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But what factors should you consider before buying toys for your newborn?

Out of so many options, finding the right toys that are fun, safe, and help your baby grow can feel overwhelming. Each toy that we plan to buy should serve a purpose, providing comfort, growth, and stimulation. But with so many choices, how do we decide which ones are the best for our precious little ones? Let us guide you with some key factors to consider before buying toys for your newborn:

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High contrast patterns

Your newborn baby’s vision is still developing and they are seeing the world in blurry shades of black, white, and grey. But why high-contrast patterns? Babies are drawn to high-contrast shapes and patterns because their eyes are able to distinguish these differences more easily. This is because, at birth, a baby’s retina isn’t fully developed. This allows them to see only about 10-12 inches away and distinguish extreme contrasts like black and white.

Bold black-and-white images also stimulate the development of their optic nerves, strengthening their vision. They send strong signals to a baby’s brain, promoting brain growth and faster visual development. In fact, high-contrast patterns help babies’ eyes learn to coordinate, improving eye movements and attention span. 

References taken from Pattern Vision in Newborn Infants

Interactive elements like sound

We all love music! Don’t we? but did we know that it does wonders for our little ones’ auditory and cognitive development? According to a research by Friederike Barbara Haslbeck and Dirk Bassler, music and sounds stimulate a baby’s auditory and prefrontal cortexes. It also contributes to their social and emotional development by stimulating the formation of brain chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. Newborns are not able to see properly, but they can hear very well. Thus, the use of sound can be an excellent way to provide them with stimulation along with developing their tracking skills. Go on and bring some musical toys to see your little one react with happiness and curiosity,

 References from Baby music: The soundtrack to your child’s development

Touch

 Newborns explore the world primarily through touch, so toys with different textures can be an amazing tool to enhance their sensory development. As babies feel different textures and materials, they start to understand their environment in a better manner

Movement 

In the first three months, your baby’s eyesight is still developing and they can see a moving object more easily than a stationary one. Movement catches their attention and helps them practice coordinating their eye movements. Studies also show that Motion processing develops early in infants, making it easier for newborns to notice and follow moving objects, even when they struggle to see stationary ones clearly.

References from Development of human visual function

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Newborn Toys for visual stimulation and movement

High-contrast black-and-white flashcards 

These cards consist of bold, high-contrast images that captivate your baby’s attention and are amazing for their vision development. The simple shapes and patterns in these cards are easy for your baby to see and can help in improving their focus and visual tracking skills. Plus, spending time showing these cards to your baby can be a wonderful bonding experience. That’s definitely an additional benefit! right?

References from Detection of contrast by the newborn and 2-month-old infant

Black-and-white hanging mobiles

We have one more amazing toy suggestion for the high contrast stimulations, and that is a black and white hanging mobile. Hanging a mobile toy with high-contrast patterns above your baby’s crib provides visual stimulation and helps strengthen their developing eye muscles as they track the moving shapes.

References from Why do babies need black and white toys?

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Newborn Toys with interactive elements and sounds

Musical Mobiles

These are the hanging mobiles that not only provide visual stimulation but also play soothing lullabies or nature sounds. And what makes our babies happier than the gentle movement combined with calming music. These are an amazing tool to help soothe your baby to sleep while supporting their auditory development.

Soft Rattles

Every baby loves rattles. Rattles produce gentle sounds that can captivate your baby’s attention and encourage them to reach out and grasp the toy, promoting both auditory and motor skills. The sound of the rattle can also help your baby learn cause and effect, that when they shake it, a sound is there. Isn’t it fun?

Musical Plush Toys

Plush toys have been a lovely part of our childhood and they can be of our babies as well. Plush toys are small soft toys that play music when squeezed. They offer a very comforting and interactive experience for our little ones. They can become a beloved companion for your baby, providing both comfort and a multisensorial experience.

Talking Cactus Toy

Recently one toy gained a lot of hype and that is the talking cactus toy. This lively fun toy playfully repeats words and sounds, often accompanied by funny dances or movements. It also has some amazing catchy tunes to keep your little one entertained. But It’s not just about entertainment! This interactive toy helps babies learn about cause and effect as they discover that their sounds or actions can prompt a response from the toy. This toy is also amazing for their language development and communication skills!

Final words

We understand that choosing the right toys for your newborn can be a bit confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. With our expert guide, we made it easier for you to choose the best ones. The right toys can help your baby learn, grow, and have fun. It’s important to look for toys with high-contrast patterns, sounds, and different textures, as these can help your baby’s overall development. Enjoy your special playtime and build an amazing experience with your little one. 

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