to my attention that we have taken a completely laid-back approach to things with our fourth baby. Maybe its that I am enjoying having her stay a baby longer. Maybe its that I just don’t find the time to push the things that I pushed with our older boys. Either way- its working for us!
I am not the “baby-wearing, organic, green” type of person. I’d like to be, but I’m just not. I give our kids oreos, we go out for ice cream, our babies sleep in their cribs, in their rooms, from the first day that they are home. I am not the “follow the book to a “T” type of Mom, although I do love to read them and take what I want from them. I’m not the “Martha Stewart” (Or “Cheryl”, my awesome friend that can plan any amazing party) type of entertainer. I’d love to be, but its just not my gift. I’m not the “supernanny” – our kids have rules, but our kids break rules, too. Every moment is a teaching opportunity- good or bad. I just do what works for our family.
Today I was looking up “The eating schedule for a 9 month old baby” and here is what I found…
They should be eating real food (cut up pieces of whatever you are eating) every 3 hours.
Our baby girl nibbles on some puffs and fruit (that I feed her) and blows raspberries when I come near her with baby food.
They should only breastfeed or take a bottle about 3-4 times a day.
Our baby girl drinks about 6-7 times a day, sometimes more.
They should be sleeping all night.
Sleep all night? Our sweetie would miss me too much for that. (That’s what I tell myself, anyways!)
They should be entertained and stimulated with books, daily walks and songs.
Our baby is entertained with three older brothers trying to balance with those books on their heads, while jumping on one foot and saying “ALLIE ALLIE BETH! Prettiest girl in the whole wide world!!”, doing silly walks backwards to make her laugh, and singing silly songs that they make up like “Allie wears a diaper” and then they laugh hysterically because they just said the word “diaper”.
They should be sleeping only in their crib
Our girl LOVES her crib, but she sleeps in the car… a lot! Picking up her big brothers from school, baseball, soccer, a friend’s house…
They should get lots of kisses, hugs and affection. They should show signs of happiness.
DONE!
In the end, I think what matters the most is not that you are on a certain schedule but that you do WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! I have to say that I do love my schedules, just ask my Husband… he has gotten all too used to my schedules, notes and organization ideas. Our kids are in bed at the same time (or close to it) every night. We follow a pretty similar routine every day, but I like to try to go with the flow as much as possible (you have to with a family of six!) Some things just aren’t worth all the stress. I worried with our first baby, until I found that these phases pass. He started to use the potty. He stopped only using his pacifier. With our second & third I stressed a little less. Now, with our fourth, I am certain that in due time… She will learn to feed herself. She will sleep through the night. She will drink from a sippy cup. She will talk. She will read. These things will happen soon enough, so why worry about it? For now, she’s our sweet baby girl and its working for us! Judging from the continuous smiles on her face, its working for her, too.
Yes, my third is 9 months as well and I’ve found this to be completely true! Flexibility is the name of the game. And really, it all comes out in the wash eventually, doesn’t it? Great thoughts!
So true!