Should a 7 month old baby be on a schedule?

Question

I have my baby niece with me for a couple of months(maybe more) as her mother is unable to care for her properly right now. I've been on the "Babycenter" web site and it says she should be eating "finger food" but I'm not sure I agree with some of the food they say to give her. Any suggestions?

Also--I have my 79 year old mother in law living here with us and she wants to hold the baby 10 hours out of the day--THAT'S TOO MUCH--I KNOW the baby needs lots of tummy time and other stimulation for good development--BUT how do I explain this to my mother in law, who insists that she's raised many children and she knows what she's doing. I don't want to hurt her feelings--BUT her kids and grand kids are all spoiled brats--and not very productive adults--My husband is the exception--LOL.

What kind of sleeping eating and playing schedule should I get the baby on? Any advice is would be great.

I understand that babies need cuddles and kisses and need to be held--But she also needs other stimulation also! Thanks! :)

Answer 1

What kind of finger foods is it suggesting that you disagree with?

It all depends on the baby's tastes, I'd steer clear of sugary things like rusks (they're lovely, but my health visitor has warned me off even the reduced sugar ones as they're so unhealthy, or at the very least as an occasional treat). My baby loves chomping on a whole banana, peeled of course, gets a bit messy and over half of it'll end up on the floor but that's probably his favourite. He loves chewing on all fruit - apple segments (peeled), I sometimes peel the fat half of a pear and give him the bottom to half to hold like a stick and he chews on the peeled bit. Carrot sticks are great, bits of toast (personally I avoid butter but I think some people use it). Rice cakes, which you can buy in different flavours. Experiment and find out what your niece enjoys, as long as it isn't too sugary or an obvious choking hazard you can get creative! And always make sure never to leave her alone even for a moment with finger foods, for obvious reasons!

As for the holding time - to be honest at this age she should be making her own mind up, surely? I know at 7 months there's no way my baby would have let me hold him for that long, he wanted his own space just as much as cuddle time. Everybody is different but personally I don't believe in routines (unless you have a specific schedule you have to work around or unless you have twins or something!)... every baby is different and they'll all do things at different times no matter how much you try with them. I was dreadful at giving tummy time as he always screamed and I had no willpower but I used to lie him on his back in his playgym and he was rolling back onto front before 5 months and crawling by 6 months, whereas I've always practiced sitting up with my son and constantly trying to get him to do it and he is 8 months now and still can't sit for long! So don't worry too much about it. I strongly suspect that if your mother in law attempts to hold him for ten hours a day the baby will have other thoughts and demand to be put down at times! But if this isn't the case then just be firm with her, you have to put the welfare of the baby before all else and if the baby's mother isn't in a position to be able to give her influence then you should do what you feel is best.

EDIT: I'll just add, where I said 'I don't believe in routines', I meant I don't personally believe in having a strict military schedule where the clock strikes half 3 so the baby has to play and or the clock strikes 1 and the baby has to nap, even if she's not tired, etc... a lot of babies form their natural routines which is fine and of course it's good to keep a vague structure, such as naps at a similar time in the day etc., but I always think you should go with the baby's feelings and mood as well and take that into account. You'll know when she is in a playful mood or a sleepy mood or a hungry mood etc.

Answer 2

As far as a schedule goes, I would think of it more as a routine.  At 7 months old, she should be taking a morning nap and an afternoon nap.  She will also thrive if her day is done in the same order and the same things happen every day, even if that seems like a really dull life.  Babies thrive on it.  She may sleep at 9 today and 9:30 tomorrow, but that's fine.  The point is that she should take a morning nap.

Most children will show you very quickly what their "schedule" should be.  You can then build the fun and necessary activities such as baths, trips to the park, getting dressed, etc. around their needs.  

Here was my 7 month old's "schedule".  We followed it religiously and still have a strict routine that we do.  Again, he really set the tone for when he was almost always tired enough to nap, wanted to play, was hungry, etc.  However, doing the activities in the same order really helps to establish a sense of "normality" and reduces uncertainty which babies hate.

Now, that he's one, he loves it because he knows what to expect and is a more active participant (ie, he "finds" the bathroom after he eats to get washed up, runs to his stroller after morning nap because he knows that he's going out for his walk or trip to the park, etc.)

6-7  Wake up

@7  Breakfast (fruit baby food, Cheerios or another finger food for grain, sometimes bits of grated cheese)

7:30  Wash up and get dressed

7:45-9  Play

9-10:30 Morning Nap

10:30  Go for walk or to the park to play

Noon   Lunch (vegetable, finger food, etc.)

12:30 Wash up and play

2:30-3 until 4 Afternoon nap

4-5  Play

5 Dinner (Soft table food, finger food, rich in veges)

6  Bath and quiet play

7-8  Bedtime

Answer 3

There is no such thing as holding a baby too much.  The best place for a child to receive adequate and appropriate stimulation is in a sling!

http://www.continuum-concept.org/cc_defi...

However, I also do not agree with schedules.  

I have linked you to some excellent books that will be great reading materials for you.

I suggest the Dr.Sears Website instead of BabyCenter.

http://www.askdrsears.com/

Answer 4

At 7 months, she doesn't need tummy time anymore.  She should be sitting soon (if not already)... even crawling.

I would be feeding her soft baby foods still, but she could also try Cheerios.  They dissolve quickly inthe mouth andthey are great for hand-eye coordination dvelopment.

I think you should give the baby time to adjust to her new life.  She will likely need two naps per day still.  

  

Answer 5

well i have a 13 month old and a 26 month old.  as far as a schedule yes a nap time during the day around the same time every day helps w the temper fits and they also have better play time. also a set bed time is great too.  it doesnt hurt them to put them down around 9 or 10.  they cry a lil bit but should be tired enough to go to bed.

my youngest started on crackers, mac and cheese, and pasta around that age so yeah thats ok too.  but they still need their formula for their nutrition. if all else fails though,  mix up a jar of baby food with your bottle of formula and they love it!

and last, yes your baby needs tummy time, and time to sit on her own and play.  grandparents love to hold kids all day long,  but it really isnt good for them.  get grandma out of that habit or youll definately  regret it later when you cant walk through your house w/o her right at your feet wanting you to hold her.  she will become more independant if you give her her own time now.  

  

Answer 6

After a while, you can determine a rough schedule for your niece.  It'll likely be: wake up, breakfast, play, morning nap, lunch, play, afternoon nap, play time, dinner, possibly an evening snooze, or bedtime.

You can add a bath at a regular time of day if it suits you (like right before bed).

I think it's great that your MIL wants to hold the baby so much.  She can do interactive things with the baby.  Sing songs, clap hands, just talk to her.  You can play some music at the same time for stimulation.  Your MIL can read books to her.  Consider this your break time.

Your neice might love a jolly jumper.  

As for eating - do what you and the baby are comfortable with.  The first finger food I introduced were Rice Krispies.  Cheerios made me nervous!  It's hard to choke on a wee Rice Krispie!  There's still lots of time for finger foods.

You're doing a great job!  It's tough work but that little angel needs you!