Toys for babies

[CoralHair]

Hi everyone,

Expecting my first baby in June. We have got everything we need from a practical perspective but no toys. As far as I'm aware I don't think newborns need any toys to begin with, and I'm keen to avoid lots of plastic overload and unnecessary toys when often the simplest things are the best. We have some books to look at but that is all for now.

In your experience when would be a good time to introduce any toy/s and what are good first toys to have, especially if like me you aim for the simple life?

Thank you

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MNHQ

I wouldn't bother. You're bound to get bought a few toys anyway as not everyone feels comfortable buying clothes. By the time it might even look at a toy it'll be Christmas and people will buy yet more toys then.

We were gifted a soft toy from the Jellycat ones, when dc1 was born, and it has become their comfort blanket essentially. So I'd say a lovely soft toy for snuggling.

Other than that it's months before they really interact with toys.

Hi! I was in the same situation as you, my baby is now 9 weeks old. This is only my experience, but it might help you.

My baby only started to be remotely interested in anything other than feed/burp/sleep at about 6/7 weeks.

I have a play gym that my baby is happy to lie under for about 10-15mins at a time. At the moment he just enjoys looking at the brightly coloured toys and the mirror. I also have a tummy time pillow. This isnt really necessary if your baby likes lying on their front, but my son hates it, thought quite likes it on the pillow.

I dont have anything else yet, it'd be a waste of money. Rattles and things will come in handy in a month or so when hes learnt to hold things.

So in short, I dont think its something you need to worry about yet.

Thanks everyone. To clarify my op, I know it isn't something to worry about now and I'm not bothering now... I just wondered when it is a good idea so I can plan ahead. Also if the MIL does ask what the baby would like as a gift it would be good to have a few ideas to suggest already.

Baby gym for later sounds good.

Tummy time roller, a play mat, black and white picture books, rattles and shakers

We used a baby gym / activity mat from about day 3 to do tummy time. Ours has music and some flashing lights and also some black and white bits so he's always been fascinated with it. DS still loves it (he's 9 months). We were given lots of cuddly toys so didn't buy any. I've bought a few as we've gone when his 'interests' (in the loosest possible terms) become clearer. His favourite is a toy remote control...

Also, look up Etta Loves muslins. I got some 0-4 month ones with black and white patterns on them. My sons loves looking at them. So they're a double whammy really, a muslin and a 'toy'

I would buy one of those 'lullabye' teddies for cots, even a new born often likes the light and gentle sounds but they dont need much else for the first few months (like the sothe and glow seahorse)

those little half teddy half 'snuggle blankets' might work too (my DS got one of his brother at birth and he suckles on it)

after that I would suggest a play mat (neither of mine where fussed by the gym part but we had the lotty ladybird on where the mat crinckle, lights up and plays music)

most toys are more from 6+ months though, they will prefer them when they are more able to move indipendantly (roll, crawl, shuffle, walk etc...) so might be good for xmas

Most babies ignore toys for at least the first 3 months.

Lamaze toys were great when DS reached 3-4 months. There’s loads kicking around second hand and they wash up great in the washing machine. We had loads - dragonfly, robot, dragon, rabbit etc.

A play gym was used multiple times a day for many months. Buy some plastic link chains and you can hang any toy off them e.g. the Lamaze. We rotated regularly to keep it interesting.

The Gummee teething mitt was also a hit.

You don't really need to plan ahead, just follow your baby's lead. When they start showing an interest in stuff or fussing because they're bored or reaching and trying to grab stuff, it's time for 'toys'.

Even then though a toy can be a wooden spoon and a plastic bowl or a plastic bottle filled with rice/pasta or the remote control. Anything from round the house basically (obviously only stuff that's safe!).

Once your child is old enough to take to playgroups and stuff you can see what toys they like best/what they gravitate to. Most babies do like brightly coloured plastic unfortunately, as much as you want them to like wooden toys!

In terms of bought toys, from around 6 months:

Tomy eggs
Musical instruments (shakers, bells, drum, tambourine etc.)
Lots of books
A teddy or two
A ball
Bubbles (and a bubble machine to save you having to blow them endlessly)

Happyland people and a tea set are also good because they'll happily hold them/chew them/throw them/tip them out/put them in etc. when they're little and then play with them 'properly' using their imagination from around 18 months to 4/5 years old. They're toys that really last if you're mindful of reducing waste.

DS is 7 weeks and has just started to show a little bit of interest in toys. He stares at the soft animals hanging from the play mat and waves his arms around, or if I offer him a rattle or the "Sophie the giraffe" teething toy he will sometimes reach for it or try to put his mouth on it. I've read him a couple of board books too but no idea if he actually finds the pictures interesting or was just enjoying being cuddled!

Our ds (9 weeks) likes looking at black and white patterns - we have a couple of fabric books with shapes etc in to stimulate him. He also like looking in a baby-safe mirror!

My DD is 10 weeks and has just started showing an interest in toys. We have a playmat with hanging toys which is a nice safe place to put her and good for her to practise reaching and grabbing.

I like the skip hop bandana toys.

We also have a Grimms Spirelli which was expensive but pretty and she is hypnotised by it

When my elder daughter was 1 year and a couple of months old i got a small teddy bear and she loved it so much. She used to carry it around everywhere and put it to sleep and feed it. So, im guessing 1 year is the age where they kind of start enjoying playing with toys.

I would recommend black and white contrast toys/cards which you can hold for baby to look at and then move for them to 'track' with their eyes as this is one of the first developmental stages.
Congratulations!