Toys are often split by gender. Pink building blocks for girls and brightly colored building blocks for boys, for example. Doctors, superhero and police officer outfits for boys and an array of princess dresses for little girls. How can a toy be gendered, you may wonder, surely you can just buy whichever toy you want? Well, yes, but if that toy comes in bright pink packaging, your school-aged son is likely to say “it’s for girls.” If that toy is situated in the boys’ section of the toy store, your daughter is unlikely to notice it never mind want it.

What are the benefits of gender neutral toys?

The difference between boys and girls lurks in their diapers. And that’s it. Your daughter can climb, solve and build just as well as any of the boys she knows. And your son can care for dollies, dance and show empathy as well as any of the girls. If you stick to traditional boy/girl toys, you’re limiting the resources and learning opportunities your child has access to. Don’t let toy store marketers tell you what your child can play with or who they can dream of becoming (doctor or princess, depending on gender).

5 fun gender neutral toys

If you’d love to avoid gender stereotyping, think carefully about the toys you have in your home. This will become more important as your child grows older, but even baby toys are often categorized according to gender. Here are five fun gender neutral toys for your child:

1. Building blocks

Contrary to what toy marketers may try to tell you, building blocks are great toys for all babies. And, brace yourself because this may come as a surprise, the blocks don’t need to be pink for your daughter to play with. Your baby will have hours of fun stacking bricks and watching them tumble over.

2. Toys with wheels

Yep, that’s right, girls are allowed to like things with wheels too. Revolutionary, isn’t it? A wheeled toy can encourage your baby to become mobile. There are plenty of options for wheeled toys for babies from hand held cards to wheeled bunnies on sticks that can be pushed along.

3. Musical toys

All babies love music and especially when they’re the ones in control of the beat. There are lots of different options of gender neutral instrument toys for babies from shakers to drums and beyond.

4. Dolls

This one is pretty controversial, but little boys can play with dolls too. After all, they might grow up to be fathers one day. Wouldn’t it be great if they were raised understanding how to love and take care of babies? Your baby will enjoy tucking the doll under a blanket, giving kisses and even pushing the baby around in a pram. And guess what? You don’t have to be a girl to enjoy all those things.

5. Balls

Balls are great for developing coordination, encourage mobility and getting your baby moving. Your baby will enjoy rolling the ball along the floor, throwing it and chasing after it. Why should girls miss out on all these great opportunities for skills development?

What are your baby’s favorite gender neutral toys?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your baby has come such a long way from the eat-sleep-poop newborn to this little ball of energy who is starting to sit and maybe even wanting to crawl. He can roll around, and pass objects from hand to hand. He may not be able to pick up tiny objects yet, but he can rake things into his hands. He’s doing so many new things, so fast.

Babies around six months old …

… can see in full color, have improved distance vision, and can track moving objects well.

… can react to their own names, and tell your emotions from the tone of your voice.

… can find partially hidden objects, and will toil to get objects that are out of reach.

Six-month-olds are sociable – they love playing and cuddling with caregivers. Your baby will enjoy repeating sounds you’re making, and may even babble away all day long – especially if you’re providing feedback! Mimicking your baby’s expressions and sounds will help her learn about body language and the art of conversation. Talk, read or sing to your baby as much as you can – it’s the start of language learning.

Provide a safe area for baby to explore. Be sure you’ve started childproofing your home, since your baby will soon begin exploring every corner. Babies this age will put everything in their mouths – from fuzz they find on the floor, to dog food, to the button you didn’t know fell off your coat. Be sure that small and fragile items are out of reach. Gate any stairs and close doors where you can to keep baby contained.

Get down on the floor and play with your baby every day. Place toys just out of his reach once in a while, and allow him to strengthen his upper body, and gain more balance and coordination, by reaching for them. Toys your baby might like at this age include:

• Any kind of ball: Soft balls and open balls are easy for tiny hands to manipulate. And textured balls will give your baby different tactile experiences. Your baby will love rolling the ball back and forth with you and chasing after those rolls that miss the target.
• Anything with mirrors: Babies love looking at faces, and looking at his own in a shatterproof mirror allows him to develop his sense of self.
• Toys that are made for manipulation: Any bead maze, activity gym or busy board gives babies opportunities to use logic skills and to learn how moving parts work on a very basic level.
• Books: Soft fabric books or board books should be available for baby to handle. Read to your baby every day. Literacy learning can start even before six months. The great thing about the fabric books is that they’re washable; and since he likes to put everything in his mouth, they won’t get destroyed in the same way board books might.
• Teethers: Around this age, your baby will start getting teeth. But even before those pearly whites appear, baby may need something to soothe sore gums. Teethers with nubs and textures, as well as ones that can be chilled, are good options.
• Cooking and kitchen supplies: You don’t need to spend tons of money on specialty toys. Babies will play with just about anything. Consider filling a low cupboard in the kitchen with plastic bowls or containers with lids, wooden spoons, and measuring cups. Then allow baby to clean out the cupboard while you’re working.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Baby walkers might seem like a harmless enough toy, and certainly one that will make your life easier but experts are warning against them. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to ban the sale of baby walkers, blaming them for a number of child injuries each year.

