What are the benefits of using a pram toy?
There are several benefits to using a pram toy. A quality toy that crinkles, rattles, squeaks, plays music and so on can help to encourage sensory development. Those that come with a teether are perfect for sore gums too. Pram toys help to keep babies occupied and happy while on the go, which makes for calmer and happier journeys all round.
Read next: Can you take a pram on a plane? Everything you need to know about travelling with a pushchair
How do I choose the best pram toy?
There are a number of things to consider before buying a newborn pram toy.
Is it age-appropriate? Make sure the pram toy you buy is suitable for the age of your baby. For example, older babies may appreciate a toy that includes a teether to gnaw on.
Attachment: Where does the pram toy attach? Is it a spiral that wraps around the bar? Does it fix over the top of the pram with the toys dangling down for baby to play with? Most pram toys are pretty easy to attach, but if you want to prevent baby from pulling it off when they get a bit older and stronger, go for something that attaches securely and can’t be easily tugged off.
Function: What does the toy do? Is there enough there to keep your little one entertained?
Budget: Always think of your budget. Some of the pricer toys may be all-singing and all-dancing, but your baby may be just as happy with a cheaper option.
What is the best pram toy for newborns?
Mumsnetters love the cute and cuddly Lamaze Captain Calamari. With his crinkly hat, knotty legs and concealed mirror, he is a hit with young babies and would be a welcome addition to any pram.
How we chose our recommendations
Our list of the best pram toys has been compiled by an experienced parenting journalist. We scoured Mumsnet forums to find out which pram toy for newborns our users, i.e. real-life parents, rate highly - and which ones they weren’t impressed by.
We also consulted consumer watchdogs and took note of what they looked for in pram toys for newborns and which brands they were recommending to their readers.
Finally, we collated all that information and then cross-checked our shortlist with other expert review sites to see which pram toy for newborns had received the best recommendations from hundreds of parents up and down the country.
About the author
Laura Cooke spent nearly 19 years writing for local newspapers before going into freelance journalism.
Laura’s career began with an apprenticeship on her local newspaper when she was 18, studying at City College Brighton and Hove. Over the following years, Laura’s byline appeared in numerous local newspapers and magazines across Sussex. Career highs include leading a successful campaign that won her a regional media award. Career lows include writing an obituary for a cat…
Since then, she has written for a range of publications including the i Newspaper, Business Insider and Stylist, and has researched and written a large number of baby product round-ups for Mumsnet.
Laura lives with her husband and two daughters, aged six and 10, in the south of England.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.