Sources

Last updated October 22, 2026

Every range, target and guide in Milk and Naps comes from published pediatric guidance. Here is each source, what the app uses it for, and how any numbers are worked out.

This is general information for parents, not medical advice, and it doesn't replace your pediatrician. If something worries you, call your doctor. A fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher in a baby under 3 months is an emergency.

Growth percentiles

Used in: Growth page: weight, length and head-circumference percentiles and the chart curves (birth to 24 months).

How the app uses it: Percentiles are computed from the WHO LMS tables for the baby's sex and exact age in days. The CDC recommends the WHO standards for children under 2.

World Health Organization. WHO Child Growth Standards (2006).
CDC. Using the WHO growth charts (birth to 2 years).

How much to feed

Used in: Growth page feeding card, Today's daily targets, the next-feed reminder, and the How much to feed guide.

How the app uses it: From week 2 the daily range is 150–200 mL per kg of body weight, capped at 960 mL (32 oz). The AAP rule of about 2.5 oz per pound (about 165 mL per kg) sits inside that range. First-week amounts follow newborn stomach size. Feeds a day and the next-feed reminder (every 3 hours for the first two weeks, then gradually longer) follow the AAP feeding schedule.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Amount and schedule of baby formula feedings.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). How often and how much should your baby eat?.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). How to tell if your breastfed baby is getting enough milk.
Kent JC et al., Pediatrics 117(3). Volume and frequency of breastfeedings and fat content of breast milk throughout the day (2006).
La Leche League Canada. Newborns have small stomachs.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). When can babies start solid foods?.

Diapers

Used in: Today's wet-diaper target and the guide's diaper section.

How the app uses it: The target is 1 wet diaper on day 1, rising by one a day to 6 or more from day 5.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Baby's first days: bowel movements & urination.
MyHealth Alberta (Alberta Health Services). Baby's daily needs: what to expect.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). How to tell if your breastfed baby is getting enough milk.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). The many colors of baby poop.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Signs of dehydration in infants & children.

Sleep, wake windows and the nap forecast

Used in: Today's next-nap estimate, the Wake windows guide, and sleep notes in the guide.

How the app uses it: Wake windows are a widely used rule of thumb, not an official medical standard; the app's age ranges are close to Cleveland Clinic's published table. The nap forecast starts from the age range and blends in your baby's own last ten logged wake windows. Total sleep by age comes from the AASM (endorsed by the AAP) and the National Sleep Foundation.

Cleveland Clinic. How long babies should be awake between naps (2024).
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (endorsed by the AAP), J Clin Sleep Med 12(6). Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations (2016).
National Sleep Foundation. Sleep duration recommendations (newborns 14–17 hours).
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Healthy sleep habits: how many hours does your child need?.

Safe sleep

Used in: The guide's Safe sleep section and sleep tips in each stage.

American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, Pediatrics 150(1). Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment (2022).
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). How to keep your sleeping baby safe: AAP policy explained.

Tummy time

Used in: Today's tummy-time target and the guide's play section.

How the app uses it: The daily target is 5 minutes in the first two weeks, 15 minutes by 2 weeks, 30 minutes by 7 weeks, and 60 minutes from 3 months, built up in short sessions.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Back to sleep, tummy to play.
Pathways.org. Tummy time: work up to 1 hour a day by 3 months.

Development and milestones

Used in: The Guide tab's stages and the Baby development guide.

CDC. Learn the Signs. Act Early. Milestones by age (2022 checklists).

Vaccines

Used in: Care page vaccine list and the guide's Checkups & vaccines section.

How the app uses it: The list follows the AAP's 2026 schedule. Your pediatrician has the final word on timing.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule (2026) (2026).
CDC. Child and adolescent immunization schedule by age.

Checkups

Used in: Care page checkup list.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). AAP schedule of well-child care visits.
American Academy of Pediatrics / Bright Futures. Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care (periodicity schedule).

Milk and formula storage

Used in: Care page milk stash (fridge 4 days, freezer 6 months) and the guide's feeding section.

CDC. Breast milk storage and preparation.
CDC. Infant formula preparation and storage.

Vitamin D

Used in: Settings vitamin D reminder and the Today check-off.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Vitamin D for babies, children & adolescents.

Fever and when to call the doctor

Used in: The fever note when you log a temperature, and the guide's When to call the doctor section.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Fever and your baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Signs of dehydration in infants & children.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Jaundice in newborns.
NHS. Meningitis: symptoms, including the glass test for rashes.

Crying and soothing

Used in: The guide's Soothing a crying baby section.

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Colic relief tips for parents.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). How to calm a fussy baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Shaken baby syndrome: protect your infant from abusive head trauma.
Harvey Karp, MD. The 5 S's for soothing babies (from The Happiest Baby on the Block).

Parents' health

Used in: The guide's Being a good parent section.

CDC. Symptoms of depression among women (about 1 in 8 after a birth).
Paulson JF, Bazemore SD, JAMA 303(19). Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: a meta-analysis (2010).
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Treating and preventing burns (water heater at 120 °F).

Spotted a source that has changed or a number that looks off? Email hello@milkandnaps.com and we'll check it.