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Guide for Baby Toys - Birth to 12 Months

Buying for babies may seem simple, but babies experience so many changes within the first 12 months of their lives, it is important that the toys are age appropriate for their developing skills. But, understanding baby’s stages and skills makes buying a toy for the youngest children easier than you think!

The Horizontal Baby and Developing Senses
Infants spend much of the beginning of their lives in the horizontal position, relying on the sense of sight for stimulation. Since the youngest babies are not capable of reaching out and holding things, providing visual stimulation is most important in the early months. But, since newborns can only see items that are close, keep their toys about 8”-14” from their eyes, focusing on high contrast products with black and white coloring or bright primary colors – or both! Toys that include motion, sounds, and different textures are also exciting to young ones. For this stage, consider buying baby mobiles, crib mirrors, musical toys, or toys that light up.

The Vertical Baby with Developing Skills
As babies become stronger and are able to sit and move in the later part of their first year, they become interested in a greater variety of toys. Stimulation of the senses is still essential, and toys that are safe for mouthing and shaking are important. Babies love to grip and touch, so toys with multiple textures and manipulatives are engaging and help develop these early skills. These growing, curious babies will still love toys that include sights and sounds – especially if they are effects that baby can activate! And, do not forget to introduce rolling toys to these newly crawling babies! For this stage, consider buying fabric rattles, teether toys, simple bath toys, fabric blocks, musical toys that are baby-activated, rolling toys, soft dolls or hanging toys, and baby books.

Many baby toys feature recommended ages that are specific down to the month – some toys work for all babies with a recommended age starting at birth, while others start at 6 months or 9 months of age. Recommended ages for baby toys are this specific because of the rapidly changing skills of young ones in their first year. So, if you want a toy that parents can use with a baby right after birth, look at those that are aged for birth and up. But, if you want a toy with which baby can interact at an older age, just let the parent know it is a gift that baby will “grow into” in a few months.

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