Safe Toys to Put in a Diaper Bag
Free Guest Post by Valeri
Nothing is more important, when you are out and about with your little one, than having everything you need in your diaper bag. Beyond the obvious diapers and wipes; you want to have a few toys for baby as well. There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing the right toys for your diaper bag, but safety is arguably the most important thing.
When choosing safe toys for your baby’s diaper bag the first thing to take into account is the age of the child. Most toys have a manufacturers’ age recommendation and warnings regarding choking hazards or potential injury. Take these seriously.
Babies tend to put everything in their mouths. Because of this, choking is a huge concern. Choose toys that are too big to be swallowed. New mom Jennifer follows the toilet paper tube rule: if it can fit in a toilet paper tube, it is small enough to be swallowed. Also, ensure there are no small pieces attached that could easily come off and be swallowed.
Button or glass eyes on a stuffed animal, wheels or knobs, and attached price tags are all potential choking hazards. Remember to also keep balloons, plastic (from wrapping) and Styrofoam away from small children, because if aspirated, they cannot be dislodged with the Heimlich maneuver.
Inspect all toys carefully for durability. Make sure there are no loose pieces, broken parts, sharp, pointed or jagged edges to avoid scratching and punctures. Toys with stings or cords are a potential strangulation hazard, so these should also be avoided.
Make sure the paint or finish is non-toxic and not peeling, and make sure the toys have not been recalled. A good way to do this is to check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
You want to select toys that will stimulate all of your baby’s five senses. Choose toys that are either black and white or brightly colored for newborns. Sherri likes the black and white foot rattles for her two month old. Find toys with different textures like the soft baby blocks with different surfaces on each side.
Amy enjoys the soft baby books that fit nicely in her bag. Lastly, don’t forget rattles and squeaky toys that make soft sounds for hearing stimulation.
Finding safe baby toys that will help your child develop and that are also safe isn’t difficult, and can even be fun if you do your research.
About the Author:
Valeri Forte is a certified baby care expert trough the Italian Association of Children Rights. She writes for the blog Designer Diaper Bags to help new moms in choosing the right baby care accessories sharing her working mom experience. She lives in Sicily after having married an Italian.
