Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Hi, I am a brand new member and I wanted to ask some parents here for some advice. I am a first-time mom, so I can use all the advice that I can get!

My son is only three months old, but has no established schedule yet, in terms of when exactly he gets a bottle (formula) and at what times he goes to sleep.

My question is should I begin a schedule for him at three months old? I have been letting him sleep whenever falls asleep and not waking him, because he is so little and I think he needs his rest, but I am wondering if I should begin some sort of schedule (or at least try to).

Can anyone please weigh in if I should put my baby on a schedule and, if so, how should I try to do this? He generally gets a bottle about every three to four hours right now and I would love to find a way to allow him to sleep regularly (at least five to six hours per night), but I am not sure if he is too young (three months old) to try to establish this.

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Welcome! You'll soon see why this such a great board, you are going to get a ton of difference opinions!

Here's mine.

3m is the ideal time to do it, I think the longer you wait the harder it is. And at 3m they have no separation anxiety yet, making it a ton easier to sleep train. They are also probably big enough not to be dependent on eating in the middle of the night. But you may want to slow them out that middle of the night(s) feeding(s).

There are different degrees of sleep training and different school of thought. I am not an attachment parent, it does not feel natural to me, but I know moms on here, do it and do it successfully and happily.

I used a book called Baby Sleep Solution, by Giordano. I talk about it all the time here. I love the way the book is structured and the advice. I highly recommend it, as a guide, not as a rule. I think ultimately you have to rely on your own instinct. I got my son to sleep 11 hours a night at 3m following this book as a guide.

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

welcome
you need to get him on a schedule.
dd has been sttn since 2m. how great does that sound.
he needs to learn night and day.

day time should be getting bottles and make sure he is drinking enough during the day.
night time should be dim light and relaxed-no more playing.
do you use a sleep sack? how about a paci?
on youtube search the happiest baby on the block. that seemed to help a lot of people.

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Hi,

Thank you to everyone that replied! It was very helpful and I loved reading what you wrote. I just ordered the Baby Sleep Solution book! I can't wait to read it!

Thanks again!

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Does anyone have the book Baby Sleep Solution, by Giordano, That they would be willing to sell me?

TIA

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?

Welcome!! My son is also 3 months (tomorrow) and just started sleeping through the night to our amazement. I have 2 boys and my 1st born didn't start sleeping like this until 6 months + so I've learned the hard way. My advice to you is to make sure he isn't awake during the day longer than 2 hours at a time, this way he is getting in enough sleep during the day and does not get over tired. It will help him sleep better at night. My son also eats every 3-4 hours during the day. I noticed a pattern occuring the last couple of weeks, he would get fussy around 10pm have his last feeding and then sleep 6 hour stretches. Now past week he's been sleeping almost 8 hours. Hang in there you will start seeing him settling into more of a routine and you will finally get more sleep!

Re: Sleep Schedule for a Three-Month-Old?