Toys For Newborns
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Your newborn baby’s life will consist, primarily, of eating and sleeping. Babies often will sleep from 14 to 20 hours every day. Even during the first few weeks of life, there are some toys that your baby can enjoy.
Keep in mind, first, your newborn’s limitations. She sees object best that are 8 inches or less away from her face. She will not always be able to respond when she is happy, to let you know that she enjoys a certain toy. Also, small babies can often become over-stimulated; when she is crying, she’s probably done playing for now.
Mobiles are great toys for newborns. Some scientific studies even suggest that babies who are stimulated by mobiles may have overall developmental advantages over babies whose environments are not as stimulating. Even though she doesn’t know that it is a duck that is spinning around, and even though she doesn’t know the words to “rock-a-bye baby,” she still may enjoy the yellow blurb up above her and the sounds may soothe her.
Music can soothe not only the savage beast, but your little bundle of joy as well. Many parents have experienced a great deal of success at calming their fussing and crying little ones with music. An entire genre’ of music, the lullaby, is based on this principle.
What type of music should you use to calm your baby? Well, just as each person has their own unique taste in music, so each baby will respond differently to music. In general, music with a steady beat at a slow to moderate tempo is best when baby is feeling fussy. Volume matters, as well; the music needs to be loud enough to keep baby’s attention, but not so loud that it adds to her anxiety. And of course, never use headphones on a baby or a small child. Many babies will respond best to melodies that are simple, consistent, and repetitive, though this is not always the case. Using the same music during the few minutes each night just before your little one drifts off to dreamland can help to create an association, so that the particular music will always help to put him at rest.
In addition, playing music to calm your baby exposes your baby to musical sounds. Some studies suggest that people who are exposed to music at young ages tend to have better cognitive abilities than those that are not. Playing music for your baby can help her to be more interested in music later in life, as well. Finally, music can be a stress reliever, not just for baby but for you as well.
Some parents like to assemble a sleep CD for their baby. On a sleep CD, you might include some light jazz music, perhaps a few lullabyes, and maybe some classical music (stay away, of course, from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony or Wagner’s Valkyrie, as these songs might be a bit too stimulating when you want your baby to be resting. In addition, a variety of retail CDs are available that can be used to soothe your fussy little one.
Other simple toys may be useful for your newborn. This might include toys that squeak or make another noise. Toys that are only black and white are also fascinating to newborns, as are toys that use bright reds and yellows.
You can also read soft baby books to your baby at this stage. It is never too early to begin reading to your little one. Soft books can also establish good family reading habits.
An unbreakable mirror can be a fascinating toy for your newborn. Although he doesn’t know that it is himself he’s looking at, he will be fascinated wiht his own reflection. He may even begin to smile at himself in the mirror.
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