Playtime with Bubs: 5 Ideas for Under 5 Months Baby toys for bubs that haven't learned to play!
Playing with newborn babies doesn't come naturally to most of us ... and that is completely understandable when you consider that newborn babies themselves have no inbuilt idea of how to play! There is only so many times you can sing 'This little piggy went to market' and 'Round and round the garden' before you start to go just a little bit insane - and baby gifts such as toys can provide both the props and inspiration that adults need to keep babies entertained.
Rattles
Rattles have been a baby toy standard for well over a hundred years, and while the materials might have changed, they are just as valuable as they have ever been. The physical feedback (sound) that newborn babies get when they wave a rattle contributes to forming neural connections that tell them where their body is in space and time. Pop the rattle in your baby's hand and look surprised when they move it, to encourage them to take notice of the sound.
Mirrors
Babies are hardwired to pay attention to human faces more than anything else - their best chance of survival is getting into other human's good graces, after all! This makes mirrors a fantastic toy. Pop a non-breakable mirror in front of them during tummy time, and let them see your face in it as well. This helps with image tracking and social development.
Character toys
Many children become fascinated if you make character baby toys (little animals or dolls) 'talk'. Walk them around, have them 'speak' to the baby in a funny accent that is not your normal voice, and watch them become instantly entranced! These baby toys require some of your creative input of course but you will love seeing them respond to these fun characters!
Baby books
You'll either have a book baby or a non-book baby. Some kids will just shut the book as soon as you bring it close enough - but most love to look at books as baby toys, specially designed for newborns with high contrast pictures, while you read the words.
Water toys
Many newborn babies love exploring the properties of water. They won’t be able to hold or pour before 5 months, but will love the feeling of your pouring water on them and will enjoy seeing you squirt it, splash it and colour it with food dye.
Mobiles
Mobiles are the ultimate boredom-saver for your back-bound baby; however they can be difficult to use during baby's 'toy time' with you. Save them for when you need a couple of minutes to yourself!
Don't forget...
You don't need to try to find a focused game to play with your baby every time he or she starts grizzling. If your bub is under 5 months, their boredom can usually be alleviated by you wearing them in a sling or wheeling them round the house in a pram while you do your household chores.
Talk to them while you're hanging out the washing or doing dishes, and give them safe bits and pieces to examine, and you'll be able to save 'baby toy time' with the tools above for when you have the time and mental energy.