Not sure about EASY times

[fluffycabbage]

Hi - new to this - how do I figure out the timing for EASY?

[*Mona*]

hi there

what do you mean? how old is your LO? is she/he on any routine now?

[fluffycabbage]

Hi Monika - people talk about a 3 hour EASY or 2 1/2hr EASY - what does that mean?
I started him on a routine lastnight - he was in bed at 8pm (3-4 hrs earlier than normal lol) and I did the shhh pat thing throughout the night. Worked a treat! But now I need to know where to go from here 

[*Mona*]

ok,

by 3hrs routine it means you feed your baby every 3 hrs or so and during this 3hrs period you follow
E- eat [feeding]
A- activity [playtime]
S- sleep [nap time] and during baby's S you get your Y- time for you

that's the general idea for EASY routine. you separate feeding from sleeping/napping in order to teach your baby independent sleep and you introduce order into his/her life by repeating this routine all day.
night is different- feeding to sleep [if your baby wakes at night hungry] is ok as you're supposed to teach your little one difference between day and night].

SO- how old is your baby? which routine would you like to have your LO on? how often does he  eat during the day?

M

[fluffycabbage]

Jaden is 6 months now (just). He's just gone for a nap (9.30am), so I guess if I go by him, it'll be a 2 1/2 hr EASY routine (he was up at 7am)?  He usually has breakfast (solids) about half an hour after waking, sometimes a bottle with it too, and a bottle about 3 hrs later. He has a bottle every 2-3 hrs (I feed on demand). He also has solids at teatime, around 6pm. Another bottle or two before bed as well.

[Grace's Mom]

I know from Tracy's book at around 4 months of age most lo's go to a 4 hour EASY for example (not all but most). Below is an example of a 4 hour EASY.

E 7am wake and eat
A Play time
S  9-11am nap

E 11am wake and eat
A  Play Time
S  1-3 nap

E  3pm wake and feed
A  Play time
S 5-5:30 CAT NAP

A  Play, Bath, PJ's
E   Bedtime bottle
S  7pm bedtime

If your lo is not ready to go 4 hours, then maybe start with 3 hours and then move him up from there.  It is really good, like Monika stated, to have your lo on a predictable routine to create order.  Babies thrive on routine, which is very different from a schedule (following only the clock instead of following your babies cues as well which is key to EASY - following cue that's is). 

Melissa

[fluffycabbage]

you make it sound sooooooo EASY 

[Grace's Mom]

No,no it's definitely not easy....he, he.....  

This is just a 'sample' routine....a guideline.  Babies needs of course change daily and thats where us mommies come in to play- to help guide them and follow their cues.  Maybe take a few days and just let your lo do his thing, and write down everything....what time he was hungry, what time he wanted to go to sleep, actually fell asleep, etc. and that will give you a good idea of what he needs and what kind of routine you can piece together for him. 

[fluffycabbage]

yep, thats what im doing now