Toys for Newborns

Have you ever wondered what makes a toy truly special for a newborn? While tiny tots may not grasp the intricacies of a complex puzzle or the thrill of an action figure, the ideal toys can be a gateway to a world of sensory exploration, emotional bonding, and the development of cognitive abilities.

The Importance of Age Appropriate Toys

When it comes to newborns, it's the little things that count. Educational toys with soft textures, bright colours, and gentle sounds can stimulate their senses and encourage interaction. These simple elements can spark their imagination and establish a strong foundation for future learning.

Playtime is not just about fun; it's also about building connections. Interactive play with toys can strengthen the bond between parents and their baby, providing opportunities to improve communication, maintain eye contact, enjoy physical closeness, and develop emotional connections. When you engage with your little one, you're not just playing; you're establishing a relationship that will last a lifetime.

Hello Charlie: Your Trusted Source For The Best Toys For Newborns

Safety and sustainability should be top priorities when choosing newborn baby toys. Opting for eco-friendly, non-toxic materials helps ensure your little one's well-being and supports a healthier planet.

At Hello Charlie, we understand the importance of providing your newborn with the best baby toy. Our carefully curated collection features eco-friendly toys made from safe and certified materials. We partner with sustainable brands, prioritising quality and durability, ensuring your baby's toys are built to last. Our selection includes easy to clean options and developmentally appropriate toys designed to stimulate your baby's senses and support their growth. This gives you peace of mind and ensures your baby will have a world of fun with our toys.

Understand Newborn Developmental Stages

Age Appropriateness 

The first few months of a newborn's life are a whirlwind of discovery. Everything is new, exciting, and waiting to be explored. As parents, we can play a crucial role in nurturing our baby's development through the power of play. By selecting age-appropriate toys, we can stimulate their senses, encourage exploration, and lay the foundation for future learning.

Toys for newborn infants to six months

Babies are like sponges during the first six months of life, absorbing everything in their environment. They are drawn naturally to observing people, especially their caregivers, who often follow them with their eyes. At this stage, babies look at faces and bright colours, which capture their attention and help them develop their visual tracking abilities.

As they explore their surroundings, babies start reaching out with their hands and feet, discovering their ability to grasp, lift, and turn objects. They also begin to respond to sounds, turning their heads towards the source, and they often explore objects by putting them in their mouths.

Ideal toys for young infants

Choosing toys that match their developmental level is essential to nurture these budding abilities. For example, babies at this stage are fascinated by their newfound ability to hold objects, so toys they can grasp, suck on, shake, or make noise with are ideal. Rattles, large rings, squeeze toys, pram toys, teething toys, soft dolls, textured balls, and board books are excellent choices for tiny hands to explore. These toys provide sensory stimulation and help develop motor skills.

Lullabies or simple songs from musical toys can capture an infant's attention and provide auditory stimulation. Books for newborn babies with nursery rhymes, poems, or recordings of gentle melodies can also comfort and engage your baby from an early age.

Visual stimulation is equally crucial for your baby's development. It's not just about providing entertainment, but it's also vital to their growth. Toys with images of faces, unbreakable mirrors, and bright, contrasting colours can captivate your baby's attention, encouraging visual tracking and focus.

Use Tummy Time Toys

One of the most important activities for an infant's development is tummy time. This exercise is crucial for building motor skills and strength, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and arm muscles. You can make tummy time more engaging by placing a toy within your baby's reach. This encourages them to interact with their surroundings and learn how to play. Play mats and gyms provide a secure environment where your baby can explore and develop these essential skills.

To choose suitable toys for your newborn, it's important to understand their developmental needs. You can focus on sensory stimulation, motor skill development, and interactive play while making safe and eco-friendly choices. This will give your baby a great start in life and empower you as a parent. You can check out the comprehensive insights in the Hello Charlie Toy Guide for detailed guidance on selecting toys for your newborn.

Prioritise Safety By Choosing Safe Toys For Newborns

Non Toxic Baby Toys

Safety should always be the top priority when choosing toys for newborns. Newborns like to explore the world by putting toys in their mouths, so choosing safe toys made from non-toxic materials is crucial. Avoiding harmful chemicals like BPA, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, and nitrosamines is essential to ensure a safe and stimulating environment for your little one.

For instance, teething toys can help soothe sore gums, but choosing ones made from safe materials like silicone or natural rubber is important. These materials are gentle on a baby's gums and easy to clean, ensuring the toy stays hygienic and safe for repeated use.

Choking Hazards and Durability

Babies can't distinguish between safe and dangerous objects, so it's crucial to avoid toys with small parts, loose pieces, or detachable items that could come off quickly during play. Look for durable toys that can handle frequent use without breaking.

Certification Standards

When buying toys, always look for safety certifications like EN71 or ASTM. These standards guarantee that the toys have undergone safety testing and are appropriate for young children.

Opt for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Toys

When choosing toys for newborns, it's important to consider their immediate entertainment value and their impact on the environment and the baby's health. Choosing eco-friendly and sustainable toys is a thoughtful way to ensure your child can play safely while helping to create a healthier planet.

