Need help with a schedule!!!

[sfranklin1030]

Hello!  I have a 6 week old and am going back to work in 3 weeks.  I'd like to get him on a good sleep schedule before I go back to work.  Right now, he goes to sleep around 10 after hysterically screaming for a while.  We start his routine around 9 - putting jammies on, changing diaper, turning tv off and lights down low and then a bottle.  He doesn't always want the bottle though.  If he goes to sleep at 10, he wakes up around 2 for a NF and then goes right back to sleep.  He will wake up again around 5 or 6 for another feeding and then goes back to sleep for a couple of hours.  Then he's awake for most of the morning with some 15 or 30 minute naps here and there.  He takes a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and then is awake all evening.   

I don't understand EASY and what activities are you supposed to do with a 6 week old?  Also, how can I get the hysterical screaming to stop?  It seems that he will only go to sleep at bedtime after he's cried himself to sleep and it's AWFUL!!

I am a first time mom and feel like I'm doing something wrong.  Thoughts or suggestions???

Thanks...

[momofclaire]

Hi, welcome to the boards.

As someone who has also been a first time mom,  you are probably not doing anything wrong.  It takes some time for those little ones to get used to the world.

Have you read a copy of Tracy's book?  If not, I would pick up a copy asap and get reading. It will explain easy and all the theories behind it.  For starters take a look at these links.
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63534.0
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63243.0
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65942.0

Activites for a 6 week old include, diaper changing, eating, staring blankly at mommy and maybe, just maybe following a finger as it moves back and forth in front of a face!  A time at this age is really short so don't worry about activites per se right now. Easy is more about a pattern of events.  Eat, Activity or in babies this age Awake, Sleep, and You time. The time these things happens isn't always the same and don't fall into the trap of watching the clock. Watch your baby for sleep cues.
I would first try to set up a daytime routine using easy. 

At 6 weeks it is very normal to have 2 or even 3 night feeds.
Also have a look at some sample easy routines found in the faq section of this board.

I hope that answers some of your questions. Post back and we will try to get you headed in the right direction. I will be away this weekend but our memebers and my two co mods here will certainly be able to answer any urgent questions.

Again, welcome.
Myia

[sfranklin1030]

Wow - you have no idea how reassuring it is to read your post!!!  I just wasn't sure if what we were doing was ok or not and it's a relief to know that it is ok!  Thanks so much for the links.  I alerady made this site a favorite and have visited often.  There is so much useful information!!  Thanks again for your help and support!!

[momofclaire]

You're Welcome

Keep us posted and feel free to post other problems/concerns throughout the boards.