The Working Mom’s Guide to Establishing Routines with Your Baby

When you’re a working mom, your time becomes your most precious resource—and building a flexible daily routine can help your days to feel more grounded and less chaotic. These are a few things I tried in the early days of my son’s life to make space for meaningful connection with my family on a regular basis.

Morning Matters.
Whether you're heading to daycare drop-off or working from home, mornings set the tone. You can try waking up 30 minutes or an hour before your baby (if possible) for a quiet moment to breathe, prep, or caffeinate. Baby’s morning routine should be simple: diaper, feed, cuddle, and a short play session.

Daytime Rhythms.
If your baby’s at daycare, you can coordinate with caregivers to understand nap and feeding schedules. If you're home with baby for part of the day, try to stick to consistent rhythms. Anchoring your day with consistent wake, nap, and feeding times provides predictability for everyone.

Evening Connection.
Evenings are gold. Focus on small moments of connection—reading a book, bathtime giggles, or 10 minutes of undistracted play. Create a wind-down routine that signals sleep, but also lets you soak in the magic of your little one.

Make Room for Grace.
Not every day will go according to plan, and that’s okay. Routines are here to serve you, not trap you. Adjust as needed—and remember that love and presence matter more than perfection.