Questions Irish parents ask

Every guide on this site is built around the questions parents actually type into Google at 3am. This page is the index: every question, grouped by topic, linked to the guide that answers it. The one-line answers here are the short version; the full answers, with the reasoning and the Irish specifics, live one click away.

Two tools live alongside these guides: the free Irish vaccine calculator, which turns your baby's date of birth into their actual vaccine dates, and Lullagram itself, the baby tracker these guides come from. Everything is written in Ireland, checked against HSE guidance where it applies and kept current.

Pregnancy

What should I pack in my hospital bag in Ireland?

What should I pack for labour? Your maternity notes and birth plan if you have one, a long comfortable nightdress or an old t-shirt, warm socks, lip balm, hair bobbins, a water bottle with a sports cap, snacks for you and your birth partner, your...
What should I pack for myself after the birth? 2 or 3 comfortable nightdresses, front-opening if you're planning to breastfeed, a dressing gown and slippers, several packs of maternity pads, big comfortable knickers several sizes up or disposable ones, nursing...
What should I pack for the baby? 5 or 6 vests and 5 or 6 babygros in newborn and 0-3 month sizes, a full pack of newborn nappies, cotton wool, a hat and a cardigan, 2 soft blankets, muslin cloths, a going-home outfit, and a properly fitted...
What do people overpack and what do they forget? Overpacked: the entire nursery, ten adorable outfits the baby will never wear, a speaker and more books than a long-haul flight.
Does every Irish maternity hospital want the same things? No.
What will the PHN ask when we get home? How feeding is going and how many wet nappies you're seeing, mostly.
What's the short version of the hospital bag list?

How does pregnancy care work in Ireland and is it free?

Is pregnancy care free in Ireland? Yes.
When should I see my GP about my pregnancy? As soon as you know you are pregnant.
When is the booking visit and when are the scans? The booking visit, your first hospital appointment, usually lands between 10 and 16 weeks and covers history, bloods, blood pressure and typically a dating scan.
Should I go public, semi-private or private? Public care is free under the scheme and led by the hospital midwives and doctors on duty.
Can I choose my maternity hospital in Ireland? Ireland has 19 maternity units and most people simply attend the one covering their area.
What other supports are there for new parents? Maternity leave and Maternity Benefit, paternity and parent's leave, and the Child Benefit that follows the birth.
What happens after the baby arrives? The hospital hands over to the public health nurse, who visits your home in the first days, and the baby gets the two free GP checks.

Newborn

Why does my baby cry so much in the evening? Colic, wind and reflux explained

Why does my baby cry so much in the evening? Evening crying, often called the witching hour, is very common in healthy babies in the first 3 months.
What is colic and how long does it last? Colic is usually defined as crying for 3 or more hours a day, on 3 or more days a week, in an otherwise healthy well-fed baby.
How do I know if my baby has wind? A windy baby squirms, grimaces, pulls their knees up, goes red and cries during or after a feed, then often settles once a burp or wind passes.
How do I get wind up from a baby? Burp during and after feeds, hold your baby upright over your shoulder or sitting on your lap with the head supported, rub or pat the back gently, and try bicycle legs.
Is it normal for a baby to bring up milk after a feed? Yes.
How do I know if my baby has reflux? Simple reflux is the small posset after feeds and needs nothing more than a bib.
When should I take a crying baby to the GP? See the GP or ring the PHN if the crying comes with poor weight gain, refusing feeds, arching and crying with feeds, projectile vomiting, green or bloody vomit, blood in the poo, a fever, a cry that sounds different...
Why won't my baby stop crying?
How do I work out what is setting my baby off?

When is a baby no longer a newborn? Ages, stages and PHN checks

What age is a newborn? A newborn, or neonate, is a baby in the first 28 days of life.
When does the newborn stage end? Officially at 28 days.
Is a 3 month old still a newborn? Not officially.
What changes after the newborn stage? Sleep starts to come in longer blocks, feeds space out from the every 2 to 3 hours of the early weeks, and the 6-in-1 vaccine at 2 months is a marker many parents notice.
When are the PHN checks in Ireland? The PHN visits at home within 72 hours of discharge, then checks the baby at around 3 months (weight, hips, hearing follow-up), 7 to 9 months and 18 to 24 months.
What is corrected age for a premature baby? Corrected age counts from the due date rather than the birth date.
How do I know what stage my baby is at?

Feeding

Does a breastfed baby need water in hot weather?

Does a breastfed baby need water in hot weather? No.
Why is breast milk enough on its own in hot weather? Breast milk is mostly water.
How do I know my breastfed baby is getting enough fluid? Check the nappies.
So why not just give a little water to be safe? Because for a small baby it backfires.
Do formula-fed babies need water in hot weather? First infant formula gives a baby all the nourishment and hydration they need up to age 1, so in hot weather you offer their usual feeds more often.
When can my baby start having water? From around 6 months, when solids start, you can offer water in a cup at meal and snack times, alongside their milk.
What are the signs of dehydration in a baby? Fewer than 3 wet nappies in a day or no wet nappy for 12 hours, dark yellow wee, a dry mouth or few or no tears when crying, a sunken soft spot (fontanelle), or an unusually drowsy or floppy baby.
What's the short version?

How much formula does a baby need? A guide by weight and age

How much formula should a baby have per day? For healthy full-term babies from about a week old to around 6 months, the HSE rule of thumb is roughly 150 ml of formula per kilogram of body weight per day, split across feeds.
How much formula does a 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg or 6 kg baby need? About 450 ml a day at 3 kg, 600 ml at 4 kg, 750 ml at 5 kg and 900 ml at 6 kg.
How often should a newborn have a bottle? Newborns typically feed every 2 to 3 hours, roughly 6 to 8 bottles in 24 hours, spacing out as they grow.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough formula? Steady weight gain at PHN checks, around 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week, and a baby who is generally content between feeds.
Why is my baby suddenly hungrier than usual? Growth spurts, commonly around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months, bring hungrier days.
How much formula should a 6 month old have? From around 6 months milk amounts gradually reduce as solids start, but formula or breastmilk stays the main drink until 12 months.
How do I make up a bottle safely?

