There are so many things you need to buy for a newborn baby; toys are great for developing your baby’s sight and helping them start to develop various different skills. Your baby will benefit from different toys at various stages of their development. In this article, we take a look at toys for your baby from newborn up to two months old. Having a selection of these toys before your baby arrives can be beneficial as the time goes so quickly, and before you know it, they will be using the one and two-month suitable toys. 

Newborn stage

When babies are first born, they can’t see clear shapes and aren’t yet able to reach out and grab things. Toys that are brightly coloured and in high contrast will attract their attention and be visually appealing to them at this stage. Parents might prefer low-contrast toys that fit with their nursery theme, but these won’t be as attractive and appealing to your newborn baby. Sounds can also be appealing at this stage of development; toys that make gentle noises may help to soothe your baby and provide comfort. Tummy time is an important part of your baby’s development as it helps them to build and strengthen their neck muscles which are crucial for your baby to be able to hold up their own head. When your baby is having tummy time, a playmat can provide something for them to look at and keep them entertained. Choose a playmat with a mix of hanging toys at different levels. Newborn babies are also attracted to faces. Faces on toys can keep them entertained; mirrors will also be interesting to a newborn. Make sure you check the age rating of the toys before buying any for your newborn. 

One-month-old baby 

When babies get to one month, they have already changed so much in the short time they’ve been out of the womb. They are able to use their eyes and ears better and may also be able to hold objects in their hands. Toys with different textures will appeal to your baby and help them develop their grip. A wooden baby rattle is a great toy for a one-month-old baby; they can grip the end and learn to make noises by shaking the rattle. Other toys that encourage your baby to reach out and grab things will also help with their development. At this age, anything you give your baby will end up in their mouth. Take this into consideration and make sure toys are regularly cleaned and don’t contain any sharp edges that might be harmful to your baby. 

Two-month-old baby 

At two months old, your baby has developed better sight, and their neck muscles are continuing to develop to the point where they may be able to hold their head for a short time. However, you’ll still need to keep supporting their head when you’re holding them. When they show signs of pushing up off their mat or holding their head up to try to encourage this behaviour, toys can be useful in this regard. Pick things that your child finds interesting and use them to encourage them to work on their strength and development. Soothing toys can also be great at this age when you’re trying to get your little one ready to go to sleep. Many toys have soothing lights and sound that you can introduce as part of their sleep routine. Bath toys can also be a fun addition to their routine, and they can even help a baby that’s not keen on water. 

Having a few toys ready for your baby to use before they’re born is a great way to get prepared for the following months. Just make sure you check the suitability of the toys before letting your little one play with them. Throughout the first two months and beyond, your baby will put everything they can in their mouth; make sure you’re prepared for this by cleaning all of their toys regularly and making sure they are replaced if any parts become broken or sharp. This will help to keep your baby safe and prevent them from picking up any illnesses.