| How do you know what toys are the best for your | | | | The next thing you are going to want to consider is |
| baby? A new parent can spend a fortune on baby | | | | your baby's age. Some parents are tempted to buy |
| toys and chances are your baby will not play with | | | | toys that are too advanced for their baby, because |
| half of them! Here are some considerations to keep | | | | they think they can push their baby's development. |
| in mind when buying baby toys. | | | | This is not true. Babies will not develop skills any |
| First, the most important consideration is safety. Do | | | | faster if they are given too complex toys to play |
| not buy any toy that will be dangerous for your | | | | with. They will simply ignore these toys. |
| baby. Make sure the toy is not too heavy-if it falls on | | | | Newborn to three-month-old babies are not able to |
| your baby, will she be injured? Also, check for any | | | | interact with their toys. The best toys for babies at |
| choking hazards. A good test to see if a toy is big | | | | this age are toys that they can look at or watch. |
| enough or not is the toilet paper roll test. If a toy | | | | Between four and six months is when babies start to |
| can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is too small for a | | | | interact with their surroundings more. Toys that they |
| baby. Even big toys can pose a choking hazard if | | | | can bat at are good for this age. Also, if a baby holds |
| they have parts that can fall off easily. Remember | | | | a toy, chances are they might hit themselves with it, |
| that babies put almost everything into their mouths, | | | | so make sure most toys are soft. After six months, |
| so this is one of the most important safety factors. | | | | interactive toys are great because this is when |
| If you are purchasing a large ride-on or sit-in toy, | | | | babies start to learn about cause and effect. Also, |
| make sure it is stable enough to hold your baby's | | | | babies older than six months are able to control their |
| weight. Sturdy plastic is the best material for these | | | | movements more. |
| types of toys. Also, make sure there are no sharp or | | | | Pay attention to your baby and what his or her |
| rough edges on the toy that the baby can get hurt | | | | preferences tend to be. Just because you have a |
| on. | | | | little girl, doesn't mean you can't buy her a car, if she |
| Babies like contrasts, so look for toys that have | | | | enjoys pushing things with wheels. You will still be |
| bright, contrasting colors. This will keep their attention | | | | able to teach her to be a little lady, even if she does |
| and give them something interesting to look at. | | | | like playing with cars. Buy your baby toys that |
| Babies prefer bright, bold colors to the pastels we | | | | interest him-don't be too tied down to gender |
| usually associate with their age. | | | | restrictions at this young age. |