How much should a newborn drink? Per feed and per day, in ml

How much does a newborn drink per feed? On day one a newborn's stomach holds only around 5 to 7 ml per feed, rising to roughly 22 to 27 ml by day 3 and 45 to 60 ml by the end of the first week.
How much should a newborn drink per day? From about a week old to 6 months, formula-fed babies need roughly 150 ml per kg of body weight per day split over feeds, the HSE rule of thumb.
How often should a newborn feed? Newborns feed every 2 to 3 hours, day and night.
How much should a breastfed newborn drink? Breastfed babies feed on demand, typically 8 to 12 times in 24 hours in the early weeks.
How do I know my newborn is getting enough? Steady weight gain, 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week and a baby who is settled between many feeds.
Does a newborn need water? No.

How do I know if my baby is feeding enough?

How many wet nappies should a baby have a day? Roughly 1 wet nappy on day 1, 2 on day 2, 3 on day 3, 4 on day 4, then 5 or 6 a day from day 5 onwards.
What about dirty nappies? In the first six weeks, dirty nappies are also reassuring.
How much weight should a baby gain each week? Most babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days and should be back to birth weight by 2 weeks.
What are the signs my baby is not feeding enough? Fewer than 6 wet nappies a day after the first week, dark strong-smelling urine, a baby who seems lethargic or hard to wake for feeds, persistent green or watery poo in a formula-fed baby, weight loss after the first...
Which feeding worries usually turn out to be nothing? Hiccups, spitting up small amounts of milk after feeds, wanting to feed again 45 minutes after a full feed (especially in the evening), sleeping through a night feed once the baby is a few weeks old and gaining...
When should I ring the PHN or GP about feeding? Any time the answer to "is this fine?" is "I'm not sure", ring the PHN or GP.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough breast milk? The signs that count

How do I know if my baby is getting enough breast milk? The signs are 6 or more wet nappies a day from day 5, regular soft yellow poos in the early weeks, steady weight gain, audible swallowing during feeds, breasts that feel softer after a feed and a baby who is settled...
How many wet nappies means enough milk? From day 5 onwards, 6 or more wet nappies in 24 hours with pale urine is the sign to look for.
How often should a breastfed newborn feed? Newborns feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, often more in the evening.
Is cluster feeding a sign of low supply? No.
What does a good latch look like? A wide open mouth, chin touching the breast, more of the areola visible above the top lip than below, rounded cheeks and no pain after the first few seconds.
How much weight should a breastfed baby gain? Babies lose a little weight in the first days, are back to birth weight by 10 to 14 days and then gain about 150 to 200 g a week for the first 3 months.
Where can I get breastfeeding help in Ireland? Your public health nurse, the lactation consultants at your maternity hospital, Cuidiu and La Leche League breastfeeding groups and the HSE mychild.ie breastfeeding pages, which include a live chat with a lactation...
How do I keep count of feeds and nappies when I am this tired?

How often should a newborn feed? An Irish parent's guide

How often should a newborn feed? A newborn in the first weeks usually feeds 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, roughly every two to three hours, day and night, and whenever they look hungry regardless of the clock.
How do I know my baby is hungry? Early hunger cues are stirring or wriggling in their sleep, turning their head and opening their mouth (rooting), sucking on their hand and smacking lips.
What is cluster feeding and is it normal? Cluster feeding is when a baby feeds almost back to back for a few hours, often from around 6pm.
How do I know my newborn is getting enough milk? Wet nappies: at least one per day of life in the first week, working up to six or more a day from day five onwards.
What's the short version on newborn feeding? Feed on demand, especially in the early weeks.

When should I start weaning my baby in Ireland?

When should I start weaning my baby? The HSE advice is to start around 6 months, never before 17 weeks and no later than 26 weeks.
Does my baby still need milk once solids start? Yes.
What first foods should I give my baby? Iron-rich foods matter most, because by around 6 months a baby's iron stores are running down: well-cooked pureed or mashed meat, iron-fortified baby cereals, well-cooked eggs, beans and lentils, with pureed or soft...
What foods should a baby not have? No honey before 12 months, no added salt or sugar, no whole nuts before age 5, no cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months and no raw or runny eggs unless safely produced.
When do I move from purees to lumps and finger foods? The progression goes smooth, then mashed, then lumpy, then finger foods.
How do I keep track of what my baby has tried? Write down each new food and how it went, because introducing one food at a time only works if everyone knows what has already been tried.

Why won't my baby latch?

Why won't my baby latch? The common causes are position and timing: a baby latched too shallow, offered the breast once already frantic with hunger, or too sleepy in the early days.
Why does breastfeeding hurt? Brief tenderness in the first seconds is common in the early weeks.
How do I know if my baby has tongue tie? Possible signs are a baby who cannot stay attached, clicking sounds while feeding, very long feeds that never satisfy, poor weight gain and persistent nipple pain.
How long should a breastfeed last? Anywhere from about 10 to 40 minutes is normal in the early months, and feeds shorten as babies get more efficient.
How do I know when my baby is full? A full baby comes off the breast by themselves, has open relaxed hands, a soft body and often dozes.
Where can I get breastfeeding help in Ireland? Your PHN can visit or see you at the clinic, most maternity hospitals and many community health centres run free lactation clinics, and Cuidiu and La Leche League run free local groups with trained breastfeeding...
What can I try at the very next feed?
How is tongue tie assessed and treated in Ireland?
How long should a feed last?
How do I keep track while we fix the latch?

Sleep

What is the 4-month sleep regression and how do I cope?

