Are soft toys beneficial for babies?
Handmade soft toys are a favorite gift choice for babies. This type of toy is adorable and cuddly which makes it even safe for babies and infants to play.
What are the real benefits of handmade toys?
Handmade soft toys are a favorite gift choice for babies. These types of soft toys are adorable and cuddly which makes it even safer for babies and infants to play.
From birth through to early childhood, soft toys provide children the perfect mix for developing sensory skills and encouraging social and emotional growth.
At a young age, babies begin to recognize the different colors, sizes, and textures of their surroundings, and soft toys are the perfect way for them to explore new things.
Even in today’s new technology era, soft toys are a timeless favorite toy and loved by many!
The famous cuddly teddy bear is a child’s first friend. A friend that plays listens and serves as an outlet for their emotions. This relationship helps babies develop a vocabulary of words and gestures through pretend play. It also provides comfort when feeling stressed or anxious.
In fact, researchers at North Dakota State University say that cuddling a stuffed animal helps young children rely on their own ability to seek comfort.
The three main benefits of soft toys:
Comfort
- Eases distress and anxiety
- Familiarity and reassurance
- Self-soothing
- Relieves trauma
Social Skills
- Fundamental social skills
- Pretend play helps develop language skills
- Use of imagination
- Encourage babies to care for others
Sensory Skills
- Texture helps practice sensory skills
- Explore new things
What kind of soft toys are safe?
Nowadays, handmade soft toys are made from quality cotton and hypoallergenic stuffing and are considered to be the safest toys for your baby.
When buying soft toys for babies, it is important to make sure that they are made from natural fabrics. Babies’ favorite way of exploring new objects is by putting them in their mouths. Choose soft toys that are suitable for babies 0 to12 months of age.
This means no craft eyes or nose, or loose fibers that may present as a choking hazard.
Always choose 100% cotton, hypoallergenic stuffing, and eyes and nose that have been sewn on.
At The Smiley Baby, we offer our handmade knitted crochet Teddy Bears, “Oppo and Yeeya”, in blue and pink colors. Made of 100% cotton and stuffed with hypoallergenic silicone fiber polyester that protects filling from attracting all kinds of bacteria and dust.
The perfect companion for your baby that will withstand a lifetime.
Want to be ready? Check our newborn gift sets here, and our handmade toys here.