Blog · 6 March 2025

6 Month Old Baby Routine

At three months, many babies still wake once or twice during the night for feeds, but some will start sleeping for longer stretches of four to five hours.

During the 3-6 month period, your baby will undergo significant developmental changes. Rolling over both ways is a major milestone, typically starting from front to back, and then back to belly. Encouraging plenty of floor time each day will help your baby master this skill.

Other developmental milestones include holding a rattle, focusing and following objects with their eyes, and making squealing and cooing sounds. These smaller stages are crucial for more complex movements later on.

3-6 Month-Old Baby Patterns

By now, your days are likely following a more predictable routine. An early morning feed around 5-6 am, followed by playtime and another sleep, is common. Your baby may sleep better in the mornings, with a couple of 1-3 hour naps until lunchtime.

Don’t expect the same sleep patterns in the afternoons, as your baby needs time to be awake and learn. Play is very important during these early months and years.

Pay attention to your baby’s cues and signals for what they need. Over the past few months, you’ve learned to understand each other more. If in doubt, trust your gut instinct, often referred to as the “second brain” due to its connection with brain cells.

Feeding

By now, your baby’s stomach can hold more milk per feeding. Breastfed babies around five months old typically get about 180ml of milk per feed. If your baby is bottle-fed, be mindful not to overfeed. Choose a formula lower in protein and follow the recommended feeding volumes to avoid rapid growth, which can increase the risk of becoming overweight.

Three Tips for 3-6 Month-Old Feeding:

1. Drooling: Expect more drooling around four months, likely due to active salivary glands rather than teething.
2. Introducing solids: Around six months, start offering solid foods rich in iron and zinc to support brain development.
3. Milk as main nutrition: Milk should remain your baby’s primary source of nutrition, with around five feeds per day being typical.

Sleeping

Establish a habit of putting your baby to sleep in the same place for every nap and bedtime. Consistency helps your baby feel secure and safe.

Three Tips for 3-6 Month-Old Sleeping:

1. Sleep in the cot: Encourage your baby to sleep in their cot. After feeding, look for tired signs and avoid always feeding them right before sleep. A feed-play-sleep routine works well for many babies.
2. Back sleeping: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, even if they roll onto their tummy during the night.
3. Sunlight exposure: Expose your baby to some filtered sunlight each day to help regulate their melatonin (sleep hormone) levels.

Behaviour

By around four months, babies can recognize their hunger and tiredness cues, leading to better feeding and faster settling. They are becoming more familiar with their environment and look for people and toys that are fun. However, this stage can also be challenging as they work on passing toys between hands and balancing on their tummy.

Three Tips for 3-6 Month-Old Behaviour:

1. Perspective: Remember, your baby is still very small. Some days they may seem big, but they have a long way to go.
2. Preventing flat head: If your baby has developed a flat head, move their cot position to encourage looking in different directions and ensure plenty of tummy time.
3. Daily massage: Give your baby a daily massage in a warm, relaxed environment.

What’s Important 3-6 Months After Birth:

Outdoor time: Take your baby outside daily. Lay a rug on the grass and enjoy looking at the sky and trees together.
Verbal interaction: Sing, read, tell nursery rhymes, and talk to your baby. Building verbal skills requires hours of exposure to your voice.
Simplicity: Keep things simple. Your baby needs milk, sleep, comfort, interaction, and love. Avoid getting caught up in complexities.

If you’re still uncertain and need further support, I invite you to explore the packages I offer. Additionally, I provide comprehensive sleep guides that you can explore here. These guides cover everything from newborns to toddlers, ensuring you have the resources you need for a good night’s sleep.

Should you have any doubts about which package to choose, I’m available for a free call that you can schedule here. Together, we can determine the best support for your child’s sleep needs and ensure a perfect fit for your family.

Feel free to reach out I’m here to help!