We all love babies and enjoy buying little gifts for them. Babies are not old enough for independent play, so stocking stuffer ideas for babies should be simple, useful and developmentally appropriate. When you buy something for a baby, you are, in a sense buying for his parents as well. You want to select gifts that are durable and have great eye appeal to invite interaction. The gifts should be able to withstand a baby chewing on them or mouthing them and the parts should not come off. Things you give to a baby need to fit his small hand and have inviting textures and contrasts.
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Stacking Toys For Babies
Stacking toys for babies can be very simple, or complex. Most of us are familiar with brightly colored cups of graduated sizes. They can be turned upside down and stacked one upon another, or reversed and nested one inside the other. This toy is great for sequencing and fine motor skills. Find large sets of cups that have six or more plain cups, or purchase a smaller set for a younger child. Some nesting and stacking cups have appealing printed designs and textured edges for even more appeal. Classic stacking toys also include the graduated rings that stack over a spindle and stacking blocks. Other versions of stacking toys can be odd shapes or animals designed to fit securely when stacked.
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Cute socks for babies
It is always nice to find socks in your stocking, no matter how old you are. Long before babies wear shoes, they need warm comfortable coverings for their feet. Those tiny socks get pulled off in odd places or lost in the washer. Parents will appreciate a few spare socks, especially in current wardrobe colors. Babies will be fascinated by colors and patterns on their socks. As babies discover their own hands and feet they are easily entertained just watching them. Give them some colorful socks to watch.
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Finger Puppets are dramatic play for babies
Well made finger puppets open the door to interaction with babies. Parents and caregivers first personify the puppet characters and then the baby will also join in. Puppets encourage the imagination by telling stories and they are a great vehicle for modeling language. Little finger puppets are easy to pack in the diaper bag for a needed distraction when traveling or waiting on appointments. Look for puppets with embroidered features so that they cannot be pulled off and swallowed or lost.
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Choose cute bibs for baby
Bibs are a practical gift. They keep food and stains off of baby's clothes. They are also a way to incorporate style into a regular pass time like eating. Think of personalized bibs, with names or cute saying on them. Imagine your little cowboy in a bandana fabric bib. Bibs can be plain or fancy, just be sure they are washable. Your little ballerina might enjoy a bib with a bit of bling and some tulle for detail. For older babies look for bibs that have fold up pockets at the bottom to catch dropped bites before they hit the high chair or ground.
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Stocking stuffer ideas for babies can be novel and fun. Bright colors and interesting sounds grab baby's attention. So many toys and accessories feature both.
Rattles are great stocking stuffers for babies
Even before a baby can hold a rattle for themselves it is a good toy and a great idea for a stocking stuffer. As you hold the rattle and shakes it for attention, the baby learns to focus on it. When the rattle is moved and makes noise, the baby visually tracks it, developing focus and helping the eyes coordinate. As the baby gets older, she can hold the rattle, learning cause and effect by shaking it and producing sound. It is a form of communication as well. A rattle can be shaken to get attention or even to express emotion.
Choose a rattle that has contrasting colors and textures to stimulate interest. Make sure it is well made with no sharp edges. Of course you will choose a rattle that is easy for a little hand to grasp, but is large enough not to choke the baby. As with all other toys, the paint and color should be molded in or non-toxic so that when it goes in the mouth, which it will, there is no harm to the child.
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Choose a car seat toy for a baby on the go
So many families have to spend a lot of time driving that it makes sense to have toys that attach to the car seat. For the driver, knowing that the toys cannot disappear or be a hazard brings real peace of mind. For the baby toys that are strictly for the car seat make an exciting change of pace. Some toys are designed to wiggle as a car moves. Others are comforting to the touch. They stimulate interest while entertaining on long or short rides. Choose durable toys with bright colors and textures. Make sure they can attach securely to the style of car seat you have. Easy to clean toys are recommended for play in the car.
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Bubbling soothing bath products for baby
Bath time is a wonderful time for baby to bond with his parents. Look for gentle baby bath products that will not dry delicate skin. There are a variety of soothing products for your baby's bath. Very young babies or those with sensitive skin should be bathed with fragrance free baby wash products. Products based on Castile soap are gentler to the skin. Older babies may find a sweet smelling bath to be a real treat. Choose scents like lavender, vanilla, or sweet apple. A life saver for a mom is a soothing vapor bath to help with cold symptoms. Baby bath products can moisturize and protect delicate skin while helping clean and relax baby, from head to toe. Many bubbling baby bath products can also be used as shampoo. Select a couple of products to help fill that stocking for Christmas.
