month by month { 1 month }

{ 1 month : weeks 5-8 }
For some reason babies tend to get fussy around 6 weeks - so don't be surprise when you're sweet angel starts to change into a little monster!  (but still an adorable one!) 

{ schedule }
> Feeding: Nurse every 2.5-3 hours (8-10 feedings a day; may go down to 7 if sleeping 7-8 hrs a night)
> Wake time: Suggested wake time is 40-60 min.  (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: 6-8 naps a day; maybe sleeping 7-8 hours a night
Follow your baby's rhythm: earlier bedtimes & longer night sleep periods develop (I didn't know this!!)

{ sleep }
Sleep goals: same as weeks 1-4
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed (didn't do this!)
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed, and fall asleep on his own  (didn't do this!)


6-8 weeks may be a good time to start sleep training (again, remember I didn't have a strategy...)  
4 sleep training strategies from Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child:
1. "Let cry," Ignoring, extinction
2. Controlled crying, partial ignoring, graduated extinction
3. Check & console *this is more like what we started to do
4. Scheduled awakenings


{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }

> sticky bellies - stickers you put on their bellies & take monthly photo updates, SO GREAT!!

> activity mat - they won't do much on it, but this is a good time to try & watch their interest peak - Wes was captivated by the animals :)

{ tips } 
> "Try to meet your baby's needs. If he's hungry, feed him.  If he's tired, sleep him" (Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child, p204)

> Get out of the house

> Do something that makes you feel good - go get your hair done, or a pedicure or something! :)

> Socialize (sometimes I'd forget to do this... don't do that!)