Toys - any recommendations for a four-month-old?

[Sportswearclaire]

Hi there. This is the first thing I have posted on Mumsnet but I refer to it quite often when Im looking for opinions/solutions to the various baby dilemmas Ive been in over the past four months.

I feel like Im in limbo at the moment in terms of stimulating M, she has a play gym, which I put her under often (sometimes she can play for 45 minutes, other times for five before she gets irritable). Shes bored of the bouncy chair (unless Im doing the washing up and shes watching me/Im chatting to her), and I put her in a Bumbo for about 10 minutes max several times a day. The rest of the time, I am holding her on my lap, or she is sat next to me, and Im interacting with her face to face.

Im worried that theres some kind of stimulus Im not giving her (someone said it was cruel because I dont have any toys for her yet), but aside from what I have already mentioned, Im at a loss for what to give her to play with. She can hold things, but doesnt spontaneously hold things very often, and my efforts to get her to hold her soft comforter havent worked so far.

Does anyone have any recommendations for toys that are aimed at this stage in a babys development?

She loves the TV, mind you... I know, I know, its terrible to plonk her in front of the telly at such a young age but Ive convinced myself that the colour and shapes are stimulating!!!

4 month olds don't need toys!

Well she doesn't need loads of toys that's for sure. I can't believe how many toys some babies have. My DS is 11 months and his toys still fit into one smal box (mean, stingy mummy).

I'm trying to think back to what DS had. Rattles mostly I think. I also got a Fisher Price Linkadoos playmat off ebay which has a house thing attached that plays sounds and music. And a playnest - he liked to be propped in that. Otherwise, it's very difficult to find toys until they can sit up unaided I found.

Hiya SWC and welcome! it sounds like you ae dong a great job.
Of course there are lots of toys "aimed" at ths age group ie not dangerous and brightly colorued etc, but whether any 4mo actually plays with them is another matter.

FWIW mine had the octopus from Boots, but any toy with sound/textures/colours might be good. Rattles, soft mirrors, a squoosh, if you really want to spend money.

Or try a toddler group and see if there is anything there she likes as she gets older and sits up.

Ah yes, I forgot, he had a couple of soft rattles with shiny, crinkly material for wings. These were from a "take-along arch" from Mothercare (can't remember the make but it's bright lime green). Those went down a treat.

why not shread up some clean paper and throw it over her then observe her reaction to the feel/noise and take some wonderful photo's.
take care to avoid eyes and mouth.

How about doing a treasure basket for her?

Books, books, books. Never too early!

Crinkly, soft rattles (or paper). Things that move when you bash them or swipe them.

Definitely not too young for toys (although obviously the definition of toy includes every single object in your house I think - well, certainly seems to for my 14mth old!)

How well are they holding things? Can't remember what they do at this age...

I love the idea of the shredded paper (and is free!). I've already taken her out in the never-ending rain we've been having a few times, her confused/surprised reaction is so cute.

My niece has got a huge mound of toys and when I asked my sister the other day about her favourites, she said she's bored of most of them!!!

I think Ive got the basics (crinkly toys/rattles etc), I just need to be patient until she gets the hang of them. I keep putting some rattle gloves on her but instead of waving her arms she goes limp, so not keen on them I have deduced!

BTW, what is a treasure basket?

Should add that mine was reaching for a toy on her toy arch at 8 weeks - and reaching and holding the toys above her on her playgym at 11 weeks. I have photo evidence! So they can enjoy toys early, and IMO doing what you are doing, and enjoying things with baby is the best way to help them learn. So just carry on as you are, maybe buy some more toys and have fun!

PS, I read a book to her every night, but at the moment it seems to be more for my pleasure than hers! It's given me an excuse to buy all the old Ladybirds I loved when I was little, too...Chicken Licken etc.

Totally agree about books (although they mostly chew them at that age).

songs and rhymes and repetitive actions are good too. especially if you can adapt them to touch baby

eg i do/did incy wincy spider (fingers going up her body), down came the rain (brush your hands down her face), out came the sunshine (open and shut hands) etc etc

(i think you're doing great. just enjoy her! )

ps wish i could edit/delete my post. sounds really smug. was meant to be affirmation of the interactive approach...

No need mummymagic - it read fine to me. We do loads of nursery rhymes here too - have done since day dot.

Hickory Dickory Dock - the mouse goes round his tummy button, runs up to go round his face, the clock strikes one on his nose and the mouse runs back down to his tummy.

And the Grand Old Duke of York using his arms, so he gets exercise at the same time.

I am tone deaf!!! Not a joke, whenever I (try to) sing my partner has to leave the room. I do attempt it when he's at work though, generally stupid made-up songs. Will try some nursery rhymes tomorrow.

Your DD won't care SWM!

a treasure basket contains every day things e.g pebbles, t-strainers,wooden spoon,shells,bells,or anything you can think of with texture, sound,or visual stimulation
rain makers are good too.
when you get to weaning stage don't forget to let her play with the empty yogurt pot and spoon they love the sound and movement of the upturned pot on spoon. it also helps them learn how to feed themselves.

Sorry SWC I mean

See here treasure basket here www.mumsnet.com/Talk?reverse=1&topicid=8&threadid=226152&rnd=1183675991115 and here www.mumsnet.com/Talk?reverse=1&topicid=8&threadid=226031&rnd=1183676465852

The treasure basket is a wonderful idea. Thanks, partner just walked in the door (very drunk - he's got a KFC in his hand, says it all). He doesn't get out much any more, bless him, will go through all the threads tomorrow and start toy gathering!