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All baby toys should be cleaned and sanitized periodically, because babies put toys in their mouths to discover their world through taste, texture and shape. Other babies may chew on toys to ease the pain of teething. Although household bleach or other strong cleaners are often the substance of choice for sanitizing baby toys, some parents prefer to clean toys using non-chemical methods. Washing toys is especially critically when a when child has been ill.
Baby toys are designed to stimulate visual, auditory and sensory perception. Crinkle toys are highly stimulating, since they appeal to the senses of touch, sight and sound. Crinkle toys can be made from just a few basic materials, most of which you may already have at home. There is very minor stitch work involved in this project, making it an easy one for a beginner at sewing.
Children's toys come in all different shapes and sizes and are made of many different materials. Keeping them all together is one thing, but making sure that they are disinfected is another. Many parents may prefer to throw away a toy once it has gotten dirty, not realizing how easy it is to disinfect the toy quickly.
Furry toys are often the dirtiest due to their cloth exterior and the difficulty to clean it. The dust and dirt that settles on furry toys often affects children with allergies and asthma. Toys made for babies are often machine washable for this reason, but most stuffed toys contain synthetics that can't be put in the washing machine. If your children's toys get dirty, it's a good idea to clean them in order to keep your child and their environment healthy and free of germs, allergens, and bacteria.
If you have a new bundle of joy joining your household, but can't afford the newest and snazziest toys of 2011, the best of the best toys of 2008 will enthrall your baby just the same. These exciting and innovative toys will keep your baby sleeping soundly, develop their dexterity and keep them entertained as you watch them quickly grow up into toddlers.
Toys facilitate children's developmental process by helping them to master the psychological, cognitive, social and physical skills necessary for healthy growth. Gross motor skill development results in standing, walking, running and jumping by strengthening the muscles in your baby's arms, legs, torso and feet. Enable the safe development of your child's weight-bearing muscles by choosing toys designed to eliminate the danger of accidental injury from falling as they try to master standing and walking.
It is important to provide babies with age-appropriate toys to assist in stimulating their development without frustrating or confusing them with toys that are either overly complicated or boring. It is also imperative to select toys for your baby that are safe. Six-month-old babies should have toys that enhance the development of gross motor skills, and toys should be free of sharp edges because most babies this age like to put everything in their mouths to relieve the pressure of teething.
Provide your baby with the best organic toys, made in the USA, to protect his health and ensure his safety. Organic toys are becoming big news with celebrity Mums adopting them and availability moving from only health food stores and online vendors to major American main-street stores. U.S.-made organic baby toys offer an eco-friendly alternative to foreign imports, which often incorporate toxic materials.
A baby is in need of many practical items and also some whimsical playthings that will encourage motor and cognitive development and delight the senses. When purchasing a gift or toy, you can choose from many categories of baby items. Baby items range from the inexpensive to incredibly pricey.
If your infant is still a newborn, she might not be playing with much but her own hands at this point. Even if your 3-month-old baby seems only intermittently interested in objects, the colorful, mostly soft toys available for young babies provide visual, oral, tactile and auditory stimulation. Provide the best toys for your baby's development for this brief, important stage.
Babies grow so quickly that toys or activities they enjoy one day, they may outgrow the next. Baby Center offers two new activities each week and activities broken down by age, so you can find activities based on your child's developmental stage. Attach toys to your baby's stroller, infant car seat and swing so she has different stimuli.
At 6 months your baby is moving from the largly sedentary state of observing and beginning to interact more with her environment; your baby may be sitting up, reaching things and even making the first attempts toward mobility. The key in picking toys for your baby is to make sure that they are developmentally appropriate and meet your baby's need for interactive play.
Purchasing toys for children can be quite expensive, but selecting them from a catalog doesn't have to be. You can order a free toy catalog through a free catalog website or directly through the website of a toy company or store. Provide your mailing information, and you can expect to see your toy catalog in the mail, free of charge.
Many of the items you put in the recycling bin can be turned into simple toys for your baby. Tissue boxes transform into blocks. Bottles work well as shakers, and baby jar lids become a colorful matching game. Creating toys will save you money now and prepare you and your baby for creative play later on -- not to mention that you will be doing your part to reuse items and help the planet.
