Posted By Kieran Beauchamp On 9 Nov 2023 Comments (0)
Understanding the Concept of Routine in Infancy
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of it all, I want you to imagine a situation where your partner announces a plan for an impromptu trip. The excitement, the sudden rush, the thrill - sounds fun, doesn't it? Now imagine living in that state of unpredictability every single day. Not as fun now, is it? No matter how daring you think you are, we all crave routine and predictability. Now, imagine a small little human, barely just stepping into the world - a world that's new, intriguing, and quite honestly, rather intimidating. You see, we adults can often underestimate the power of consistency and predictability, but for our little munchkins, it makes a world of a difference. It helps them feel safe and secure, and that's what we all want, isn't it?
Building the Foundation with a Consistent Routine
We live in a world that's loud, fast-moving and unruly. For the little ones, every experience is new and bizarre. Research suggests that infants spend 70% of their windswept days trying to make sense of their unusual surroundings. Now that's a lot of mental heavy lifting! And amidst all this hubbub, your little angel is trying to catch some Z's, fill their teeny tiny belly, and prevent the nappy from turning into a level 5 biohazard.
A consistent routine gives your child a sense of predictability, assurance, and security. Picture a ship sailing smooth in calm waters - that's how a routine helps your baby navigate their early days of life. Believe it or not, like me, when you're out to buy groceries and you spend an unreasonably long time figuring out which brand of cereal to get - your baby's brain is doing that, only on a much grander scale. With a regular routine, we’re allowing them to anticipate what's next, giving their little minds a much-appreciated breather!
Recipe for a Good Night's Sleep
One of the greatest gifts you can offer to yourself and your little one, I kid you not, is a good night’s sleep. I remember how we celebrated the night my boy Kellan finally slept through the night - I still have the remnants of the cake in case you don't believe me. It felt like we had climbed Everest, except with more sleep deprivation and much less equipment!
Creating a consistent bedtime routine helps readies your baby for sleep. A few calming and predictable activities such as a warm bath, a lullaby or story, and a goodnight kiss can signal your infant that it’s time for some much-needed shut-eye. These night-time habits go a long way in setting up healthy sleep patterns which, believe me, is a blessing not only for your baby but for your sanity as well. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, simply hand over your midnight-party-throwing little one to them for a night. I assure you, they will be converted by dawn!
Feeding, A Crucial Part of the Routine
Feeding is a vital part of your baby's life, not just for growth and nutrition, but also as a time for bonding and learning. By establishing a predictable feeding routine, you will provide an environment that fosters optimal growth and development. And also say, bye-bye to those hiccups of sudden hunger pangs and constant guesswork of 'why on earth is my baby crying this time?', which we all love, of course!
With my daughter, Amara, I began to notice something unusual. No matter if we were surrounded by a toy shop's worth of the brightest, most enticing toys, her entire universe condensed into a little feeding bottle whenever meal time drew near. And that's the power of a predictable feeding routine. It provides an emotional comfort, a sense of security and a beautiful rhythm that dances in sync with your baby's internal clock.
Music to an Infant's Ears: The Power of Patterns and Predictability
The world for a baby during infancy is like a grand orchestra playing without a conductor - chaotic and overwhelming. But when we introduce patterns and rhythms that could be as simple as a valiant tick of a grandfather clock or the gentle lapping sounds of your Husky, Frost, lapping water from his bowl, these easily predictable situations become stepping stones for babies to understand their complex world.
Just like we adults find comfort in the inherent routines of our day, be it brewing that warm cup of coffee first thing in morning or joining Frost for an evening walk, babies too rely on patterns and routines to navigate safely through their day.
There's no denying that the journey to establish a steady routine is strewn with challenges, and not without the odd hiccup. However, bear in mind that each step you take in this direction is a milestone towards building an environment that's nurturing, safe and comforting for your baby. Not trying to spook you, but remember you're a composer to your baby's symphony. So strike the right chords of consistency and predictability, and make it a tune your little one would love to dance on. When it all comes together, trust me, it's more beautiful than the sweetest lullaby you'll ever hear. And guess what, you'll be the one leading the rhythm, guiding the melody, and enjoying the peace. What could be better than that, mate?