Infant Toys 101

Veteran mommies and daddies know (and will attest to the fact) that it doesn’t take a whole lot to keep baby happy. Case in point: have you ever given a baby an empty box? Despite what the well-meaning employee at the baby store suggested when you created your registry, you are going to find — and rather quickly — that with babies, a little goes a long way. This bears repeating: You don’t have to buy all the stuff.

Less really is more. They grow so quickly, and then they are done with the baby toys, and onto the toddler toys. Don’t waste your money. Don’t fill your home with unnecessary clutter. Your husband (and your wallet) will thank you.

So what do you need?

Here’s a small (emphasis on small) list of baby toys my girls loved, and yours are sure to love as well. You will notice there is nothing electronic on this list. I did that on purpose. There’s plenty of time for that. For now, I say let them be little.

Snuggle-worthy First Friends

Every baby needs a sweet, snuggly friend (or ten). Because let’s face it, bedtime just isn’t the same without them — and don’t even get me started on playtime! (Hello, tummy time companions.) A soft doll or stuffed animal is the perfect first toy for baby. Here are my personal favorites!

Lillipop the Frog ($44-56) / Bashful Grey Bunny ($23) / Baby Stella Doll ($35)

Totally Fun Teething Toys

Teething is hard work — and believe it or not, will be upon you before you know it. My favorite teething toys are the ones that serve more than one purpose. Like these. Who says soothing an uncomfortable, teething tot can’t be adorable?

Montana Wooden Teether ($18) /  Sophie the Giraffe ($21) /  Jane Necklace ($30)

Baby-proof Books

Reading to baby — from the very beginning — is very important. This helps to instill an early love for language, learning, and the written word. We realize baby probably won’t be ready for The Odyssey anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stock up on a handful of age-appropriate titles in the meantime! You can even find books that are infant-safe. (We love the Indestructibles line!) These are some of our faves.

Emma: A BabyLit Emotions Primer ($10) /  Indestructibles: Baby Faces ($5)

Activity Gyms + Blocks + Lovies

Babies love blocks. It’s a fact. And these pretty wooden blocks make my (pregnant) heart go pitter-patter. Babies also love lovies. What’s a lovie? Basically a mini travel blanky. We have this exact Little Giraffe lovie — it has survived two of the Tomes girls, and I can’t wait to pass it on to baby girl number three. Activity gyms are always a big hit with the littlest babes, and this Pottery Barn Kids + Emily & Merritt collaboration is practically a work of art. Don’t you agree?

Little G Blanky  ($49) / Alphabet Tumble Blocks ($24) / Emily&Merritt Activity Gym ($99)

What are your favorite toys for baby? Is there anything you thought you needed, and then later decided you could have done without? We’d love to hear! Feel free to share in the comments below!

About the author…After three blissful years in the Treasure State, Jessica recently moved back to Houston, Texas with her hunky husband and her two precious little girls, Savannah and Emma Kate.  They are expecting a third baby (girl) this summer! Jessica is a small business owner with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and a nerd-like love for political science. She is passionate about writing, marketing, social media management, and this wonderfully beautiful mess we call parenthood.