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What Do Infants Need in The Sims 4? A Comprehensive Guide

Infants in The Sims 4 represent a significant shift from the stationary, bassinet-bound babies of the past. Now, they are mobile, expressive, and demand specific care, items, and interactions to thrive. Fundamentally, infants in The Sims 4 need a combination of physical comfort, social interaction, developmental stimulation, and consistent care to grow into happy toddlers. This includes specific furniture and objects, attentive caregivers, and engagement with the game’s milestone system. Let’s dive deeper into what your little Sims need.

Core Needs of Infants in The Sims 4

Physical Comfort and Care

Infants, unlike their newborn predecessors, have a variety of physical needs that must be met. These include:

Feeding: Infants need to be fed regularly through either breastfeeding or bottle feeding. The choice between the two depends on the caregiver and their capabilities. A hungry infant will cry, and this need has to be addressed quickly.
Hygiene: Just like any other Sim, infants need to be kept clean. This means regular diaper changes and baths. Diaper blowouts are also a part of the game and are one of the “Firsts” milestones to achieve.
Rest: Infants require ample rest to grow and develop. The play mat serves not only as a play space but also a resting area, and it is essential for the milestone progression.
Comfort: Picking up and holding infants can soothe them, especially when they are upset. Caregivers can even perform other actions while holding an infant.

Developmental Needs

Infants don’t just need to be cared for; they need stimulation to reach their developmental milestones:

Fine Motor Skills: These are developed through activities like reaching for and grabbing objects, typically done on the play mat. These are part of milestones to be unlocked.
Gross Motor Skills: Learning to crawl and eventually stand are part of the gross motor skills and is crucial for the movement of your infant. These skills are developed through active play.
Social Interaction: Interactions with caregivers and visitors fulfill social needs. Babies also need to interact with toys like dollhouses or toy boxes, which help provide some of the fun needs.

Items Essential for Infant Care

Several items are vital for proper infant care in The Sims 4:

Play Mat: This is the most essential item. It is necessary for completing milestones, refilling social and fun needs, and as a resting place.
Changing Table: While not always mandatory for a diaper change (it can be done on the floor), a changing table can enhance the realism of care.
Toy Boxes/Doll Houses/Bookshelves: Low-lying interactive objects like these provide fun for infants.
Back Carriers: These allow caregivers to transport the infant while performing other activities.

Milestone System

The infant life stage is highly driven by the milestone system. There are five milestone categories:

Fine Motor: Reaching and grabbing.
Firsts: First bath, first diaper blowout, etc.
Gross Motor: Learning to crawl and stand.
Life: An overview of their progress.
Social: Interactions with others.

Achieving these milestones is critical for the infant’s development and provides a sense of progression for the player.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Infants in The Sims 4

1. Can I create an Infant directly in CAS?

Yes, you can. Players can either age up a newborn into an infant or create an infant directly in Create-A-Sim (CAS), which can then be added to any household with an adult.

2. How do I help my Infant learn to crawl?

To encourage crawling, your infant needs ample tummy time, and by completing associated milestones such as learning to reach and grab. It often takes a few in-game days of consistent effort to reach this milestone, and it might require the caregiver to focus solely on the infant.

3. Are there strollers for Infants in The Sims 4?

Unfortunately, there are no strollers in the base game of The Sims 4. If you are a PC or Mac user, you might find some custom content strollers online via mods from the player community.

4. How long does a Sim stay an Infant?

If aging is enabled on normal setting, Infants typically age up into toddlers in about three in-game days.

5. How do I age up an Infant early?

You can manually age up an infant by clicking on the infant and selecting ‘Age Up.’ This option is useful for players who want to control the pace of their gameplay.

6. Why can’t my newborn age up?

If your newborn isn’t aging up, it’s likely due to aging being turned off for your household. Enable aging in the game options, age up the newborn, and then you can turn it off again if desired.

7. How many babies can a Sim have at once?

A Sim can be pregnant with up to seven babies at once with game modifiers. However, due to the household limit of eight Sims, a maximum of six babies is practically possible until one moves out.

8. Is breastfeeding mandatory in The Sims 4?

Breastfeeding is not mandatory; you can choose between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. If a caregiver is unable to produce breast milk, they will not be able to breastfeed, allowing players to choose their preference.

9. What happens if my infant is neglected?

Neglected infants will become very upset, their needs will deplete faster, and their development can be hindered. It is essential to pay close attention to their needs to avoid negative consequences.

10. Do traits affect my infant?

Yes, Infants have personality traits, which influence their behavior and how they interact with the world. Some traits will influence their development faster.

11. Can ghost Sims have babies?

Female ghost Sims cannot have babies, and male ghost Sims cannot father a child with a living Sim. The ‘Try for Baby’ option will not be available for them.

12. How do I get twins or triplets in The Sims 4?

To increase the chance of having twins or triplets, purchase the Fertile Reward trait for 3,000 satisfaction points. This increases the probability of multiple births.

13. Is it possible to cheat an infant into labor?

Yes, you can use the cheat code sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_inlabor to immediately put your pregnant Sim into labor.

14. Can Infants interact with pets?

Yes, interactions are included if you have additional packs like Cats and Dogs. However, base-game infants also have some limited interactions with other pets.

15. How do I stop my Sim from aging, including infants?

To stop your Sims from aging, go to the game options, select ‘Gameplay’, then turn off Auto Age (Played Sims) by choosing the ‘No’ option.

Conclusion

Infants in The Sims 4 are dynamic and demanding, requiring diligent care, interactive items, and focused attention from their caregivers. By understanding their needs and the milestone system, players can ensure that their tiny Sims thrive and grow into happy toddlers. With the help of this guide, you should now be well-equipped to tackle the challenges and joys of raising infants in The Sims 4.

What do infants need Sims 4?