What Are the Toys and Books Right for My Baby Age

You can read or sing anything to them at that age and they will love it - even if it's the weather report. Sometimes when my son was fussy I'd put in a CD of waltz music and dance him around the room. They don't need a lot in the way of toys yet but rattles and teething rings will come in handy. Once they can grab - everything goes into their mouth - so be sure only things that are ok to chew on are in reach (and are not choking hazards).
My son loved his play mat. It had arches over it and he'd kick and grab at things hanging from the arches (I'd sit next to him on the floor the whole time). When he could roll over he still liked his mat because it has squeaky areas that made noise when he pushed them. He loved his bouncy seat too.

Start reading now! Give him soft little things to hold and dangle toys he can reach for.

Start reading to him now. Although he may not seem like he's listening, he hears you. You will be glad that you did it. As far a toys, a colorful rattle maybe. The also have this piano by fisher price. You put it in his crib, when he kicks it, it makes music. This is also helping his leg muscles. A mobile for the crib, if you don't already have one. A lot of tummy time is good at the stage as well. Its not a toy, but its helping with his pyhsical development.

I read my books to my DD when she was that age. I got some board books, for babies, but she wasn't interested in sitting and reading with me. So I just read my novels out loud when she was playing on the floor. When she hit about 7 months is when she started enjoying sitting on my lap and looking at the book I was reading.

As for toys, you can hit up the baby aisle at the toy stores. Most toys are labelled with the minimum age requirements on the box. Stacking rings and rattles will probably be best at that age though.

Girl, read to him now! My son is now 3 and LOVES books. I have read to him since he was a teeny-tiny infant. We had three books: one was a soft one that said "I love Mom" "I Love Dad" "I love you" (three pages). One was a story about a dog and it had different textures/sounds and flaps. I held my son's hand and let him crinkle the crinkly pages and pet the dog's soft fur. He loved it. The third book I made myself (very easy). I got a little cheapo photo album and put babies and toddler's faces cut out from my parenting magazines in each photo slot. He LOVED this book. We'd look at the expressions on the faces. He would sometimes try to copy the facial expression of the child/baby. He would sometimes just stare at certain faces. I would explain how 'this baby is sad' and 'this baby is happy.' There was one girl he would always stare at a little longer than the others - an Indian little baby with dark skin and bright eyes. So if you make one, try putting a variety of faces in the photo album book.

As far as toys go, my son loved his teething rings, but his had a little rubbery-ness to it. I have since bought teethingbling.com bangle bracelets for a future child. They're the right texture I think. They're not filled with water or gel, and they're not hard plastic rings. I agree that toys that have a cause/effect would be great (kick it and it makes noise). My son loved his bouncy chair. He started on a Bumbo at 4 months too. I'd play with his stuffed animals with him too - making his toy dog sniff his neck and such.

Good luck. Start reading now! Have fun playing with him too. They grow up so fast - so enjoy this time. Take lots of pictures!