Family Baby Kids

Choosing safe toys for your baby can be difficult, especially for first time mothers. Fortunately, most baby toys on the market today can be considered generally safe. Federal government regulations require toys to undergo extensive testing, and unsafe toys must be removed from the market immediately. Still, the risk of injury is present. How can you minimize this risk? What are the safest toys you can buy for your child? And how can you tell if a toy is safe?

What type of toys are the safest for your child? In general, you should look for toys where no threat of choking or strangulation is present. If you have any questions regarding the safety of any toy, consult your pediatrician. Here is a short list of toys that have been deemed safe by many experts:

1. The Rockabye Rocking Betty Butterfly Rocker is a lovely and whimsical safe toy for baby. The Rockabye Rocking Betty Butterfly Rocker is plush, soft, comfortable and very safe. Made from the highest quality materials and equipped with a cushioned seat, the Rockabye Rocking Betty Butterfly Rocker cradles baby on all side in a secure and comfortable seat. When baby sits in their rocker, the wings of the butterfly flit and flutter, and a soft rendition of “Fur Elise” plays! The Rockabye Rocking Betty Butterfly Rocker retails at $99.95.

2. The Bungee Baby Bouncer. The makers of the Bungee Baby Bouncer proclaim that their product was “designed with safety in mind.” Indeed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved the Bungee Baby Bouncer as a safe product. Lightweight and easy to install, the Bungee Baby Bouncer is the perhaps the safest way for your baby to jump and burn energy. Simply attach it to any doorway, strap your baby in the harness, and let the giggling begin! According to the manufacturers, the unique design of the Bungee Baby Bouncer makes it impossible for the baby to fall out of the harness.

3. Color Burst Baby Safe Mirror. If you’ve ever seen a baby around a mirror, you know the fascination that mirrors hold for very young children. The Color Burst Baby Safe Mirror by Manhattan Baby Toy takes advantage of baby’s natural interest in mirrors. The mirror is decorated with colorful bright graphics. There are no hard or sharp edges: the mirror is soft and cuddly. Attach it to baby’s crib securely with safe ties, or prop it on the floor or playpen. The Color Burst Baby Safe Mirror is soft as a pillow and stimulates baby’s natural curiosity.

4. Baby Einstein Play Gym. The popular Baby Einstein Play Gym features a soft, padded mat designed in bold colors and animal motif. The play gym includes ten star-shaped plush toys that play classical music when baby squeezes them. A soft book featuring animals plays animals sounds when baby presses it. The play gym is fully cushioned and received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval in 2003.

Here are four tips and guidelines for choosing the safest toys on the market.

1. Avoid electric plug-in toys. Even if the toy states that it is UL approved, the risk of burns, shocks, and fire is still present. If the cord becomes frayed, or if the toy is misused, the toy can become a serious hazard. It’s best to avoid this type of toy altogether.

2. Avoid large “riding” toys for young infants. While so-called riding toys are not inherently dangerous, the injuries that can result from placing young infants on riding toys are serious enough to avoid these types of toys altogether until the child has matured sufficiently. Riding toys are usually sold as rocking horses.

3. Toys with loose strings, cords, or other dangling parts can be a hazard. Avoid any toys or accessories that have hanging or dangling parts. These may include hanging mobiles, hood cords, and pacifiers tied to strings or cords. Unfortunately, many young children have suffered strangulation from such products. It’s best to avoid any such product altogether.

4. Watch out for very small toys, or toys that contain small, loose parts. Small toys can get lodged in your child’s throat. Toys that contain small or loose parts may entice your young child to bite and pull. Aside from dangers of ingestion, small parts may also become lodged in your child’s ears and nose.