Natural Materials: A Safer Choice for Babies

Infants are particularly sensitive, so choosing soft toys for newborns made from natural materials like organic cotton, silicone, natural rubber, or sustainably sourced wood is crucial. These materials are free from harmful chemicals, making playtime safer for infants. For example, organic soft toys, like newborn plush toys crafted from GOTS-certified cotton, provide comfort and safety, supporting your baby's developmental needs without exposing them to toxins.

Supporting Eco-Friendly and Ethical Brands

Brands like Plan Toys and Tikiri are pioneers in producing sustainable toys and symbols of responsible consumerism. Plan Toys, known for their innovative wooden toys, uses sustainable rubberwood and non-toxic dyes, ensuring that each toy is eco-friendly and built to last, making it a durable and long-term investment for your child. Tikiri focuses on natural rubber and organic cotton, providing soft, safe toys for soothing teething babies. By choosing products from such brands, parents give their children safe toys and support companies that are committed to environmental stewardship.

Longevity: Reducing Waste with Durable Toys

Choosing durable, eco-friendly toys is a thoughtful decision. These toys can grow with your child, are better for the environment, and reduce the need for frequent replacements. This mindset minimises waste and ensures that your child's toys remain timeless and cherished, creating a lasting sense of connection and sentimental value for you and your child.

Look for Quality and Durability

When choosing interactive toys for newborns, it's important to prioritise quality and durability. Traditional plastic toys tend to break easily, become outdated, and can end up in landfills or oceans, posing potential hazards. On the other hand, well-made toys are usually crafted with superior workmanship and are designed to last longer, providing a more economical choice in the long run. For instance, toys made from sustainably sourced wood often have sturdy joints and secure fastenings, making them safer and more durable, and ensuring they can be passed down to future siblings or generations.

When it comes to durability, sustainably sourced wood, such as that certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is a great choice. This type of wood comes from forests managed for long-term ecological balance, ensuring that the material is strong and resistant to splintering, warping, or breaking. Brands like Manhattan Toy Company and Hess Spielzeug offer high-quality, long-lasting options, making them excellent choices for parents prioritising safety and sustainability. Investing in these well-crafted toys ensures they not only withstand the test of time but also provide a safe and engaging experience for newborns.

Other Things To Consider

Soft and Gentle Materials

When choosing toys for newborns, selecting ones made from soft and gentle materials is important to protect their delicate skin. Newborns have very sensitive skin that can become irritated by rough or hard surfaces. Opting for safe, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic toys ensures that babies are protected from harmful substances, especially when they put them in their mouths.

Fabric and cloth toys like those from Apple Park are a great example of the perfect balance between safety and comfort. These toys are made from organic materials and have obtained the Oeko-Tex certification, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals. Not only do these toys help prevent irritation, but they also provide a sense of comfort and security, making them ideal sensory toys for newborn babies.

Ease of Cleaning

When choosing toys for newborns, picking ones that are easy to clean is essential. Newborns have delicate immune systems and are more vulnerable to bacteria and germs. Toys that are simple to clean helps prevent the buildup of harmful microbes, creating a safer play environment for your baby. Additionally, easy-to-sanitise toys reduce the time and effort needed for regular cleaning, giving parents peace of mind that the toys are always safe for their little ones.

How to Determine Ease of Cleaning

When choosing a toy, check if it's easy to clean by looking at the care instructions. To simplify maintenance, opt for toys labelled as machine washable or wipeable. Also, consider the material of the toy—pick silicone, natural rubber, or washable fabrics that can be easily cleaned and dried. Additionally, pay attention to the toy's design; avoid toys with complex seams or hard-to-reach areas where dirt and germs can build up. For instance, baby bath toys with sealed designs or no holes are a good option as they are often designed for easy rinsing and drying, making it simple to maintain hygiene.

Always Check Customer Reviews and Ratings

It's always good to check customer reviews and ratings when purchasing newborn toys, as they offer valuable insights from other parents' experiences. For instance, a parent praised the Books for Newborns - Baby Face, noting how their baby loved them. They shared, "Baby loves it. We have both books in the set and my baby loves them. He stares at each page for ages. We use it during tummy time and to encourage head movement from side to side."

Similarly, another parent shared how the Manhattan Toy Company Infant Stim Mobile transformed car rides, turning their daughter's distress into happy travels. They said, "This mobile is amazing. My daughter was hating the car and would scream every trip. We installed this and within a week it was happy travels. She still likes looking at it 6 months later."

These reviews provide real world examples of how particular toys can positively impact a baby's development and comfort, helping parents make informed decisions.

Why Eco-Friendly Toys Are the Best Choice for Your Newborn

Choosing eco-friendly toys for your newborn is more than just a responsible decision for the environment—it's an investment in your baby's health and development. These toys, made from non-toxic, sustainable materials, ensure your little one is safe while encouraging sensory exploration and cognitive growth. Focusing on quality, safety, and durability gives your baby the best start in life.

At Hello Charlie, you'll find a carefully curated collection of high-quality, durable, and eco-conscious toys that meet these criteria. Explore our range today and make a choice that's good for your baby and the environment. Browse our collection and discover the perfect gift for newborns here.