0 – 6 months

The mouth is the exploring organ, not a bad habit

Until the hand becomes precise — and that takes months — a baby's mouth has more nerve endings than any other part of their body. Mouthing everything is not a phase to be corrected: it is how they find out what the world is made of.

Which is why the buying criterion at this stage is almost a single one: it must be safe to bite. Food-grade silicone, one-piece with no small parts, too large to fit entirely in the mouth.

And something that surprises many families: that oral exploration is also preparation for eating and for speaking. The muscles a baby exercises while biting are the same ones that will later chew and articulate.

What a two-month-old actually sees

Far less than toy packaging suggests. In the first weeks they focus at around 20-30 centimetres — precisely the distance to the face of whoever is holding them, which is no accident — and mainly distinguish strong contrast: black on white, simple large shapes.

Pastel colours, which dominate the nursery market, are almost invisible to them in the early months. A mobile in soft tones is lovely for the adult and of little interest to the baby.

Around three or four months full colour arrives and they begin tracking objects. That is when high-contrast material gives way to things that can be grasped.

What you don't need to buy

Almost all of it. This is probably the stage where most money is overspent, because it is the first and there is excitement.

They do not need toys that do things, activity centres, or anything with batteries. They need floor time on their back with space, an adult talking to their face, and two or three objects to mouth and look at. Everything else arrives later and is enjoyed more when it arrives on time.

Frequently asked questions

What toys does a 0 to 6 month old need?

Very few: something safe to mouth, high-contrast material to look at, and perhaps something with a gentle sound. At this stage the best stimulation is not an object — it is an adult's face talking at 25 centimetres and floor space to move freely.

When can a teether be introduced?

From when they bring hands to mouth intentionally, around 3 months. You can offer one earlier, but they will not hold it. Teethers should be one-piece, food-grade silicone and too large to fit entirely in the mouth.

Why are black and white toys recommended?

Because in the early months babies distinguish strong contrast far better than colour. A high-contrast image is visible and engaging to them; a pastel mobile is effectively invisible until three or four months.

Is it bad that they mouth everything?

Quite the opposite — it is what they should be doing. The mouth is their main exploring tool until the hand gains precision, and it exercises the muscles later used for chewing and speech. The point is not to prevent it, but to make sure everything within reach is safe to bite.