The Truth About This Trending Baby Toy Advice...

Many articles and social media posts have recently recommended against the use of a certain type of toy because it's said to delay development. This is quite concerning if true! So I took a deeper look into this claim to really understand what's going on.

In this video you'll learn where this all came from, and whether or not there's any truth to the claim that battery operated toys are bad for a baby's development.

As always, there's nuance to a conversation like this, so hopefully this helps clarify things for you.

✅ Get your free 0 - 12 months old developmental milestone chart here:

Study Referred:
Sosa AV. Association of the Type of Toy Used During Play With the Quantity and Quality of Parent-Infant Communication. JAMA Pediatr. 2015;170(2):132–137. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.3753

#emmahubbard #babydevelopment #babytoys

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[courtneyperry]

I would also add to this conversation that it's unrealistic to assume that you are going to have quality, educational playtime with your child every moment they are awake. Quality time with your child and doing things to help their development is important, but it's also fine for them to work on a new non-language skills and even to just have parts of your day where you don't worry about how much your child is learning or developing in that moment. Parents have to take time for themselves and worry about other household responsibilities (dishes, cooking, shopping, bills, laundry, etc.) and that's normal and ok and realistic. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[sabine]

I always think of it like this. Everything in moderation! They can learn from singing, talking, sensory play, colourful loud plastic toys, wooden montessori toys, safe household items, everything safe in nature, etc. (Even screen time later on) Just make sure it's all in moderation and age appropriate and they will grow and learn and be happy and content! 😊

My 2y8m boy had access to all and talks like a 3/3, 5 year old! And is very clever, knows his numbers and letters and all such things. Happy and doing great. Now his baby sister will get the same! ❤

[papabear]

I actually avoid battery operated toys for one simple reason: batteries die. It always feels like I'm paying for the same toy over and over. We have adopted the idea of mostly acquiring what we're calling "heirloom toys" which are toys that will hopefully be passed down generationally.

[hellyeah_ellajane]

We didn’t have many battery operated toys for my baby except for a little bumble bee that rode around the floor on a cloud. This toy helped catalyze my baby learning to crawl by 6 months old. There’s a time and place for all sorts of toys, variety is what’s important.

[SettieSpaghetti]

We didn’t really do battery toys in the early stages for my daughter, which resulted in her being fearful of dancing and singing toys. I decided to incorporate them as high value toys, so they’re great when I’m busy or when kids are sick and they need some good distraction. We still mostly lean on puzzles and imagination toys, but the talking toys and a tablet has a place too!

[pauls]

Thanks for making a video about this, Emma. Your channel has been one of my go to sources for parenting advice over the past year. I also read the same study and can agree that allowing your children to play with battery operated toys doesn't necessarily mean there will be lower quality interaction/communication between parent/child. However, my concern with these toys and other electronics (TVs, Ipads, etc.) are about overstimulation and the impact on attention long-term. While not exactly the same, the relationship between screen time and attention/focus has been well established. I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether these types of toys should be considered as potentially being able to have that same negative impact, perhaps in a broader discussion about screen time etc.

[kellychapeskie]

I thought the issue with battery operated toys was more about the over-stimulation from the sounds and lights, being similar to the reasons why we shouldn’t allow screen time before age 2. I’m not aware of the studies at all, just going from what I’ve heard through the grapevine, but should we not be worried the battery operated toys could impact attention and focus in our children long-term?

[EmmaHubbard]

Thanks for watching! Which battery-operated toy does your baby love? My 11-month-old loves the musical inset puzzles this week - watching her bop to the music is the best😂

[cagatota]

A lot of people referring to studies but few of them actually read them.

[bethanyballinger]

I don't use battery operated toys because they're bad for development of my sanity 😂 nannied for 7 years and the turn and learn cube gave me an eye twitch. My 1 YO has much more fun doing his "chores" anyway

[magdalenaos]

In battery toys I really liked that our daughter showed for the first time her preferences. She skipped melodies she found "meh" and repeated her favorite ones.

[lauraharman]

Many battery operated toys also have multisensory feedback, which is beneficial in and of itself but especially for children with sensory disabilities.

[emptysoul]

I think they are addictive and all the lights and things get the kids bored of regular play. It's like if one specific toy runs out of battery then it's tantrum time. I hide the toys and let my boy play with battery toys now and then but mostly I have him playing outside with sticks and rocks and cars like I did as a child. Plus outside play is so much less nerve racking because indoors my son is always trying to defeat child locks and climb everything including the fridge.... I think it just brings you as a parent more peace to get toddlers playing physically so that they get too tired for clever exploration once they come back inside.

[eleanorflett]

I feel like a lot of the benefits you have stated can be found in toys that dont have batteries. Ball runs, lock boxes, object permanence boxes, musical instruments. These toys are also far better for the environment and don't add to the mountains of plastic already thrown out.
Traditional toys last longer, have different temperatures and textures, eg: wood, metal, ceramic, and dont use batteries, which are wasteful. Children also get stuck on pressing a button over and over again instead of using their imagination.
Children can also play for longer and more deeply and creatively with traditional toys.

[katiemurphy]

I've tried battery toys for my 9 month old buddy to entertain him, but he is BUSY & won't stay interested for more than 2 minutes. Opening all the cabinets, pulling out garbage, going up and down the stairs, knocking all of the books of the shelf, or chewing spice bottles? Yes please .

[DOOMbyach]

We have a mixture of toys but its the loud musical piano that determined my boy to roll at just before 4 months and encouraged his tummy time from day 1! I think when he sitting up unaided he will love his wooden shape sorters but there is no pressure for him to prefer plastic over classic, he will like what he likes!

[dorissdaughter]

Have all battery toys is of course not the way to go, but my granddaughter loves the busy boxes that have progressed with her age encouraging her fine motor skills to turn on and off small switches and plugs.

I so enjoy your informative, common sense videos!

[princessateh]

What I find irritating about battery-operated toys are their aesthetic qualities. I cannot help myself but I am not willing to suffer the plastic flickering toys playing annoying melodies. My kids listen to quality music (well, until they reach school age, apparently :)).

[rachelle]

Musical/battery operated toys are such a life saver for little babies when they can’t do much yet! You are just making your life harder if you’re so adamantly against them. Great to hear that they can be good for development too.

[kasban]

My 13m twins just got a handful of battery operated toys from an auntie and it's been great for their fine motor skills!