Recommended Gifts - Babies

"Balls, which roll and bounce, are an excellent source of information and useful play objects for a child. Children at all developmental levels can use their budding skills to chase a rolling ball."
- Magda Berger

Balls are terrific for babies and toddlers. These balls are even better, because they encourage sensory exploration. One of the balls is made of soft brightly patterned cloth, one is a squeezable bumpy teether (BPA free) and one is a ball within a ball that is visually interesting and makes a chime noise when it shakes, rattles and rolls. Any little creeper would be motivated to pull himself along to get his hands on these balls.

2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and Snap Award

Perfect for hanging over the car seat to keep your baby happy while you drive. Designed by child development experts from Yale University, this plush toy offers visual, auditory and tactile interest. Sorry, can only be shipped within the US.

Offering many ways to play, this multi-sensory toy lets babies pull, push, chew, listen, shake, press - and laugh! -- while learning gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It is lightweight and portable, making it a great option for keeping your little one entertained in the car. 

Help make tummy time exciting with this baby mirror that is also a teether and a soft book that rattles, squeaks and crinkles. Babies will have fun looking at themselves and the bright colors and patterns this toy offers. It is foldable and hangable,  making it easy to bring along for stroller and car rides. 

Little ones practice fine motor skills opening and closing the pop-up animal.  Delight in your baby as they surprise themselves with the pop-up animal and feel confidence in their ability to find and hide them! 

Perfectly colorful and sensory teething book.  Soft material lets baby explore the colors and sounds and textures!  An excellent way to allow your baby the sensory experience of feeling and chewing on the gentle material.  Comes with hook for car seat or stroller attachment.

Baby to toddler indoor/outdoor swing for children up to 50 lbs.  Durable material, easy to clean if kept outdoors!  Babies and toddlers enjoy the sensory experience of swinging, they won't want you to stop pushing them!  

Grows with your baby's development, from newborn to toddler, little ones enjoy the activity mat and move on to the ball pit as they sit and learn to stand.  Activities include sensory exploration and motor skill development.  Keeps the little one busy for hours and balls are contained in the ball pit (for the most part!) 

What a terrific concept for a teether ring for baby! Let the bright and cheery colors of the rainbow delight your little one as they shake around this sturdy, wood clutching toy with moveable plastic rings. This classic baby toy with its simple design is perfect for first clutching and fine motor skills. The subtle noises will sooth and entertain.

This colorful, wooden toy engages babies senses with moving pieces, rattle sounds and overall squishiness. It encourages holding and reaching and is safety-rated for newborns. Baby can shake, chew and squish this toy while learning cause and effect and having fun. 

Like most sleep soothers, this one emits the white noise that research shows is soothing to babies. And like most soothers, this one uses an automatic shut-off timer, operating for 20 minutes and then switching off to save the battery. But some sleep soothers actually wake the baby when they go silent because of the change in sound. With this soother, if the baby wakes again, the sound goes on for an additional 20 minutes, which helps the baby go back to sleep. There are five soothing sounds to choose from, all of them featuring the sound of a resting heartbeat. This cuddly plush also features a soft, comforting nightlight. Safely attach it to a crib, car seat or stroller with the velcro tail. And when this little sheep needs a bath, just remove the control pad and throw it in the washing machine.  

The Sophie the Giraffe Teether is a safe teether loved by many parents (and the babies who chew on them!). 

This baby teething necklace is helpful for babies who need some relief from their teething pain, or need a fun distraction while nursing. The necklaces provides a gum massage and helps relieve pain. It can also serve as a toy for fussy babies who need to do something with their hands while nursing. 

The Moby is a highly rated baby carrier that will help parents and babies develop a strong and secure attachment. 

I think this bolster is essential for cosleeping.  Keeps baby safely on Mom's side of the bed for nighttime nursing, without any risk of falling off.  This also lets parents stay covered under their blankets, without covering the baby.  Also lets you cosleep with a second child on the other side of you.  The pillow can also double as a body pillow during pregnancy.  Highly recommended.

The Boppy Pillow is a great addition for any mom with a new baby. It helps position baby and gives mom additional support while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It can also be used for non-feeding positioning, such as tummy time.

This pacifier more closely simulates breastfeeding and can be a helpful tool for new parents.