What Are the Best Educational Toys For a Newborn Baby?

Buying the most “perfect” toys for a newborn baby is difficult, and even though there are lots of toys available, many parents simply don’t know where to begin. It’s a bit overwhelming, even for moms who’ve had babies before. What are the best toys for a newborn baby? Which ones are safe, which are purely entertaining, and which can actually help the baby develop?

milestones in babies’ development can be hard to spot at first, especially if you’ve had babies before. Babies are so little, sometimes, that it’s hard to tell what they’re doing “in terms of actual development.” However, as your little one progresses through the first six months, milestones will become more visible.

First on the list is the ever-popular rattles. Rattles have been around since babies were born, and they never seem to go out of style. They provide relaxation and promote interaction, and some of the more sophisticated rattles now come with music and a sound device attached. Some babies even enjoy rattles during the night, so this toy can provide an additional source of relaxation and stimulation while you’re trying to sleep! Look for baby rattles made from soft, safe materials and that feature smooth, rounded edges to prevent hurting your baby.

Another toy that provides a lot of fun and visual tracking is a baby monitor designed to keep tabs on your newborn’s heart rate and oxygen levels. These devices are usually very large and require a table or cradle to operate properly. However, there are smaller monitors available if you don’t have a large space to work with. One of the most popular versions features a video camera so you can see your baby in a different room at the same time (and even see him or her move) while you monitor his or her progress. These devices allow you to keep an eye on your newborn’s health without having to leave him or her in the middle of the night.

Several of the most popular developmental toys are also great for babies of all ages. Most of them stimulate touch, vision and hearing and offer high-contrast colors, smooth patterns and textures. Toys in the shape of animals, including turtles, lions, elephants and birds, have long been recognized as helpful tools for learning skills such as object naming and holding up pictures of familiar people. Many of today’s high-tech toys offer high-contrast colors, sounds and textures, making it easier for babies to learn to interact with their caregivers and others. In fact, many toys are designed specifically with newborn babies in mind, and they often incorporate activities that help develop a baby’s sensory capabilities.

The types of developmental toys to try include rattle toys that flash images and light up, such as light up mobiles. Babies find these kinds of toys irresistible, and they make excellent lullabies during the day. To stimulate sight and hearing, consider buying a baby monitor that attaches to the parent’s belt. There are even units available that attach to strollers and walkers. You can turn on the tunes and play videos, so your baby gets a well-rounded experience. Soon enough, you will begin to notice that your baby is curious about everything around him or her, and he or she will begin to develop fine motor skills as well.

It’s also important to choose toys that help babies develop their visual development. Toys that feature bright colors, like yellow, orange, blue, red and green, are ideal because babies are attracted to these colors when they are young. If you’re not sure what colors your baby’s eyes should be, it’s helpful to take a look at the color chart that comes with your baby’s eye exam. Once you have an idea of the colors that you baby’s eyes should be, you can choose toys that are similar in appearance.

One of the main reasons why you want to choose toys that assist your baby with their visual development is because newborn babies spend a lot of time looking at things. When you hold your baby and point to something, he or she focuses their attention on it. Babies learn basic concepts through this looking process, and it is essential to help them reach these developmental milestones as early as possible. Choose toys that help babies identify colors, shapes, and textures, and which also encourage creative and imaginative play.