Life on the Go

It's a common misconception that having a baby on a specific schedule means a lifetime sentence to "parent jail" with an inability to go out and do things as a family or get out of the house at all! In fact, having a schedule makes your day incredibly predictable and allows for you to anticipate what baby will be doing at that time. Today I am sharing my tips and trick to bust out of parent jail and enjoy the predictability of a baby schedule!

The Key to Success

If I had to choose one secret weapon for a successful, flexible, on-the-go kind of day, it would be Nap 1. The first nap of the day has a HUGE impact on the success of the day. If baby gets a short nap it means adjusting the rest of the day, possibly adding an extra nap, and lots of general confusion on what is coming next. In order to avoid this, I suggest letting the first nap of the day happen at home as much as possible. Yes, this may take some planning on your part but it is SO worth it! If you've got early drop offs for older siblings or other early morning activities, consider starting babies day a little later with a later daily wake time (DWT). This will allow you to at least get where you need to go without baby falling asleep in the car.

Be Mindful of the Clock

When you are out and about just keep your schedule in mind! When you are approaching nap time, try and simulate the same nap routine and environment you use at home (I will share more on this in the next section). This is when having a specific schedule comes in handy! When you are out and about it's much more complicated to watch for tired signs or sleepy cues. Instead, just set an alarm on your phone for 5 minutes before nap time and your all set!

Simulate the Nap Environment/Routine

A big part of successful naps is a good (quick!) wind down routine and the right sleeping environment. When you're on the go, you can use these same tools to help ensure a good nap happens. So, you're out grocery shopping and that timer goes off. If your normal nap time routine is a diaper change, some brief rocking and a song then it's time to head to the restroom changing table! Following your nap time routine even when you are out helps baby know it's time for sleep. Next you will want to recreate your home sleeping environment. This should mean creating a place that is dark and using white noise to help block outside sounds. I suggest (especially in the hot summer months) a thin muslin blanket draped over the car seat, or a breathable car seat cover. You can use a travel white noise machine or simply play white noise from your phone!

Looking for help on creating the right sleep environment at home? Check out this simple white noise machine and these blackout curtains.

Knowing the Limits/Starting Early

Baby will get used to whatever "normal" you create for them. If, from an early age, baby is always at home for naps in the same location each time, breaking that habit can be a bit more complicated! For this reason, I recommend starting early when it comes to daytime outings. The easiest place to start is a cat nap on the go. I suggest trying to have at least one on-the-go nap a week from 2 months on. In the same way that you want to get baby used to being on the go, you also don't want baby to ALWAYS be on the go. Know your limits and decide what's best for you and baby. As baby gets older, I suggest lumping your outings/activities together on the same day so that you aren't out and about for naps every single day. It's all about finding a happy medium!

I hope this helps you feel like you can escape "parent jail!" Remember it is OK to be flexible and roll with the punches even if your on a set schedule!

Need schedule help? E-mail me to get a custom schedule based on your individual needs!