Connecting and communicating: 0-6

Tired signs in babies and toddlers (Suitable for 0-3 years)

When you see tired signs, it’s time to reduce stimulation and settle babies and children for sleep. Newborn tired signs include pulling at ears, jerking arms and legs, and sucking fingers. Babies and toddlers show they’re tired by grizzling, demanding attention and not wanting to play.

Newborn sleep: what to expect

Newborns usually sleep 14-17 hours in every 24 hours. Newborns usually sleep in short bursts of 2-3 hours through the day and night. Newborns sleep in cycles of about 40 minutes. They often need help to settle after each cycle.

About Sleep (Suitable for 0-18 years)

Sleep is important for growth, immunity, learning and memory. Babies, children and teenagers need different amounts of sleep. Sleep patterns change as babies and children get older. We all move through cycles of deep and light sleep throughout the night.

Ministry of Health resource: mokomoko movement

This video is based on He Pī Ka Rere, Toi Tanagata’s under-fives movement programme run through kohanga reo.

Ministry of Health resource: pūngāwerewere movement

This video is based on He Pī Ka Rere, Toi Tanagata’s under-fives movement programme run through kohanga reo.

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti pūhou (babies 0-3 months)

Need some tips getting your tamaiti pūhou (babies 0-3 months) to sleep better?

Ministry of Health resource: Owhaowha (infants 3-12 months)

How much sleep and activity do your owhaowha (infants 3-12 months) actually need?

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti nohinohi (toddlers 1-2 years)

With so much information out there, understanding what your tamaiti nohinihi (toddlers 1-2 years) need in terms of sleeping, playing and adventuring can be hard.

Ministry of Health resource: Tamaiti (preschool 3-4 years)

At this age tamaiti can be a bundle of energy!

Plunket Sleep and Settling Chat - video one

In a series of three videos, Dr Bronwyn Sweeney a psychologist and sleep researcher from the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a special interest in the sleep of mothers, babies and their families, joins Anne Hodren, National Educator for Plunket, to discuss sleep and settling. Each video is around 12 minutes long.

Plunket Sleep and Settling Chat - video two

In a series of three videos, Dr Bronwyn Sweeney a psychologist and sleep researcher from the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a special interest in the sleep of mothers, babies and their families, joins Anne Hodren, National Educator for Plunket, to discuss sleep and settling. Each video is around 12 minutes long.