Create a Schedule – humans crave schedules, structure and predictability.

Create a schedule for your child so they know exactly what is going on and stick to it. My wife and I bought a book called12 Hours and Twelve Weeks. The book promised to have your newborn sleep 12 hours through the night by the twelfth week. That is a Godsend to new parents as we lack sleep and rest. The sooner you create that schedule for your child, the sooner you get a sense of normalcy.

As children grow older their schedules shift ever so slightly. Adapt and grow in the direction you want to go. Remember you are the parent. If you do not train your child, your child will train you. Which do you prefer?

You may think your life is hectic. Your life can be hectic but the child’s life does not have to be hectic. Get them on a consistent schedule of predictability.

First thing in the morning, immediately change their diaper. It lets them know you are taking care of that need.

One of my favorite things to do when my son was an infant was to make his bottles with him. I would put the water with the formula and I would do it all with him in my arms. I would tell him what I was doing every step of the way. Then I would put the cap on the bottle and I would say to him, “Now we have to shaky, shaky, shaky” (shaking the bottle to mix the water and formula).He laughed hysterically and always made his bottles with me.

He always had nap times on the hour, for about an hour (9:00-10:00am and 1:00-2:00pm for the first year).

Feeding times were the same 6:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm and 6:00pm

Changing times were essentially the same. If he was wet or soiled, it was changed as soon as discovered.

I would ask you to be the parent who understands diapers are not ultra-absorbent. Children do feel it… if not the moisture, the weight of their excretion. Not immediately changing diapers is understandable in circumstances such as trips in the car for a couple of hours. Do not be lazy when it comes to the comfort of your child. By being lazy, you make them uncomfortable and in turn they will make your day uncomfortable too. It is not worth it.

Yes, we went through 10 diapers per day. He never had to cry for food, a dirty diaper, or attention, because he always received all three. Dads, help create a routine for mom and stick to it.