All about toys

Toys for tiny babies range from rattles that can amuse your baby until they’re a couple of months older and needs more stimulation, right thru to toys that have lots of different functions and 'grow' with the child until they’re three, getting a new lease of life with each stage. Toys can help your baby explore the world and learn thru play, as well as providing a talking point for you and your baby.

Many toys come with a recommended age guide. If it's too 'young' for your baby, they could become bored because it presents no challenges for them; if it's too 'old', they may become frustrated because they can't get it to work properly. It's worth remembering, though, that the age guide really is just a guide- babies develop at different rates and you're the one who knows your baby best. Therefore, you are the best judge of whether they can cope with a particular toy.

There are several things you should avoid when buying toys. These are long-pile fur, which can cause suffocation; anything with strings longer than 7.5 cm, because of the risk of strangulation; and tiny parts that can be pulled off and swallowed. Also, never leave your baby unattended with a toy, particularly in the bath or near water.