Hi there!! first congrats on your almost there baby!!!!!
Well, i started the EASY ever since day one, but what i did was just to follow the order of things eat-activity-sleep-andwhatlittleyoucanhavewithanewbornyoutime
, so i didn't keep to a schedule per se on the first few weeks. It was when i saw that my DS was getting huingry at the 3hrs mark, that i started the schedule, this was at about 3-4 weeks old. So what i would recommend for you, is to follow the order of things (this is really importat, so your baby learns how to sleep independantly and doesn't feed to sleep). and when you start seeing a more consistant feeding pattern, start with the schedule. Ohh and something that really helped me was to write down all hi day, just like the book says. and also try not to feed him before 2hrs (well this is what my ped recommended and Tracy also suggests it in the bok, so your baby doesn't become a snacker).
Regarding your questions:
1- uhhmm, well the first month is usually the hardest, 'cause you won't get much sleep, so nap whenever you can, and if you can ask to DH or to your mom to help you on any night would be great so you can recuperate some long desired sleep!!! Don't worry sleep will eventually come to you again
2- yes, there is NO activity at night, unless your baby gets poop on the nappy, i never changed him if there was only pee on it.
3- the schedule just like i said earlier isn't a schedule per se on the firts weeks, just the order of things (well, at least that's what i did). Yes you are suppoused to wake a baby after you feed him, you might say "and how does one do that exactly??" well do a diaper change. The 45min includes the feed so its really not that much time, 'cause between the feeding and nappy change, you pretty much get to the 45min.
I would just like to say, that its really normal to be nervous, and i'm sure you are going to make a wonderfull job as a mom!!!!
if you have any doubts, plesa don't hesitate to ask!!!!
good luck!!
