Baby Toys: cradle gyms

Although babies shouldn’t have too much bedding in their cot, you can attach secured activity toys to the bars. Choose ones that appeal to slightly older babies too, so they are amused when they are set down for day naps or quiet time – it should help them get used to going off to sleep alone instead of being reliant on feeds to nap.

Activity Spiral, Gingerbread, £16, birth+ You can attach this to your baby’s cot, or to an infant carrier or pram, for something to gaze at or play with – hanging toys with interactive features including a rattle, squeaker and melody. www.mamasandpapas.com	Red, Orange and Yellow Skummis, £19.99, birth+ Quirky little cuddlies to amuse your child, they attach in a way that allows them to bob charmingly up and down if you put them on your pram. www.lulasapphire.com	Hungry Caterpillar Activity Toy, £19.99, birth+ Stimulating activities on this cuddly caterpillar include a squeaking apple, two teethers, a musical button to press and beads to move around. www.brightminds.co.uk
Vtech Winnie the Pooh Play & Learn 2 in 1 Gym, £33.99, birth+ This includes shapes, sounds and weather features in day-mode,  and relaxing melodies in night-mode to soothe your baby off to sleep. There are lots of features to explore. www.kiddicare.com	Activity Train Bumper, £18.99, birth+ In orange, pink and green soft, tactile fabrics, this comes with a rattling mouse in netting pocket, a squeaky butterfly with crackle wings and a little bunny who plays Brahms’s Lullaby. www.storkgifts.co.uk	Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Crib-to-Floor Piano, £24.99, birth+ You can use this activity centre in your baby’s cot and then adapt it for the floor when he’s big enough. It plays a stream of sounds and songs, but will also respond to your baby’s touch. The lights are a soothing feature, too. www.amazon.co.uk