Clear, sourced answers to common parenting questions: child sleep hours, screen time, IAP vaccination schedule, nutrition, fever and growth.
Babies 4–12 months need 12–16 hours including naps, toddlers 11–14, pre-schoolers 10–13, school-age children 9–12 and teenagers 8–10 hours every 24 hours.
Screen timeWHO advises no screen time under 2 years (except video calls), about 1 hour a day for ages 2–5 co-viewed with an adult, and for older children consistent limits that protect sleep, activity and homework.
VaccinationIndian children get BCG, Hepatitis B and OPV at birth; DTP, IPV, Hib, Rotavirus and PCV at 6, 10 and 14 weeks; MMR and Typhoid from 9 months; Hepatitis A, Varicella and boosters from 12–18 months; boosters at 5 years; Tdap and HPV from 9–10 years; and flu yearly from 6 months.
NutritionBreastfeed exclusively for 6 months, start thick energy-dense foods at 6 months, give toddlers 3 meals plus 2 snacks, and for school-age children aim for 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 400–500 ml milk or equivalent, and little added sugar.
HealthA fever is 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. Any fever in a baby under 3 months, or fever with lethargy, breathing difficulty, a rash that doesn't fade, or signs of dehydration needs same-day medical review.
DevelopmentUnder-5s should be active for at least 180 minutes a day spread through the day; children and teens aged 5–17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily, plus muscle and bone strengthening 3 days a week.
HealthGrowth is judged by the trend along your child's own curve on WHO/IAP growth charts, not a single reading. Anywhere between the 3rd and 97th percentile is typical; crossing two major percentile lines deserves a paediatric review.
HealthKeep one place for the birth certificate, vaccination card, prescriptions, lab reports, growth measurements, allergies and school report cards — ideally a private digital vault backed up and accessible from your phone.