Surviving Parenthood: The Feed, Play, Sleep Saga

by Nicole Beall March 31, 2025

If you’re reading this, chances are you haven’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in… well, who even remembers? Welcome to parenthood, where coffee is your best friend, and the Feed, Play, Sleep routine might just be the lifesaver you need. Let’s break it down in a way that sleep-deprived, snack-covered parents can appreciate.

What is the Feed, Play, Sleep Routine?

Think of it as a predictable (ish) cycle to keep your tiny human happy and (hopefully) less cranky:

Feed: Milk, snacks, and whatever they decide not to throw on the floor.
Play: Tummy time, giggles, and possibly chewing on everything in sight.
Sleep: The dream… or at least a short nap before they wake up like they’ve had a double espresso.

Why do we love this method?

Encourages full feeds so they don’t wake up demanding a midnight buffet
Helps reduce reflux and tummy troubles (because spit-up on your last clean shirt is not a good look)
Creates a (semi) predictable rhythm, because babies like a little order—unlike your laundry pile

A Flexible Approach to Baby’s Routine (Because Babies Laugh at Schedules)

Strict schedules? Cute. But unrealistic. Instead, follow your baby’s lead while keeping this general pattern in mind. Here’s what that might look like at different stages:

0-3 Months: Survival Mode

Priorities: Keep baby fed, dry, and asleep (in any order that works).
Full feeds and naps are key, because “snack and snooze” often equals cranky baby and even crankier parents.
If they stay awake after a feed, great! If not, just roll with it. Sleep wins every time.

3-10 Months: The Illusion of Control

Now’s the time to (gently) introduce Feed, Play, Sleep—or at least attempt to.
Solids start creeping in around six months, meaning mealtime gets messier by the day.
Some babies naturally fall into this rhythm. Others laugh in the face of structure. Adapt as needed!

10 Months & Beyond: Toddler Shenanigans

If solids aren’t a hit yet, try switching up the order—because what worked yesterday definitely won’t work today.
Keep milk feeds at least 45 minutes before sleep to avoid the dreaded feed-to-sleep habit (unless it’s working, then who are we to judge?).
By now, you get to decide when and if milk feeds continue. Will they sleep better without it? Who knows! Parenthood is just one big experiment.

Tips for Navigating the Madness

✔ Watch for cues – Baby will let you know when they need food, fun, or a nap. Sometimes all at once.
✔ Stay flexible – No two days will look the same. It’s okay. (Really, it is.)
✔ Optimize the sleep setup – Darkness, white noise, and a silent ninja exit might just buy you an extra 20 minutes.
✔ Make playtime count – Cuddles, peekaboo, and questionable baby toys that make too much noise all help tire them out.

At the end of the day, routines should help, not stress you out. And if things don’t go as planned (spoiler: they won’t), know that you’re doing an amazing job. Need a little extra support? We’re here for you—possibly with coffee in hand.