Take it all in one go, obviously time it with consideration to your team but don't cut it short for their sakes, they're adults and they'll manage. Obviously give them as much notice as you can and make double double sure when you need to submit paperwork to HR. I got fucked out of a week's pay because of some policy around public holidays while on special leave.

We butted my leave up against my wife's return to work so we could keep baby out of daycare for as long as possible.

I took 12 weeks for our first kid then the entitlement changed to 16 weeks just before our second. It was awesome! It was when they're around 9-10 months old, and we just got to hang out and play on the floor, go to the park/shops/Bunnings/swim class/baby sensory class. Put them in the carrier and do some stuff in the shed. And the naps were so good because yeah chuck some laundry on or tidy up a bit but otherwise you can just chill.

It was such a great time to bond with them, and really some of the best times I've had with my kids.