Newborns and Toddlers
Complete guide to caring for Newborns and Toddlers in inZOI, the two earliest life stages. Covers Newborn mechanics (1 in-game day, crib-bound, Check Temperature interaction, automatic babysitter), Toddler mechanics (2 in-game days, formula feeding, diaper changes, Toddler Rug sleeping, Cognitive Development skill), adoption of babies, and tips for managing young Zois.
Newborns and Toddlers are the two earliest life stages in inZOI. They require direct parental care and cannot survive independently. Newborns last only 1 in-game day and are almost entirely passive, while Toddlers last 2 in-game days and introduce feeding, diaper changes, and early skill development. Both stages can begin through pregnancy, adoption, or Create a Child with Medical Help.
Newborns
The Newborn stage is the shortest and most limited life stage in inZOI, lasting exactly 1 in-game day (approximately 48 real minutes at the current default speed (48 minutes per in-game day)).
Newborn Characteristics
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Duration | 1 in-game day |
Location | Confined to their crib. Newborns cannot be moved or carried around the lot. |
Hunger | Newborns do not have a hunger mechanic. They do not need to be fed. |
Available interactions | "Check Their Temperature" is the only parenting interaction available. |
Autonomy | None. Newborns are entirely passive. |
Babysitter | If all household members leave the lot, a babysitter automatically appears to watch the Newborn. |
The Newborn stage is essentially a waiting period. The baby stays in its crib, and the primary interaction is checking temperature. Parents can talk to the baby and show affection through the crib, but there is no feeding, bathing, or skill development at this stage.
Getting a Crib
A crib is required before the baby arrives. Purchase one through Build Mode and place it in the home. If no crib is present when the baby is born or adopted, the Newborn will still appear but may have placement issues. It is best to prepare the nursery before the baby arrives.
Toddlers
The Toddler stage lasts 2 in-game days (approximately 96 real minutes (2 in-game days at 48 minutes each) at default speed) and introduces active caregiving. Toddlers have full needs that must be managed by a parent or hired caretaker.
Toddler Needs and Care
Need | How to Fulfill |
|---|---|
Hunger | A parent or caretaker must give the Toddler formula. Select the Toddler, then choose Parenting > Give Formula. Alternatively, switch to the Toddler and click the Hunger need directly. Formula is automatically available; no purchase is needed. |
Hygiene | Toddlers need diaper changes. The diaper change interaction is performed on the floor, not on a changing table. |
Sleep | When tired, Toddlers spawn a Toddler Rug and lie down to sleep wherever they happen to be. They do not use cribs or beds. |
Fun | Toddler toys (Soft Book, Toddler Slide) satisfy the Fun need and also contribute to skill development. |
Social | Interactions with parents, siblings, and other household members fulfill social needs. |
A parent or hired nanny must be nearby for feeding. The Toddler cannot feed themselves. If all adults leave the lot, the automatic babysitter system activates (same as the Newborn stage).
Toddler Skill Development
Toddlers have access to basic developmental activities (the formal skill system with Creativity, Motor Development, Responsibility, and Social skills unlocks at the Child stage), which is leveled through interaction with toddler-specific toys. The Soft Book and Toddler Slide are the primary tools for building this skill. Cognitive Development does not directly transfer to adult skills, but it contributes to the child's readiness for the more impactful child skills (Creativity, Motor Development, Sociability, and Responsibility) that become available in the next life stage.
Aging Up
Life stage transitions for young Zois follow this progression:
Transition | Duration Before Transition |
|---|---|
Newborn to Toddler | 1 in-game day |
Toddler to Child | 2 in-game days |
Child to Adolescent | 7 in-game days |
Aging up is automatic and cannot be manually triggered or delayed (unless aging is disabled in the simulation settings). For full details on all life stage durations and aging settings, see Lifespan and Aging.
Obtaining a Newborn or Toddler
There are three ways to add a Newborn or Toddler to a household:
Method | Details |
|---|---|
The natural result of romantic interactions between partners. Produces a Newborn after the pregnancy period. See Pregnancy. | |
Available through any computer or laptop via General Action > Adopt a Child. Players can choose to adopt a Newborn or Toddler directly. See Adoption. | |
Medical Help | Create a Child with Medical Help costs 1,000 Meow and produces a Newborn with genetic traits from one or both parents. |
Newborns and Toddlers cannot be created directly in Character Creation. They can only enter the game through one of the three methods above.
Recent Developer Updates
The February 2026 developer diary revealed several improvements in development for Newborns and Toddlers:
Update | Description |
|---|---|
Toothless spawning | Newborns will spawn without visible teeth and gradually gain them as they grow, improving visual realism. |
Toy imitation | Babies will animate imitating toy movements (for example, mimicking a duck toy's wing-flapping motions) as a learning behavior. |
New outfits | Two new outfit options for Newborns and Infants are being added. |
Photographyadjustments | Parent-baby photo interactions are being made less intrusive so they do not interrupt caregiving routines. |
These features were shown in the developer video diary and may be included in a future update.
Tips
Prepare the nursery before the baby arrives. Place a crib in advance and ensure a parent or caretaker will be home when the Newborn appears.
The Newborn stage is only 1 in-game day. Do not invest too much time rearranging the house for this stage; focus instead on preparing for the Toddler stage, which lasts twice as long and requires active care.
Keep a parent at home during the Toddler stage. While the automatic babysitter handles survival, direct parent interactions build the parent-child relationship and contribute to the Toddler's social development.
Buy Toddler toys (Soft Book, Toddler Slide) from Build Mode before the Toddler stage begins. These toys are the only way to develop basic developmental activities (the formal skill system with Creativity, Motor Development, Responsibility, and Social skills unlocks at the Child stage).
If managing multiple Zois is overwhelming, use simulation speed controls (1x to 4x) to slow down time during demanding caregiving periods.
Formula feeding is the only food option for Toddlers. Unlike later stages, there is no cooking or meal preparation involved; the formula is automatically available.