Image via WikipediaChoosing a play mat for your baby
by Jim Baebe
It's not surprise to learn that baby play mats have become very popular over the last few years, you can probably find them in any house with young children. Childhood development studies have shown that it's you can't be too early to the party when exposing your baby to a stimulating environment. Being a father of two young children I have enjoyed the fact that play mats offer a clean and comfortable environment for your baby to play on the floor.
Play mats are often made of soft and durable material that is appropriate for young children. They are adorned with bright colors which excite baby and stimulate their visual senses. For the most part all of the play mats on the market are made using different and unique textures and patterns which helps aid development of their tactile senses. It's important to buy a play mat that incorporates stimulation of as many of their senses as possible.
As any parent who has gone through the infant/newborn stage can attest, sometimes you just need to be able to put baby down for a bit and relax. However, a lot of first time parents struggle with the guilt of wanting to put their baby down for a while. It was comforting for me and my wife knowing when we did put our children on the play mat, it was a good healthy environment for them. In fact, it is important for babies to spend some time moving on their own instead of being perpetually attached to their parents hips. So don't fret when you feel this way. Just realize that it is a good for baby as it is for you to spend some time rolling and playing on the floor. These activities help baby tremendously with the strength and coordination skills they'll need as they grow and become more mobile.
<strong>Advice for choosing and using a play mat:</strong>
<strong>-Don't skimp</strong>. While price may be an important determiner for your purchase, you should find a play mat that offers stimulation of the most senses possible. It may cost a little more, but you'll get the most out of baby's time on the mat, and you'll save money and space.
<strong>-Buy a name brand product.</strong> It sounds a bit snobby, but they usually make the best products and in the off-chance you need to contact the companies support department, they usually have the best policies and are more responsive to consumers.
<strong>-Clean/wash your play mat routinely.</strong> Usually baby is the only one using the mat, but just like your floor, it will eventually become dirty and dusty, and needs to be washed. Try to use organic and non-toxic cleaners when you do to limit the chances of a skin reaction to baby.
<strong>-Balance time.</strong> When placing baby on the mat, make sure you alternate between having them on their tummy and on their back. Our first child hated being on his tummy and spent most of the time on his back while on the mat. Because their skulls are still forming, pro-longed time on their backs can cause a flattened skull as baby grows. While the problem almost always corrects itself (as it did for our baby), it was a big concern as first time parents.
Before you head out to purchase anything for your child, take a moment to browse your selection of <a href="http://baby-gym.net">Baby Gym</a> and <a href="http://baby-gym.net">Activity Gym</a> here at the Baby Gym Marketplace.
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