How to Buy a Baby Rattle

One of a baby's first possessions will be a rattle. When most people think of a happy, cheerful baby, they imagine a rattle in the smiling baby's hand. Making sure that the rattle is safe and appropriate should be the first priority for the baby's caregiver.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Check to see if it has been opened. New, unopened rattles are usually the safest. Old, handed down or recycled rattles may contain toxic paint or have pieces that will disconnect from the main toy, posing a hazard to baby.
2. Make sure rattles are all one piece. The ends of the rattles should be no smaller than 2 inches.
3. Choose a rattle that stimulates the baby. The rattle should be vibrant in color for visual stimulation, make noise for auditory stimulation and be textured to stimulate a baby's sense of touch.
4. Buy different kinds of rattles for various ages of babies. Newborns are unable to grasp and shake a rattle like an older infant. This does not mean that they can't enjoy rattles. Newborns can use wrist rattles (a small toy attached to the baby's wrist) or sock rattles (they slip on like socks but have rattles inside them). When a baby moves its hands or feet, the baby will hear the rattling sound.
5. Make sure the rattle is age-appropriate. As the baby gets older, it will possibly hit itself with the rattle. Make sure the rattle is soft enough that it will not harm a baby (or anyone else) if they are hit by the rattle.
6. Purchase teething rattles. If the baby is teething, teething rattles can be cooled in the refrigerator. The cool teether part of the rattle soothes the baby's gums during the teething process.

Tips & Warnings

• Never attach a rattle to a baby or a crib with a string. This poses a severe choking hazard.