Sweet Peas Creations

Baby play mats have taken the market by storm over the last few years, and for good reason. Studies show that it's never too soon for babies to be exposed to a very stimulating environment. I am a father of two, and if you're like me you'll also enjoy the fact that many play mats offer a clean and comfortable area for your baby to play on the ground.

Most if not all play mats are produced using soft and durable materials that are good for babies. As you'll find they all have vibrant colors which stimulate baby's visual senses. Another great feature is that play mats us many different textures and materials that make noises. This helps their development of tactile senses. Note: it's important to purchase a play mat that stimulates as many of your baby's senses as possible.

It helps to know that it when you do put baby down that you can relax knowing baby is in a safe environment but as any parent will tell you it's not easy to get used to that idea. Many first time parents have a tough time dealing with the guilt of putting their baby down for a while. It was comforting for me and my wife knowing when we did put our children on the play mat, it was a healthy place for them. You must realize that it is just as important for babies to spend some time moving on their own instead of being tied to their parent's hips. Don't worry if you feel this way, know that it is a good for baby as it is for you to spend some time rolling and playing on the ground. These activities will help baby gain the strength and coordination they'll need as they become more mobile.

Advice for choosing and using a play mat:

-Don't skimp. While we all are price conscious this is a place to lay down some of that hard earned money. You should find a play mat that offers stimulation of the most senses possible. It's better to buy one toy that does the job of many. It may cost more but you'll get the most out of baby's time on the mat, and you'll save money and space.

-Buy a name brand product. It sounds a bit snobby, but they usually make the best products and in the off-chance you need to contact the companies support department, they usually have the best policies and are more responsive to consumers.

-Keep it clean. Just because baby is the only one using the mat, doesn't mean it doesn't collect dust and dirt from the rest of the house. Just like anything else that baby touches it needs to be washed. It's best to use organic/non-toxic cleaners when you do to limit the chances of a negative skin reaction to baby.

-Balance time. When placing baby on the mat, make sure you alternate between having them on their tummy and on their back. Our first child hated being on his tummy and spent most of the time on his back while on the mat. Because their skulls are still forming, pro-longed time on their backs can cause a flattened skull as baby grows. While the problem almost always corrects itself (as it did for our baby), it was a big concern as first time parents.