Sensory Discovery: Top Picks & Tips

Dunno about you, but when I read that in the first three months of a baby’s life two million neural connections are created in their brain every second, it kind of blows my mind. But it's true. Their little noggins are frantic with activity - even when they're lolling at the bottle or breast, looking a bit pie-eyed. So our Sensory Discovery collection gives you loads of options to intrigue and enthrall them, all the way from from tummy time to toddlerhood.

“At a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

A playmat

A playmat is an essential for keeping them comfy and clean on the floor. This Etta Loves version has a monochrome dalmatian side has been designed to enhance visual skills for 0-4-month-olds. The leopard printed side helps develop cognitive skills for 5+ months. It's in soft organic cotton and padded for comfort.

"I love that it comes with a large black elastic to roll it up and keep it neat when you’re in other peoples’ homes."
Amanda, Parent Tester

A rattle

They can entertain themselves from very early on with a rattle and this Trixie Wrist Rattle lets them be mini music makers before they can even sit unaided.

"She was so shocked by the noise her wrist was making. She started to wave her arms in excitement to hear it. "
Katie, Parent Tester

A tummy time pillow

A pillow will get them raring to be put on the floor and this Done By Deer Tummy Time Activity Toy Croco has loads to offer: a teether and rings to soothe itchy gums, tactile textures, a mirror, tags, crinkle sounds and a jittering crocodile tummy.

"A brilliant pal for tummy time that will help your baby gain strength and control."
Megan, Buyer

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into 1,000 pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born, it’s first laugh becomes a fairy.”
J M Barrie, Peter Pan

A soft book

It's good to introduce them to books from as early as possible. The Kaloo My Activity Book includes beautiful illustrations themed around animals, with tactile fabrics and ribbons for them to feel and grab. It's an ideal toy for sensory play at home, or to clip onto their pram for entertainment on-the-go.

"She was very intrigued with the little red fabric flowers and that could keep her engaged for a very long time. The cute, soft flowers really stand out."
Mimi, Parent Tester

A bath toy

Bath time is a nightly opportunity for a proper sensory party and this Shnuggle Wishy Bath Toy can be pulled apart for a range of ways to play, from pouring, to scooping to watching the lights go on and off. As your baby grows and develops they can hold it and feel its different textures before they learn how to play with and connect the different parts themselves.

"She kept trying to grab hold of it and kick it with her feet. It’s great that you can see the light even under water."
Anny, Parent Tester

A swaddle blanket

This is one baby product with so many uses. The Nanami Pebble Print Swaddle Blanket is the kind of thing you'll be turning to all day long. It becomes a bath sheet, a pram blanket or shade during those bright summer months, a floor covering for playtime out of the house, or pop it over your shoulder for post-milk burping. Yet it's easy to roll up for packing in the changing bag.

" It’s so stylish I’d even wear it as a scarf."
Sheona, Parent Tester

This may surprise you

Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in your baby’s brain’s pathways, which enhances your child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.
Newborns can detect light and dark but can't see all colours but have already fully developed hearing. They should startle in response to loud sounds and pay quiet attention to their carers’ voices.
If a baby’s body was able to grow at the same rate as their brain, the average child would weigh as much as 170 pounds at 1 month old.