Very quick request for help!!

[NikkiA27]

Hi all,

New to this baby whispering so have a quick q - with cluster feeding at 6 and 8 - do you do activity in between? Baby just gone down for a nap now - should I feed at 6 then do activity e.g. bathtime then feed again at 8 and then lights out till dream feed at 10pm? All help appreciated!

Many thanks

Nikki and baby Jenni (7 weeks old)

[jayne]

you can give her a bath at that time if it doesnt overstimulate her.. if it does overstimuate her then you will want to move the bath time..but a bath should be very calming when done in the evening --- keep the water  comfortable -- i wouldnt encourage any splashing or playing in the water at this stage.. this is part of her winddown getting her sleepy for bedtime..

good luck

[marlowho]

7 weeks wasn't that far away for us- but it definitely depends on your lo.  If yours is like mine, she'll want to feed directly after a bath.  So... if you time it right, it could work out great for you (and the bath does usually help calm them down for bed- especially if you're able to get some lotion in afterwards.)    When we don't do a bath, we just do things like swing time or other not too stimulating activities (I wouldn't do the bright red and black activity mat at this time.) 
Congrats on your new lo!

[NikkiA27]

Thanks for your replies - had a pretty good day today - here's hoping tonight goes well too! just put her down to sleep - will DF at 10pm and hope it goes better than last night (she woke up, got wind and took till 12am to get back down again :-(

fingers crossed

many thnaks for your support - really trying hard.

One last question for the moment, how do you manage to get out and about? I'm quite an active person and timing it around her sleep/activity time is tough. Do you tend to go out during sleep or activity time? Do car journeys/stoller time (when my little one typically falls asleep) count as sleep?

as always, your advice is invaluable. Oh and I think both of your pics of your babies are gorgeous - bless them all!

with love
Nikki

[marlowho]

I start it at the activity time and she falls asleep while we're out (hopefully.)  Yes, the sleep counts, but it probably isn't great sleep- this is why I limit my outings.  but you do have to get out- for your sanity if for anything else!  (Plus outings in the stroller is great for exercise for you and fresh air for you both.)    I just make sure that I don't time the outing during her really good nap (ours is in the afternoon.)  That way I know she still gets at least 1 good nap in on the days we do have to go out. HTH.  -And thank you - I think all the babies on this site are beautiful, too!  :wink: