Creative Ways to Keep Baby From Getting Drowsy
How to keep baby from getting drowsy
Keeping your baby awake between naps, especially during those tricky nap transitions, can be tough! Try some of these fun and creative activities to help your little one stay alert and avoid getting drowsy. Sensory toys, bubbles, and engaging games can all help keep them wide awake and help keep them awake until the next nap. Using these strategies will help you keep your baby from getting drowsy and make those nap transitions much smoother and easier!
1. Mirror play
Babies love looking at themselves in the mirror—it’s like they’ve found a new friend! Try propping up a baby-safe mirror during playtime and see how fascinated they become. You can make it even more fun by playing peek-a-boo or making silly faces together. It’s a great way to keep them entertained and wide awake!
2. Balloon play
Helium balloons are like magic for babies! Try tying one to their wrist or ankle with a short, safe string, and watch as they giggle at the balloon floating and bouncing around with every move they make. (Be sure to monitor any play that involves string!)
Grab a balloon and gently tap it back and forth with your baby. The soft bounces and the way the balloon floats around will hold their attention and keep them alert. Try using different colored balloons to add variety and make the game more engaging.
3. Frozen toys
Turn playtime into a little adventure by freezing small toys in ice cubes and letting your baby explore as they melt. The cool, slippery ice will keep them curious, and they’ll love finding the toy hidden inside. It’s a fun way to keep them awake and entertained.
You can also try putting frozen fruit like bananas or berries in a mesh feeder—babies love the cold, tasty treat, and it’s a great way to keep them engaged and alert!
4. Bubble wrap
Give your baby a fun little surprise by laying out a strip of bubble wrap on the floor. Let them crawl or sit on it and explore with their hands and feet—the popping sounds and bumpy texture will keep them totally fascinated! It's such a simple way to keep them entertained and curious.
Before you try this one, I would pop one with your child on your lap and see his or her reaction…some babies find bubble wrap hilarious and others get scared!
4. Water exploration
Fill up a shallow basin or tub with a little water and toss in some floating toys—babies love splashing around and watching the toys bob up and down. It’s a great way to keep them busy and wide awake under your watchful eye.
5. Light play
Get creative with light and shadow play! Use a small flashlight to make fun shadow puppets on the wall—babies are often mesmerized by the moving shapes. You can also try shining a flashlight through colorful plastic or fabric sheets to cast changing hues on the wall or ceiling. It’s a simple way to keep them entertained and fascinated by the shifting colors and shapes!
If your baby is doing tummy time, shine a light in front of them on the floor and pretend to tap the spot of light.
5. Texture painting
Try some texture painting fun with your baby! Make some edible, baby-safe gelatin paint by mixing gelatin with water and a bit of natural food coloring. Spread it on a tray or highchair surface and let your little one squish and explore the cool, squishy texture—it’s sure to keep them curious and engaged.
Or, go for oatmeal ‘mud’ play by spreading thick, cooled oatmeal on their tray. It’s safe to eat and feels great to touch, making for a fun and interactive experience!
6. Dance party
How about having a dance party with your baby? Choose music with different tempos (bypass the slower tunes if you’re trying to keep baby awake!). The movement and rhythm will keep them awake and entertained, and it’s a perfect way to help them stay alert between naps. Plus, it’s a fun activity for both of you.
7. Sensory bag
Fill a few clear plastic bags with different textured items like cooked pasta, rice, ice or gel. Seal them tightly and let your baby explore them by squishing and feeling through the bag.
8. Musical toys
Create simple homemade instruments using items like plastic bottles filled with beans or rice to make shakers, or pots and wooden spoons as drums. Let your baby experiment with making noise and rhythm…and the noise will make it hard to get drowsy!
Or get a music mat like this one to help your child make their own musical notes.
9. Fun with boxes and tunnels
You probably have lots of Amazon boxes lying around…depending on the size of the box, play peek-a-boo with your child with either you or your child sitting in the box. Alternatively, if your baby is crawling, you can cut “doors” on two sides of the box for your baby to crawl through. Throw a blanket on top and it’ll feel like a tent.
Or get a simple tunnel like this one or a slightly more complex tunnel if your baby is crawling.
10. Bubbles
Break out the bubbles! Not only will the bubbles be distracting, but the fresh air and sunshine outside will help keep your little one awake too!
Use different-sized bubble wands to create various sizes and types of bubbles.
Blow bubbles (I’m a big fan of this mess-free one!) and encourage your baby to pop them by clapping their hands or using a soft toy. You can make it more fun by gently tapping the bubbles with a colorful wand or your fingers to show them how to pop them.
Set up a shallow tray with a small amount of soapy water (from baby-safe shampoo or baby wash) and let your baby dip their hands in to create bubbles. They can splash and play in the soapy water, and you can show them how to blow bubbles with a small wand or straw.
Bonus tip
If you find one (or more) of these works well, keep it as your go-to activity during this period when it’s harder to keep your little one awake in between naps—don’t offer it all the time so it stays new and fresh and will be able to hold your baby’s attention!
Need help keep baby awake in the car?
I have a separate post about that! Read How to Keep Baby Awake in the Car here!
Remember…
Safety first! These are activities to do WITH your child so you can interact and make sure they’re playing safely as you help them stay awake before that next nap!
This stage of needing to increase the time your baby is awake between naps during nap transition doesn’t last long. Soon your little one’s stamina will adjust so it won’t be as much of a struggle! (Usually adjusting to nap transitions takes ~4-6 weeks.)
Don’t forget…
If you’re going to these lengths to keep your baby actively playing in between naps, make sure your baby is NOT getting drowsy during the nap time (or bedtime) routines (for example with a bottle or rocking).
That will just undo all your hard work!
If you need help keeping your little one from depending on getting drowsy to fall asleep easily, reach out. Together we can teach your baby how to fall asleep without getting drowsy!
How to keep baby awake between naps
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This post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you, your child and/or your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your child’s physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.