by Marina Shemesh

Created on: April 28, 2008

We have all seen and joked about the proud father buying his new baby boy a cricket bat or a baseball mitt. There is also the loving aunt that thinks a teddy bear three times the size of the baby is a wonderful toy.

The most important thing about buying a toy for an infant is to make sure that it is safe. Remember that every toy will go through the taste test. That means that there should be no small parts that can be swallowed. Any painted toys must only be painted with non-toxic paint.

Be careful of any toys with strings or chains that can wrap around a little ones neck. That big teddy bear can smother an infant and should be packed away until the child is older.

Great toys for infants are noisy and brightly colored. Babies love the sounds the toys can make. No wonder that they have been given rattles throughout the ages. Bright colors cathes the eye. Your baby will stretch out his little hand to anything that is eye catching.

The toys should also be of the right size. It must not be too small that be baby will swallow it. Neither should it be too large that a small uncoordinated hand cannot get a good grip on it.

Walking into a toyshop can be quite daunting when you are looking for some great toys for infants. There are just so much to choose from. Here are a few ideas that may help you.

A MOBILE.
A mobile will keep your little one amused for ages. You can get wonderful mobiles that sing and dance and jiggles about in all the colors you can imagine. Buy a mobile for the smaller infants. As soon as the baby can sit up by himself or reach the mobile, it is time to take it of the cot.

A RATTLE.
A small rattle that makes an interesting noise and is colorful. Rattles come in dozens of shape and sizes. I personally recommend those that are in an animal shape. Children have a thing for animals.

A COLORFUL QUILT STUFFED WITH NOISE MAKERS, CRINKLY PAPER AND MIRRORS.
When you baby is big enough to start "push-ups" you can put him on one of these play mats. The toys and colors will catch this attentiion and keep him busy for a long while. A quilt is also handy to lie on the grass outside or to use for a picnic.

A SMALL SOFT TOY.
As your baby grows a bit older, a little friend that he can hug can be a comfort when he is alone in his cot. Keep an eye that your baby's nose and mouth is not covered by the soft toy. Remove it from the cot once your baby has fallen asleep.

There are a lot of great toys for infants and you are going to have to keep yourself from buying everything that is pretty for you. Infants grow fast, so do not overstock on toys that will be boring him in six months' time.

The very best toy of them all for your infant is you. Play with your baby and enjoy this time of his life. Take lots of photo's, before you know it, you will unpack that baseball mitt.

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