Babies in Toyland
Provided by Huggies Baby Network
One Toy At a Time
It's better not to give a lot of toys at once but to rotate them, allowing your baby to concentrate on each toy in turn. At these early stages, attention spans are short so babies can only give their attention to one thing at a time. If they're holding one toy and another is offered to them, they'll no doubt drop the first.
It's How You Play That Counts
Researchers say it’s not the toy itself, but the way a baby plays with it that helps development most. Babies love repetition – shaking a rattle again and again to hear the same sound, for instance.
Playing With You
Don't expect a baby to enjoy playing alone with any toy for more than a few minutes. Whenever possible, join in your baby's games, because nothing helps a baby learn like doing things with a parent.
Toy Safety Checklist
- Because everything goes into a baby's mouth, all toys should be washable and too large to be swallowed, and all paint should be labeled non-toxic. (If a painted toy isn't labeled or you're not sure about its paint, don't give it to your baby.)
- Watch out for beads and small parts of toys that could come off and be swallowed. Remove the little metal noise-makers that come in some squeak toys, and make sure that the faces of a baby's dolls and stuffed animals are embroidered or printed on – and that button eyes are securely fastened and checked periodically.
- Avoid toys with sharp edges or ones made of brittle plastic that breaks easily, and make sure that wood does not splinter.
- Last, but not least, stay alert to signs of wear in the toys your baby uses. Stuffing that's spilling out of a torn teddy bear, a screw working loose from a wooden crib gym, a paper bird about to fall from a favorite mobile – all of these could be swallowed by an adventurous infant.
Along with safety, keep in mind that the best toys are those that delight and amuse, and that are appropriate for your baby's age and development. Toys that are too advanced can be frustrating for baby.
