Toys for a newborn

[spannermary]

So when responding to another thread it occurred to me that, whilst fairly organised on the nappy/clothing/pram front, my DH and I have practically nothing for our newborn child to play with.

Now, I know that they will spend the majority of their time nursing and sleeping, but I'd like to encourage those early instincts towards independent and co-playing, whilst not overstimulating them.

Whistles and bells are definitely not our thing!

So, a couple of questions:

1.) At what age would a child usually begin to use a playmat (love them!) Any favourite playmats out there? (I'm thinking colourful, engaging, washable and likely to be used for a longer time)
2.) Does anyone have any recommendations for a particularly good, colourful mobile (not sure the ecru style will really intrigue them). I'm more into animals etc rather than gender specific toys.
3.) Are there any activities/toys that a very young child will respond to?

...someone mentioned something about a giraffe once...not sure what that was about.

Thanks!

...I know this may be more appropriate in the parenting section, but I'm a bit scared of being flamed for my naivety, so have decided to stick with the safe, warm hand-holding of the pregnancy section. Hope you don't mind!

I haven't bought much in the way of toys/activities for my baby, but have bought a mamas and papas stargaze playmat, it has interactive toys that hang off the canopy and a kick pad so they can activate the noises. You can buy different sets of toys to go with it. I love it, I hope baby does when he arrives.

Newborns can't really see colours, so black and white mobile are very good. We had one like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=www.flyingpenguin.com.au/WebRoot/ntdb2/Shops/flfl3375/4B5F/B641/0C67/26D0/F32B/C0A8/F1B4/710D/Black_0020_White_0020_Mobile.jpg&imgrefurl=www.flyingpenguin.com.au/epages/flfl3375.sf/en_AU/%3FObjectPath%3D/Shops/flfl3375/Products/%2522B%2526W%2520mobile%2522&h=600&w=599&sz=141&tbnid=jTmfTpOKTB3M4M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dblack%2Band%2Bwhite%2Bbaby%2Bmobile%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=black+and+white+baby+mobile&docid=xaTkg-fnVFWTlM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W6pQT5PkH6yWiQfngtmODQ&ved=0CEIQ9QEwBA&dur=110" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this hanging over the change table.

My DS2 adored Jaques the peacock from a very early age- sometimes it was the only thing that would settle him if he was screaming.

We had a Tiny Love symphony in motion mobile, which he also loved- I've done a quick google but it seems to be unavailable at the moment, maybe they've upgraded it? This is it FWIW www.amazon.co.uk/Tiny-Love-Symphony-in-Motion-Mobile/dp/B000MDSEPS

Is this the giraffe? I can't wait for DD2 to love hers :)

I haven't had a baby yet (39+5!) but can tell you what we got. I looked online for newborn baby toys and looked at baby essentials lists and got a couple if things off there.

1. Got a playmat and tummy time mat but not sure when they can use them - just thought it was a good idea if she wants to be put down for long enough!

1. Got a couple if rattles/comforters with different textures to stimulate touch development and sound.

1. Lamaze hand and wrist rattles are recommended from newborn to stimulate movement and tbh, they do look fab.

1. Also got a rocker/swing because I was a very restless baby and my mum would not have got through the first couple of months without one!

1. Family have got fabric baby books with lots of different textures and sounds in them.

But, whether or not between feeding/pooping/sleeping/baby sick we will have enough time is to be seen! But mainly, the ones to promote movement, touch and sight development seem fairly important and helpful.

Good luck (Sorry for epic post!)

Our daughter loved her Whoozit toy which has only just come off her buggy (she is now 14mths old). Initially she would just watch it - one side is black and white so great for newborns - and later she would grab it and look at the mirror etc. The advantage of them being v popular is that you can easily buy a replacement if it gets lost.
Our daughter loved her playmat - we used to lie her on it at about three weeks old and she would gaze up at the toys. It was great to take a piece of home with us when we visited family or friends.

Buy what you love. The baby will grow up automatically- they are programmed that way!

But the minute they are sitting firmly, make one of these. fun for you, fun for the baby and just all round fabulous!

I didn't realise how important linking rings were until I had a baby. You need them to make other toys work for tiny tinies who can't reach the things dangling from their playmat / get their hands around the things dangling in their bouncy chair etc. You will also probably reach a stage where a rattle seems appropriate but you are afraid of them dropping it on their face - three linky rings makes a very satisfactory lightweight rattle. I got posh Sassy ones in rainbow colours which I enjoy arranging and re-arranging. Cheaper ones available at all supermarkets which work for the baby, but not as visually pleasing for the mummy.

1. We used our playmat from very early one, probably about 1 month, and DS used to love just lying there staring at everything, particularly the mirror, even if he couldn't reach things. But reaching them can be an issue when they're a little bit older but can't yet sit. We used to attach interesting things and hang them lower down.

