Welcome to parenthood, where “routine” sometimes means remembering to brush your teeth before 3pm.
In the early weeks after having a baby, life can feel like an endless blur of feedings, diaper changes, and wondering if it’s Wednesday or your cousin’s birthday. (Spoiler: it’s probably both.)
While no one expects your newborn to follow a color-coded schedule, gentle, flexible routines can create calm, promote development, and help you feel a little more human again.
Let’s break it down, nap-friendly style.
Why Routines Matter (Even the Loosey-Goosey Kind)
- Babies thrive on predictability—it helps them feel safe and secure.
- Routines support better sleep and feeding patterns over time.
- They give parents a sense of control in an otherwise unpredictable new world.
- Plus, knowing that something always happens after something else (like diaper > feed > nap) can reduce stress for everyone involved.
DOs and DON’Ts for Starting Daily Routines
DO: Start with What You’re Already Doing
You already have “routines”—they’re just not on a spreadsheet. Feeding, changing, cuddling, crying (baby and maybe you). Start by gently noticing the order of events and leaning into a consistent rhythm.
DON’T: Schedule the Day Down to the Minute
This isn’t a Navy SEAL operation—it’s a baby. Some days, your only routine might be surviving until bedtime. That’s OK.
DO: Create Anchors, Not Timetables
Think of routines as “anchors,” like:
Feed > Tummy time > Sing a song > Nap
Or: Morning snuggle > Breakfast (for you!) > Walk outside
DON’T: Expect the Same Results Every Day
Your baby’s going through growth spurts, teething, time travel (okay, just development). Things will change. And that’s normal.
DO: Build Your Own Self-Care Into the Routine
Yes, we’re looking at you.
Take five minutes in the morning to stretch, sip something warm, or breathe in silence. These tiny rituals can be sanity-savers.
DON’T: Forget to Rest
It’s tempting to use every baby nap to “get stuff done.” But some days, your stuff is rest. You matter, too.
Simple Routines to Try
Morning Routine
- Open the blinds
- Change diaper
- Feed baby
- Put on “real” clothes (a clean T-shirt counts)
Nap/Quiet Time Routine
- Dim lights
- Gentle song or shush sounds
- Swaddle or cuddle
- Lay baby down (or contact nap while watching reruns—your call)
Evening Wind-Down Routine
- Bath or warm wipe-down
- Lotion massage
- Soft pajamas
- Read a book or hum a lullaby
- Feed, burp, sleep (hopefully )
Encouragement for the Chaos Phase
Let’s be real: early routines are messy. Some days you’ll feel like you’re nailing it. Other days, you’ll wear the same pants for 72 hours and call granola “dinner.” That’s normal.
This stage isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency over time, showing up with love, and creating a gentle rhythm your baby—and you—can grow into.
Local Support in Westchester & Putnam Counties
As new parents, creating a daily routine isn’t about following a strict clock—it’s about finding a gentle rhythm that works for your baby and your household. These local resources can help you build flexible, healthy habits around feeding, sleep, bonding, and care.
Westchester County Resources
1. Open Door Family Medical Centers – Baby Steps Program
- Phone: (914) 941-1263
- Website: opendoormedical.org
Support: Offers parenting groups, nurse guidance, and developmental milestones coaching to help you build consistent daily care routines.
2. Family Services of Westchester – Early Childhood Programs
- Phone: (914) 937-2320
- Website: fsw.org
Support: Home visiting programs, coaching for first-time parents, and support on establishing routines around sleep, feeding, and play.
3. White Plains Hospital – Maternal & Newborn Services
- Phone: (914) 681-0600
- Website: wphospital.org
Support: Provides newborn classes, breastfeeding scheduling support, and postnatal nurse line to answer daily routine questions.
4. Westchester County Health Department – Nurse Family Partnership
- Phone: (914) 813-5000
- Website: health.westchestergov.com
Support: Free home visits with a registered nurse for first-time moms to help develop daily routines, track baby’s development, and adjust to parenting life.
Putnam County Resources
5. Putnam County Department of Health – Maternal & Child Health
- Phone: (845) 808-1390
- Website: putnamcountyny.com
Support: Offers WIC services, infant sleep safety resources, and parenting support to create healthy schedules for feeding, play, and naps.
6. Nuvance Health – Putnam Hospital Parent Education
- Phone: (845) 279-5711 x2513
- Website: nuvancehealth.org
Support: Provides education on feeding routines, bedtime strategies, and balancing your needs with your baby’s rhythm.
7. Mahopac Library & Local Libraries
- Phone: (845) 628-2009
- Website: mahopaclibrary.org
Support: Offers baby storytimes and parent-child play groups that help build predictable daily outings and bonding routines.
Additional Support
8. Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- Phone: 1-800-944-4773
- Website: postpartum.net
Support: Helps parents struggling with transition, routine fatigue, or mental health. Offers tips for self-care integration into your new daily life.
9. Hudson Valley Birth Network – Postpartum Doulas
- Website: hudsonvalleybirthnetwork.com
Support: In-home support helps parents shape routines around sleep, feeding, recovery, and managing household tasks.
10. United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline
- Phone: Dial 2-1-1 (24/7)
- Website: 211hudsonvalley.org
Support: Provides referrals to parenting coaches, family centers, mental health support, and home visiting programs that help build sustainable daily rhythms.
Bibliography
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Creating routines for your baby. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
Karp, H. (2015). The Happiest Baby on the Block. Bantam Books.
Postpartum Support International. (2023). Creating Structure with Your Baby. https://www.postpartum.net
Zero to Three. (2022). Routines: Why They Matter and How to Get Started. https://www.zerotothree.org
United Way 211. (2023). Parenting and Family Support Services. https://www.211.org
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided by our nonprofit is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns. We make no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the information and are not liable for any decisions made based on it. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical care.
