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Original poster

baby gym/toys for newborn?

15 replies

nataliekristin · 07/01/2015 09:56

hi

not sure if this is the right forum for this! I'm 30 weeks pregnant and starting to think about things I can buy for baby. I've got all the essentials but just wondering if you also get toys or baby gyms too? Or is there a certain age they start using those types of things? Just feel like i have nothing to stimulate baby in its first weeks!

ps I'm a first timer so have no idea about this sort of stuff!

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minipie · 07/01/2015 12:46

First few weeks (say 1-4), no stimulation is needed other than seeing your face and hearing your voice.

I think playmats and toys come into their own from about 4/5 weeks as your baby gets more alert, is awake a bit longer, and starts reaching out, though they can't actually grasp anything for ages. Even then, I found my dd was more interested in windows and mirrors and people than any baby toys, until she was a couple of months at least.

Something to hang above the baby changing area is worthwhile (it can be anything though!) as is a bouncy chair or baby beanbag to put them down.

You'll probably be given a few things as gifts anyway.

FATEdestiny · 07/01/2015 12:55

I'm on my fourth child.

Baby will spend the first 6 weeks feeding or sleeping only. From 6-12 weeks the world is your baby's stimulation. Seeing new faces, different expressions, listening to the goings on around the house, pram walks. You will need a baby gym from around 12 weeks.

The most essential "toy" (actually more of a sleep aid) is a bouncy chair. The removable arch isn't needed until after 12 weeks or so. But being able to foot bounce baby to sleep is valuable.

You won't need any other toys. I really wouldn't buy anything because you will make better decision about what sorts of toys your baby would like once the baby is here.

madamweasel · 07/01/2015 13:00

Something to hang on the handle of the car seat is usually quite nice

(like this www.amazon.co.uk/Lamaze-LC27142-Activity-Spiral/dp/B006I0R8II/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1420635452&sr=8-15&keywords=Lamaze)

Lamaze do loads of lovely dangly toys to attach to pram/cot/wherever that are suitable from birth and both my DC loved their baby gym from a few weeks old.

stressbucket1 · 07/01/2015 13:58

My DD liked the lamaze flip flop Fred it's crinkly and easy to hold when they start beginning to grasp stuff (3months ish?) You will probably get bits as presents though to try when they start showing an interest

Original poster
nataliekristin · 07/01/2015 16:30

brilliant advice! thanks everyone Smile

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 07/01/2015 21:07

a big playmat is great. You need somewhere baby can lie other than Moses basket and changing mat. This protects your floor and machine washes. It's ideal once baby is more mobile. Plus having little friends to play.

Things that clip and dangle are great. You'll soon need them, but you can usually throw them in with a supermarket shop.

Ooh [[http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171010602399?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7015113&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=7015113&ds_e_ad_type=pla&gclid=COKwqZ7igsMCFSbHtAodO3YA2Q&m-referrer=www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Cdm3QIJ2tVLyrIYXuiwbijoLYBK_3rNEF1-PP0fABqePJreIBCAQQAiD4mYsSKAJgu4aAgNAKoAHJuInZA8gBB6kCaF5l4M1JuT6qBCdP0EDtdkfbCEpcM16v18vpZtib1GRqv33NwJ9FF34B_qnF-jSzAfuABZfgvAvABQWIBgGgBibYBgKAB5_H9iaQBwOoB6a-G-ASpeO1sY3dnukZ&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=5GhdtKzchW1joRC0b-ZvPOe6KTH_YKdhY6h_MOLjVckjZsXf&sig=AOD64_0Wp7cYdWV0SDpcyHgd0jP8pmsqNA&ctype=5&rct=j&q=&ved=0CCIQwg8&adurl=clickserve.dartsearch.net/link/click%3Flid%3D92700006072716322%26ds_s_kwgid%3D58700000365955614%26ds_e_adid%3D64529903767%26ds_e_product_group_id%3D60761993641%26ds_e_product_id%3D7015113%26ds_e_product_merchant_id%3D6242457%26ds_e_product_country%3DGB%26ds_e_product_language%3Den%26ds_e_product_channel%3Donline%26ds_e_product_store_id%3D%26ds_e_ad_type%3Dpla%26ds_s_inventory_feed_id%3D97700000001002883%26ds_url_v%3D2%26ds_dest_url%3Dwww.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171010602399%253FCMP%253DSSH%2526tmcampid%253D28%2526tmad%253Dc%2526sku%253D7015113%2526ci_src%253D18615224%2526ci_sku%253D7015113 you need links] - a teether, a toy, small enough for baby to hold first when rattles are too heavy, clip other toys to prams Moses basket etc. Also I used to keep muslin over pram hood to keep sun out. Beats a parasol!