2. Have a super winnie-the-poo mobile suitable for boys and girls which played tunes over his cot which DS loved.

(unfortunately both of the above were gifts so not sure where they were bought from!)

3. The first thing DS started responding to aside from the playmat was a cloth book with lots of interesting colours and shapes. It is quite difficult early on though when they just don't seem to respond at all! But I think worth trying anyway. Rattles are also good fun (anything that makes noise) but they need to learn to hold things or bang things first so not exactly newborn.

My DD is already 4.5 years old but we had this at the beginning:

www.mothercare.com/Tiny-Love-Gymini-Concert/dp/B005CN2LD4?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_8&nodeId=44610031&sr=1-8&qid=1330694917&pf_rd_r=0P4KD6T30EXWA17GJYJX&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44610031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

www.mothercare.com/Tiny-Love-Take-along-Arch/dp/B000JFBMW6?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_4&nodeId=44610031&sr=1-4&qid=1330694917&pf_rd_r=0P4KD6T30EXWA17GJYJX&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44610031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

The take-along-Arch fitted our pram, the Maxi-Cosi and the moses basket.

DD loved also fabric books. We had one you could tie to the inside of the pram where one side was black/white, the other side colored. She loved looking at the shapes.
Similar to this: www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+double-sided-first-book-in-baby-toys+B3011

When your baby is a bit older linked rings are the best thing invented:
www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Textured-Linkies/dp/B002P8G72A?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_3&nodeId=44609031&sr=1-3&qid=1330695006&pf_rd_r=01ZD3EFKYS4D4F9D2T61&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44609031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

Otherwise small rattles. Baby react to sounds, it doesn't have to be a whole orchestra but maracas are great. When DD started moving on the floor I had a ball with a bell inside and a cube which played different sounds depending which way was up.

Absolute useless were taggies or comforter (these little blankets with a teddy head). DD tried to rattle it, it didn't make a sound, she threw it away. Now, 4 years later, one is in her bed.

Again, with the links converted:

My DD is already 4.5 years old but we had this at the beginning:

www.mothercare.com/Tiny-Love-Gymini-Concert/dp/B005CN2LD4?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_8&nodeId=44610031&sr=1-8&qid=1330694917&pf_rd_r=0P4KD6T30EXWA17GJYJX&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44610031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

www.mothercare.com/Tiny-Love-Take-along-Arch/dp/B000JFBMW6?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_4&nodeId=44610031&sr=1-4&qid=1330694917&pf_rd_r=0P4KD6T30EXWA17GJYJX&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44610031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

The take-along-Arch fitted our pram, the Maxi-Cosi and the moses basket.

DD loved also fabric books. We had one you could tie to the inside of the pram where one side was black/white, the other side colored. She loved looking at the shapes.
Similar to this: www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+double-sided-first-book-in-baby-toys+B3011

When your baby is a bit older linked rings are the best thing invented:
www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Textured-Linkies/dp/B002P8G72A?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_3&nodeId=44609031&sr=1-3&qid=1330695006&pf_rd_r=01ZD3EFKYS4D4F9D2T61&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=44609031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5

Otherwise small rattles. Baby react to sounds, it doesn't have to be a whole orchestra but maracas are great. When DD started moving on the floor I had a ball with a bell inside and a cube which played different sounds depending which way was up.

Absolute useless were taggies or comforter (these little blankets with a teddy head). DD tried to rattle it, it didn't make a sound, she threw it away. Now, 4 years later, one is in her bed.

Things both my girls loved from the very earliest age:

Fabric fold out "cot book" with shapes in black/white contrast
Playmat/baby gym thingy
Sophie la giraffe, through probably not till a couple of months old
Lamaze My Friend Emily doll (not met a baby that wasn't fascinated by this doll!)

The best toy for a newborn, imo is a decent play gym.

My dd didn't really play with anything until she started sitting up. She would look at a dangling toy for a few seconds, but was equally interested by us/trees/clouds/the cat. Actually, the cat was a favourite, maybe you should get one??

Guess I'm saying don't buy loads of stuff - they really don't need toys when they are tiny.

I've got a 11mo so I've just come out of the other side. I've bought a play gym, a bouncy chair, a mobile and a cot book before birth.

DD wasn't interested in any toys until about 3mo. That means she doesn't look at the mobile or use the play mat. But once she can pull and bash at things, she loves loves the play gym.

The bouncy chair we got can vibrate, and has a toy bar. But we never actually put the toy bar on it. She much prefers sitting there watching us doing things. But I found the bouncy chair really useful from very early on. (Maybe about 1mo).

The mobile is useless. We got given one that's not electric. You have to wind it up. And as someone has already said, young babies can't actually see colours. It's black and white that draws them. And you need to take down the mobile from about 5mo or they might pull the whole thing down.

