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Chronicles of a Babywise Mom
  • BABYWISE
    • All Babywise Posts
      • All Babywise Posts
      • Eat
      • Wake
      • Sleep
    • How To Do Babywise
    • Babywise FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
    • Babywise First Year
    • Babywise Schedules
    • Starting Babywise Late Guide
    • Why I Love Babywise
    • Babywise Benefits
  • SCHEDULES
    • All Schedule Posts
    • Sample Schedules
    • Schedule Tips
    • Play Time
    • Wake Time Length (Wake Windows)
    • Eat: The “Eat” Part of Routine
  • SLEEP
    • All Sleep Posts
    • Naps
    • Night Sleep Tips
    • Sleep Training
    • Sleep Problems
  • DISCIPLINE
    • All Discipline Posts
    • Consequences
    • Discipline Methods
    • Discipline Phrases
    • First Time Obedience Tips
    • Keeping Kids in “Funnel”
    • Moral Training Tips
    • Strong-Willed Child
    • Tantrum Help for Parents
  • BLOG INDEX
    • All Posts
    • Index By Age
    • Babywise Mom Blog Archive
  • AGE RANGES
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • PreToddler
    • Toddler
    • Preschooler
    • Child (5-8 Years Old)
    • Preteen/Tween
    • Teens
    • Index By Age
  • MORE
    • All Parenting Posts
    • Childcare
    • Chores
    • Dates With Kids
    • Education & Learning
    • Family Tips
    • Fatherhood
    • Gifted Children
    • Hair
    • Home
    • Infant Loss
    • Motherhood Tips
    • Multiples
    • Parent Child Dates
    • Parenting Book Reviews
    • Potty Training
    • Travel Tips for Parents!
  • SHOP
    • Babywise Mom Shop
    • doTERRA
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • Using This Blog
    • Work With Me

Play Time

Find all of your wake time activities and ideas here. Learn to calculate baby wake time, how to structure your child’s playtime from baby on up, and great toys to use in that playtime each day.

How to Calculate Waketime When Baby Wakes Early

March 4, 2026March 4, 2026 by valplowman
Baby awake and sticking her tongue out

Baby woke early from a nap? Should you keep the same wake time length or stick to the schedule? Learn how to calculate the right wake window when naps go …

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Categories Schedule Tips, Wake Time Length Tags waketime length, waking early 64 Comments

Best Toys for Toddler…2.5 and Up

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 by valplowman
Toddler playing with train set

Looking for toddler toys that really count? Discover our top picks for ages 2½ and up—designed to build skills, spark creativity, and last beyond the toddler years. A go-to list …

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Categories Toddler, Toys Tags Best Toys 7 Comments

Best Toys for Baby: Ages 0-3 Months

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 by valplowman
Newborn with toys

Looking for age-appropriate toy ideas for your newborn? Check out this post for smart, simple toys that support development (without overstimulating) — perfect for babies 0–3 months. 👶✨Best Toys for …

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Categories Baby, Toys Tags Best Toys, newborns, waketime activities 7 Comments

How to Use Free Playtime in Your Child’s Schedule by Age

June 18, 2025May 20, 2025 by valplowman
Kaitlyn pushing a toy lawnmower

Learn how to use free playtime effectively in your child’s daily routine. Discover age-specific tips, real-life examples, and how to foster creativity and independence through unstructured play. Free playtime is …

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Categories Play Time, Schedule Tips Tags Babywise II, free playtime, waketime activities 9 Comments

What to Do When Baby’s Awake Time Is Before Feedings

August 5, 2025January 29, 2025 by valplowman
Mom holding baby up and kissing baby

Sometimes baby wakes up before feeding time. What do you do in this case? Do you feed right away to keep the eat/wake/sleep pattern, or do you wait to keep …

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Categories Schedule Tips, Schedules, Wake Time Length Tags eat/wake/sleep, waketime length Leave a comment

Optimal Waketime Length: Finding Baby Wake Windows

March 3, 2025December 18, 2024 by valplowman
Baby yawning

Best baby wake times to get baby taking great naps. This post walks you through how long baby should be awake at each age (also known as wake windows) and …

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Categories Sleep, Wake Time Length Tags optimal waketime, Top, waketime length 102 Comments

Very Best Toys for Toddlers: 2 and Up

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024 by valplowman
Toddler riding on a toy car

The best toys for toddlers to play with. Get great toddler Christmas gift ideas and birthday gift ideas. These toys are great developmentally for toddlers. I have great news! Now …

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Categories Toddler, Toys Tags Best Toys 4 Comments
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Valerie Plowman

Valerie Plowman, known as "the Babywise Mom", is the happy mother of four children. She has been helping parents with their parenting concerns since 2007 and loves helping others absolutely love being a parent.

Babywise Mom Nap Guide

Schedules and Sleep

  • My Sleep Hierarchy For Newborns

    My Sleep Hierarchy For Newborns

  • The Complete Guide to Finding Your Child’s Ideal Bedtime (By Age)

    The Complete Guide to Finding Your Child’s Ideal Bedtime (By Age)

  • Sleep Begets Sleep? Babies Need Daytime Naps for Better Night Sleep

    Sleep Begets Sleep? Babies Need Daytime Naps for Better Night Sleep

  • Dropping the Morning Nap Full Guide

    Dropping the Morning Nap Full Guide

  • How To Calm Your Overstimulated Baby

    How To Calm Your Overstimulated Baby

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