The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines detailing how much tummy time, pram time and baby carrier time little ones should have each day. As part of a new set of guidelines for physical activity WHO recommends to parents that babies and toddlers spend less time in prams, high chairs and baby carriers
According to the new WHO guidelines, babies less than a year old should be physically active several times a day, in a variety of different ways, particularly through interactive floor-based play, or tummy time. The organisation recommends babies who aren’t yet crawling spent at least 30 minutes doing tummy time, spread throughout the day, while awake.
It also recommends that they shouldn’t be restrained for more than an hour at a time in a pram, high chair or baby carrier. Instead of screentime, which WHO says should be avoided in bub’s first year, babies should be engaged with reading and storytelling with their caregivers.
Activity guidelines for babies and children:
Less than 12-months-old:
- Be physically active several times a day, including at least 30 minutes of tummy time for those who can’t crawl, spread throughout the day.
- Not be restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g. prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back).
- Screen time is not recommended.
1-2 years of age:
- Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, spread throughout the day.
- Not be restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers, high chairs, or strapped on a caregiver’s back) or sit for extended periods of time.
- For one-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended.
- For those aged two-years, sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
3-4 years of age:
- Spend at least 180 minutes in a variety of types of physical activities at any intensity, of which at least 60 minutes is moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity, spread throughout the day; more is better.
- Not be restrained for more than one hour at a time (e.g., prams/strollers) or sit for extended periods of time.
- Sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour; less is better. When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
New sleep guidelines for babies and toddlers
According to the World Health Organisation, this is how much our kiddies should be sleeping each day, depending on their age.
0–3 months of age: 14 – 17 hours of good quality sleep, including naps.
4–11 months of age: 12 – 16 hours of good quality sleep, including naps
1-2 years of age: 11 -14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps
3-4 years of age: 10 – 13 hours of good quality sleep, which may include a nap
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