New Routines ...

In life and more especially with an infant, the one thing that is a guarantee is that change is constant.

We had to start a whole new routine once my Mum went back home. We had to buy baby a lot of winter clothes as in Durban in April one could still wear short sleeves and shorts.

We started our day with our morning feed and then to the change station which was actually a chest of drawers with a large, padded change mat on top. We then did our oral care routine - I used the oral care kit from Dischem with the little gum brush- the instructions are on the package for how to use it. You have to clean and sterilise all oral care tools as they can be bacterial magnets if not managed properly. Then we would wipe up, moisturise with Epimax Junior and change the diaper. We still used Pampers premium range but you have to adjust the size based on the growth of your baby. If the diaper is not fully covering the bottom and the navel then maybe you need a size bigger, or if baby wets himself often then a bigger size may also help. We used to sing songs to baby and talk all the time while changing or bathing so that he knew that we were focused on him. It is helpful to have a nursery rhyme list or the actual ones pinned up close to where you change baby to keep him entertained and distracted while you change him.

He would then play on the bed or mat on the floor. He was around 4 months but we started tummy time around 3 months- tummy time is literally that, place your baby on his tummy to assist with head control and neck control and to stimulate him in another direction as well. Control the time, start with 1-2 minutes then increase after a few days. I used to always put something exciting for him to reach or touch.

We actually introduced books and reading from this age. You can get colourful books with big pictures from any book shop. He loved looking at the pictures and trying to babble. My personal belief is that there is no such thing as too early stimulation - maybe too much but not too early. You have to engage baby for short periods of time as they are already learning so much about their new world.

Even though he could not understand we also started reading stories to him.

After playtime we would change again and then have a feed and sleep. I was still using the Telament drops before every feed at this stage. I used to keep baby in a more upright position after feeding for at least 10 minutes then I would put him down on his back or side.

During this time whatever needed to be cleaned or packed away was done, as we never had a helper, my husband and I did all the cleaning up. I also tried to eat and relax a little, if there was time and there never usually was!

Our day would usually pass with playtime, reading, feeding and maybe 2 - 3 naps. Around 7pm we would do the bath and then feed and sleep time.

For the colder days, we would fill the water in the baby bath and bring it to the room which was heated with a heater. I would put a towel on the floor first before putting the tub on top to avoid any potential accidents. Then we would bath and sing so that baby enjoyed his bath.

For bathing, I used Dove bodywash sensitive. I used Johnsons powder under the arms and neck area to keep him dry. We used Bepanthen cream for the bottom and I still do today- for me, that cream has been awesome!

We dressed baby and then after his night feed he would sleep in his cot.

You have to do whatever works for you and your situation at the time but for us we felt that getting baby earlier to bed helped him and us as well.

I couldn't understand why baby books said get into a routine as soon as you can but now I finally get it !

It's almost like creating new habits for yourself and your family.