The Awake Time Chapter

and how to really enjoy it

24 pages of evidence-based guidance. Designed for both of you to read together.

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See What's Inside

Minimalist and Evidence-Based

If you've been browsing baby toys and activity products, you've probably encountered endless claims about "brain-boosting" and "developmental" benefits. The baby industry markets countless gadgets promising to make your baby smarter, calmer, or more advanced. The truth is simpler: newborns need very little equipment and a great deal of you.

In the early weeks, your baby will be awake for surprisingly short periods — typically 30 to 90 minutes at a time. Within that window, they'll feed, have their nappy changed, and perhaps have a brief moment of alertness. There isn't much "playtime" in the traditional sense, and that's completely normal.

What’s inside*

*Always based on the latest AAP, CPSC, and WHO guidelines. All sources linked throughout, so you can verify anything yourself.

We asked couples who went through the Sleep chapter what shifted for them

see how we approach it

  • Marketing suggests constant stimulation. Reality? Your face is your baby's favourite thing to look at. We explain what newborns can actually see, hear, and engage with — so you don't feel pressure to entertain them constantly.

  • You've probably heard you should do tummy time. We explain what it is, why it matters for development, and what to expect.

  • "Brain-boosting" toys, elaborate activity stations, screens marketed for babies — we explain what the research actually says about newborn development, and why responsive interaction matters more than any product.

  • Every recommendation is grounded in AAP guidance and developmental research. We've focused on what genuinely supports your baby's development rather than what's heavily marketed. And we've written this for both of you, because the best "developmental activity" for a newborn is responsive interaction with caring adults.

    At the end of this chapter, you'll find an at-a-glance summary of essentials versus nice-to-haves, plus conversation starters for decisions like screen time boundaries and managing toy gifts from well-meaning relatives.

This chapter Is for You If...

  • You're expecting and want to feel prepared, not overwhelmed

  • You want to understand what tummy time is actually for, not just that you "should" do it

  • You're skeptical of "educational" toys marketed for newborns

  • You want to know what simple toys actually make sense for the first few months

  • You have family wanting to buy gifts and you'd like to guide them toward useful items

This chapter might not be for you if...

  • You're looking for tummy time methods (this covers setup only), we cover this in our workshops

  • You want specific brand recommendations (we explain what features matter — you choose the brands most aligned with you)

  • You already feel confident about what to expect and how to go about awake time

Ready to enjoy your little one’s awake moments?

THE awake time CHAPTER

€39

24 pages · PDF download · Instant access

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awake time is one of six areas

We organized newborn preparation into six areas so you can tackle it one topic at a time. This chapter covers Sleep. The complete guide includes all six:

Sleep · Feeding · Changing · Clothing · Outings · Awake Time

Each area connects to the others. Your sleep setup affects your nighttime feeding routine. Your changing station placement depends on where baby sleeps. That's why we designed the complete guide as an integrated framework — six chapters that prepare you for everything.

  • No. This is more than a list. We show you a way to think about sleep setup; what matters, what doesn't, and how to make decisions that work for your situation. You'll understand why certain features matter, not just what to buy.

  • Our guidance is based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other trusted organizations. We chose these sources because they're evidence-based, regularly updated, and recognized globally. When organizations like the AAP update their recommendations, we update our guides to match. All sources are linked throughout the chapter so you can verify and explore further.

    Last updated: February 2026

  • We stay completely unbiased so you can trust our recommendations. We explain what features to look for, what safety standards to verify, and what questions to ask before you buy — so you can confidently choose any product that fits your budget and preferences. If you would like specific brand recommendations, or have questions about specific brands, send us an email (hello@wearehellobaby.com) and we will inform you further!

  • Each chapter has an "At a Glance" summary page: the essentials in 60 seconds. One of you can read the details, the other can skim the summaries, and you'll still end up on the same page if you talk about it thereafter.

  • The guide will help you fill in gaps and avoid buying more unnecessary items. The "What to Skip" sections alone could save you hundreds of euros (when purchasing all chapters).

  • Yes! If you purchase individual chapters and later decide you want the complete guide, email us with your original purchase receipt. We'll send you a discount code for the difference so you're not paying for the same content twice. Start where it makes sense for you.

FAQ

WANT TO START WITH THE BASICS?

awake time, simplified.

You do not need everything. You just need the right things. This guide helps you figure out the difference.

Get the awake time Chapter · €39

Part of Hello Baby's Six Areas of Preparation

Questions? Email us at hello@wearehellobaby.com