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Meal time accessories are fun for baby
Stuff those stockings with colorful and useful feeding utensils. Buy matching little forks and spoons that encourage baby to self feed. Get eating tools that are easy for baby to grip. Spoons with smaller rounded bowls and forks with shortened tines are safer to use when you feed the baby. If you buy dinner wear with larger rounded handles soon your little one will be trying to hold their own and scoop up foods. Get at least two sets so that mom or dad can actually feed the baby while she is experimenting with them as well. You can also keep one set at home and another in the diaper bag.
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Calm your baby with bubbles
Blow bubbles to entertain your baby. They open their eyes wide and track the floating spheres. The gentle floating effect seems to make both mom and baby relax as they share a few minutes of bubble time. A small bottle of bubbles will fit well in a stocking. It is a quiet way of playing with and entertaining baby. Make sure that the lid fits securely for when you pop it into your purse or bag to take it with you on errands. Blowing bubbles outside in good weather helps increase appreciation of nature. Bubbles are quiet, with no sharp or dangerous parts and can fill a few minutes with giggles and grins.
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Choose whimsical, easy grip teething rings for baby.
As soon as baby can put hand to mouth they are ready for teething rings or other teething toys. Look for items that are easy for little hands to grasp and that have some texture. Babies bite to explore, to cut teeth and to express their feelings. Give them something that will help those painful little teeth break through the gums. A good teething toy lets them express frustration safely. Select teethers with non-toxic colors that do not scrape off preferably molded in. Make sure the plastic or rubber is food safe as well.
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Snack dispensers are good gifts for baby
We all want a little snack now and then. Whether you are carrying small fruit pieces or oat cereal or animal crackers a snack dispenser is a great idea. It holds right size portions and opens and closes securely for an adult. Look for a snack cup that will not crack or break easily and that closes tightly. You and baby will both be happy as you will not have spills and the goodies will not disappear.
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Food pouches are another snack idea for baby.
Food pouches full of pureed fruit make an excellent sweet treat for moms or dads to give babies while on the go. Well designed squeezable pouches mean that a spoon is not needed. A fruit snack in a pouch can be carried in purse or bag and can provide nutrition in an instant. Sweet and delicious food pouches are great to find in a stocking for baby.
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Pacifiers for Christmas stocking stuffers for baby
When babies need the relaxation of sucking but do not need to be fed, a pacifier is a good choice. It is a big help to parents to have a spare pacifier in case one gets lost or becomes dirty. Put one or two pacifiers in the Christmas stocking for baby. Find plain ones or colorful ones, but make sure that they will not come apart and become a choking hazard. You can find silicone pacifiers that molded in one solid piece. Pacifiers help make a calm and peaceful baby.
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A first toothbrush for baby.
The younger you get baby used to having their gums massaged and cleaned the easier it will be for them to become accustomed to brushing their teeth. A baby tooth brush should have very soft well attached bristles. A loose bristle could tickle and gag an infant. In addition, a brush with an extra large handle will be easier for a little hand to grip. Yes, there are lighted toothbrushes that play music and those are fun as well when putting a toothbrush in a stocking for baby. Start with dry brushing or just using water as you begin to teach your child good oral hygiene.
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Choose a play phone for baby
It seems everyone has a phone in hand these days. Of course your infant will want yours. Instead, get a play phone for their stocking. Choose a toy that has buttons, as that makes for fine motor dexterity and make sure that something happens when the buttons are pushed. Look for functions like noises, speech or lights to develop an idea of cause and effect. Buy a play phone and keep the real phones for the grownups.
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Sippy cups for a hydrated baby
We all need to drink more water and other healthy liquids. Mom and dad have water bottles. A good sippy cup would be a great gift in a Christmas stocking for baby. They come with various options beyond the idea of just tilt and sip. Some cups are flat on top with openings all around. Others have one way valves that prevent food from being drawn back in to the beverage. Backwash gets really yucky. Some babies prefer a sippy cup that has a soft spout that is more like a nipple. Whatever the age of the baby, there is a cup that is right for her needs. Other features of sippy cups can be a handle or two. An older baby can easily use a cup with no handles in a progression to drinking from a regular cup.
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Little hats and hair accessories for baby
It is hard to resist cute little bows and clips to put in a tiny girl's hair. Both boys and girls will wear cozy knit hats as well. They are cute and help keep baby warm. Buy baby combs and brushes for styling and then add decor like bows and roses to the stocking. Stretch headbands are popular for little girls as well. Maybe your favorite baby boy needs a baseball cap. It is even possible to find team logos on gifts for baby to wear in her hair or on his head.
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Finish off your Christmas gift list by checking out some of these stocking stuffer ideas for babies. You will not feel at a loss and both parents and baby will appreciate your thoughtful selections
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ulza/Shutterstock.com.