One day at a time
Little things in a long day
You do not need a perfect routine to have a few good moments together. Pick one small thing that fits the day you are having.
About 3 minutes
A conversation can start with a sound
When your baby looks at something, you can look too. Name it, make a sound, then leave a pause. If they answer with a noise or a wriggle, that can be your next turn. A picture in a book gives you something to share; you do not need to finish a story. source
Try pointing to one picture and saying, “There’s the dog. Woof!” Then see what catches their attention. Our baby reading guide has a few more invitations.
Let play be small
A face to copy, a soft song, or a game of peekaboo may be plenty for this moment. Tummy time belongs in awake, closely supervised play; put your baby on their back for sleep. source
For older children, follow a sound, a pretend idea or a picture clue into a little play together. You can stop while there is still an unfinished idea.
Give screens a place, rather than the whole room
Think about what is on the screen, who is joining in and whether it is crowding out sleep, movement or time together. It helps to choose a stopping point before starting. For babies, begin with faces, voices and real-world play. As children grow, look for media that leaves room for you to join in. source
Here is a little help choosing an app or game. We make digital stories and games, so we ask these questions about our own work too.
Keep food choices simple
Once your baby is ready for solid food, choose foods without added sugars. Offer fruit prepared safely for your child’s stage rather than juice. The label’s “Added Sugars” line can help you compare options. For the feeding details that fit your child, use the feeding guide and your care team’s advice. source
One manageable change is enough to begin with. You do not have to rebuild the day.
Where this advice comes from
Links checked 17 October 2026. These are the sources behind this page.