Is your baby 3 months old now? Here's how to set-up a perfect sleep and feeding schedule for your little one? 

Setting up a sleep and feeding schedule for your 3 months old baby will make life comfortable and easier for both the mother and the baby. You must have observed that your baby is more active now, slowly taking control of the body, and getting more aware of the people around him/her.

1. Sleep schedule for your 3 months old baby

Most of the babies sleep around 15 hours a day and slowly your baby will start to regulate it by staying awake for more time during the day. You will get plenty of time to take a rest and feel more relaxed. However, your baby is going through a growth spurt and will face sleep regressions. To ensure that your baby is well-fed and has a regular pattern of wake-eat-sleep, you must keep an eye on the reactions of your baby. Don’t be rigid in following the schedule and allow your baby to gradually adjust to the schedule.

2. Feeding schedule for your 3 months old baby

Just like the sleeping pattern, the feeding sessions will also get regularized. Slowly your little one will drop the night feedings. Do not offer a solid food diet until your child turns 6 months old. You will observe the longer gap between feeding sessions and if the baby is well-fed then he/she will sleep calmly. Things to keep in mind when programming your child’s feeding and sleep schedule-

• Feeding requirements

There should be 6 feeds in 24 hours (breastmilk, formula milk, or both)

• Sleeping requirements

Approximately 15 hours of sleep in 24 hours that includes night-time and naptime during the day. You must allow your baby to take nap thrice during the day preferably morning, afternoon, and evening.

• Physical development

You must play interactive games with your baby. Schedule certain activities like massage, stroller walk, bathe time accordingly.

If you are breastfeeding your baby then you can consider this sample schedule for sleep and feeding:

• Wake up at 7:00 am
• Feed at 8.00 am
• Naptime at 8.30 am
• Wake and feed at 9.00 am
• Feed and nap at 11.00 am
• Wake and feed at 1.00 pm
• Naptime at 2.00 pm
• Wake and feed at 2.30 pm
• Feed and nap at 4.30 pm
• Feed at 6.30
• Catnap at 7.00pm
• Feed and bedtime at 9.00 pm
• Fill-up feed time at 10.30 pm so that the baby sleeps for a longer duration
• 1- or 2-night feedings as per baby’s hunger and wet nappies

If you are feeding formula milk to your baby then you can consider this sample schedule for sleep and feeding:

• Wake and breastfeed the baby at 7.00 am
• Naptime at 8.30 am
• Wake and feed (from breast or bottle) at 10.00 am
• Naptime at 11.30 am
• Wake and feed (from bottle or breast) at 1.00 pm
• Naptime at 2.30 pm
• Wake up your baby at 3.30 pm
• Feedtime (from bottle or breast) at 4.00 pm
• Catnap at 4.30 pm
• Wake the baby at 5.00 pm
• Feedtime (from breast or bottle) at 6.00 pm
• Naptime at 6.30 pm
• Feed and bedtime at 9.00 pm
• Fill-up feed at 11.00 pm (this will let your baby sleep for longer hours)
• 1- or 2-night feedings as the baby demands

Always put your baby in the cot when he/she is drowsy and not yet asleep. Put your baby in the same place for night sleep and naptime during the day so that the baby gets a sound sleep. Keep the lights of the room switched off during the feed or nappy changing time. You must offer a clean and hygienic environment to your baby so that he/she can sleep properly. If your baby is getting fussy it means that the baby is not well-fed or needs a diaper change. If your baby gets overtired or exhausted during the day then it will be difficult for you to settle your baby at night. Make sure your baby is well-fed and pass burp after every feed otherwise it will be too messy to clear the vomits at night. It’ll be not easy for you and the baby to rigorously follow the schedule so adjust accordingly and be flexible.