Why is my 4 month old suddenly waking every hour? Around 4 months the brain reorganises sleep into adult-style cycles.
How does baby sleep change at 4 months? Newborns fall into deep sleep almost immediately, have fewer, longer sleep cycles and can sleep anywhere.
How do I cope with the 4-month sleep regression? Keep a consistent, boring wind-down routine, watch wake windows rather than the clock, try putting baby down drowsy but awake, keep night interactions dim and dull, tag-team the night where you can, and lower every...
Do the safe sleep rules change during the regression? No.
How do I know if it's the regression or my baby is sick? The regression makes babies wakeful and cranky.
How do I know if my baby's sleep is getting better? The unsettled phase typically eases within 2 to 6 weeks, and the sign it is passing is the slow return of longer stretches.

Can babies sleep on their tummy?

Can babies sleep on their tummy? No.
Can newborns sleep on their side? No.
What if my baby rolls onto their tummy in their sleep? Once a baby can roll both ways confidently, usually somewhere around 4 to 6 months, you still put them down on their back but you do not need to keep turning them over at night.
What tog sleeping bag does my baby need? As a rough guide: 0.5 tog for a room of 24 degrees or warmer, 1.0 to 1.5 tog for 21 to 23 degrees and 2.5 tog for 16 to 20 degrees, adjusting the clothes underneath.
What temperature should a baby's room be? The HSE advice is 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Is co-sleeping safe? The safest place is the baby's own cot or crib in your room for at least the first 6 months.
What changes when my baby starts rolling over?
What should be in the cot?
What temperature should the baby's room be?
How do I get my baby to sleep in the cot?
Is co-sleeping ever safe?
How do I keep sleep safe when I am running on empty?

How long are baby wake windows by age?

What is a wake window? A wake window is the time between when your baby wakes up and when they next go to sleep.
Why do wake windows matter? Babies who go to sleep at the right point in the cycle tend to settle faster and stay asleep longer.
How long are wake windows by age? Roughly 35 to 60 minutes for a newborn (0 to 1 month), 60 to 90 minutes at 2 months, 75 minutes to 2 hours at 3 to 4 months, 2 to 2.5 hours at 5 to 6 months, 2.5 to 3.5 hours at 7 to 9 months and 3 to 4 hours at 10...
What are the tired cues to look for? Early tired cues are a vacant stare or unfocused eyes, slowing down or going quiet in play, pulling at ears or rubbing eyes, and a long yawn, which is often already late.
When do wake windows not apply? During growth spurts, when teething, after vaccines, during illness and during the 4-month sleep regression, which has nothing to do with wake windows and everything to do with brain development.

Shift sleeping: how do couples split newborn nights?

How do you split the night with a newborn? There is no official roster.
Does shift sleeping work if I'm breastfeeding? Exclusive breastfeeding makes pure shifts harder, because mum is needed for the feeds, but it does not make shifts pointless.
Is shift sleeping safe for the baby? The HSE safe sleep guidance stays the same whatever roster you land on.
What does the other parent need to know at handover? Three things: when was the last feed, which side or how many ml, and when was the last nappy.
How do I hand over at 3am without waking anyone? Some couples run a paper log taped to the kettle, which works until someone forgets the pen.
How do we make shift sleeping stick? Agree the roster before the first night, not during it.

How much sleep does a newborn need? An Irish parent's guide

How many hours does a newborn sleep? Per the HSE, a newborn up to three months old sleeps between 9 and 18 hours a day, averaging about 14, in short bursts between feeds.
Where should a newborn sleep? The safest place for a newborn to sleep is in a cot, on their back, in the same room as you, for the first six months at minimum.
What is the HSE safe-sleep checklist? Always place your baby on their back, feet to the foot of the cot, on a firm flat mattress, in your room for at least the first six months, with the room at 16 to 20 degrees.
How do I tell my newborn is tired? Newborns rarely stay awake more than an hour to ninety minutes at a stretch in the early weeks.
Does caffeine affect my newborn's sleep if I'm breastfeeding? Caffeine passes into breastmilk and can affect newborn sleep.
When should I talk to my PHN or GP about newborn sleep? If you are worried your baby is not getting the right amount of sleep, if your newborn has jaundice and is unusually sleepy or hard to rouse, if your baby is hard to wake for feeds or is feeding very little, or if...
Can a newborn sleep on their tummy?
How do I put a newborn down to sleep?
Is it normal to feel this wrecked in the first three months?

When do babies sleep through the night?

When do babies sleep through the night? Many babies manage a 6 to 8 hour stretch somewhere between 4 and 6 months, but the spread is huge: some do it at 3 months and plenty of healthy babies still wake at night well into the first year.
What does sleeping through the night actually mean? In sleep research it usually means a stretch of about 6 to 8 hours, often midnight to 5 or 6am, not 12 unbroken hours.
When do babies sleep through without a feed? It varies hugely.
Why is my baby fighting sleep? Usually the timing is off: an overtired baby is wired on stress hormones and an undertired baby is simply not done.
Why will my baby only sleep when held? Because your chest is warm, moving and smells like safety, and the cot is none of those things.
When should I talk to the PHN or GP about night waking? Talk to them if the baby snores or has laboured breathing at night, seems in pain, is feeding poorly or dropping weight centiles, or if the broken nights are pushing you to the edge.
What does sleeping through actually mean?
When do babies sleep through the night by age?
Why won't my baby sleep unless held?
Why won't my newborn settle at night?
What actually helps a baby sleep through?
How do I know if the nights are actually getting better?

Month by month

What should an 8 month old be doing?

