The first six months of your baby’s life are a time of incredible growth and development. This period is characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional changes as your little one transitions from a sleepy newborn to a curious, active infant. Providing the right toys can support their development and keep them engaged, making playtime both fun and educational.
Developmental milestones for 0-6 months
During this period, your baby will typically reach the following milestones:
- Visual tracking: Focusing on and following moving objects with their eyes.
- Grasping: Developing the ability to hold onto objects.
- Hand-eye coordination: Coordinating hand movements with what they see.
- Tummy time: Strengthening neck, back, and shoulder muscles to prepare for rolling over, sitting, and crawling.
- Sensory exploration: Exploring different textures, sounds, and sights.
- Social interaction: Smiling, cooing, and starting to recognize familiar faces.
Types of toys that support development
Choosing the right toys can help your baby reach these milestones while keeping them entertained. Here are some toys that my baby liked:
- Soft rattles: Encourage grasping and hand-eye coordination while providing auditory stimulation.
- Teething toys: Provide relief for sore gums and encourage grasping. Below are my favorite, but there are tons that are good,
Play mats: Good for now and later to make space for baby to crawl. The ones with hanging toys promote visual tracking, reaching, and grasping. The Carter one we used to pack it with us in a suitcase when we travel.
- Tummy time mats: Provide a comfortable and stimulating environment for tummy time, with features like mirrors, textures, and toys to explore.
- Sensory toys: Offer various textures, sounds, and colors to stimulate your baby’s senses. My baby loved the animal tail book.
Kicking toys: Encourage leg movement and provide auditory feedback when kicked.
Toys to avoid for 0-6 months
While there are many toys designed to stimulate and entertain your baby during the first six months, some toys may pose safety risks or simply aren’t appropriate for this age range. Here are some specific examples of toys that are not recommended for 0-6 months:
- Small parts or choking hazards: Any toy with small, detachable parts can be a choking hazard for infants. Toys like the LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box and the Playmobil 1.2.3 Take Along Farm are great for older children but contain small pieces that could be dangerous for babies. Always ensure that toys are large enough that they cannot fit entirely into your baby’s mouth.
- Crib mobiles with hanging strings: Some crib mobiles, especially older models or those not specifically designed for infants, might have parts that detach easily or have strings longer than 7 inches, which can be a strangulation hazard. Instead, opt for activity mats with hanging toys like the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym that allow your baby to safely reach and play while lying down.
- Heavy or rigid toys: Toys that are too heavy or have hard edges can accidentally hurt your baby if dropped or handled awkwardly. Examples include the Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone and Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set. These toys are better suited for older children (2+) who have more control over their movements.
- Walkers and chairs that force a baby to sit: Products like the Baby Einstein Neighborhood Symphony Activity Jumper, and Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center can put unnecessary stress on a baby’s developing spine and hips. These items encourage standing and sitting before a baby is developmentally ready, which can interfere with their natural growth.
- Electronic toys with loud sounds: Babies’ hearing is very sensitive, and toys that produce loud noises or high-pitched sounds can be startling or even harmful. For example, the VTech KidiBeats Drum Set is designed for toddlers and produces loud sounds that might be overwhelming for an infant. Look for toys that offer gentle, soothing sounds instead.
- Toys with batteries easily accessible: Battery-operated toys should be chosen with caution. Ensure the battery compartment is securely closed with screws and cannot be easily opened by your baby. Swallowed batteries can cause serious harm, so avoid toys where the battery case might be accessible.
- Overstimulating toys: While it’s important to stimulate your baby’s senses, toys that are overly complex with too many lights, sounds, or moving parts can overwhelm them. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo, for instance, might be too stimulating for a young baby, as it combines jumping with various electronic stimuli. Simpler toys that focus on one or two senses at a time are better suited to this age group.
Personal experience: the feed-sleep-play schedule
In my journey as a first-time mom, I quickly realized the importance of establishing a routine that included feeding, sleeping, and playtime. This “feed-sleep-play-repeat” schedule became our daily rhythm, and it was during the playtime portion that I prioritized tummy time.
At first, we started with just a few minutes each day. Gradually, we increased the time to 15 minutes, and I was amazed at how quickly she gained strength and mobility. By 3 months, she was already rolling over, and by 9 months, she was confidently walking. I truly believe that incorporating tummy time into our daily routine played a significant role in her early physical development.
All these toys made this process easier and more enjoyable for both of us. It provided the perfect environment for her to explore and build the muscles she needed to reach her milestones.