Choosing Safe Toys for Your Baby

Babies learn in a variety of ways, but two of the most important methods are by watching and doing. The perfect baby toy should stimulate your child in the areas that he is developing at that point in his growth. However, you also need to make sure that the toys you give your baby are safe and secure enough for him to play with.

Don't ever assume that a toy is safe just because it was made for children. Many playthings are manufactured in third world countries where the standards are not as strict and you may find that they are of inferior quality. Also, older toys that are second hand can be dangerous because the standards that are in place now were not in existence when the toy was built.

The first thing to check is that there are no loose or small pieces that your baby could swallow. Tug on wheels, wings and any pieces that look as though they could possibly pop off or come loose. If there is any indication that a piece might be able to be separated from the toy, get rid of the toy. The last thing you want is for your six month old to choke on a wheel that fell off his toy car!

Paint should not come off of toys. For older wooden blocks and such that are painted, have the paint tested to be sure it doesn't contain lead. You can easily check any toy for paint durability by scraping your fingernail along the surface and examining it. If a sliver of paint comes off or you have any color on your nail, the paint is not secure. Don't forget to check even plastic rattles with designs, since these often end up in your little one's mouth and he may swallow some paint.

Before buying a toy, check that it is sturdy enough to withstand your baby's abuse. Small children learn about objects by mouthing, biting, squeezing and banging on the floor. If the toys you choose are not strong, small bits can break off, causing cuts and scrapes and even choking hazards. Little fingers can get easily caught in broken pieces of plastic, as well. Squeeze the toy before you buy it, noting if any areas seem weak enough to break under the pressure a baby and later a toddler will put on it.

The last thing to check is if the toy is a choking hazard. If a piece of a toy can fit through a cardboard toilet paper tube, it is a choking hazard. Don't give any child under 3 years of age a toy that can go through one of these tubes. You should turn the toy around and check various angles since sometime it will only become a choking hazard in a certain position.

By following the guidelines given above, you should be able to give your baby perfectly safe toys. It's always a good idea to check for toy recalls every so often, though, just to make sure. And if you find that a toy you bought is unsafe for your child (i.e. a piece breaks off that shouldn't) be sure to report it to the toy company as it may be a flaw in the manufacturing of the toy.