In case you didn’t know, you have a baby and the hospital just lets you leave with that baby. They don’t give you a “how to…” on raising that baby. So naturally, when my son was born I searched high low for info on how to raise this little person. I looked at every blog, Instagram, and Pinterest post and what I found where a lot of schedules. From sleep to feeding to pumping to bathing to play. Schedules everywhere.
I also read a lot about routines and the importance of a routine for a baby. I then realized that people were using the term “routine” and “schedule” interchangeably. However, they do not mean the same thing.
Routines and schedules are often confused by parents. These two words are just that, two words with two different meanings. A schedule is rigid. You do the same thing at the same time everyday. For example, at 7am baby wakes up; at 7:01am baby gets changed; 7:30 baby eats; 8:00 baby plays; 9am baby goes for a nap.
A routine is flexible. Your day is the same, but the time may vary. For example, baby wakes up, change baby, feed baby, play with baby, and baby goes for a nap. See the difference? There is no time constraints or rigidity.
The more consistency and routine a baby has, the more likely they will be to naturally fall into a schedule. They will establish a routine and pattern. Their internal clock will pick up on this routine and help the baby to process what will happen next. With time, you will notice your baby doing things at the same time (or close to it) everyday.
Do you use a routine or a schedule?
Raising Littles 
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