What should an 8 month old be doing? An 8 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24 with 2 naps, eats 3 small meals plus finger foods alongside 500 to 600 ml of milk, sits steadily, may be starting to crawl or bum shuffle and shows...
How much should an 8 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, usually 2 naps, with wake windows of about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
What should an 8 month old eat? Three small meals a day with lumpier mashed food and plenty of finger foods, iron-rich food daily, plus 500 to 600 ml of formula or breastfeeds on demand and sips of water from a cup with meals.
Is it normal for an 8 month old to screech? Yes.
Is separation anxiety normal at 8 months? Yes, and it is a sign of healthy attachment.
When should I ask the PHN about my 8 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby is not sitting without support, not babbling, not taking weight on their legs when held standing, not picking things up, using one side much more than the other or not responding to...
Why has my 8 month old stopped sleeping?
What milestones should an 8 month old have?
What is a normal day with an 8 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen at 8 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 8 months?
How do I know if my 8 month old is on track?

What should a 5 month old be doing?

What should a 5 month old be doing? A 5 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, drinks milk only, rolls front to back, reaches and grabs accurately, laughs, squeals and blows raspberries and may sit propped up for short spells.
How much should a 5 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, usually 3 naps, with wake windows of about 2 to 2.5 hours.
How much milk should a 5 month old drink? Milk only, no solids yet for most babies.
Can I start solids at 5 months? The HSE advice is to start around 6 months and never before 17 weeks.
What vaccines does a 5 month old get in Ireland? None.
When should I ask the PHN about my 5 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the head is still wobbly when you pull them to sit, they are not reaching or grabbing, not making sounds back at you, not smiling or laughing, not tracking faces or toys, feel unusually stiff or...
How much should a 5 month old drink?
What milestones should a 5 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 5 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen at 5 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 5 months?
How do I know if my 5 month old is on track?

What should a 4 month old be doing?

What should a 4 month old be doing? A 4 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 16 hours in 24, takes 6 to 8 feeds, rolls from front to back, reaches and grabs, brings hands together, chuckles and holds the head up well.
How much should a 4 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 16 hours in 24, usually 3 to 4 naps, with wake windows of about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
How much should a 4 month old drink? Formula-fed babies need around 150 ml per kilogram per day, up to about 900 to 1000 ml a day.
How many feeds for a 4 month old? Most 4 month olds take 6 to 8 feeds in 24 hours, roughly every 3 to 4 hours by day with one or two at night.
What vaccines does a 4 month old get in Ireland? At 4 months the GP gives the second doses of the 6-in-1 and MenB vaccines and the last oral rotavirus drops.
When should I ask the PHN about my 4 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby is not holding their head up, not reaching for things, not making sounds, not smiling or if feeds and weight gain are dropping off over a week.
What milestones should a 4 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 4 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen around 4 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 4 months?
How do I know if my 4 month old is on track?

What should a 9 month old be doing?

What should a 9 month old be doing? A 9 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 14 hours in 24 with 2 naps, eats 3 meals plus finger foods alongside around 500 to 600 ml of milk, moves by crawling or bum shuffling, pulls to stand and picks small...
How much should a 9 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 14 hours in 24, usually a long night stretch and 2 naps, with wake windows of about 3 to 3.5 hours.
What should a 9 month old eat? Three meals a day with minced, chopped and finger foods, iron-rich food daily, plus around 500 to 600 ml of formula or breastfeeds on demand and water from a cup with meals.
What are good breakfast ideas for a 9 month old? Porridge made with their usual milk, mashed banana or soft fruit, toast fingers with butter or hummus, scrambled egg and plain full-fat yoghurt all work well at 9 months.
What happens at the 9 month check in Ireland? The 7 to 9 month PHN development check covers sitting, movement, hand use and pincer grip, babbling, hearing responses, vision and weight, plus a chat about feeding and sleep.
When should I ask the PHN about my 9 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby is not sitting alone, not babbling double sounds like ba-ba, not taking weight on their legs, not passing objects hand to hand, not responding to their name, keeps hands mostly fisted or...
What milestones should a 9 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 9 month old?
What happens at the 9 month check if it has not happened yet?
What is not normal at 9 months?
How do I know if my 9 month old is on track?

What should a 7 month old be doing?

What should a 7 month old be doing? A 7 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, eats 2 to 3 small meals plus 500 to 600 ml of milk, sits without support, passes objects hand to hand and babbles chains like ba-ba-ba.
How much should a 7 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, usually 2 naps and sometimes a catnap, with wake windows of about 2.5 to 3 hours.
What should a 7 month old eat? Two to three small meals a day, moving from smooth purees to mashed food with soft lumps plus finger foods, with iron-rich food daily.
How often should a 7 month old feed? Most 7 month olds have 3 to 5 milk feeds in 24 hours plus 2 to 3 small meals.
What happens at the 7 to 9 month check in Ireland? The PHN checks sitting, hand use, babbling, hearing responses and vision, weighs the baby and talks through weaning and sleep.
When should I ask the PHN about my 7 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby is not sitting even with support, not babbling, not reaching or passing objects between hands, using one hand much more than the other, not responding to their name or sounds, feels...
What milestones should a 7 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 7 month old?
What happens at the 7 to 9 month PHN check?
What is not normal at 7 months?
How do I know if my 7 month old is on track?

What should a 6 month old be doing?

What should a 6 month old be doing? A 6 month old typically sleeps roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, still has milk as the main drink, is starting solids, sits with support, rolls both ways, passes objects hand to hand, babbles and responds to their name.
How much should a 6 month old sleep? Roughly 12 to 15 hours in 24, usually 2 to 3 naps, with wake windows of about 2 to 3 hours.
How much should a 6 month old eat? Milk is still the main drink and food: around 500 to 600 ml of formula a day or breastfeeds on demand.
How often should a 6 month old feed? Most 6 month olds have 4 to 6 milk feeds in 24 hours, about every 3 to 4 hours by day, plus one or two small solid meals.
What vaccines does a 6 month old get in Ireland? At 6 months the GP gives the third dose of the 6-in-1 plus PCV on the current HSE schedule (MenC is no longer given at 6 months for babies born from October 2024).
When should I ask the PHN about my 6 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby is not sitting with support, not babbling, not reaching for things, has stiff or floppy limbs, is not responding to their name or sounds or is refusing milk or not gaining weight over a...
What milestones should a 6 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 6 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen around 6 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 6 months?
How do I know if my 6 month old is on track?

