3-6 Month Toys: Learning Cause and Effect

Now that baby's vision has improved and they are able to see the world around them you will notice a sense of exploration blooming. Now is the time to start encouraging independence and developing those early fine motor skills. Toys that are easy to grasp, make noise, and are brightly colored will be the star. Since this is also the age when teething starts to hit full force ensure all toys offered are safe for baby to put in their mouth (for more on teething see my Product Review on Teethers).

Rattles: Smiling Tree Toys
smilingtreetoys.com

Babies LOVE learning that they can make sounds

As baby begins grabbing their toys, it is time to add a little sound and excitement to their world. Rattles are perfect for this. I LOVE wooden toys and the wooden rattles by Smiling Tree Toys make a soothing noise when shaken and can be customized with your child's name! Plus since they are made from natural wood and finished with a mixture of organic oil and beeswax they are safe for baby to put in their mouth ;) 

Smiling Tree Toys also make some of my favorite wooden teethers. Made from natural maple wood without any finishes or oils applied, they are safe and soothing for baby to chew on. You have the choice of letters, any of the US states, and a large assortment of other fun shapes. Each can be customized to include the child's name making them the perfect addition to any nursery decor.

Kleynimals
A teether, a toy, and a rattle all in one. Luke's love for his Kleynimals has grown each month! They go everywhere with us and have been one of the best ways to keep him occupied when we are out. 
Kleynimals is easily one of my favorite inventions. Keys that are clean and safe made specifically for your little one! Made in the USA of a non-toxic 100% stainless steel, these keys are free of dangerous chemicals and without any sharp edges. The Kleynimals Keys depict 3 animals (a lion, giraffe, and elephant) and come with the option to have them engraved. This is one teething toy that I plan to keep as a momento long after my children outgrow it's need. These keys truly are beautiful, well crafted, pieces of artwork; worth every penny.
$28
kleynimals.com
Teether was bought at a discounted price for the purpose of this review.

* Shown attached to the Charlie Cutie Clip to prevent Luke from dropping his Kleynimals on the floor. 

Ooballs
These silly little balls were an early hit in my home. They are easy for little clumsy fingers to grasp and hold onto independently. I recommend the rattle ones specifically because things are always more fun when they make noise! (They make little cars and animals too.)
Available off Amazon

Exersaucer/Activity Table:

Once your baby has developed the neck strength to hold their head up (typically around 4-5 months of age) you can start looking into an exersaucer or activity table. Baby is getting tired of always viewing the world laying on their back or reclined and will be quite intrigued by their new vertical vantage point. 

These are perfect for offering multiple different toys for your baby to independently touch and manipulate. Bonus, baby can't throw them onto the ground because they are all attached to the table. 

Exersaucers come in MANY brands, colors and materials. So pick any one that looks fun (or is the least obnoxious) to you. For those of you who love the minimalistic appearance, there is one all wooden version available by Three Pears, but it is very expensive ($480). I choose the Oribel PortaPlay. Not only is it reasonably priced ($150, but if you buy from BuyBuyBaby with 20% off coupon it is $120), it is not visual offensive and it converts into a children's table once baby outgrows the center bouncer.

Books:

Reading to children is important at ALL ages.

-Rhyming books such as Llama Llama, Dr Seuss, or my personal favorite various titles by Tillman

-Colorful pictures Tillman is also a great choice for the beautiful artistry



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0-3 Months Toys: Exploring the World

Between the ages of 0-3 months babies are just starting to learn about this world that they were suddenly thrust into. They are captivated by the environment around them and learning at an exponential rate. Their vision is still underdeveloped, high contrast patterns such as black and white at a distance of 8-12 inches is easiest for them to see. This distance increases exponentially over the coming months-- look for your baby to start following you around the room =)

Playgym: Nin and June
www.ninandjune.com
A play gym is the optimal way to visually stimulate a young infant.  Play gyms allow you to hang fun toys that change to keep baby's interest as they grow. Fun colors, exciting patterns and mirrors are always good choices.
The Nin and June gym was especially visually appealing to me because of the natural wooden composition and sleek modern lines. I also love the ability to attach any toys I desire via the drilled holes.
--> Of note, this play gym is made of two separate pieces of wood that fit together much like Lincoln Logs. Therefore, it is possible for them to come apart when the play gym is moved. To prevent the heavy wooden halves from falling on baby I recommend securing them together when in use. Additionally, the felt ball garlands pictured are beautiful, but should be examined regularly for fraying of the cord. Furthermore, once baby is old enough to reach and grasp, they should be removed to prevent a possible choking hazard should the cord break.

A Bouncy Chair: Baby Bjorn Soft Balance
http://www.babybjorn.com/baby-bouncers
The soothing motion of a bouncy chair lets baby be a part of the family action while slowly introducing them to cause and effect--> baby's movement causes the chair to bounce. Our favorite is the Baby Bjorn Balance Soft bouncy chair. It collapses flat making it easy to bring with us everywhere, has multiple incline choices, and a great bounce. Plus, it grows with your child by turning into a chair that supports babies up to age 2yrs.

Mobile: Baby Jives 
www.babyjives.com
As their vision is slowly maturing, mobiles quickly capture the attention of young babies. I am not a fan of the hard plastic mobiles that attach to crib sides because I think they are often tacky in appearance and once baby becomes mobile and can pull them down they become a safety hazard. Recently I found the most beautiful handmade baby mobile by a small mama-run shop named Baby Jives. Made of a lightweight fabric cloud with hanging leather moon and stars, it appears to weightlessly float above Luke's crib. The moon and stars dance in the slightest breeze bringing an instant smile to Luke's face. These mobiles are available in dozens of colors, shapes, and sizes that would match any nursery.
--> Of note, anything hung above the crib should be lightweight so that it would not hurt the infant should it fall. Additionally, all mobiles and other decorations need to be securely hung and far enough out of reach that a young infant or child could not pull it down.

Best Books for this age:
Reading is important to visual, auditory and intellectual development at all ages. However, there are particular books that will be especially beneficial at each stage of development. 
Babies at this stage have very immature vision and their book preferences reflect that. Look for books that contain:
- high contrast colors, example "White on Black" by Tana Hoban
- human faces, example "Baby Faces" by DK

#development #baby #toddler #milestones #besttoys #learning #encouraginggrowth #child #parenting #motherhood #momlife #firstbirthday #bestbabygifts #doctormommy #blogger #mommyblogger #happybaby #shopsmall #toys #growinguptoofast