Six Month Old Daily Schedule

You may have felt like you were in survival mode for the first 6-8 weeks then you kind of got your feet under you and then the 4 month sleep regression hit. You made it through that mess and now at 6 months things are looking pretty good!  At 6 months old, babies are becoming more stable in their feeding schedules and sleep schedules making it an ideal time to solidify a routine that incorporates feeding, playtime, naps, and, if appropriate, the introduction of solid foods. As a sleep consultant, schedules are my jam. Even if you don’t stick to it like glue every day, it’s nice to have a guideline to take the guesswork out of life.

1. Wake Up and Morning Routine:

• Wake up for the day around 7 am and greet your baby with open blinds and a big smile.
• Bring them out into the living area and lay them on a play mat while you prepare their first milk feed of the day. I like to build in about 10 minutes of awake time before the first feed. 
• After the feed it’s a good time to grab a workout or a shower then do some play time. Activities such as practicing rolling, sitting, and scooting are really helpful and encourage your little one to meet their milestones.

2. Mid-Morning Nap:

• After approximately 2.5-3 hours of being awake, it’s time for your baby’s first nap of the day. Have a quick nap routine that is calming but less than 10 minutes. 
• Aim for a nap duration of around 1-2 hours

3. Midday Routine and Solid Food Introduction:

• Following the morning nap, offer another milk feed 
• Around 60 minutes after the milk feed, you can introduce solid foods if your baby is showing signs of readiness, such as sitting up with support and showing interest in food. Start with single-ingredient purees of vegetables, such as steamed carrots or green beans.
• Keep the atmosphere relaxed and positive during mealtime, allowing your baby to explore and experiment with food at their own pace.
• After solid food it may be time to run errands or let your baby play quietly to themselves while you work or catch up on household chores

5. Afternoon Nap & Bedtime:

• Approximately 3 hours after waking from the morning nap, it’s time for your baby’s second nap of the day. Follow a similar sleep routine as the morning nap.

• Following the afternoon nap, offer another milk feed and enjoy the afternoon together.
• Let your baby sit close to or at the table during family dinner.
• Offer a final milk feed before bedtime to ensure your baby is full and comfortable for the night ahead.
• Keep the bedtime routine consistent and soothing, such as giving a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, white noise machine on and lights off. 

Tips for Introducing Solid Foods:

• Start with single-ingredient purees of vegetables to introduce new flavors gradually and identify any potential food sensitivities. I recommend greens first. 
• Offer solid foods at breakfast and lunch but avoid introducing new foods at dinner to minimize the risk of tummy upset or allergic reaction before bedtime.
• Begin with small spoonfuls of puree and gradually increase the quantity as your baby becomes more accustomed to eating solids. Grab my free stomach size chart if you’re wondering how much is too much.
• Pay attention to your baby’s cues and allow them to guide the pace of feeding. Stop feeding when your baby shows signs of fullness, such as turning their head away or closing their mouth, or just playing with the food. 

Sample Daily Schedule for a 6-Month-Old:

• 7:00 AM: Wake Up and Morning Milk Feed
• 8:00 AM: Playtime (Practice Rolling, Sitting, Scooting)
• 10:00 AM: Morning Nap
• 11:00 AM: Morning Milk Feed
• 12:00 PM: Solid Food Introduction (Vegetable Puree)
• 1:00 PM: Afternoon Playtime
• 2:00 PM: Afternoon Nap
• 5:00 PM: Family Dinner
• 6:30 PM: Last Feed
• 7:00 PM: Bedtime Routine

A daily schedule can be an awesome thing but remember that every day will be different. Some families love the structure and others prefer to be more free with their time but either way about it I have found it is helpful to at least have an outline for your day. Babies and toddlers love routine and consistency and their body’s will adjust very nicely to a feeding and sleep schedule. Book a free call with me if you feel overwhelmed by your day and would like a free sleep assessment to get everything on track.