Having a child brings in a set of new challenges every day. If you are new to this, you might be confused with a lot of things. You might have done your research but there might still be things that you don’t know about or are unaware of, which is why I am here to help you with one such issue that might have occurred in your head.
In this article, we are specifically going to talk about the best baby play mats & Play Gyms, and Things That Every Parent Should Know before purchasing one.
Now, what is a play mat or a play gym?
A Play Mat or a Play Gym is a comfortable surface for your beautiful baby, where he or she can lie down to play and learn at the same time.
It offers a lot of benefits and has the power to build a stronger relationship between you and your child.
At What Age Should You Introduce Your Child To A Play Mat Or Play Gym?
We all know how Babies tend to grow fast each day when suddenly, at one point, they start moving around or at least try to move and explore on their own. If there is a definite age to that situation, it would be when a baby is around 3 to 6 months old.
Around this time, you will notice your child being comfortable enough to lie down on their backs, being curious, and interacting with their environment. This is the best time to introduce them to new things, encourage them to play, and develop their physical and mental activities.
Things To Look Out For In A Play Mat Or Play Gym – Your Buying Guide To A Good Purchase
Every child is unique so when you’re trying to pick something for your child, you need to pay attention to their personal choices. But there are a few key features that you must not overlook, which I have listed below for your convenience. So, do make sure that you go through each of these things before you decide on your purchase.
1- Material Used
Look for softly padded playmats and play gyms where your child can lay comfortably every day.
2- Design and Color
Your child’s sensory organs will be adjusting to new visuals and patterns every day so opting for bright colors and visually pleasing images will be good for them.
3- Interactive Toys
Try to go for interactive toys that will help encourage your child to grasp things and entertain them. This will help them with their motor skills as well as brain activity.
4- Safety features
Always make sure that your child is safe. Try to find mats with safety borders and soft areas to avoid any injuries while your child moves around.
5- Tummy Time Cushion
Your child will be able to lie on their tummy at this time which will help them to develop their muscles, enabling them to crawl and move in the future. So, look for a soft tummy cushion so that they don’t have any problem when they are on their bellies.
6- Sensory Texture
It is better if your child is familiarized with different textures and touch for a better knowledge of sense. Try to choose mats or gyms where they have different textures of fabric and patterns so that your child can touch different things.
7- Easy Maintenance
Look for mats that are easily washable or wipeable to save you time. Also, look for easy packaging features so that you can take the mats along with you if you want to move them to another room or travel.
8- Reviews
Always read reviews on the product’s previous customers that you decide to purchase so that you don’t buy a bad product.
Talk to your partner and decide the best for your child. Do proper research and make sure you don’t waste your money on a bad product.
Conclusion
Introducing your child to a good play mat and play gym will encourage your child to develop his physical as well as mental activities. It will help keep them busy in a fun way while you can finish your other work.
I hope I was able to help clear some of your doubts through this article and wish you can find the perfect product for your lovely child. Research well, choose wisely and be a Smart Parent.
