I’m finally back from hiatus. As I mentioned to readers, I had to take some time for various reasons to focus on my family and my health. And now I can reveal a major reason…drum roll anyone?
I’m pregnant! After multiple miscarriages, I’m hoping that this will be my rainbow baby to join my four and six-year-old. I almost feel like I’m starting all over again.
So this series is as much a refresher course of what has worked for me and thousands of other mom’s and hopefully, you’ll find it just as beneficial!
I want to take a moment to once again reassure all you parents, that the method behind E.A.S.Y. is intended to be tailored to your individual child. It will allow you to parent in a more conscious manner. It does not encourage a schedule so much as a routine.
It is a routine, a repetition of natural cycles related to each letter that occurs throughout the day. A routine allows for flexibility rather than mechanically following a schedule. E.A.S.Y. is not about time slots; it’s about a structure for the day and teaching babies to sleep without a food association.
This is part of a series. As your child grows, be sure to adjust their schedule accordingly using additional charts.
E represents EAT. All babies need to eat either liquid thru nursing or bottle-feeding or solids starting at 6 months. They are less likely to be either underfed or overfed on a routine.
A represents ACTIVITY. This can usually be baby-led. A structure though can prevent overstimulation.
S represents SLEEP. Sleep is mandatory. Daytime sleep in the form of naps helps improve nighttime sleep. Good naps as a result of the proper amount of food and activity are more likely with a routine.
Y represents YOUR Time. With less unpredictably and more structure, you’ll have more time for yourself to rest, shower, clean, what have you.
The schedule I’ve provided is adapted from The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior–Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood
The routine will adjust as your child grows. And it may vary based on weight and personality.
For example, during this stage, you’ll gradually introduce solids; you’ll cut out a night feed if you haven’t done so already, and most babies are down to 2 naps a day which ideally last 1-2 hours apiece.
You’ll also find that daily inconsistencies seem to crop up. Your little one is growing physically and mentally by leaps and bounds. While you’ll have to tweak your schedule to allow for this, still stick to a routine or bad sleep habits will develop to bite you later.
BABY E.A.S.Y: MONTH 6 TO MONTH 9
Below is a synopsis of the schedule broken into 3 segments. Click on each heading for detailed information. Scroll to the end of the article for access to an easy reference FREE printable.
Morning E.A.S.Y. Schedule
Further, if your family’s routine makes it better to start the day at 7:30 it’s acceptable to adjust accordingly. However, it’s not recommended to start the day after 7:30 am nor end the day past 7:30 pm due to naturally inherit sleep cycles in children.
This is a sample schedule. Between 6 to 9 months your baby will transition from 3 to 2 naps and transition from a 2 or 2.5 hour wake time between naps to a 3 hour wake time.
7:00 AM (E)at Feed 5-8 OZ. Liquid (Breast or Bottle)
7:20 (A)ctivity baby should be able to amuse self for 1/2 hour or more but be sure to change their position
8:30 A/E Activity continued with Breakfast – solids
9:00-9:15 (S)leep Nap (2 hrs) Sleep ritual takes 15-20 minutes so sleep starts closer to 9:15-9:30 am
(Y)our Personal Time
11:15 AM (E) Feed 5-8 OZ. Liquid (Breast or Bottle – snack upon waking)
11:30 (A) Activity
12:30 A /E Activity continued with Lunch – solids
1:45 (S) Nap (1 1/2 – 2 hrs) Sleep ritual takes 15-20 minutes
(Y)our Personal Time
Afternoon E.A.S.Y. Schedule
4:15 (A) Activity beware of “witching hour” as you approach late afternoon and keep activities low key
NO (S) USUALLY NO CAT NAP TAKEN ANY LONGER
5:30-6 A/E Activity continued with Dinner – solids / (Y) or Your Time is replaced with dinner as a family 🙂
Evening E.A.S.Y. Schedule
(A) Bath
(E) Feed 5-8 OZ. Liquid (Breast or Bottle – snack before bed)
(A) Bedtime Ritual to separate last feed from sleep *key, not feeding to sleep*
(S) 7-7:30pm to bed for night
NO LATE NIGHT FEED / DREAM FEED ANY LONGER
5 AM E / S Night Feed if truly hungry, beware though that feeding here isn’t just a comfort measure that may turn into a bad sleep habit, babies as young as 6 months are capable of manipulation – BACK TO BED TILL 7 AM
Below is the Food, Activity and Sleep Totals for each day. Click on the heading for detailed information.
Daily Food, Activity & Sleep Totals
Day Sleep: 4 hours on average *based on age & activity level influences
Day Activity Time Slots:
6 months 2 hours
7 months 2 hour 20 mins;
8 months 2 hour 40 mins;
9 months 3 hours
Remember these are guidelines, NOT rules, so if you feel that your baby is not yet ready for these A times, please do not force them, as this will result in issues.
Night Sleep: 10 hour stretch from 7 pm to 5 am then another 2 hours before daily routine begins. Or if older baby in this bracket a 12 hour stretch from 7 pm to 7 am.
Please be observant to your baby exhibiting tired signs. If a baby goes to bed for the night being overtired (active) their nighttime sleep will likely be fitful, and they’ll wake earlier.
Download FREE Chart!
Sign up for FREE as a new subscriber and get direct access to a FREE E.A.S.Y Sleep Training / Feeding Chart to download and print!
As well as FULL access to the Subscriber Resource Library of printables!
Already a subscriber? Use your case sensitive LIBRARY CARD CODE in THIS LINK to download the chart from the library list.
