Baby Schedule 3 to 12 Months: Real-Life Routines That Work

ByTara Holtz

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Creating a baby schedule 3 to 12 months might feel overwhelming at first—but it doesn’t have to be! During this stage, your little one is growing and changing so quickly, and having a flexible routine can bring a sense of calm and predictability to your days.

The goal isn’t to follow a rigid timeline, but to gently guide your baby’s rhythms around sleep, feeding, and play in a way that works for your family.

In this post, we’re sharing real-life sample routines and tips for each month between 3 and 12 months—along with helpful links to nap schedules, feeding guidance, and play ideas.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, starting solids, or just trying to figure out when to put the baby down for a nap, you’ll find plenty of encouragement and support. Let’s build a daily rhythm that helps both you and your baby thrive.

At a Glance

Baby Schedule at a Glance (3–12 Months)
• 3–4 Months: 3–4 naps, wake windows ~90 mins, full milk feeds
• 5–6 Months: 3 naps, start solids, wake windows ~2 hrs
• 7–8 Months: 2–3 naps, more playtime, longer wake windows
• 9–10 Months: 2 naps, crawling, regular meals + milk
• 11–12 Months: 1–2 naps, more independent play, toddler-like routine
Scroll down for month-by-month routines, feeding tips, and play ideas!

Month-by-Month Baby Routines (3–12 Months)

Every baby grows at their own pace, but having a sample routine can help you spot patterns and plan your day with more confidence. Below, you’ll find real-life daily schedules broken down by age to reflect your baby’s changing sleep needs, feeding habits, and awake time. Use these as a starting point and adjust them to fit your little one’s cues and your family’s lifestyle.

Daily Routine for 3-4 Months

At 3–4 months, your baby will start staying awake a little longer and may begin to establish a more predictable rhythm. This is a great time to gently introduce a simple routine that supports their growing need for sleep, play, and connection.

  • Naps: 3–4 naps per day
  • Wake Windows: Around 90 minutes between naps
  • Feeding: Every 2–3 hours (breast or bottle)
  • Play Time: Tummy time, soft toys, mirrors, and floor play to build motor skills

Daily Routine for 5-6 Months

By 5–6 months, many babies begin settling into more predictable patterns, with longer wake windows and more interactive play. This stage also marks the exciting start of introducing solid foods alongside milk feeds.

  • Naps: 3 naps per day
  • Wake Windows: Around 2 hours between naps
  • Feeding: Breast or bottle every 3–4 hours; begin offering solids 1–2 times a day
  • Play Time: Tummy time, exploring textures, sitting with support, simple cause-and-effect toys
  • Routines: Begin a consistent nap and bedtime routine (e.g., book, snuggle, sound machine)

Daily Routine for 7-8 Months

At 7–8 months, your baby is likely becoming more mobile and curious about the world around them. With longer wake times and growing skills, their routine may start to feel more structured.

  • Naps: 2–3 naps per day
  • Wake Windows: Around 2.5 hours between naps
  • Feeding: Breast or bottle every 3–4 hours; solids 2–3 times a day
  • Play Time: Sensory bins, soft blocks, sitting supported, exploring textures and sounds
  • Routines: Predictable morning and evening routines help baby feel secure

Daily Routine for 9-10 Months

By 9–10 months, your baby is likely on the move—crawling, cruising, or exploring with great curiosity. Their daily routine may feel more like a toddler’s, with consistent nap times, solid meals, and lots of active play.

  • Naps: Usually 2 naps per day (morning and afternoon)
  • Wake Windows: Around 3 hours between naps
  • Feeding: Breast or bottle every 3–4 hours; 3 meals + 1–2 snacks
  • Play Time: Crawling games, pull toys, stacking cups, peek-a-boo, music and rhythm play
  • Routines: Keep naps and meals at regular times to support healthy habits

Daily Routine for 11-12 Months

At 11–12 months, your baby is becoming more independent and may be ready to transition from two naps to one. Their daily rhythm often starts to resemble that of a toddler, with set meal times, longer wake periods, and more structured activities.

  • Naps: 1–2 naps per day, depending on readiness
  • Wake Windows: Around 3–4 hours between naps
  • Feeding: 3 solid meals + 2 snacks; breast or bottle 2–3 times per day
  • Play Time: Push toys, simple pretend play, songs with motions, books with flaps
  • Routines: Stick to consistent mealtimes, nap/bedtime, and daily transitions to support independence

Feeding: Breast, Bottle, and Solid Foods

Every baby’s feeding journey is unique, and the best routine is one that meets your baby’s needs while working for your family’s lifestyle. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or doing a mix of both, it helps to understand what typical feeding patterns might look like during the first year.

From 3 to 6 months, milk (breast or formula) remains your baby’s main source of nutrition, usually every 2–4 hours depending on their age and appetite. Around 6 months, most babies are ready to start solids—whether you choose purees, baby-led weaning, or a combination of both. As solids gradually increase, milk feedings may shift to every 4 hours or around mealtimes.

To make the transition smoother, try offering solids about 30–60 minutes after a milk feed so baby is alert but not too full. As your baby gets closer to 12 months, you’ll naturally develop a rhythm of three meals, a couple of snacks, and fewer milk feeds.

Baby Play & Awake Time Ideas

Awake time is the perfect opportunity to bond with your baby, support their development, and make everyday moments fun. The key is to keep play simple, engaging, and age-appropriate—no fancy toys required!

From 3–6 months, your baby may enjoy mirror play, tummy time, high-contrast toys, and listening to music. Around 6–9 months, try soft books, stacking cups, sensory bags, or exploring textures like fabric scraps and silicone kitchen tools. By 9–12 months, your little one will likely love crawling games, cause-and-effect toys, and water play.

A simple routine to follow during awake time is: Feed – Play – Nap. This flow helps your baby wind down naturally and builds predictability into their day. Just a few minutes of play here and there makes a big impact over time.

Free Baby Schedule & Nap Tracker

Ready to bring a little more rhythm to your baby’s day? Grab our free Baby Schedule & Nap Tracker—a printable tool designed to make daily routines easier and more predictable. Whether you’re tracking sleep, feedings, or daily rhythms, this simple download gives you the structure without the stress.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • A nap tracker to log sleep times, wake windows, and total hours slept
  • A feeding log for breast, bottle, and solid meals
  • Space to jot down daily notes or routine tweaks
  • Flexible layouts that you can print and reuse for each month

Perfect for parents who want to observe patterns, adjust routines over time, or feel more in control of their day. Customize it by age or stage—and make it work for your baby.

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    Creating a baby schedule from 3 to 12 months isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding a gentle rhythm that works for your baby and your family. These routines will ebb and flow as your little one grows, and that’s okay. The real goal is to bring a sense of calm, confidence, and connection to your days.

    Remember, every baby is unique. Use these sample schedules, feeding tips, and play ideas as a guide—not a rulebook. With a little flexibility and a lot of love, you’re building a beautiful foundation.

    Want help tracking your routine? Be sure to download the free Baby Schedule & Nap Tracker above to make it even easier to notice patterns and adjust as needed. You’ve got this!