When Should Babies Start Getting Toys?

New mothers often try to look for activities to keep their toddlers busy. From the early days, moms have always used toys to keep their children engaged. Toys fascinate children; however, some say they do not improve the child’s creativity.

Typically, you cannot introduce your child to toys until they get to a certain age. So, when should babies start getting toys?

Toys for Different Ages

Almost every child enjoys playing with toys. Nonetheless, you have to identify toys that best suit them according to their age. Introducing certain toys to young toddlers can pose a danger to their health. Let’s take a look at some of the best toys for different toddler ages.

0 months to 1 month

Child experts discourage getting toys for young infants. Children who are rarely two months don’t have a clear vision since they can only see 10 inches in front of them. Therefore, they may not be able to reach for things.

A newborn also finds it hard to reach for anything using their hands. More often than not, a newborn grasps their tiny little fingers all the time. And the grip is usually hard to break, so you might not be able to force them to hold a toy. The palmar grasps do not end until the baby gets to six months.

Instead of getting toys for your child at this age, it would be best to talk to them as much as possible. Spend as much time as you want with them. Doing this will help your child become more alert.

Two to Three Months

At two to three months, babies have more coordinated movement. However, do not introduce them to complex toys. The best toys for your child at this age are those that they can easily hear and see. For example, placing your child to sleep on a colorful play mat enables them to have some enjoyable time by themselves.

Additionally, consider placing bright dangling toys over their baby coat. Doing this stimulates the child’s curiosity and willingness to learn more. These toys can also prevent them from throwing tantrums since their minds will be busy somewhere else.

Nonetheless, you have to be careful during this stage. This is because your child is likely to put anything into their nose, face, and ears during this stage. Do not let them hold objects for long.

Four to Six Months

When your child is four to six months, they’ll get amused by anything that interests them. And this is usually dangerous since they can put anything in their mouths.

You can always start introducing them to toys at this age. However, it would be best to purchase big toys that they cannot swallow. Also, during this age, avoid buying sharp toys that can easily injure or prick them.

The toys you choose for your toddler at this stage should not pose any danger to their health. If you feel that your child is too young for toys, you can wait until they start walking or crawling.

Do babies really need toys?

In this present age and time, babies have access to a wide range of technological equipment, from smartphones to computers. Electronic gadgets are, in fact, the new toys. Also, a good percentage of toddlers still play with toys.

Unfortunately, most parents don’t know how toys and electronic gadgets affect a child’s cognitive ability. Before purchasing any toys for your child, it would be best to analyze all the pros and cons of baby toys. From there, you’ll be able to identify whether babies need toys.

Advantages of baby toys

Better behavior:

Child experts report that allowing your child to play with toys helps them behave better when they are in front of people. Pediatricians say that toys help children relax and unwind after a long day or stressful situation. And this gives them time to recharge.

Subsequently, your child is likely to have better moods. Baby toys can also prevent your toddler from throwing unnecessary tantrums.

Boosts social skills

Some toys involve collaboration between two children. So, baby toys can help your infant bond with other infants even without talking. Such toys also help your child to start communicating quickly and effectively.

In turn, your child can develop stronger social skills. Moreover, through such incidences, your child is able to be kinder and responsible at an early age.

Physical development

If you create a playroom for your toddler, this improves their physical development. A good playground enables your child to crawl around and try to maneuver their way around the room.

Subsequently, this makes your child walk and develop faster. Physically engaging activities also prevent your child from getting certain health complications like obesity.

Mental skills

Baby toys also help your child develop good cognitive skills. For example, the block game improves your toddler’s thinking skills from an early age. Also, you can get your children large magnetic numbers that help them develop strong mathematical skills.

Disadvantages of baby toys

Sharp and pointy edges

Several toys often incorporate sharp and pointed edges. Such toys are not safe for your toddlers since they may lead to injuries. Keep in mind that young babies tend to place anything on their mouths, eyes, faces, and ears.

So, if the toys are sharp, they might end up pricking themselves. Ensure the toys your purchase for your child does not contain sharp edges.

Toys with small parts

Smaller toys usually pose a danger to your baby’s health. From six months, your child will pick and eat almost anything they come across. Thus, they might end up swallowing small toys. And this can lead to serious health complications.

Toys made of chemicals

Some baby toys contain toxic chemicals that could lead to stomach upset, among other health issues. For example, paint and crayons may not be safe for baby use. Avoid buying such toys for your children.

Alternatively, always keep monitoring your child when they are using chemically manufactured toys.

Toys are sometimes loud

A child’s hearing capability is undoubtedly not the same as that of adults. Therefore, you have to be careful when purchasing toys that produce sounds. Typically, the sound radiated by such toys should not cause any damage to the child’s ears.

Now that you know the pros and cons of baby toys, you can decide whether they are suitable for your child or not. If you choose to buy baby toys for your child, ensure you read and understand all the safety precautions of the toy.

On the other hand, if you decide not to buy toys for your little one, look for other activities to keep your child’s mind occupied.

Some Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Toys.

Color of the toys:

It is always advisable to buy bright-colored toys. Children are more likely to relate to such toys better. Also, note that babies can only see black and white until they get to two months. So, it would be best to start introducing them to bold colors at an early age to improve their curiosity.

Sounds:

As mentioned earlier, some baby toys incorporate sounds. When purchasing such toys, ensure the sound is not detrimental to your child’s hearing. It would be best to buy toys with soothing and calm sounds. Doing this enables your child to relax and calm down after a grueling activity.

Hanging toys:

Pediatricians always advise buying hanging toys. Hanging toys improves a child’s mental and physical capabilities. When children see such toys, they try reaching for them to find out what they really are.

Conclusion

Toys keep your child’s mind occupied and stimulates their curiosity. However, before purchasing baby toys, take time to understand all their pros and cons.