What should a 3 month old be doing?

What should a 3 month old be doing? A 3 month old typically sleeps roughly 14 to 16 hours in 24, feeds every 2 to 4 hours, holds their head steady, laughs or squeals, bats at objects, pushes up on their forearms in tummy time and recognises familiar faces.
How much should a 3 month old sleep? Roughly 14 to 16 hours in 24, usually 3 to 5 naps plus the night, with wake windows of about 75 minutes to 2 hours.
How much should a 3 month old drink? Formula-fed babies need around 150 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, roughly 800 to 950 ml a day for a typical 3 month old.
How many feeds for a 3 month old? Most 3 month olds feed every 2 to 4 hours, roughly 6 to 8 bottles or 7 to 10 breastfeeds in 24 hours.
What happens at the PHN 3-month check in Ireland? The PHN measures weight, length and head circumference, checks the hips, asks about hearing and vision and looks at head control, smiling and hand use.
When should I ask the PHN about my 3 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the head is still floppy, there is no smiling, the baby is not following objects with their eyes, is not startling to sounds or is feeding poorly or gaining weight slowly.
What milestones should a 3 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 3 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen around 3 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 3 months?
How do I know if my 3 month old is on track?

What should a 2 month old be doing?

What should a 2 month old be doing? A 2 month old typically sleeps roughly 14 to 17 hours in 24, feeds every 2 to 4 hours, smiles in response to a face or voice, coos, follows a face with their eyes and briefly lifts their head in tummy time.
How much should a 2 month old sleep? Roughly 14 to 17 hours in 24, usually across 4 to 5 naps and the night, with wake windows of about 60 to 90 minutes.
How much should a 2 month old drink? Formula-fed babies need around 150 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, which is roughly 600 to 750 ml a day for a typical 2 month old.
How many feeds for a 2 month old? Most 2 month olds feed every 2 to 4 hours, roughly 6 to 8 bottles or 8 to 12 breastfeeds in 24 hours.
What vaccines does a 2 month old get in Ireland? At 2 months the GP gives the 6-in-1, PCV, MenB and oral rotavirus vaccines.
When should I ask the PHN about my 2 month old? Ask the PHN or GP if the baby does not smile or respond to sounds by around 8 weeks, is very floppy or stiff, is not following your face or is not feeding well.
What milestones should a 2 month old have?
What is a normal day with a 2 month old?
What checks or vaccines happen around 2 months in Ireland?
What is not normal at 2 months?
How do I know if my 2 month old is on track?

Growth

How much weight should a newborn gain per week? A guide in grams

How much weight does a newborn lose after birth? Babies commonly lose up to 7 to 10 percent of their birth weight in the first days while feeding gets established.
When should a baby be back to birth weight? Most babies are back to their birth weight by 10 to 14 days.
How much should a baby gain each week? Around 150 to 200 g a week in the first 3 months (roughly 500 g to 1 kg a month), slowing to about 100 to 150 g a week from 3 to 6 months and 70 to 90 g a week from 6 to 12 months.
When do babies double their birth weight? Babies usually double their birth weight by around 4 to 6 months and triple it by around 12 months.
What are centile lines? Centile lines are the curves on the growth charts in the child health record given at birth.
When should I worry about weight gain? If weight gain stalls, the baby is not back to birth weight by around two weeks, weight crosses down two centile lines, or there are fewer than 6 wet nappies a day after the first week, ask the PHN or GP.
How do I know if my baby's weight gain is on track?

Nappies

How many wet nappies should a baby have a day? Baby poo and nappies, what is normal

How many wet nappies should a newborn have? About 1 wet nappy on day 1, about 2 on day 2, building to 6 or more wet nappies a day from about day 5 onwards.
What colour should baby poo be? Black and sticky meconium for the first 1 to 2 days, then greenish, then by day 4 to 5 yellow and seedy in breastfed babies or tan to yellow-brown and firmer in formula-fed babies.
How often should a newborn poo? There is no single right number.
Is green poo normal? Usually, yes.
Is it normal for a breastfed baby not to poo for days? After about 6 weeks, yes.
How do I know if my baby is constipated? Constipation is hard, dry, pellet-like poo with straining and pain, not just going less often.
When should I worry about baby poo? Ring the GP or PHN urgently for white, pale or chalky poo, black poo after the first few days, red or bloody poo, fewer than 6 wet nappies a day after day 5, or diarrhoea with a fever, vomiting or blood.
How do I know if my baby has diarrhoea?
How do I keep track of nappies without losing count?

Health

How do I keep my baby cool and safe in hot weather?

How warm should my baby's room be in hot weather? The HSE recommends keeping the room where your baby sleeps at 16 to 20 degrees.
What should my baby wear to sleep in hot weather? The HSE line is that a nappy, a vest and a babygrow are enough, and you should use less clothing in warmer weather.
How can I tell if my baby is too hot? Hands and feet are a red herring.
Can I put a muslin over the pram for shade? No.
Can I leave my baby in the car for a minute? Never, even in the shade, even with a window open.
Does my baby need water in hot weather? For a baby under 6 months, the answer to hot weather is not water, it is more frequent milk feeds.
What do I do if my baby overheats? Cool them down quickly: bring them indoors or into the shade, take off the extra clothing, and sponge their skin with cool (not cold) water.
How do I cool my baby's room down?
How do I know a hot spell is coming?
What are the essentials, in short?

How do I keep my baby safe in the sun?

