Madi and I have a really good routine going now! While this is great and really helps me (and her!) know what to expect or do next, it also means I have to plan everything around these timings so they don’t mess her up when circumstances change.

Here’s a typical day (or more like, everyday) schedule for us:

Anywhere between 6.30-7.30am: Madi wakes up and I breastfeed to start her day on a full stomach.
7.30am: Matt looks after Madi (change her nappy and entertains her) while I freshen up and have breakfast.
8am: Madi’s play time! She’s usually extra happy and calm in the morning, giving out extra smiles. I’ll cycle through her activities during the different playtimes throughout the day. We’ll do black and white cards, songs and stories, tummy-time, activity gym, etc.
Between 8.45-9.15am: Madi usually starts getting tired around this time. Nappy change before bed. While she’s sleeping, I’ll jump online to check emails and messages, and basically have some downtime for a browse.

11am: Madi wakes for a feed. Her body clock is insanely accurate, but if she doesn’t wake, I’ll usually go in to gently wake her.
11.30am: Madi is always calmest after her feed so she’ll now happily spend some time in her rocker and/or activity gym while I do some quick housework. She’s so inquisitive right now, everything is fresh and new and can easily distract her. She’ll watch me as I walk around the house.
12pm: More playtime!
12.30-1pm: Madi likely showing sleep signs.  Nappy change before putting her down to sleep. While she’s asleep, I’ll have lunch and some free time. Depending on my mood or what needs to be done, I’ll have a nap, do some quiet cleaning, or work on my hobbies.

3pm: Madi wakes for a feed
3.30pm: Another playtime.
4.00-4.30pm: Madi gets a little sleepy. Nappy change before letting her nap. During this nap I usually do some stomach and leg exercises to help with postpartum recovery.

5.15-5.30pm: Madi wakes for a snack feed. I previously gave her a full feed, then took it away as I didn’t want to overfeed her. Maybe she’s used to feeding as soon as she wakes up, so she became extra grumpy without this feed and will fuss until her dinnertime. I now give her enough to put something in that little stomach of hers. After this quick feed, I’ll let her entertain herself in her rocker or activity gym while I start cooking dinner and prep her bath.
6pm: Bath time! Madi loves this and Matt is usually home from work in time to help me bath her. He really looks forward to these sessions and bathing her before bed makes her feel clean and comfortable for dozing off later.
6.30pm: Bigger dinner feed. Matt usually bottle-feeds her from my pumped milk. I like to let him have some dedicated time with Madi every day so he can see her before bed and they can bond. While he’s taken her off my hands, I’ll walk Bubbles and finish preparing dinner.
7pm: Madi goes to sleep for the night. We eat dinner and then it’s FREE TIME FOR US PARENTS! Usually this means some Netflix and chill.

11.00pm: Bedtime for us!

Anywhere between 1-3am: Madi wakes for a night feed
Anywhere between 4-6am: Depending on when she previously woke, Madi may wake for another night feed. Sometimes if she’s able to sleep through to 3am, she’ll skip this feed and get up at 6.30am to start a new day.

Now get ready to repeat this again!