i cannot get the baby to stay on a schedule.. what to do?

I would not worry about a schedule at this time.  Let him sleep and eat and such as he wants.  He is not going to let himself go hungry or get to sleepy.  He knows what he needs or wants.  When my son was a baby it would be 1 in the morning and he would be a sleep on the couch beside me as I watched TV, (I am a night owl).  His Dr. said it was perfectly fine, we had a couple years to work on a schedule and fine tune it. 

I agree with Kim. ?I am an on demand feeder etc and it works perfectly! My baby sleeps from 3 to 5 hours at a time depending on what time it was and it works perfectly. She knows when she is hungry, needs to be cuddled, etc. Trust me listening to people who say I feed my baby every 3 hrs etc I believe have even less freedom because at times they don't always need it but they have been conditioned to do something at x time. My doctor says I have a bright, healthy, and active baby, and at this stage the ball is in their court. Relax and enjoy your baby!

i agree as well, i wouldnt listen to anyone that says your baby needs to be on a schedule, there usually the ones that also ask if baby is sleeping thru the night...they will do what they want when they want it and that is perfectly fine...the schedule will happen naturally

Looks like we all agree! I've been reading a lot lately because of the same thing. I have no schedule so it's really hard for me to make one for him. I read that schedules are really important, but then I also read that forced schedules often times keep them from sleeping as soundly. Just do what you feel is best, only you know! And every child is different!

Well, I hate to say that my kids are on a schedule.  My daughter has been on one since she was 9 months old and my son even sooner than that.  Most babies don't need a schedule and some do.  There is nothing wrong with either direction you want to take.   It does suck while you are setting up your schedule because it's you that has to stick it in order for your baby to also.  I find that my kids look for routine and thrive on a routine but it isn't for everyone.  My husband and I used to call it baby boot camp and it was hard at first but now my kids get up and go to bed at the same time every night, with few exceptions of parties and holidays, and it's something I can rely on if I am having a bad day.

Let me say that routines aren't for everyone.  You might try one and after a week or two you find it doesn't work for you and that's fine.  It just means that your baby doesn't need a schedule.  If you need any tips let me know.  I would be glad to help you out if I can.

well i dont agree completely. your son is 6 months and that is a great time to get him on a schedule because if you just give him what he wants when he wants it hes going to think thats ok and your life will suck. my son is 5 months and he is on a schedule. not anything strict but he eats at the same times everyday takes 2 naps everyday and when i put him down at 8 everynight he knows its bedtime. and i didnt even like plan it out when i started getting the routine going. i believe it happens naturally but its up to you to promote it (not force it). my friends son is 8 months and she doesnt have any routine at all and that kid, i hate to say, is a spoiled annoying brat. my cousins daughter and son same thing and they are horrible children! its ok to be easy going and make your baby happy but he needs to know that you are mommy and apreciate what he gets. hes to young to understand now but the foundation has already begun. so im not just talking out of my a**. ive seen what not having some type of routine does to kids and the parents! basically just try to do the same things as far as feeding and sleeping. if you go out plan to feed him at the same time and bedtime too even though its not at home. good luck with everything

That is just insane!!!!  Having a routine has NOTHING to do with how spoiled your child is or is not.  As a matter of fact I can bet anything that my son is one of the most well behavied kids you will ever see.  He is 3 1/2 and goes to bed when he is told to.  He never gets out of his bed, he even still takes naps most days, and won't get out of his bed after his nap.  He yells and tells me he is awake and asks if he can get up now.  He gets complimented all the time on how polite he is, (he says Mr. Mrs. Sir and Madam, please, thank you, and your welcome all on his own).  He also started pre school a year early.  He knows all the presidents, planets, the names of all the bones, the differences in animals ex. all the different whales, sharks, so on.  As well as the basic stuff like his address, phone number, how to write his name, so on.  He is very self diciplined and well thought.  And he did all of this with no schedule.  It depends on the child if they need a schedule or not, and again the parenting has nothing to do with it.

well i think its better for your baby to be on a schedual, it doesn't have to be strict but at least have specific hours to eat,and sleep...

my baby is hard, he is on a schedual he eats every four hours, sometimes half an hour less or more, but its okay for me...my only problem with him is that i can't get to put him  to sleep alone....

goodluck

I feed my 5m/o on demand and help her sleep when she gets sleepy. But every night at 7pm I take her for a walk, then I feed her dinner, give her a bath, read a book to her, and rock her to sleep by 9pm. The first few weeks of that she would wake up at night and take a bottle, go right back to sleep, and now at 5 months she sleeps through the night! :)

She never puts herself to sleep, I always have to bottlefeed her and rock her to sleep; but atleast she sleeps through the night now!

You can still do some things on a schedule but, if your baby gets hungry or tired always feed them or help them sleep.