Can I put sunscreen on a baby under 6 months? The HSE says babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected with shade and clothing rather than sunscreen, because their skin is too thin and delicate to be relying on cream.
What sunscreen should I use on a baby over 6 months? Shade and light clothing first, then a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen for children on the skin you cannot cover.
What are the SunSmart 5 S's? Slip on clothing that covers the skin, slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen (factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, every 2 hours), slap on a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, ears and neck, seek shade especially...
When does my baby need sun protection in Ireland? Whenever the UV index is 3 or above.
Does my baby still need vitamin D drops in summer? Yes.
What about the sun on holiday abroad? The Mediterranean sun is in a different league to ours, and the same rules just matter more: under 6 months out of direct sun, shade and cover for older babies, SPF 50+, and avoid the middle of the day.
What are the essentials, in short?

What temperature is a fever in a baby? What to do and when to ring the GP

What temperature is a fever in a baby? A normal baby temperature is around 36.4°C.
How do I take my baby's temperature? Use a digital thermometer under the arm for babies under 5.
What temperature should I take my baby to the doctor? A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher, or a baby under 6 months with 39°C or higher, needs to be seen by a doctor the same day.
When should I call 999 for a baby? Ring 999 or 112 if your baby is struggling to breathe, has blue lips, is floppy or hard to wake, has a fit, has a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed on it or has a high-pitched or weak cry.
How do I bring a baby's temperature down? Keep the baby cool with light clothing and a normal room temperature.
Is it normal for a baby to have a temperature after vaccines? Yes.
Can teething cause a fever? No.
How do I keep track of a temperature overnight?

What is the Irish baby vaccine schedule for 2026?

When are baby vaccines given in Ireland? The HSE childhood schedule runs from birth to 13 months, with vaccines at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 13 months, given free at your GP surgery.
What does each baby vaccine cover? 6-in-1 covers diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib and Hepatitis B in one injection.
What is normal after a baby's vaccines? Slight redness or hardness where the needle went in, mild fever in the first 24 to 48 hours (especially after MenB), being a bit grumpier than usual for a day, and sleeping more or less.
Why does my baby app show the wrong vaccine schedule? Most baby tracker apps were built for the US, where the vaccine schedule is different in the number of doses, the timing and the included jabs.
How do I keep track of my baby's vaccines? Your GP will usually call you for each appointment.

How much vitamin D does my baby need in Ireland?

How much vitamin D should I give my baby? The HSE recommends 5 micrograms of vitamin D3 daily from birth to 12 months for breastfed babies and for bottle-fed babies getting less than 300ml of formula a day.
Why do babies in Ireland need vitamin D drops? Ireland sits between 51 and 55 degrees north, so skin can only make vitamin D from sunlight roughly between April and September, and babies' skin shouldn't be in direct sunlight under six months anyway.
How many drops of vitamin D is 5 micrograms? Most baby vitamin D drops sold in Ireland are dosed at 5 micrograms per drop, so one drop a day.
Does my formula-fed baby need vitamin D drops? Bottle-fed babies on more than 300ml of formula a day don't need the drops because the formula is already fortified.
How do I remember whether I gave the vitamin D today? Give it at roughly the same time each day so it's easy to remember.
When should I ask the PHN about vitamin D? Most parents don't need to, because the 5 microgram universal recommendation is designed to remove the guesswork.

Healthcare

What helps a baby's first cold and when should I see the GP?

Why does a blocked nose bother a baby so much? Babies are nose-breathers.
What can I do at home for my baby's cold? Saline drops or spray before feeds, a nasal aspirator to clear the nose before feeds and sleep, smaller and more frequent feeds, keeping baby upright for feeds, a normal-temperature room that is not overheated, and...
Can I give my baby cold medicine? Do not use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children.
What temperature is a fever in a baby? A fever is 38 degrees or above.
When should I ring the GP about my baby's cold? Get medical advice if a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38 degrees or above (same day), if they are feeding much less than half the normal amount, if there are fewer wet nappies than usual, if the...
When is a baby's cold an emergency? Call 112 or 999, or go straight to the emergency department, for difficulty breathing (grunting, ribs sucking in, nostrils flaring or pauses in breathing), blue or grey lips or skin, a rash that does not fade when...

How do I know if my baby is teething?

When do babies start teething? The first tooth usually appears around 6 months, but anywhere from about 3 months to after the first birthday is normal.
What are the signs of teething? Heavy drooling, chewing on everything within reach, one red flushed cheek, red sore gums where the tooth is coming, being more irritable and clingy than usual, slightly disturbed sleep and sometimes a slightly raised...
Does teething cause a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting? No.
What helps a teething baby? A teething ring cooled in the fridge, never frozen, chewing on a clean cool damp facecloth, gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger, cool soft foods if your baby is already weaned, extra comfort and patience, and...
Can I give my baby teething gel, granules or pain relief? Talk to your pharmacist before using any teething gel or granules, as some of what is sold for teething is not recommended for babies.
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth? Once the first tooth appears, start brushing it twice a day.

What happens at PHN visits with a new baby in Ireland?

When does the PHN visit a new baby in Ireland? Your PHN visits at home within 72 hours of you being discharged from hospital, usually around day 10 in practice, sees you and the baby again at 3 months, sometimes at the local clinic and sometimes at home, and...
What happens at the first PHN visit? It is the longest visit, usually 60 to 90 minutes.
What happens at the 3-month PHN check? By now you'll probably be at the clinic.
What happens at the 9 to 11 month PHN check? Weighing and measuring, a developmental check covering sitting, babbling and finger food handling, a hearing check, and a talk about toddler feeding, sleep changes and the transition to family food.
What should I have ready for a PHN visit? A nappy bag and a clean change, bottle or breast access in case baby gets hungry, a list of any questions or concerns, and your baby's red folder if it is a clinic visit.
What questions should I ask the PHN? None of them are silly and PHNs have heard all of them: is what I'm seeing normal, how do I know if reflux is bad enough to do something, when should I start weaning, why is my baby waking more than three weeks ago,...
How do I remember what to tell the PHN? Write concerns down when they happen rather than trying to recall them at the appointment.

