Adorable handmade soft toys are one of the favourite gift choices for babies and children. They are safe and easy to care and repair, affordable and timeless. High tech gadgets come and go, but our favourite cuddly bears and floppy-eared bunnies are here to stay. Why is that?

Do newborn babies need toys at all?

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? What do children need? Love, attention and time, of course. Toys are a bonus. But even babies love a bonus! Children learn through play and sensory exploration of everything that surrounds them, so good toys are a safe way to support it. But what are good toys?

Good toys reinforce natural development, inspire curiosity and aid children’s comfort. They don’t replace interaction but enrich it, don’t overwhelm senses but support them. Cuddly toys do just that.

Benefits of handmade soft toys for babies and children

It is one of the Montessori founding principles that active toys make for passive babies. In other words, with toys simple is better. And even though Montessori focuses primarily on real-life objects, cute bears and sweet bunnies abide by this principle.

So, what are the main benefits of soft toys?

Firstly, their texture helps babies practice their sensory skills, which in turn, incentivises social and emotional development. Fabrics that surround your baby should be gentle, providing a sense of security as well as preventing skin irritation. That’s why the best soft toys are handmade with high-quality yarn.

Handmade soft toys are safe. Of course, it is essential to look for the ones made with non-toxic, certified fabrics and free of sharp parts. Dressupbaby soft toys are all safety-fitted, so any small elements like eyes or noses won’t be going into mouths and… well, noses. A pro tip? When purchasing or making a soft toy yourself, make sure that the gauge is tight to keep the stuffing inside and if it’s filled with pellets, check if those are packed in an additional pouch to prevent spilling.

To keep babies even safer, do not let them sleep with any loveys or loose blankets before they turn one year old! For hygiene, wash their stuffies in cold water, roughly once a month, unless they get into a sticky situation, or unless your little one suffers from allergies or asthma, then more frequent wash is recommended.

Handmade plushies teach children an appreciation for crafts. Maybe a new knitted or crocheted toy will be an inspiration to make your own? Making soft toys is a labour of love, and we take pride in every thread of it. Check out here.

Toys that grow with your child

And it doesn’t mean a chair with extendable parts or a complex DYI project. Yes, toys that grow with your child do not always require a toolbox! Soft toys, stuffed toys, plushies, stuffed animals, plush toys, stuffies, cuddly toys… The long list of names reflects their long history and that they never fall out of fashion. Research shows that soft toys provide great emotional support to both small and big children as comforters for infants, transitional items for toddlers and aid with depression and anxiety for adolescents.

Great gift for mummy to be

There is no sweeter gift for a new or expecting mother than a cute bunny (or a bear, or a kitty… you get the idea).  Playful animals have always been among the most popular baby shower gifts. No wonder, as they always put a smile on new parents’ faces and transform the bedroom space into a baby-ready nursery.

Want to be baby ready? Check our handmade newborn items here, and our handmade toys here.