Pretty colors, soothing shapes, and developmental benefits—what’s not to love? Baby mobiles make a sweet impression, inspiring delight in babies and parents alike. It might not seem like newborns do much aside from eating and sleeping for the first few months of life — but they’re actively learning all about the world around them using their five senses.
You already give those senses a workout every time you and your baby interact, but certain toys are designed to give your baby an additional boost.
Age Appropriateness
Mobiles are designed to entice newborns to focus and reach out for objects of interest. Leave one in the crib for too long, and your little one might just catch it!
By the time baby reaches five months, or as soon as he or she begins to push up on their hands and knees, it’s time for the mobile to go. If your growing baby manages to reach it, he could pull it down on himself, risking injury and even strangulation.
Can’t bear the thought of relegating that beautiful baby mobile to the closet? Why not consider hanging it somewhere else? Try mounting it from the ceiling over your favorite cuddle spot or hanging it over the changing table to distract your little wiggle monster during difficult diaper changes. Just make sure it remains out of reach and away from the crib.
Is a Crib Mobile Necessary?
Mobiles aren’t just a fun design touch for the nursery — they can be beneficial for baby. In the first few months of life, babies are attracted to bold and contrasting colors, which make mobiles ideal for their visual development.
Types of Crib Mobiles
Mobiles come in three basic designs: They clip onto the side rails of your baby’s crib, attach to your baby’s car seat or stroller, or dangle from the ceiling. While pretty pastel mobiles might catch your attention, babies prefer black and white for the first six weeks or so followed by other bright colors. Designs that are bold with sharp contrasts tend to capture babies’ attention best. Many come with music to stimulate your baby’s hearing, while some have projected lights to comfort baby at night.
Ensuring Crib mobile safety
Since a crib mobile is in your baby’s sleep zone and potentially accessible at times when you won’t be monitoring him, you need to make sure it doesn’t pose a potentially dangerous strangulation, suffocation or choking hazard. Before hanging your mobile, check that all of the mobile’s parts are firmly attached, with nothing loose that may fall off onto your baby.