Money

Where can I get free baby stuff in Ireland?

Which supermarkets run baby events in Ireland? Aldi and Lidl run baby and toddler events several times a year, with deep discounts on nappies, wipes and gear.
Which baby clubs are worth joining in Ireland? Supermarket and pharmacy baby clubs are usually worth the two minutes it takes to sign up.
Where do I get free baby sample bags and welcome packs? Maternity hospitals and some pharmacies hand out sample bags with nappy, wipe and cream samples, usually somewhere between the booking visit and going home with the baby.
What's the catch with free baby stuff? Almost every freebie is a trade: you get samples, they get your email address and a marketing profile of your household.
What do I get free from the State when I have a baby? Maternity care in the public system is free under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme.
What baby gear is safe to buy second-hand? Nearly everything, because most baby gear gets used for about four months.
Where can I get free baby stuff in Ireland, at a glance?
Is there a free baby tracker app for Irish parents?

How do maternity leave and Maternity Benefit work in Ireland?

How long is maternity leave in Ireland? You are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, plus up to 16 weeks of additional unpaid leave if you want it.
How much is Maternity Benefit and who pays it? Maternity Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection, not your employer.
Does my employer have to pay me on maternity leave? No.
What are the key maternity leave numbers in Ireland? 26 weeks of paid benefit plus a 16 week unpaid option, Maternity Benefit of 299 euro a week at the 2026 rate, apply at least 6 weeks before leave, give your employer at least 4 weeks notice in writing, paternity...
What other supports can new parents get in Ireland? Paternity Benefit gives 2 weeks for the other parent at the same weekly rate.
What about pregnancy sick leave, telling work and mortgages? Employers cannot treat pregnancy-related sick leave like ordinary sick leave.
How do I keep on top of it all once the baby arrives?

Baby items

What does a newborn need? Baby clothes and essentials

What does a newborn need before the birth? Before the birth you need a rear-facing baby car seat fitted in the car, somewhere safe to sleep (a cot, crib or Moses basket with a firm flat mattress), baby clothes in newborn and 0-3 month sizes, nappies, muslins...
What baby items are useful in the first weeks? A baby carrier or sling that supports the baby's hips in an M position and keeps the airway visible and clear, a baby bath or simple bath support, a pram or travel system, and a baby bouncer.
When does a baby need a monitor and a high chair? Both wait until about six months.
What baby items should I not buy? Skip cot bumpers, pillows, duvets and loose bedding (against safe sleep guidance), a changing table if a mat on the floor works for you, shoes for a baby who cannot walk, and most newborn-size clothing beyond a...
What should I buy new and what can be second-hand? Second-hand covers most of the list: clothes, the cot frame, the bouncer, the high chair and half the pram market.
What does a newborn need, at a glance?

What newborn gifts do Irish parents actually use?

What newborn gifts get used every day? Nappies and wipes in quantity, since a newborn goes through 10 to 12 nappies a day.
What can I give the new parents instead? A cooked meal left on the doorstep, a voucher for a takeaway, an offer to walk the buggy while someone showers, or simply arriving with coffee and leaving within the hour.
What newborn gifts should I skip? Newborn-size outfits, the single most duplicated gift in Ireland.
Where can I buy baby gifts in Ireland? Smyths Toys for big-ticket practical items like monitors, sterilisers, playmats and car seats.
Is there a useful newborn gift that costs nothing? In the early weeks every parent is quietly worrying about whether the baby is feeding enough and sleeping enough.

Baby names

What are the most popular baby names in Ireland?

What are the most popular baby names in Ireland? In the most recent CSO figures, for babies born in 2024, the top boys' names in Ireland were Jack, Noah, Rían, Cillian and James, and the top girls' names were Sophie, Éabha, Grace, Emily and Fiadh.
What are the most popular boys' names in Ireland? For 2024 births the top 5 boys' names were Jack, Noah, Rían, Cillian and James.
What are the most popular girls' names in Ireland? For 2024 births the top 5 girls' names were Sophie, Éabha, Grace, Emily and Fiadh.
Which baby names are rising and falling in Ireland? Caleb made the biggest jump on the boys' side, from 142nd in 2023 to 91st in 2024, and Rhea climbed 37 places to 93rd for girls.
How do I check the most popular baby names in my county? The Central Statistics Office publishes an interactive baby names tool at visual.cso.ie where you can type in any name, see how many babies received it each year, how its ranking has moved over decades and which...
What should I think about when choosing an Irish baby name? Decide early whether you will keep the fada in names like Rían, Éabha and Fiadh, because forms and some school systems still occasionally mangle it.
What do I need to sort out once the name is chosen?

Apps

Is there an Irish alternative to Huckleberry? 5 baby trackers compared

Is there an Irish alternative to Huckleberry? Yes.
What does Huckleberry do best and what's the catch? Expert-designed sleep programmes.
Is Baby Tracker by Nighp good for simple logging? Yes.
Is Baby Daybook good for detailed routines? Yes.
Is Napper only for sleep? Napper is a sleep-first app with AI-driven nap predictions, sleep sounds and an educational sleep school, plus space for tracking how you are doing yourself.
How do I choose a baby tracker app? Check the units and language first, because you will use the app at 3am.
1. Lullagram: is there an Irish alternative to Huckleberry?
2. Huckleberry: what does it do best and what's the catch?
3. Baby Tracker by Nighp: is it good for simple logging?
4. Baby Daybook: is it good for detailed routines?
5. Napper: is it only for sleep?

Lullagram vs Huckleberry: which baby tracker suits Irish parents?

