There’s a delicate balance between keeping your baby awake long enough between naps and pushing too far, leading to over tiredness.

Wake time (WT) is the total period your baby is awake between sleeps, including feeding, play, diaper changes, and everything in between. At full feedings® we recommend following age-appropriate Optimal Wake Times (OWT) — which change frequently throughout the first year and help ensure your baby is asleep before becoming overtired.

For newborns, simply being awake and feeding is already incredibly stimulating. Many parents worry they’re not getting in enough tummy time, but at this age, even one short session per day is a great start. As your baby grows and their awake windows lengthen, it becomes easier to add more active, age-appropriate play — like rolling, reaching, crawling, and exploring their playmat.

Play is only part of the equation — babies also need time to wind down before sleep. That’s why we recommend rocking, cuddling, or a quiet connection moment after play and before nap. Over tiredness builds quickly, so rather than relying on sleepy cues, follow your baby’s Optimal Wake Time (OWT) as your guide.

To learn our specific Optimal Wake Times by age — and how to use them to support better naps and longer nighttime sleep — check out our programs, where we walk you through each stage step-by-step.