When Can A Baby Start Using A Playmat?
Time to read 2 min
When Can A Baby Start Using A Playmat?
Even though newborns are very delicate in their early stages, you may be surprised to learn that they can start using a playmat as early as their first month! A baby playmat is a nursery essential as it creates a safe and protective environment where your baby can develop their motor skills while having lots of fun.
By exposing your newborn to the playmat early, the little one fosters a sense of familiarity with the space. With a safe and familiar environment, your little one will be comfortable developing and learning new skills. A great start would be tummy time which can start as early as your baby’s first month.
What is tummy time?
“Tummy time” is a supervised activity where your little one spends time lying on their belly when they’re awake. It is a crucial exercise for a baby's motor, visual, and sensory development.
Tummy time helps your baby to develop the muscles to first lift their head and chest further by straightening their arms. Subsequently, they can start to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk. In addition, it prevents a flat head due to the reduced duration your baby spends lying face up.
To begin tummy time, let your baby spend 1-2 minutes a day on their tummy before gradually increasing the frequency and time of each session. Keep in mind to supervise them during this time.
Choosing the right playmat
There’s a wide selection of baby playmats with different materials, thicknesses and sizes. Let’s look at some of the features to consider when choosing the best one for your family.
Material
Safety is always first, so make sure your playmat is from non-toxic materials with professional certifications. A safe classic is non-toxic TPU foam as it’s environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and odorless. Its waterproof feature also makes it easy to clean up any mess!
Another alternative is quilted cotton playmats as they are soft and cosy, but more portable to fold and travel.
Thickness and design
A general rule of thumb is to consider comfort and support. For optimal thickness, look for one with 12-15mm thickness. Too thin, there wouldn’t be enough cushioning for any falls or crawls. Too thick, they may sink in which makes it difficult to move and easy to stumble.
Fun fact: Babies are born without kneecaps and it develops as they grow! Hence, good cushioning is very important as they are learning to crawl.
Babies are attracted to colour, so look for a design that is attractive to them but still pleasing to the eyes and complements your home. A great option would be Lollibly playmats - a lifestyle brand that carries baby playmats that are a perfect and timeless addition to your modern home. They are dual-sided, featuring a modern print on one side and interactive style on the other, giving you the flexibility of choice.
Size
Bigger is not always better when it comes to space constraints in houses. Access the space capacity you have available to fit a baby playmat and look for one that matches. Hatchery Cribs carries a variety of playmats with different sizes and shapes that suit any home!
Additional accessories
Complement your playmat with add-ons, such as a baby play arch (or mobile toy arch), early learning toys, or bumper side rails - depending on which stage your child is on.
Start shopping!
Now that you’re clear on which playmat fits your family - shop away! We recommend popping by a physical store to touch and feel it in person before purchasing. Feel free to pop to shop our range of baby playmats and other baby essentials on our website, visit our virtual showroom or contact us if you need any further advice!
