A question we hear quite often from parents is whether or not it is okay to put toys or aquariums in the baby's crib. Many of us use these types of crib toys to entertain our babies or give them something to do after they wake up (hopefully they'll let us sleep a little longer!). However, some parents worry that their baby will not sleep and prefer to play with their toys.
Keep reading to learn my opinion on whether or not crib toys interfere with sleep and to read his recommendations.
Are crib toys and activity devices bad for babies' sleep?
I'm going to go against what other sleep consultants have advised and say that crib toys can be GOOD for your baby's bed. Obviously, we don't want our babies to treat their crib like a playground, and it's true that we don't want to stimulate them too much to the point that they are n't soothed to sleep . We want them to associate the bed with sleep, not play. And, "they" (the experts) say that if you, an adult, have trouble sleeping in your own bed, make sure you do nothing but sleep in your bed. No television, no reading, etc. if you suffer from insomnia.
How can toys in the crib be good for sleep?
So can toys in the crib really be GOOD for sleep? How does it work? Here's how I explain it...
For me, we want our babies to be comfortable in their crib . We want them to be able to "chill" in their bed before sleeping. We want them to be able to play a little when they wake up at dawn. Imagine your 10 month old waking up at 6:30 a.m., rolling over and finding a small toy, then playing for 30 minutes while you sleep in your bed. Sounds good, right?
A crib mobile, for example, is a good toy to place above the baby's crib, away from their face. A mobile provides visual stimulation and promotes brain development. Keep in mind, however, that some mobiles are intended to stimulate the baby and others to put him to sleep. Be sure to use it at the appropriate times. If your baby is too excited by the mobile, he may take longer to fall asleep or have trouble calming down.
My son used to play with a toy some time ago. He played with it for about 30 minutes before falling asleep. I removed it. Guess what ? He still took so long to fall asleep! I remember watching him on the BabySpy™ baby monitor while waiting for him to fall asleep.
It wasn't because of the toy, it was that I put him to bed too soon. His younger brother played with his fingers, feet, imagination, blanket, toy cars, books and now his "villains" (superhero action figures) for 5-30 minutes before falling asleep, and that since he was little. Once he feels sleepy, he simply stops playing and falls asleep.
Toys in baby's crib are not necessarily a problem
Have you ever noticed how short our babies' attention spans are ? They can hardly play with the same toy for a few minutes, let alone for hours. A sleepy baby usually won't play with the same toy for too long before falling asleep. Again, we want him to feel comfortable and happy relaxing before sleep, not lonely and bored, especially if we happen to put him to bed a little too early to sleep. nap (sooner rather than later is usually better for most babies).
Today, there are babies who actually wake up, even when sleepy, and play with a toy instead of falling asleep. Most babies, however, stop playing with the toy and fall asleep when sleepy. In my opinion, this is further proof that all babies are different , and that we have to make adjustments according to our own babies! So if you have one of those unique babies who really won't fall asleep with toys in the crib, then adjust accordingly. But I would say that most of our babies would like to relax before sleep , just like we might watch a little TV, read a book or a magazine before drifting off to sleep. Why not let them?
But are the developmental toys in the child's bed safe?
To reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), you should refrain from putting soft objects in your baby's bed, including stuffed animals, blankets, etc. Be sure to read all information to reduce the risk of SIDS. You should not use crib toys that could cover your baby's face or suffocate him. Also, avoid anything with small pieces that can fall out and your baby could choke on. But if you add a mobile, aquarium, or other safe toy to your baby's crib, it can be perfectly safe. If you are worried, always talk to your doctor.
And you ?
Do you keep toys in your baby's crib? Did they have any sleep disturbances?
I hope this article has enlightened you on the subject. Feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments.
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