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Getting into a routine with my baby has been a huge challenge. I have never been much of a routine girl myself — so starting now, with a baby, has been extremely hard.
I was gifted a book called Mom On Call, and it really helped me understand what days can look like for your baby at each stage in the beginning.
I’ll be honest — we are still not perfect here. But as long as I can stick to a simple morning and evening routine, I feel like I’ve done my job.
7:00 AM Wake Up
Again, I’m not always perfect here. But I do try to stick to a 7:00 am wake-up time like the book suggests.
I usually feed her in bed first, then get up and change her diaper. If she didn’t get her onesie dirty overnight, I just leave her in it. I used to change her outfit every day, but the amount of laundry I was doing was insane.
For me, I try to drink a big glass of water right away. Sometimes I add a scoop of Body Bloom or an LMNT electrolyte packet to make it easier (and honestly more enjoyable). I’m a huge fan of LMNT (especially the Raspberry flavor) — it makes drinking water so much easier.
Then I’ll have my coffee with a little honey and a scoop of Bulletproof Creamer.
Pumping
After that, I sit down for my morning pump using a clean set of pump parts.
A helpful tip: put a small amount of coconut oil inside the flanges where your nipples go to help reduce friction. It makes a big difference in comfort.
I pump for 15–20 minutes. If my baby gets fussy while I’m pumping, I pause, feed her, and then continue pumping afterward.
She usually sits in her BabyBjörn bouncer while I pump, which keeps her content most mornings.
With the milk I pump, I use the Evenflo silicone tray and freeze small portions — sometimes just 0.25 ounces at a time. The rest goes in the fridge, or I’ll use it to top her off in the morning so she feels extra full.
For cleaning, I use the “fridge method.” I rinse the pump parts well, place them in a plastic bag, and store them in the fridge to use again later in the day. At night, I wash everything thoroughly.
I also have a second set of pump parts. That way, if I’m exhausted and can’t wash the dirty set at night, I still have a clean pair ready for the morning.
What I Eat
For breakfast, I always try to include protein.
Lately, I’ve been loving Seven Sundays Maple Almond Oats. It contains oats, flax seeds, chia seeds, almonds, and added protein — all great for supporting breastfeeding.
It’s quick and easy, which is exactly what I need in this season of life.
If I have the energy to cook, I’ll make two eggs over easy with avocado on sourdough toast. Sometimes I sprinkle hemp seeds on top for extra protein.
Morning Nap
I don’t follow a strict nap schedule. I let her tell me when she’s ready.
She usually shows sleepy cues like yawning, rubbing her eyes, or getting fussy. If we wake up at 7:00 am, her first nap usually falls between 9:30 and 10:30.
As long as our mornings flow somewhat smoothly, our nighttime routine tends to be easier.
And the truth is — it doesn’t always look like this.
I used to feel like I was doing something wrong when the routines outlined in Mom On Call weren’t working perfectly for us. I did a lot of research and looked at how other new moms were doing things. What I learned is this:
Every baby is different.
If strict routines don’t work for you, that’s okay. As long as your baby is fed, happy, and thriving — you are doing an amazing job.
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