Infant Toys
From LoveToKnow Baby
Do infants really need toys? Sure they do! Interacting with toys, even if it is just looking at them, is an important step in your infant's development. Your baby spends her first few weeks of life adjusting to the bright, new, and sometimes loud world around her. Life is very different for her now as compared to her life in the insulated confines of the womb. Studying, focusing, and interacting with infant toys are just some of the ways in which baby continues to develop and grow.
Selecting the Right Toys
If you haven't already discovered this important point, you'll find that not just any toy will do for your infant. You might think that a bright and shiny toy or a soft and cuddly stuffed animal is the perfect playmate for your little one. However, baby has quite a different idea of what he likes! Studies have shown that infants prefer objects colored in black, red, and white. They also love faces. You've probably already seen evidence of this as your infant attempts to focus on your face. His little eyes may cross, and his lips may purse as he examines your features and sometimes tries to copy your expressions.
Choosing your baby's toys is a very serious business. You want to encourage his curiosity and his natural tendency to reach beyond his limitations, but you also want to ensure that your little guy is safe. Be sure you follow the age recommendations that are typically listed on toys, and check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for more information on buying the right toys for your baby.
Infant Toy Recommendations
How do you know which toys your infant will prefer? Well, of course you could try to buy every infant toy that is on the market, but that could get quite expensive! Instead, turn to friends and relatives who have infants or toddlers, and ask them for recommendations. Magazines like Parents, Parenting, and American Baby often give toy recommendations listed by ages. Your pediatrician may also be able to give you some good suggestions.
Types of Toys
Your infant will love a variety of toys that are geared towards his age. Some of these include the following:
- Mirrors-Babies love to look at themselves!
- Board and cloth books
- Animals colored in red, black, and white
- Mobiles in the same color scheme
- Musical toys
Be sure you stick to the age recommendations for each toy. Your baby won't be limited to black, red, and white for very long, so you don't want to stock your child's toy box with only these colored toys. You do need to buy enough that you can alternate your infant's toys from time to time. Babies can get bored looking at the same object over and over. Also, keep in mind that when your baby gets tired or over-stimulated, he'll let you know. Pay attention to these signs! When he's had enough, he won't benefit from additional playtime at that moment.
Favorite Toy Brands
Finally, there are lots of favorite toy companies that cater to babies of all ages, including infants. You can also find toy bargains at consignment shops, yard sales, and on Ebay. Don't forget about safety issues, however, when you are purchasing used toys. Check out the following websites to look for great infant toys.
Related Baby Links
This page has been accessed 1,092 times. This page was last modified 20:47, 6 September 2007.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
