From Snooze to Stimulate: Maximising Newborn Awake Windows

Newborns sleep a lot, but what you do in those short awake windows can make a big difference.

Keeping them awake can be challenging at times, although through the night, it is the opposite problem; you don’t have to tell me. But I am here to help you maximise your little ones' wake windows, and in turn, this will help them sleep so much better at night.

Often, newborn babies mix up night and day, so it is important to create as little stimulation for them as possible at night, keeping sounds and lights to a minimum. Then, during the day, you want to keep things bright, and fun activities can help them adjust quickly.

So I am here to help give you some tips to maximise your newborn's wake time.

Most mothers question how long their newborn should sleep because it can be alarming to see how much time they spend sleeping.

Newborns typically sleep between 16 to 17 hours a day, so they’re only awake for short periods (about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours at a time). However, sometimes, they may sleep for even longer in those early days. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal.

During those awake windows, it’s important to engage them in gentle activities to stimulate development.

1.       Tummy Time:

Tummy time is essential for helping newborns strengthen their neck and core muscles. Even a few minutes a day will help build the muscle strength they need for milestones like lifting their head and rolling over. Start with short sessions and gradually increase as they get more comfortable.

PS. If your baby hates tummy time, do not worry (many babies do) just be sure to keep offering it.

Margaux was not a fan, and I bought this pillow for her, and it really helped her enjoy it more.

2.       Talking and Singing:

Talking and singing to your newborn is great for bonding and helps with early language development. Hearing your voice helps them learn speech patterns, and singing can be soothing for both of you.

3.       Reading:

Even though your newborn can’t understand the words yet, softly reading simple books introduces them to language rhythm and sounds. It’s a great calming activity that also promotes early listening skills.

Here are some of my favourite books for newborn development:

Any black and white contrast books are brilliant for newborns ... 1, 2, 3. They are perfect for tiny eyes in the early weeks.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - A calming classic, great for starting a bedtime routine early.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratneey. Gentle and loving, perfect for bonding during quiet moments.

Nursery rhyme books are also great. But at this stage, it's not really about the story it's more about them hearing your voice being soothing and rhythmic, the bonding experience, and letting them see pictures and shapes.

PS. Don’t take it personally if they start crying through the story, just try again when they are in a better mood.

4.       Sensory Play

Gentle sensory play is excellent for stimulating your baby’s developing senses.

Textured fabrics, soft toys, and black-and-white contrast cards can engage their vision and touch, which are key for brain development at this stage. Here is a box with a great selection of sensory play, and its on sale just now.

5.       Walks

Taking your baby for a walk gets you out of the house, and the fresh air and changing scenery are soothing for your newborn. It’s a good opportunity for them to experience new sights, sounds, and smells.

Going for a walk is also great if your baby is fighting sleep, as the pram will help settle them, unless you have a baby like mine who is almost always wide awake in the pram.

Why Maximising Wake Windows Matter

Newborns spend most of their early days asleep, but those short wake windows are so important for development and bonding.

Gentle stimulation during these moments helps support their growing brain, strengthen their muscles, and develop their senses.

Activities like tummy time or talking to your baby aren’t just about keeping them entertained; they’re building blocks for key milestones like rolling over, crawling, and even language skills later on.

It’s also a chance to bond with your baby. Whether you’re singing a lullaby or showing them contrast cards, these moments create connection and trust. Over time, these little interactions add up to big developmental leaps.

Addressing Common Worries

It’s natural to have questions about your newborn’s sleep and awake patterns, after all, they spend so much time snoozing that it’s easy to wonder if they’re getting enough stimulation.

In the early days, I sometimes felt as though all Margaux did was sleep 24/7, and I too would wonder 'is this normal? ' But I think as long as when your baby is awake they are alert there is nothing to worry about if they have a couple days where they are sleeping extra.

That said, trust your instincts. If you notice your baby seems unusually sleepy, hard to rouse, or isn’t feeding properly, always check in with your health visitor or GP for reassurance

Remember, every baby is different, and there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal.

Top Tip: Don’t let your newborn overtire, and don’t try to do all of these things in one wake window.

If you wait until your baby is absolutely knackered and screaming the house down, it is going to be so much more challenging to get them to sleep.

Chances are, even if you do get them to go down, it will be a very unsettled nap, and when they wake up, they will still be grumpy, which will result in an unproductive wake window.

Trust yourself, keep things simple, and remember, your baby doesn’t need perfection; they just need you.