Babies love mirrors because they can see themselves and watch the light reflect off the mirrors. A lot of commercial baby toys have mirrors, but these toys are often expensive. It is fairly easy to make a baby-safe mirror toy at home, and you can decorate it however you want. Use bright colors, such as red and yellow, because your baby will be more attracted to them.
Because babies put virtually everything in their mouths, it's important that their toys be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of germs. Saliva from their mouths and discharge from a runny nose can spread germs. To keep your child healthy, disinfect toys on a regular basis. If a friend has mouthed a toy, be sure to disinfect it before your child uses it again. It's good to disinfect your baby's toys at the end of each day, especially if he has a cold.
Babies pass through several development stages between the ages of 8 and 24 months. At each stage, the toys they receive should match their current level of development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toys should be safe, affordable and age-appropriate.
When it comes to disinfecting baby toys, you want to eliminate all traces of germs, but without using any harsh cleansers that will harm your baby. Electronic baby toys can’t be boiled or placed in the washer, so you must take extra care with these items. Though you might think bleach is the best way to sanitize toys, bleach leaves behind dioxins, a chemical that can get in your baby’s system and stay there. Instead, use vinegar and water to sanitize your baby’s toys every month or so, and each time he gets over a sickness.
Safety is the most important concern with new toys for babies. Babies learn about the world by touching and tasting, so baby toys must withstand tugging, moisture and chewing. A popular new trend is for eco-friendly or "green" baby toys.
Your baby's vision will change dramatically during her first three months. As a newborn she'll see only blurry images, but within a few months she'll be able to focus clearly on nearby objects. This simple game helps her practice her focusing and tracking skills by looking up, down and then around to watch a colorful toy. Make the playtime more visually stimulating by alternating the toys you use. Since newborns and infants have short attention spans, this game takes only a minute or so to play.
You've found a great bargain at a yard sale or secondhand shop. Gently used baby toys, still clean and unbroken, are perfect for playing. Before letting your little one play with them, however, you'll want to make sure that those toys have been properly sterilized to eliminate any lingering dangers.
The best bath time, cool baby toys! Learn all about baby toys made for bath time in this free video clip on baby safety and baby learning toys.
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Choose safe, cool, and educational baby toys and learn how to use toys for babies 9 months and older in this free video on baby toys and safety.
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Picking toys for an infant is tough and learn how to use toys for babies 9 months and older in this free video on baby toys and safety.
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Learn about various types of baby and toddler toys in this free video on baby toys and safety.
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Picking toys for an infant is tough and learn about various types of baby and toddler toys in this free video on baby toys and safety.
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Learn what blankets and toys are safe for babies to play with inside their cribs in this free video series that will ensure that your child stays safe in every room of your house, including your bedroom.
Learn what toys are safe for babies and young kids to play with in this free video series that will ensure that your child stays safe in every room of your house, including your bedroom.
Your baby is at that stage where she is gumming everything. You keep handing her stuff to chew on, but what is really okay for her and what is dangerous? What do have around the house that wasn't specifically made as a teething device, but that she can chew on anyway? What will keep her happy and those gums cool? Here are some ideas for helping that teething little one find some joy and relief.
If your baby doesn't seem to want to place any of his weight on his legs, there are several things you can do to encourage him to eventually stand on his own. With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can help your baby stand up and prepare him to walk.
When you have a baby, your home can quickly fill up with an explosion of your little one's toys. To regain a sense of order, it's essential to organize the toys so you and your baby can quickly find the toy you're looking for, and you can keep your home looking neat and tidy. Read on to learn how to organize baby toys.
The right toy for a special needs baby will strike a perfect balance between safety and stimulation. For premature babies and infants who have undergone surgery, care must be taken to provide a toy that is not taxing to undeveloped muscles or healing bones. With physically challenged children, however, it will be necessary to provide a stimulating toy that will help to break through challenges and obstacles.
The summer months are always enjoyable for children and their parents when it isn't too hot. For some families who don't have pools, the summer heat may get to be a bit much. On those hazy days, turn your backyard into a water park. With just a few inexpensive items, the backyard water park may become the most exciting part of your summer.
One good way to keep baby healthy is to clean and sanitize her toys and pacifiers regularly. It's impossible to keep every germ away from your baby at all times, but sanitizing toys is a great way to begin. Use these simple steps to make your baby's environment a little more germ free.