The cot book is something like this. Very simple fold outs of black and white. DD will stare at them from very young too, maybe 1-2mo.

And once she can manupilate soft objects, she loves the lamaze soft toys like freddie the firefly. We got her two just for some variety.

DD didn't bother with a playmat until she was about 16wo.

Any other toys that we showed her were ignored, bar a sheep thing that went on the side of her cot (just got stared at) and a buzzy bee thing from Mamas and Papas that went on the buggy.

Anything else was just clutter.

Now at 23mo she likes to have ALL of her toys out at the same time, nothing less will do. I wouldn't worry too much about toys when they're newborn, all they really want to look at is your face, and discover where their hands are.

Yy to linking rings.

A small beach ball is good from very early on as well - attach a short piece of string and hold it at baby's feet to kick at. Later they can bat at it with their hands, or you can do tummy time holding them on the ball so they can push off the floor with their feet.

The very first 'activity' they do is to track things with their eyes, so you can do that with something high contrast-coloured for a minute and then calculate how many hours it is till DP comes home from work again.

The more dcs I have the less nb toys I have. What nb love most of all are faces and voices, so you'll be her most interesting play thing by far.
A play mat is great from day 1, just as a soft clean surface to put baby down on. I love big quite padded ones. I has an amazing Bruin one from toys 'r' us and now we've got an wonderful Ikea one. Really big, a soft velvety surface with crinkly leaves, a sun mirror, sqeaky spider,...
I just chose a mobile I liked the look of and also had a clip on car seat arch thing. Most of the toys I have owned have always been completely ignored by my nb though. They look straight passed them and focussed on me

DS had a black/white patterned chicken with crinkly wings, yellow plastic feet for chewing on, and plastic rings around its legs. 'Mr Chicken' went everywhere with us until he was well over a year old.

No idea where it was from, was second hand from a friend!

We bought a playmat with turny up sides for newborn, as she would stare at the sides for ages (especially the black and white swirls), then, when she was about 6 weeks old, we put the bars over, which she loves. Now, at 10 weeks, shes kicking the stuff hanging in order to make them play music. It's also great for chucking all her little bits in at the end of the day so the Lounge isn't too cluttered.

We also printed off some black and white prints (swirls, stars etc) and ,laminated them, and they are now stuck up on the wall next to her change mat for her to stare at.

She also has a Sophie La Giraffe, but is only now starting to show any interest in it.

Things with 'taggies' on can be good, as they like to link their fingers in, and feel the different textures.

Something with a mirror on. Mine looks in the mirror for hours at the lights and colours around her.

Wow - what a load of great responses. It's really interesting to hear everyone's different perspectives on this.

I'm aware that a lot of prospective parents can easily go overboard (I've been looking at Amazon and am having to restrain myself!) but we would like a few key pieces.

We're going to definitely plump for a playmat, and will have a look at a few over the weekend, but I love the idea of a treasure box, seeker. That's exactly the sort of thing that appeals to me. I'm a special needs teacher and work with students with the most profound needs, and these are the sort of boxes that we use to have 'conversations' with them. I feel a little silly for not thinking of it myself! As my DH said, I didn't have my teacher hat on, and it just didn't occur to me. I strive for a multi-sensory, but non-overloaded environment at work, and shall endeavour to do something similar at home! Bring on the pine cones and colanders!

I can also totally see that DH and I will be the most fascinating thing for our baby, but would like to give them the opportunity to explore their new world whenever they are developmentally ready to. So I think we'll get an arch to put on the pram/maxi-cosi as well - the one from mothercare looks lovely, noramum - thanks for the links. And thanks to everyone for the links.

Really interesting to hear that they focus more on black and white: I suppose it's the contrast that appeals to them.

Any more tips most welcome - but what a great list so far! :)

Be warned, the treasure basket thing is addictive. You will never look at your own kitchen, or a bric a brac sale or a Pound shop the same way again!. My ds's favourite toy for ages was a castor off an old chair we took to the dump. And he loved a rubbery builder's protective glove.

Sorry, pressed too soon! So don't just go for all natural. Just interesting real things.

I'm being lazy and not reading the thread but I'm sure this has been said.

Honestly, you don't need toys for newborns. Maybe a nice blanket for baby to lie on.

DD is 13 weeks and only now am I putting her under her playgym. I got a nice wooden one from ikea (just a play arch with abstract shapes). Otherwise she lies in her cot while I get ready or sits kn her bouncy chair and watches her big brother.

Maybe a nice mobile for the cot and a Lamaze rtoy or two to prop up while your baby lies on the blanket.

Oh, and my little godson LOVED an old plastic bottle filled with dry rice. Shook it for hours