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Baby Toy Suggestions

Discussion in 'Tilted Life and Sexuality' started by genuinemommy, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    I'd like your tips and ideas when it comes to baby toys.

    My mother has told me that I don't have enough toys on my baby registry.
    She suggested I add inexpensive things like rattles and teethers, but I have no idea what I'm looking at here. There are so many shapes and designs... and do I really need more than 1 of anything like that? I don't know what toys are developmentally appropriate for the first year of life. I know that I want things that are durable and won't fall apart with regular use. I have already put a few classic things on my registry like wooden blocks, and we've already been given a few stuffed animals, but I just don't know what would be good. A few educational things would be nice: items that can help my baby develop necessary sensory, motor, and language skills.

    Any tips or advice will be helpful.
     
    genuinemommy, Dec 11, 2012
    #1
  2. Borla

    Borla Moderator Staff Member

    Books. Some of my deepest and oldest memories are books being read to me. I could read pretty well prior to kindergarten, and it was because I was read to a lot as a baby and toddler. My love of reading, ingrained from a very young age, helped me a ton in school, even in elementary. Very few early learning tools outweigh the benefit of books IMO.
     
    Borla, Dec 11, 2012
    #2
    • Like Like x 2
  3. PonyPotato

    PonyPotato Very Tilted

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Yes, you want more than one of simple things to keep a very young one occupied. They get dropped, thrown, lost, or put in the wrong diaper bag, and they are REALLY useful as distractions.

    Textures, pattern books, sounds.. They're all good. If you get the stackable rings, while it's nice to have the wooden ones, my nephew almost impaled himself on the wooden rod a few times (or put it too far into his mouth), so I consider it a bit of a safety hazard over the plastic version, personally.
     
    PonyPotato, Dec 11, 2012
    #3
    • Like Like x 2
  4. Random McRandom

    Random McRandom Starry Eyed

    Go with items that you can wash and/or disinfect regularly. For the first couple of months you won't need a whole lot of toys, but what you do have (including books) you'll want to clean almost constantly. Wooden blocks are ok, but difficult to clean and when they start teething, the wood can get caught in the throat. I'd go a different route on that one.

    The first year is fun, but it's also a bit nerve racking. You'll have the bag packed, get jr. changed and then completely forget something they need or an item will be lost so yeah, double or triple up on things. One thing we liked to do with the teething rings (buy at least 3 or 4) is to put them in the freezer. You can take them out and let them warm up a bit before handing it to them but you'd be surprised how well it works to soothe the gums.

    Other than the swing that was a lifesaver during the first 2 or 3 months our kids mostly focused on books and their play mats. There are several options that come with different activities that are appropriate for 1-6 months (possibly longer) and they're relatively cheap. You won't need bath toys at the very beginning, but after you get them out of the infant tub you'll need plenty. Try to get ones that don't retain water inside to avoid mildew etc and those nifty little toy holders that hang on the side of the tub...get one.

    This isn't really a toy but our kids enjoyed the crib attachments that played various music and/or womb/nature sounds. It really helped out during the first couple of months to set their sleep patterns (although nothing...and I mean nothing could top a good swing. Works every time)

    Infants like anything colorful and that has sound. They also enjoy textures as Pony mentioned so don't over think it. You can't go wrong with most toys as long as you pay attention to what it is made out of and the ease of use for the child but also for you.
     
    Random McRandom, Dec 12, 2012
    #4
  5. cis689

    cis689 Slightly Tilted

    "This isn't really a toy but our kids enjoyed the crib attachments that played various music and/or womb/nature sounds. It really helped out during the first couple of months to set their sleep patterns (although nothing...and I mean nothing could top a good swing. Works every time)"

    Yes, for newborns toys aren't really going to come into play for awhile. Maybe crib mobiles is your best bet. It was such a big deal when our girls actually reached out and started to interact with the attachments on their little walkers :) They did enjoy their swings (motorized, music, etc) and baby einstein DVDs..