My top toy ever is stackable cups. My 4yo and 11mo were playing with them tonight. The only toy not to get boring.

Also for an older baby I recommend this

I like a baby gym from early on, just somewhere to put baby. this one turned out good value for money. Comes with music, mirror, tummy time pillow (which hasn't been used as intended by my two) and good dangly toys.

Don't buy a fancy mobile. If your baby. Isn't in a cot much for first six months it's difficult to fit to a crib or Moses basket. I like this to soothe at night. It's handy for going away too.

Tonnes of things you could buy.

TheOriginalWinkly · 07/01/2015 21:13

DD has liked black and white picture books from she was very new, and at 6mo still does. This one and a similar one in yellow called Faces are lovely and crinkly and absolutely fascinating to her.

Mrsgrumble · 07/01/2015 21:16

I have two under eighteen months and loved having a baby gym and Lamaze toys

But you really won't need them for a while and may get gift vouchers or requests from family so I would hold out

Bouncers are great. I bought a mama and papa one but had to get a fisher price toddler one as he got too big from a young age. I haven't bothered to take the first one out of the attic and the toddler one is fine for baby too. So might save you money long term

rootypig · 07/01/2015 21:19

Agree with minipie

We had the Manhattan Toy infant stim mobile above the change mat, and she loved it! they spend a lot of time on the change table Grin. It's also a nice spot because you're close enough for them to see your face (they need you to be pretty close in the first weeks)

Artandco · 07/01/2015 21:22

We didn't buy any beforehand and I'm glad as would have been a waste.

We brought a sheepskin rug that we used in pram, Moses basket and on floor.

Baby bouncer or may we didn't buy, baby seemed fine without and then was too old for the anyway ( most baby bouncers you have to stop using once they can sit as can tip)

Neither of mine see to like dangly stuff in their faces as seemed to overstimulate them. They liked toys once at the age they could hold and look at on own accord

Mrsgrumble · 07/01/2015 21:24

This is the chair we got that has vibration etc and will last couple of years. My boy loved to get into it to have his drink and relax. It's really solid and was lovely out in the garden as I could strap him in and under shade

I didn't pay this though, shop around I think I got it in boots half price

www.amazon.co.uk/Fisher-Price-T4145-Newborn-to-Toddler-Portable-Rocker/dp/B002YGSJ88/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1420665606&sr=8-4&keywords=fisher+price+toddler+rocker

fishfingerSarnies · 07/01/2015 21:27

Black and white books. My dd would stare for ages at them I would prop them up next to her or next to her in her buggy.

Guin1 · 08/01/2015 05:42

Another vote for black and white books. Otherwise, wait and see what gifts you are given so you don't waste money by doubling up - for the first few weeks baby's most important toy/stimulation will be you!

DS also loved his Sophie giraffe from quite an early age.

DeckTheHallsWithBartimaeus · 08/01/2015 05:56

Wait and see what your baby is like.

DS1 had NO interest in toys until he was at least 7 months old!

DS2 was much much earlier and even now, at 8 months, we keep marvelling at how much he plays with toys compared to DS1 at the same age/older.

The playmat was barely used with DS1 (he preferred to be held or in the sling). DS2 spent hours on the mat.

Agree with stacking cups and those fisher price ring stacker thing. Lamaze toys are fab. The thing DS1 did adore were books - those usbourne touchy feely ''thats not my tractor/monkey/monster etc'´ plus the '´whose bottom/nose/feet'' series. Funnily enough DS2 is a lot less interested in books than DS1 at the same age.

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