R.S. asks from Chicago, IL on February 24, 2010
Toys for a 7 Month Old
Hello, Mamas!
We have a very active 7 rmonth old and although the exersaucer we have keeps her happy for a while, she grows tired of it. Do you have some good ideas of other toys for this age? She's almost sitting up unassisted but still topples over after a few minutes, so I can't sit her up on a playmat just yet. She loves blocks and other colorful objects. I take her out a lot, as she loves seeing people but for the times we're indoors, I just can't carry her around all the time (which seems to be what she wants these days...)..
Thanks!
More Answers
C.M. answers from St. Louis on February 24, 2010
We put my son (who is sitting like your daughter but topples over) underneath a playmat on his belly or back (alternating when he gets fussy). We also sit him up in the boppy so he can 'lean' back and put toys all around him. He loves his exersaucer but also grows tired of it (we have it in the basement). He also likes his jumperoo and swing - sometimes! When he gets tired of the scenery, I change it up. That may mean 5-10 minutes under the playmat then 5-10 minutes in the swing, then in his high chairs with toys stuck on it (or I use those chains to chain toys to the high chair). I then will grab my carrier and tote him around. Then we'll go into our bedroom and I'll sit him up on the bed and lay with him. I just try to keep him entertained by switching it up. I do not think specific toys are what he likes - he likes different faces and seeing what is going on all around him.
That being said, we do have a box of toys I keep for him and they include two wrist rattles, a set of keys that jangles, a steering wheel that he can turn and has lights on it, a ball that when rolled lights up, a bunny that makes noise and a few plastic chew toys.
I look forward to nicer weather so I can take he and his sister on walks or to play outside in the swing!
J.H. answers from Chicago on February 24, 2010
When my daughter was that age I subscribed to Babyplays.com, it's like Netflix for toys. I did this so that she would get age appropiate toys and it didn't break my bank!! They have a wide variety of toys that are grouped by age and whatever skill you may want your child to develop. I found this to be the best solution. Good Luck
M.K. answers from Chicago on February 24, 2010
Plastic measuring spoons, measuring cups she can stack, and clean food storage containers (butter tubs, tupperware, etc.) with lids she can take on and off. Playing with these items will help develop her fine motor skills.
C.S. answers from Chicago on February 24, 2010
My six month old does great with any tiny toys that he can "eat". He loves the tags on everything. Stuffed baby toys with noses such as elephants, or tails on monkeys are his favorite. Nothing big works for us yet. We use the high chair for playtime in addition to the saucer, jumparoo, and floor. The tray keeps him from toppling forward. He's been sitting since 5 months unsupported because he's had so much practice in the high chair. Good luck! Keep switching up the activities with a few hugs and holds in between.
M.F. answers from Kansas City on February 24, 2010
C.S. answers from Victoria on February 24, 2010
for both my kids, their favorite was a little lion bought at toys r us & it has a little spin thing on its belly. they spin it & a light comes on & it plays a song with different verses. Awesome for car & shopping. "I am a lion, hear me roar, GRrrrr." my dad got it for my daughter & it was love at first sight.
My routine for both my kids to get them exercised uniformly was to switch it up all day long. Never longer than 20 minutes in one position. high chair for breakfast....floor...hip/lap...exersaucer.....floor.....hip/lap...bouncy........high chair...hip/lap.....crib...exersaucer........bouncy.......jumper roo......floor........swing.......hip/lap.......outside.........floor........highchair........hip/lap.............bath...........bed. have several floor areas even try a bumbo with tray if you have it. have different toys... I placed a huge quilt on the floor & each time I would lay them at a differnt corner. each corner has different toys & that makes me at least get in 4 floor sessions a day. The floor sessions strengthens more muscles it seems & so mine did seem to get tired of it quicker. also you can put a mirror in front of exersaucer I kids really seemed to enjoy that cuz when they look up someone is looking at them & usually smiling. gets you some time to get things done. I did use a carrier & vacuumed with mine & they loved it. to slightly wean her from hip/lap, then increase the time in which you respond to her fussing & I have found that with short attentions, they sometimes get distracted and they learn that they can be without you for 5 min., 10 min, etc.. & you still come back. Hope this helps....
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