When to Introduce Toys to Newborn: A Parent’s Guide

As new parents, you might want to give your baby lots of toys. But, the first few months are all about being with your baby¹. Newborns can only see things close up, so they love looking at their caregivers’ faces¹.

Playtime is key for a newborn’s growth. Simple things like holding, cuddling, and talking are very important¹. Toys are not good for babies under 2 months because they can’t use them¹.

Key Takeaways

• In the first two months, the most important “toy” for a newborn is their parent’s loving presence.
• Newborns can only focus on objects 20-30cm away, making face-to-face interaction crucial.
• Holding, cuddling, talking, singing, and playing peek-a-boo are essential for a newborn’s development.
• Toys are not necessary or recommended for babies under 2 months old.
• Observing other babies can provide insights into age-appropriate toy preferences.

The Importance of Playtime and Interaction for Newborns

Newborns mainly see, hear, and feel the world around them in the first months². They often sleep a lot in the first month². But as time goes on, they stay awake and alert for longer².

Bonding Through Touch, Talk, and Eye Contact

The best “toy” for a newborn is their parents. When they’re quiet and alert, they show interest in what’s happening². Activities like holding, cuddling, and making eye contact are key for their growth².

These moments help build a strong bond and communication skills³.

No Need for Toys in the First Two Months

Experts say no toys are needed in the first two months². Newborns can’t play with toys yet². But, simple toys like rattles and textured toys can engage them as they get older².

Newborns under 4 weeks can handle wake windows of 35-60 minutes³. If you’re worried about their vision or hearing, talk to a doctor².

In the first two months, focus on interactive activities and bonding². Touch, talk, and eye contact are vital for their development². Rocket and spaceship toys can wait until they’re ready for more play².

Introducing Toys: From Two to Six Months

As our little ones grow from newborns to 2-6 month olds, they become more aware of their surroundings. They start to notice their hands, beginning their journey in gross motor skill development⁴. It’s the ideal time to introduce simple, lightweight toys that help them grasp, shake, and learn about cause and effect⁴.

Recommended toys for this age include soft rubber squeaky toys, lightweight rattles, rattling bracelets, and plastic keys⁴. Mobiles, play mats with hanging objects, and household items like plastic containers and wooden spoons are also great⁴. Babies this age love toys that stimulate their senses with different textures, sounds, and movements⁵.

Between 2-4 months, babies start to hold toys on their own, showing more independence and understanding of cause and effect through sound⁵. From 4-6 months, their hand-eye coordination gets better, letting them pass toys from one hand to another⁵. This is a key time for promoting growth through play⁵.

When introducing toys to our 2-6 month old babies, safety is paramount⁶. Toys should be non-toxic, have no sharp points or edges, and be safe for mouthing. They should also have no small parts that could be a choking hazard⁶. By giving our little ones the right toys and encouraging their curiosity, we support their development and create lasting memories through play⁴⁵⁶.

Playtime with Toys from Six to Twelve Months

Babies from six to twelve months grow fast in mobility and thinking⁷. About 80% of them play with toys that repeat sounds, like rattles, and musical toys⁷. They also start to pick up small things with their fingers and thumbs around this time⁷.

Most babies in this age group like toys that challenge them, like blocks and simple puzzles⁷. They also enjoy toys they can pull and move around⁷.

Toys for Crawling, Sitting, and Standing Babies

Babies can crawl, sit, and stand by six to twelve months⁷. Toys that help them learn these new skills are perfect for them⁷. Around 90% of babies in this age group play with toys that teach them about different shapes and sizes⁷.

They also enjoy toys that let them fill and dump things, and solve problems by trying different ways⁷. Good toys include push and pull toys, activity tables, and shape sorters⁷.

Promoting Problem-Solving and Cause-and-Effect Learning

As babies get smarter, toys that help them solve problems and learn cause and effect become more fun⁷. Most babies in this age group spend a lot of time playing actively, like rolling and crawling⁷. Toys that let them learn about cause and effect, like stacking cups, are great choices⁷.

Board books are also good for their thinking skills during this time⁷.

It’s important to keep toys safe for babies, without small parts or sharp edges⁸. Toys should be simple and easy for babies to use, with not too many around⁸. Safe materials for toys include wood, BPA-free plastic, and fabric⁸.

By giving babies a variety of toys, we help them grow and explore during this exciting time⁷⁹⁸.

Conclusion

A baby’s first year is a time of fast growth and learning. Choosing the right toys is key to supporting this journey. In the early months, it’s important for parents to focus on touch, talk, and eye contact with their newborn¹⁰.

When babies are 2-6 months old, simple toys that help them learn and grasp are best¹⁰. From 6-12 months, toys that help with problem-solving and learning are great¹¹. Always remember, safety is the most important thing when picking toys.

By choosing toys that match their child’s needs, parents can help their baby grow and learn. We’ve picked out toys like the “New Born Gift Set of 2 Rattle: Red Maraca, Dumbbell Shape” with 56 reviews¹². We also have toys like the “LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle” to spark a love for space.

Research and expert advice show how important play is for kids. It helps with learning, motor skills, and emotions. This helps us pick toys that help babies grow.

Source Links

1. Baby toys from birth to six months – https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a568524/baby-toys-from-birth-to-six-months
2. Learning, Play, and Your Newborn (for Parents) – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/learnnewborn.html
3. How to Play With a Newborn – https://takingcarababies.com/how-to-play-with-a-newborn
4. When Do Babies Start Playing With Toys? – https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/milestones/when-babies-start-playing-with-toys
5. When Babies Start Playing With Toys | Play Like Mum – https://www.playlikemum.com/when-babies-start-playing-with-toys/
6. Toys and Play: Birth to 12 Months – Seattle Children’s – https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/parenting/toys-and-play-birth-to-12-months/
7. Stages of Play From 6-12 Months: Discovering Connections – https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/stages-of-play-from-6-12-months-discovering-connections/
8. A RIE® Baby Toy Guide | Respectful Caregiving – https://www.respectfulcaregiving.org/toy-guide
9. Activities for Babies (0-18 Months) – https://takingcarababies.com/activities-for-babies-0-18-months?srsltid=AfmBOorfXNZJFBgTVOL7jsmX7YAJzsKooKD6RfDwLz0nySMxmYahN2ft
10. Exploring the Right Time to Introduce Babies to Soft Toys – https://www.snugglebubs.com.au/blogs/blogs/right-time-to-introduce-babies-to-soft-toys?srsltid=AfmBOorubUbcMDY3lcgEoiDHkVNUYk2uaeNMsNkkqHz8bmgn6khXJwGw
11. PDF – https://educate.bankstreet.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=faculty-staff
12. New Born Baby Toys: A Guide to Choosing the Best Options – https://erenjoy.com/blogs/montessori-toys/new-born-baby-toys?srsltid=AfmBOooahyj7tm2bgYIxfTzZvVx2tT0pJ7AiZK33mX3qlWrRdbLyzra6