Don’t get me wrong, there are many things I love about having a newborn. The excitement of a new baby in your home, the endless cuddling and bonding time, and seeing them smile for the first time. Priceless. It may not be a surprise to you, since I’ve written a whole series on routines, that I love a well scheduled baby. 3-6 months is when babies start to develop some regularity in their daily rhythms and are so fun with their endless smiles and laughs. 
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You’ll find all the elements that should be included in a 3-6 month baby schedule, as well as activities that are perfect for this age. Following, there is a sample schedule with a “typical” structure you can follow or modify to fit your life and personality (Free to download at the end!). It’s important to make a routine, they have many benefits for mom and baby, but it’s also key to make a schedule that you can follow and aligns with who you are as a mom.
I’m sure you are absolutely exhausted after the first 3 months with a new baby. Maybe you’ve been frustrated or worn out, but remember to be nice to yourself! Personally, I think that is the number one rule of motherhood- try your best and know that you are a great mom. Because you are.
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Key Elements of a 3-6 Month Baby Routine
- 15-16 hours of sleep with 12 hours at night. 3 Naps start to happen at regular times around 4 months. 9-10am, 1-2pm, 4-5pm
- 24-32 ounces of breastmilk or formula (4-5 feedings).
- May start feeding baby food between 4-6 months, talk to pediatrician about their recommendation for your baby.
- Biologically- babies are ready for an earlier bedtime around 4 months. Between 6-8pm, around 7 is what I use because that’s what has worked for me.
- Movement milestones- rolls back and forth, while laying on stomach starts to push head then chest up with hands, beginning signs of sitting up, and transfers objects from one hand to the other.
- Language- starts to respond to name, responds to sounds with own sounds, babbles consonants, distinguishes emotions.
- Starts to become more attentive and expressive, responding to the world around.
Babies learn the MOST through play. Check out this related post on Best Toys for 3 Month Old Babies!
Activities for 3-6 Month Old Baby
- Tummy time
- Music- at home and baby music classes
- Pre- crawling classes
- Mommy and me classes
- Story time at the library and at home
- Open playspaces
- Play dates- meet other babies
- Go on a walk or the park to get fresh air!
We love, love love baby classes. They are a nice change of scenery and help us be around other moms and babies. A service we use called Pearachute is our saving grace in planning outings, because we are able to drop in to various types of classes. We can try different things, and we aren’t locked into a specific time and day each week. Now you know your baby will not stay on schedule every day! Things happen!
*If you are in Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington DC or San Francisco, you can try your first 4 credit month of Pearachute for free! 🙂 Just click on the link or go to: https://www.pearachutekids.com/referred?coupon_code=REF-URBANMOMTALES
Updated to add a feeding that I left out initially! It was in my actual schedule- just mistype in post. 🙂
Sample Schedule
7- 7:30am | Wake Up- Nurse/Bottle
7:30-8:30am | Active Time. Tummy time, listen to music, play with soft and textured toys, use musical toys on a playmat, or look at soft baby books. Lots of snuggling.
8:30am | Start nap soothing routine- Example: Dark room, snuggling, sucking on pacifier, fingers or nursing, rocking in chair or glider, soft singing then white noise machine.
9am | Morning Nap
10:30-11am | Wake Up- Nurse/Bottle
11- 12:00pm | Go to a class together. Or tummy time: work on rolling over both ways, reaching with one hand, transferring objects from one hand to other, and practice sitting up. Also, could put in baby carrier to do housework.
12:00pm | Start nap soothing routine- same one every time.
12:30-2:30pm | Afternoon Nap
2:30-3pm |Wake Up- Nurse/Bottle
3-4pm | Active Time. Same as above or attend a class together. Go outside at least once a day for fresh air.
4-5:30pm | Soothing and quick afternoon nap. Nursing/bottle when wake up.
5:30-6pm | Play in pack n play, jumperoo or infant seat while you cook dinner.
6:15pm | Have an extra feed/bottle to get ready for nighttime sleep.
7pm | Start bedtime routine. Include same soothing routine for naps but add extra to signify night sleep: like a bath, calming music, lotion massage, pajamas and read stories.
7:30pm | Put down drowsy, but not completely asleep to help baby develop self-soothing practices. (If you have a later bedtime, try to move it earlier around 4 months)
10:30-11 | Dream feed. Give bottle/nurse. Dimly lit, no active play or talking. Put right back to sleep and hopefully see them again in the morning!
*Maybe one or more feedings during the night, but one dream feed may be sufficient at 4 months and after.
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Use this schedule to help plan your perfect routine!
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Thank you for this schedule. I am following HWL sleep training (this one: https://www.parental-love.com/shop/baby-sleep-training) right now and it starts with building nightime routine. And I can see it’s already working so probably having the whole day planned would be even better for the baby. I’m gonna try!
Is Susan’s book had schedules it would be like… too much. As I read Susan Urban’s books she’s giving you strict step-by-step instructions but on the other hand lets you stay… you? Giving your LO space and figuring some things out for yourself – as in “moms know best”. And I love that about her!
You don’t have any feelings between 11 & 5….was this intentional? There’s no way my son could go that long at three month. Even 4 hours sounds a little long if we squeezed on in at 3pm…..
You are right…that does seem long. We had about 4-5 feedings a day at this age. After waking up from afternoon nap would be a natural fit for another feeding. It would be our longest stretch without eating because it was his longest nap. In the end, whatever works best for you and your baby!
There is a feeding at 2:30.