This development stage was the biggest for Caliyah, she was getting pass critical surgeries. She was healing and starting to make up for lost time. Around three months, you can see her desire to play, interact with people, and interest in toys and the toys, keeping her attention. You will see that your child is starting to smile intentionally, explore with their hands, have head control and wanting to roll and try tummy time, and more. Since my daughter had a unique six-month experience, which was in the hospital laying in her crib, her toys and playtime were crucial to help her development and offset any setbacks she would have from being in a crib for hours at a time. We started OT/PT at this time and found toys to motivate Cali to use all her extremities, get her oral play active to encourage eating by mouth, and then of course had to keep her style up.

IPLAY RATTLE BIN

Most of each piece is available for chewing, promoting better oral care, preventing cavities, helping teeth grow and preventing gum inflammation. Early Educational Learning – Different shapes, colors and shaking sounds stimulate listening, curiosity and shape identification. Advanced designs encourages active play and develop hand-eye coordination, imagination, creativity, shape recognition, color recognition, cognitive processes, fine finger and gross motor skills.

FISHER PRICE- DELUXE KICK N PLAY- I have seen a lot of variations of this kick n play, and honestly, this one does the job. Caliyah will lay on this mat and kick and grab up a storm. I love that she can grow up and still use the mat for tummy time, and then she can take the piano off and use it as a separate toy. I encourage my child to have some independent playtime, and this toy allows her to be entertained and accomplish it. I love the mirror attachment, its Caliyah’s favorite! Another favorite would be this Baby Einstein Gym Play Mat, I love the pillow and extra space for tummy time.

HIGH CONTRAST BABY CARDS- These are our go-to flashcards to help with visual stimulation. Vision for a baby from newborn to six months is rapidly evolving. Your baby will start to see farther away, have a more unobstructed view, recognize your face, and see all colors. These bright cards will grab any child’s attention. This deck is great because it also has black and white contrast objects, which is the only color your child can see in those early weeks.

SWADDLEME ORIGINAL SWADDLE

If you are a first-time mom like me, then you might have looked up all the videos on how to swaddle a baby. Well, I YouTube it, practiced, and then was gifted this swaddle and through all my techniques out the window. This swaddle will grow with your child and this arms-free swaddle is perfect for Caliyah in her constant moving stage. I can tuck her arms in or leave them out and still give her that snugged feeling. We use it for nap time and when it is time for us to do her daily care for trach.

BABY BANANA INFANT TEETHER TOOTH BRUSH

Around three months my daughter got very interested in putting every toy in her mouth and by five months she was full on teething. This baby banana was easy for her to grab and get to her mouth but the texture toothbrush was great stimulation for her tongue. It gently massages her gums as well as introduces a oral care routine. If your child is having any oral motor issues then I highly recommend the Q & P Chewy toys. We used these toys for oral therapy but honestly they are great to develop mouth muscles and help with chewing to prep for solids.

BABY NAIL TRIMMER

So no one told me how stressful it is to clip a baby's nails! Well, after my first time trying to cut her nails and having her move all over the place, my friend purchased this trimmer, and it has been a total blessing. The nail trimmer has multiple attachments that you can select based on the age of your child and the strength of your child's nails. My daughter will fall asleep while I am buffing her nails, it's very quiet and gentle on the nail.

FISHER -PRICE SPACESAVER HIGH CHAIR

This high chair is one that was in the NICU, and we decided to purchase it for her return home. We take this chair all over the house, from countertop, floor, upstairs, etc. This chair also can recline, and the table portion can be removed. Our goal with the high chair is to get Caliyah used to sitting up, develop those core muscles, and we use this for playtime by allowing her to grab out suction toys like this,

BABY TURBANS

If you have a girl, then you know how fun it is to dress up girls! I love adding turbans and bows to her outfits to add a little flavor to it. These come in various colors, and I always get so many questions about her turbans, so here you go!

BOPPY PILLOW

So this boppy was purchased thinking I would be breastfeeding and could be a nursing pillow. Well, my daughter hasn’t been able to nurse, but this pillow has not gone to waste. We use it for tummy time; it is a great height and just enough support. We also use it for sitting exercises, we wrap the pillow around her waist, hold the open part closed tight against her back, and let her use her arms to support her body. This is great for core engagement and balance!

SEE, TOUCH, FEEL SENSORY BOOK

I love books, and it was so hard to pick just one, but this was a favorite for Caliyah. In those early months, sensory activities are critical for development. This book is full of bright colors, a variety of objects, textures, animals, babies, and more. In month three, we used this book more for visual stimulation, and by month five-six, she started to love to explore the textures and rub her hand across the pages.

BONUS ITEM**

MUNCHKIN TOSS PORTABLE DISPOSABLE DIAPER PAIL

My nurses and I love these portable diaper pails for Caliyah’s room, downstairs, and have used these smaller Munchinkin Diaper Bag Dispensers that clops on to a diaper bag easily for our car rides or walks. I know some purchase the diaper genie’s but these seem to be more functional for my on the go family.