What is a baby walker?

The term baby walker refers to a frame surrounding a fabric chair that suspends babies so their feet can touch the floor. The walker is on wheels, allowing the baby to scoot around the room. The frames often feature a number of toys and activities to keep babies entertained. They’re very popular products, and most babies have access to them.

Why are they so dangerous?

Walkers allow your baby to be mobile before he has developed the skills to move. Before he has developed strong leg muscles and coordination, your baby can move across the room at speed with the help of his walker.

Each day in the US, around 100 children suffer injuries in their baby walkers. The majority of these injuries are head injuries caused by falls. Babies in baby walkers have fallen down stairs, touched hot ovens and escaped through the patio door and straight into the family pool. Baby walkers allow young babies to be mobile at an age when they’re not old enough to understand the risks and potential dangers in the home.

Can they help babies learn how to walk?

There is a common misconception that baby walkers help babies learn how to walk. In fact, time spent in a baby walker can actually delay the development of the strength and skills necessary for walking. Babies who spend time in baby walkers have been found to take longer to sit up, crawl and walk.

Can I still buy one?

Of course, as the parent it is your choice whether you purchase a baby walker for your child. If you do wish to buy one, research the safety mechanisms in place as these vary between brands and models. Make sure your baby is supervised when using the walker though this will not always prevent injury.

What alternatives are there?

If you love the look of walkers because of the engaging and fun looking play stations, fear not, you can buy stationary play centers with similar set ups. You could also use a playpen with toys as a way of entertaining your baby, this has the added benefit of allowing your baby freedom of movement. This freedom is key to developing the muscle strength and control that your baby will need for those first steps.

Do you have a baby walker for your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

It seemed fun when you were pregnant and registering for all that cute baby gear. But now it seems like baby clothes, toys and miscellaneous kid paraphernalia take up every nook and cranny in your house. What can you do to get a hold on organizing all the stuff you’ve accumulated?

Start with the idea that everything needs to have a place, so that there’s a place for everything. Then choose an organization system that best matches your space, your needs, and your own personality.

• Invest in drawer dividers for baby’s dresser: Having a way to separate socks from onesies from pajamas is essential. You can even make your own by cutting down boxes that were destined for the trash (think boxes from cereal or pasta).
• Add some sort of shelving to your child’s room: Not just for books, shelving will give you a place to organize toys, clothes and other baby supplies. Make sure these are secure and out of reach so baby can’t pull items off.
• Baskets and bins: If you have shelving, you want to have a way to store things on the shelf. Baskets and bins of all sorts can keep everything in its place. Buy some larger baskets – the kind that can sit on the floor – for larger items.
• Organize clothes by size: Different sizes in different drawers might help. Or buying some hanging tags to help you keep clothes in the closet divided. If you have lots of clothes that your baby won’t fit for a while, consider packing those away in a bin or box. Switch out clothes with the change of seasons, and have a place for the clothes baby has outgrown.
• Rotate toys: Pack away any toys your baby isn’t ready for yet, and keep a small stash in baskets around the house. This is, of course, easier for young babies. For older babies and toddlers, having a large bin or basket in which to quickly clean up is a great way to help you child learn where toys belong. Toy bin is overflowing? Time to get rid of some.
• Make the most of every space: Place hooks on the wall or the side of a dresser or changing table (removable adhesive hooks are great for this). Don’t forget the back of the door! Shoe pockets are great for storing small items. Under the crib is lots of storage space – you might even add a skirt to the crib to hide the bins!
• When deciding on larger storage pieces, like shelving, make sure it will grow with your child. You’ll be surprised how fast your baby moves from rattles to building block to action figures and Legos.
• Become a labeler: You’ll always know what’s in the mystery bin that got pushed into the far corner of the closet.
• Don’t have a closet? Consider a freestanding armoire, or adapt a bookcase by removing a shelf and adding a hanging bar, even a shelf on the wall with an attached bar could give you a place to hang a few outfits.

What methods have you found for organizing all your baby stuff?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.