What is Huckleberry? Huckleberry is a baby tracking app made by a US company, Huckleberry Labs.
What is Lullagram? Lullagram is a baby tracker built in Cork, for parents in Ireland, by an Irish parent.
How do Lullagram and Huckleberry compare? Lullagram is built for parents in Ireland specifically, in Irish English, metric by default, with reminders matched to the Irish system and printable summaries for nurse and GP visits, data hosted in Ireland, and a...
Does Lullagram work on iPhone? Lullagram is on Google Play for Android and runs on iPhone as a web app in Safari.
Why do Irish parents pick Lullagram over Huckleberry? The reminders, the language, the printable visit summary for nurse appointments and the weaning content are all Irish, so none of it needs translating in your head at 4am.
Which is better for Irish parents, Lullagram or Huckleberry? Any decent tracker will log a feed.
Does Lullagram work on iPhone, and what about sleep guidance and tiers?

What is the best pregnancy app in Ireland?

What are the best pregnancy apps for Irish parents? The names that come up again and again are Flo, Pregnancy+, BabyCenter, What to Expect, Emma's Diary, Peanut and Natural Cycles.
Which pregnancy tracker app is right for me? Flo for cycle tracking that flows into pregnancy, Pregnancy+ for 3D models and practical birth tools, BabyCenter for a free all-rounder with a huge community, What to Expect for week-by-week guidance with...
Are free pregnancy apps good enough? Yes.
Is there a pregnancy app for dads and partners? Flo and Pregnancy+ both have partner modes that share the week-by-week updates, and many partners simply install the same app.
What app do I use once the baby is born? Every pregnancy app winds down at the birth, and from day one it is feeds, sleep, nappies, weight, vaccines and PHN visits.
How can I get ready before the birth? Lullagram runs a free 5-week email course for expecting parents in Ireland at lullagram.ie/prepare.

Guides

What will the public health nurse ask at my baby's visit?

What questions does the PHN ask at every visit? At every visit your public health nurse will weigh your baby, check their development against the milestones for their age, and ask about feeding, sleep and nappies: how often the baby is feeding and how much,...
How many wet nappies a day should my baby have? At least 6 heavy wet nappies in 24 hours is the general guideline for a baby over 5 days old.
Does my baby need vitamin D drops? The HSE recommends 5 micrograms daily from birth to 12 months for all breastfed babies and formula-fed babies taking less than 300ml a day.
How do I prepare for a PHN visit? Give specific answers.
When are the PHN and GP checks for a baby in Ireland? A PHN home visit within 48 hours of discharge from hospital, GP checks at 2 weeks and 6 weeks, a PHN developmental assessment at 3 months, a PHN check at 7 to 9 months, another at 18 to 24 months, and a pre-school...

Development

How does a baby learn to communicate in the first year?

When do babies start cooing, babbling and talking? Roughly: 0 to 2 months, cries and throaty gurgles; 2 to 3 months, cooing and laughing out loud by three months; 4 to 5 months, ah-goo sounds and copying your voice; 6 to 9 months, babbling like baba, gagaga, dada and...
How can I help my baby learn to talk? Get face-to-face about an arm's length apart, talk to them even when they can't talk back, leave pauses so they can take a turn, copy their sounds back, turn the TV off, read picture books together and sing.
What if we speak more than one language at home? The HSE's position is to talk to your baby in whichever language you are most comfortable with.
Does screen time help a baby learn to talk? No.
When should I worry about my baby's communication? The HSE red flags in the first six months are: doesn't startle to loud noises (newborn), doesn't engage in eye contact (2 to 4 months), doesn't smile in response to you (3 months), doesn't coo or make sounds (4...
What helps a baby learn to communicate most? Paying attention to them: looking at them, pausing to let them respond, talking about whatever's in front of you.

What milestones should my baby reach by 6 months?

What should a baby do by 1 month? Lifts their head up briefly during tummy time, is alert to sounds, gurgles, recognises your voice, cries to communicate, fixes on a bright object and follows it with their eyes, and is more interested in faces than...
What should a baby do by 2 months? Lifts their chest during tummy time, holds their head upright when held, tracks moving objects with their eyes, briefly holds a rattle, looks at people who are talking, may start cooing and smiles back at you.
What should a baby do by 3 months? Good head control when seated, rests on forearms during tummy time, bats at objects, chuckles, echoes back sounds you make, gives warm smiles and laughs in response to you and holds long eye contact.
What should a baby do by 4 months? Holds their head steady in line with their body, may roll front-to-back, sits with back support, clutches at objects, laughs out loud, makes ah-goo sounds and vocalises when a person stops talking.
What should a baby do by 5 months? Lifts their head when sitting, smiles and vocalises at themselves in a mirror, copies your voice, makes raspberry spitting sounds, smiles spontaneously, reacts to different tones of voice and reaches out and grasps...
What should a baby do by 6 months? Sits with support, rolls back-to-front, passes objects from one hand to the other, babbles sounds like baba and gagaga, turns toward new sounds and people entering the room, shows a preference for a particular...
What if my baby is behind on a milestone? The HSE list is a guide, not a test, and the ages given are averages.

Travel

What do I need for my baby's first holiday abroad?

Does my baby need a passport? Yes.
Does my baby need an EHIC? If you are heading anywhere in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, yes.
Does my baby need travel vaccines? For most European beach holidays, no.
How do I fly with a baby? Feed on the way up and the way down, because sucking helps a baby's ears cope with the pressure changes.
What should I pack in my hand luggage for a baby? More nappies and wipes than you think you need, a spare outfit or two, enough feeds for the journey plus extra in case of delays, infant paracetamol, a digital thermometer and a small first aid kit, a muslin, a...
Will my baby's routine survive the holiday? A new room, a time difference and a hot climate will throw naps and feeds off for a few days.
Do I need to bring a car seat abroad?
How do I keep my baby safe in the sun and heat abroad?
What are the essentials, in short?