    Congratulations!!
     
    cis689, Dec 12, 2012
    #5
    • Like Like x 1
  6. itwasme

    itwasme But you'll never prove it. Donor

    Location:
    Probably in my garden
    I can't find it online at the moment. My younger two loved this doll for babies with many textures like hard flat & raised bumpy ridges for feeling/grabbing/chewing, soft head & smooth satin like feet. Oh, and the skirt was crinkly and made noises when crunched with little hands.
     
    itwasme, Dec 12, 2012
    #6
  7. Joniemack

    Joniemack Beta brainwaves in session

    Location:
    Reading, UK
    I think this is really cool.
    [​IMG]



    Of course, the best infant plaything is Mom and Dad.
     
    Joniemack, Dec 12, 2012
    #7
    • Like Like x 2
  8. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Yes, it's a good idea to have multiples of things, especially teethers. As for what's developmentally appropriate--things that they can grasp and hold, things that they can stick in their mouths, and when they are still very young and not sitting up, things they can look at that have bold patterns, especially bold patterns in black and white. You really want to look for things that respond to them when they do something--i.e., something that crinkles when they grab it.
     
    snowy, Dec 12, 2012
    #8
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Random McRandom

    Random McRandom Starry Eyed


    That's similar to the playmat we had for our daughter. She loved that thing.
     
    Random McRandom, Dec 12, 2012
    #9
  10. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Yeah, a playmat is a great idea. It manages to combine a lot of things into one unit, which I always appreciated. I think it's important to remember, genuinegirly, that for the first few months, your baby will spend a fair bit of time on the floor. And that's a good thing! Babies need floor time, and especially tummy time, to strengthen their muscles for sitting up and crawling. Tummy Time and Infant Development
     
    snowy, Dec 12, 2012
    #10
    • Like Like x 1
  11. cis689

    cis689 Slightly Tilted

    They love the playmats! Don't forget your Boppy pillow
     
    cis689, Dec 12, 2012
    #11
  12. fflowley

    fflowley Don't just do something, stand there!

    Yep the playmat was very popular with ours.
    Our mat had something that would light and make sounds if they kicked it. They enjoyed it and it also encouraged them to develop their muscles.
    You might even get a peaceful 10 minutes to eat dinner if the mat keeps them engaged.
     
    fflowley, Dec 12, 2012
    #12
    • Like Like x 2
  13. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    And Grandma too, I hope! Tt's mom will move in with us for the first couple of monts of Baby's life, it will be so very helpful.
     
    genuinemommy, Dec 14, 2012
    #13
  14. Random McRandom

    Random McRandom Starry Eyed


    until she starts doing the whole "No, no. You're doing it wrong." "Here let me hold her. I know how to calm her." etc etc

    :p
     
    Random McRandom, Dec 14, 2012
    #14
    • Like Like x 3
  15. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    New Mother vs. Her Mother-in-Law match-ups have been some of the most epic battles I have ever seen.
     
    Baraka_Guru, Dec 14, 2012
    #15
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Random McRandom

    Random McRandom Starry Eyed

    shit should be on pay-per-view...would make millions
     
    Random McRandom, Dec 14, 2012
    #16
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Japchae

    Japchae Very Tilted

    Those things that hang on the side of the crib that they can activate with their feet are great. I agree with snowy about the teething things. The legs are the strongest and wiggliest at first, when it comes to activating toys. Then the arms and hands get more control. Having interactives that can use both are great. I know it's not a toy, but you may want to grab a sound machine with nature sounds and a white noise machine via a baby shower or such... Great for soothing or blocking out noise when traveling or just with noises from outside. Manipulatives that can easily be grasped are good. Otherwise it sounds like there are some great here.
     
    Japchae, Dec 15, 2012
    #17
  18. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    They also have things with kickable panels that work on the floor, like a playmat. For consistent white noise, I really recommend investing in a good humidifier. You're going to want one anyway. Most parents I work for run a humidifier in the winter and a fan in th summer.
     
    snowy, Dec 17, 2012
    #18