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Baby Toys

As soon as your baby is born, your baby will be surrounded with a room full of toys. However, there are a number of things to consider when choosing a toy for your baby.

Safety

  • Sturdiness and build. Look for toys which won’t break or fall apart easily and avoid toys with sharp edges or strings attached
  • Size and weight. Steer clear of small toys or those with small parts which can break off easily as these are a choking hazard. Toys that are too heavy should also be avoided as they could harm your baby if they fall
  • Finish. Make sure the paint or other finishes aren’t toxic
  • Sound. Stay away from loud toys which could damage your baby’s hearing
  • Washability. Consider if toys can be washed as these can become a breeding place for bacteria. This is a concern for babies as they put everything in their mouth.

Stimulation Of Senses

Each day your little one is learning more about the world through their sense of sight, sound, hearing, touch and taste. Toys which encourage them to explore these senses can be lots of fun and may help develop key skills as they grow. Some examples are mobiles, music boxes, activity boards or teething rings.

Age-Appropriateness

Always make sure a toy is appropriate for your baby by checking the age range indicated on the packaging. Suitable toys should help your baby perfect the skills they’ve already learnt and help them to develop new ones.

1-3 Months

  • They may not be developmentally ready to enjoy toys
  • Your voice alone can be enough to entertain them
  • Your baby might enjoy watching or listening to a mobile.

4-6 Months

  • They will be learning new skills such as grasping, chewing and rolling
  • Rattles and plastic rings for grasping are good toys for this age group
  • If your baby has started getting teeth, a teething ring may provide them some relief
  • Washable soft toys can be introduced.

7-12 Months

  • Your baby may be achieving some major milestones such as sitting up, becoming mobile and developing advanced fine motor skills
  • Toys to help encourage the development of their new skills include simple puzzles, stacking blocks or cups, and movable toys such as large balls or cars that they can follow around the room
  • They may also become more interested in books. Give them some simple, colourful books made of material, cardboard or plastic to play with

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