Must-Have Toys for Your Newborn Baby

by: Danielle Beasley

Share

During baby’s first 6 months of life, you can expect them to become more and more excited and curious to learn about the world around them. Provide your baby with safe toys that help them discover their sense of touch, hearing, taste, and sound. There are many toys to choose from; start with these basics and build out from there depending on what your baby likes most.

Rattles

Rattles are great for getting baby interested in sounds. Gripping the rattle will help baby strengthen their grasp. Place baby’s rattle out of reach to motivate them to lift their head, roll to get their rattle, or even squirm along the floor on their belly toward their toy.

Teethers

Teethers help baby’s sooth sore gums and explore their sense of taste. Some of the newest teethers include mesh that hold bits of small frozen snacks. Find a teether that’s easy for your baby to hold. Always supervise your baby with anything they’re putting in their mouth.

Toys that Play Music

Toys that play music promote your baby’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development by strengthening cognition and finetuning their senses. Just make sure the toy is age appropriate and watch your little one play and sway.

Baby Swings

It can be difficult to hold, shush, and rock your baby 24/7. A baby swing can soothe your baby and give you a much-needed break. Swings can be snuggly, rock your baby, play music, emit shushing sounds, and entertain babies with lights or music.

Bouncy Seats

Babies love to bounce! Bouncy seats have a spring motion so you can sit your baby in a semi-reclined position, complete with a safety strap, and watch them bounce to their heart’s content. This can be soothing for your baby since the seat can mimic your baby’s natural movements. Bouncy seats are also easy to move from room to room.

Play Gym

Play gyms come in different shapes, sizes, and themes, and provide a safe, comfy spot for your baby to relax, explore toys and colors, and work on developing fine motor skills. Your baby may reach for the hanging toys and rattles. They may follow a swinging ring from side to side.

You can also use a play mat for tummy time, which is essential to help baby build strength in the muscles in their neck and arms. These muscles can help them with motor skills like crawling and even talking.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Read to Your Baby

Share

AUTHOR

Danielle Beasley

Danielle Beasley, PhD, RN, RNC-OB, CNE, is a faculty program director in the Bachelor and Master of Science nursing programs at Excelsior University School of Nursing. Her extensive nursing career has focused on maternal-child nursing, specifically obstetrics. She’s a simulation expert and has created several clinical-based scenarios spanning medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetrical nursing. Dr. Beasley’s published works emphasize the health and well-being of women and neonates and her research includes antepartum and postpartum depression, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. Dr. Beasley is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and Southern Nursing Research Society. Dr. Beasley chairs various committees and has received numerous awards for her academic leadership.