Sleep and play requirements for babies from 0 - 12 months

Establishing a routine is extremely important  for both mother and baby. The table below is a guide to appropriate schedules for babies at various stages of development:  

Age Routine Sleep Patterns Uptime between Sleeps Down Time Play
1-4
weeks		 feed, play, sleep
  •  16.5 hours in 24 hours
  1 hour
 		2 - 3 hours
faces, singing
4 - 12
weeks		 feed, play, sleep
  • 15 hours in 24 hours
  • 3 - 4 day sleeps
 1 - 1.5 hours
 2 - 3 hours toy frames, mobiles, soft toys,
colours, floor-play, tummy time
3 - 4
months		 feed, play, sleep
  • 8 - 10 hours night sleep (+night feeds)
  • 2 - 3 day sleeps
  1.5 hours   2 - 3 hours bats at toys, holds small rattles, books, music
4 - 6
months		 feed, play, sleep, play
  • 8 - 10 hours night sleep (possible night feed)
  • 2 - 3 day sleeps
  1.5 - 2 hours  2 hours holds and touches toys, transfers, mounth toys
6 - 8
months		 feed, play, sleep, play
  • 11 - 12 hours night sleep  (no night feed)
  • 2 day sleeps
  2 hours  1.5 - 2 hours bath toys, vocalising,  toys with moving parts
8 - 10
months		 Toddler routine
  • 12 hours night sleep
  • 2 day sleeps
  2.5 - 3 hours
 		1 - 2 hours
Peek-a-boo, cloth books, moving
toys, dolls
10 - 12
months		 Toddler routine
  • 12 hours night sleep
  • 2 day sleeps
  3 - 4 hours
 		 1 - 1.5 hours music, stacking blocks, play group, kitchen objects
12
months +
 		Toddler routine
  • 11 - 12 hours night sleep
  • 1 - 2 day sleeps
 4 hours plus
2 - 2.5 hours
total
 		puzzles, dancing, sandpit, push-pull
toys, cardboard boxes