Your newborn is sleeping a lot right now. So, you want to make the most of the time you have when they’re alert. But what kinds of interactions are best for your baby? What do they like to do?
We can help you figure that out! Discover eight engaging wake window activities to do with your newborn to nurture their physical, emotional, and social development and build a sense of connection between the two of you.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- What are wake windows?
- Why are wake windows important for your newborn?
- 8 engaging wake window activities to do with your newborn
What are wake windows?
Wake windows are pretty straightforward. They’re simply the times your baby is awake between naps. When you get them timed right, your baby should be tired enough for their next sleep period but not so tired they can’t fall asleep.
For newborns, each wake window is about 60-90 minutes long. They sleep about 16-17 hours a day, leaving only a handful of hours for purposeful engagement. Don’t worry, though. It’s plenty of time for exactly what your baby needs to grow!
Why are wake windows important for your newborn?
Play is critical for healthy development, and you’re the first playmate for your baby. Research shows that newborns prefer human connection. They love sensory interactions with your voice, touch, and smell. Your baby wants to engage with you! Wake windows are perfect for that kind of contact.
Wake windows also begin to set a routine. When your newborn’s sleep and wake rhythms become predictable, they feel a sense of security. A safe environment facilitates learning.
Lastly, engaging wake windows also have a positive impact on your newborn’s sleep schedule. When they’re active while awake, they may sleep better!
8 wake window activities to do with your newborn
At this age, playing with your little one mostly looks like holding them. And that’s good because holding your baby is a critical part of their development. It calms them, stimulates sensory and social-emotional development, and creates a strong attachment.
Here are some important and engaging ways to hold and play with your newborn.
1) Feed your baby.
First and foremost, your newborn will need the basics: feeding and diaper-changing. And they’re going to need a lot of these! You’ll find the right schedule for you and your baby. Don’t be surprised if you feed and change them within each wake window.
2) Make time for skin-to-skin contact.
The National Library of Medicine published a paper about the importance of touch in the healthy growth and development of newborns. Holding your baby naked against your skin helps:
- Regulate your baby's temperature, breath, and heart rate
- Stimulate your baby's feeding instincts (because it boosts your milk supply)
- Strengthen your bond with your baby
- Build your baby's immunity to infections
Additionally, feeling your heartbeat and hearing your voice calms your newborn’s nervous system and helps them relax. Even 15-20 minutes of skin-to-skin a day can make a big difference.
3) Hang out face to face.
One of the easiest ways to play with your newborn is by engaging in face-to-face time. It helps develop their cognitive and language skills, increases their attention span, and teaches them social cues.
It’s important to get close to your newborn because they can only see about eight to 12 inches from their face. Although your baby won’t be able to make real eye contact until they’re between two and three months old, even holding their gaze for a second or two promotes social skills.
And just wait until they smile at you on purpose! There’s nothing like it. Research has confirmed that this first positive expression connected to something (to you!) is a critical developmental step.
4) Play with a toy together.
Any simple and safe toy can stimulate your newborn’s senses. Shake a rattle. Touch a soft book with their fingers. Move a brightly colored object within their range of vision.
Lay them on their back on a Newton’s Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheet covering their Newton Crib Mattress and hang a toy above them. You can also help them lie on their side (only while they’re awake!) to strengthen the muscles they need for rolling over.
5) Use your voice.
Talk to your newborn. Sing to them. Read to them. (Reading to your baby as early as you can boosts their vocabulary and reading skills later in life.) Hearing your voice:
- Creates a sense of security and trust
- Stimulates brain development
- Nurtures emotional growth
- Lays the groundwork for communication
Try narrating what you’re doing. (“I’m going to bring you to the window now. See the flowers? See the trees?”) You can also have conversations with your newborn. Serve and return, or repeating the sounds your baby makes back to them, plays a big role in shaping their brain.
6) Have some tummy time.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, placing your newborn on their tummy two to three times a day prepares them to slide, scoot, and then crawl. Start with three to five minutes at a time and work up to five to 10 minutes.
If your newborn doesn’t like being on their tummy at first, try propping a high-contrast toy in front of them. (Something black and white is a great choice.) Or you can join them on the floor and add some quality face-to-face time, too.
7) Take house tours.
Your baby is not only new to the world, but new to your home as well. Take some time to tour it with them. As you walk into different rooms, speak slowly and name what you see and what you’re doing. Be conversational.
You might walk into your bedroom and say, “See your bassinet? That’s where you were just sleeping, right? Should we turn on the light so you can see it better?”
Spend some extra time in front of a mirror. As your newborn gets older, they’ll be more and more fascinated by the baby they see in front of them!
8) Massage your baby.
A gentle massage can soothe your baby and help them relax. Some parents also find it may also comfort babies who seem to be fussy or gassy.
Make sure your space is warm and quiet. Place your baby on their back and massage them slowly with a gentle touch. Rub each part of their body, beginning at their head and moving down to their feet. Talk to them as you go. You can also incorporate gentle stretching.
If you want to try using oil, stick with baby-safe options like plain coconut oil or medical-grade mineral oil, and test a small area of your little one’s skin first. Avoid essential oils or nut oils, which may irritate your baby’s skin.
Once your baby’s wake window is up and they’re tired (but not too tired), you can place them into their Newton Travel Crib and Play Yard, Bassinet and Bedside Sleeper, or Crib for a well-deserved rest.
Help your newborn rise and shine!
Have fun with your newborn as you engage in these wake window activities. Babies grow so fast, and an activity you do one day may look entirely different on another day. Watching those changes up close can feel magical.
Whether you’re reading a book to your baby, taking them on a tour of your kitchen, or just chatting together, you’ll begin to know the signs that tell you it’s time to lay your baby back down in their bassinet or crib for sleep. And then you can rest!
Frequently asked questions
How much playtime should I give my newborn?
While the general recommended wake window is 60-90 minutes, your newborn might get tired before or might still be raring to go after that. Use your baby’s specific cues to determine if playtime is over and nap time should begin.
Good to note: if your baby is crying, you may have missed their sleepy cues. Crying can be a sign of being overtired!
When do I stretch my newborn’s wake windows?
Once your newborn is four months old, you can try extending their wake windows to around 1.5 to 2.5 hours each. But by that time, you’ll have a solid sense of their preferences, and you can increase their time awake based on that.
What are the signs that my baby is tired during a wake window?
Some sleep cues to watch for include yawning, rubbing eyes, staring off into space, becoming less interactive, and becoming irritated. It’s more important to listen to what your baby needs than stick to the recommended wake window period.
Is it OK for my newborn to sleep all day?
Most newborns sleep between approximately 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, usually in short stretches of two to four hours at a time. But some sleep for only 11 hours total, while others sleep as much as 19.
More important than the number of hours of sleep is how much your baby is eating. If they're sleeping more and missing some feedings, they may be sick with something like a cold, or they may be experiencing a growth spurt.
Try keeping a sleep log. If you find your newborn is consistently sleeping too much, you may want to consult your physician.
