What toys should you buy for a newborn?

The world is a new place to an innocent newborn baby. How do you keep the little baby happy? The first thing that would strike you, other than showering your baby with love and warmth, is a basketful of toys. Some say that toys actually get interesting only after the baby is a year old. However, there are still all sorts of toys that would delight your infant. But what kind of toys should you give to babies who are less than a year old? In the first few months, a baby has good hearing but fuzzy vision. So when you buy toys, factors such as vision and sound should be of utmost concern.

Some top picks for newborns and toddlers:
Bright colored toys: Baby’s sight improves day by day. He is likely to appreciate things that move closer to him. Brightly colored toys are a good bet. Initially, a baby’s vision is blurred. Hand held toys in black, white and red stimulate visual development. Baby would enjoy textured toys with bright colors, like an octopus with different colors, textures and sound. Though he won’t be able to hold the toy for long, he will enjoy batting the toy over and over again. 

Music box and mobiles: Music is one of the best ways to help baby relax. You could hang a set of wind chimes over the baby’s cot or crib. Babies love the soft fleeting sounds. They also tend to enjoy rattles. You could attach a soft rattle to their wrist or try out socks with built-in rattles to see the happy sparkle in their eyes every time it makes a sound. Since babies lie down most of the time, it is a great idea to hang musical mobiles on the cot rail. This will entertain them and also help them learn to focus on an object.

Rest and play nest: Safe and snug, this is perfect for a baby that has just learned to roll over. It can also be used as an activity gym as babies learn to sit by themselves.

Symphony gym: A gym with dangling toys, music and lights is a good choice to keep the toddler active and busy. When you lay your baby down, he/she will start kicking vigorously at the lights and toys. This is good exercise for the tiny leg muscles.

Some other toys for infants include plush toys that make a sound when pressed. Soft toys have been a classic choice as they are safe and babies will not injure themselves. Dangle toys on the crib or the buggy. The little one will have something pleasant to watch and listen to after frequent naps.

As the baby gets older, he will begin teething. During this time, prefer teething rings that provide soothing relief for sore gums.

Baby toys go a long way in developing a child’s abilities. These toys are fun not only for the little ones but also a great source of relaxation for parents. It’s fun to watch your baby play, laugh and discover things. So, choose quality baby-friendly toys that not only bring giggles of delight but also help the child develop faster, right from the first smile to the first step.