Toys that play music, crinkle, light up, or squeak when grabbed, or have objects that can be discovered by uncovering something are wonderful developmental toys for infants. Another developmental toy is a mirror. Babies love to look at themselves and slobber on the mirrors. I would also suggest hanging black and white pictures around newborns. They like to see the contrast and look at the edges where black turns to white. It stimulates their visual development.

Sleep Training
Every parent wants his/her infant to sleep at night so s/he can get enough rest to handle the next day of entertaining the baby. Experts have varying ideas as to what is the best approach to take. Here's my advice: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE in the room to cry it out! This does not teach your baby that you are there for him or her. This teaches the baby that his caregiver is not going to be there for him during the toughest times. The caregiver is not going to comfort him and give him the support that he needs to develop a secure attachment with his caregiver. If you've read the research on attachment, you know that it is very important for infants/children to develop a secure attachment to his parents.

To get your baby to sleep by himself you must first develop a nightly routine. Your baby will know that you do a. b. c. and d. before going to bed. Then you tell your baby that it is time to go to sleep and put your baby in the crib. Pull up a rocking chair and sit by your baby. He will cry. Play a cassette with bedtime songs or sounds of nature, sing songs, or read to your infant (using a soft voice). The baby will still cry. This could take up to an hour or two on the first night! After maybe 10 minutes of the baby crying, stand up, lean over the crib, comfort the baby (But do not pick him up). Speak softly, "I know you are upset and want mommy to hold you. I wish that I could hold you, but it is time to go to sleep right now. You can do this. I know you can. Mommy is right here with you, and I'm not leaving. It's ok." Then lean down and kiss your baby before sitting in the chair again. Continue to listen to the music, sing, or read to your baby. Before long, your baby will be asleep. You must do this each night, and each night it will take less and less time for your baby to get to sleep. Eventually you will be able to place your baby in the crib and leave the room. The couple weeks that it takes to train your baby will pay off for the many months and years afterward that you are able to get things done after the baby is asleep (not to mention the rest that you will be able to get.)