Rattles

How to choose a baby rattle?

Age

• Newborns are very near-sighted and have trouble focusing on objects further than about 25 cm away. They also like deeper sounds, which they find calming and reassuring. The ability to follow moving objects develops gradually, so choose larger rattles or musical cot mobiles.
• Babies older than 3 months appreciate colourful and loud rattles, teethers, pacifier clips or plush rattles.

Colours and shapes

Rattles help babies learn to recognise colours and shapes, so it’s good to have multiple different rattles. Choose rattles that seem interesting to your baby, but make sure they aren’t too large or heavy. A rattle should fit even a small baby hand and must be impossible to take apart.

Materials and washability

Rattles are generally made of plastic and fabric, sometimes with extra cooling gel for those with teether features. Make sure that the rattle is safe and doesn’t contain BPA, PVC, latex or phthalates. Washability is a very important factor—babies chew on their rattles, so the rattle must be easy to clean. Some models can even be washed in the dishwasher, which makes the whole process considerably easier.