Where to start on the right selection of toys for babies first year?

[Newmamatobe]

Hello!

I'm in the 37 weeks and killing time surfing phase of my first pregnancy - thrilled!

It would be ace if I could get some advice on toys for the first year... It's such a minefield, it really puts me off when I feel like I'm falling into being "advertised" to and am hoping to keep things simple really and not go OTT but cover the development side of things...

So far I've just purchased a few of the natural Sophie La Giraffe toys/teethers....

My DD(4) hated shape-sorters. Every other kid I know loved them. She loved those plastic containers you buy herbs in, filled with different things to give different sounds and weights. She also loved balls, blocks and books. Didn't care about teddies until this year. Pots of bubble mix were popular....

I think wait and see what grabs the attention!

It occurred to me today that the best thing I ever bought for DD was a bucket. One of those brightly coloured plastic ones for washing; it was £2.99 from £stretcher. When she was little (old enough tot be interested in what was going on, but not yet able to sit unaided) I used to line it with a blanket and put her in it with some toys, and take her round the house with me while I did chores.

Now at 15 months she likes to put it on her head and pretend to be a monster, put her toys in it and pull them along, or just pass the time climbing in then out again!