Holiday Gift Guide for Babies 0–6 Months: Parent-Approved Developmental Toys & Essentials

By Dr. Alli Chisholm, PT, DPT

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Picture this: 25-year-old pediatric physical therapist finding out she’s pregnant with her first baby, thinking, “I’ve got this—I see 30 infants a week at work. I know exactly what they need.”

Fast-forward a few months, and my house was overflowing with things I didn’t want (thanks, well-meaning relatives) and not nearly enough of the things I actually needed.

Everywhere I turned, ads told me I “had” to buy a bouncer, walker, or swaddle system—yet no one was talking about the simple, development-focused tools that actually support connection, feeding, and motor skills in those first six months.

That’s why I created this guide. It’s filled with parent-approved products that I use in my own home and recommend to families I work with. These are the gifts that won’t just take up space—they’ll support tummy time, feeding, soothing, and movement foundations your baby will use every single day.

So, when Grandma asks what baby wants for Christmas? Send her this list.

Best Toys for Oral Play and Grasping (0–6 Months)

Manhattan Toy Winkel
This lightweight, bendy rattle is a favorite for tiny hands. The loops are easy to hook onto and perfect for bringing to the mouth. Because of its flexibility, babies can chew from different angles, which is wonderful for encouraging tongue movement in all directions. It’s also a great motivator during tummy time or side-lying, when you want to keep your little one engaged.

Manhattan Skwish
The push-pull “squish” design builds curiosity and bilateral hand use, but it also provides just the right amount of resistance for oral exploration. Babies love mouthing the interconnected rods, which gives their tongue practice stretching and moving side to side. I often use this toy as a way to keep babies reaching forward in sitting or pushing up higher in tummy time.

Sensory “Atom”
This toy offers both texture and movement. The flexible arms and rattling rings make it easy for babies to grasp while also inviting them to bring it to their mouth for exploration. For littles with oral restriction, having multiple shapes and angles to chew can be especially helpful for building oral strength and variety. It’s also light enough to use as a motivator in side-lying or reaching practice.

Bright Starts Oball Rattle
The open lattice design makes it one of the easiest “first grasp” toys, giving babies early success with grip strength. It’s also a wonderful oral play tool—babies can mouth the edges from different angles, practicing tongue and jaw movements naturally. I love using this toy during tummy time, rolling it just out of reach so baby works on both upper body strength and oral exploration when they finally grab it.

I love all of these toys for littles who may experience some oral restriction and need extra oral stimulation and play to encourage tongue movement in all directions, as well as a way to practice grasping and grip strength. They’re also some of my favorite “motivator toys” for tummy time, side-lying, and early sitting practice.

Baby Toys for Visual Tracking and Attention

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes
Hands down my favorite baby toy. The music and lights keep babies engaged for long stretches, making it perfect for car rides, tummy time, or side-lying practice. The colorful display encourages visual tracking, while the music provides fun sensory input.

SmartNoggin NogginStik
Designed with infant development in mind, this toy lights up different colors when tapped, rewarding babies for looking, reaching, and grasping. The happy face encourages social connection, while the textures and rattles provide sensory variety. This is a long-lasting favorite.

Baby Einstein Musical Crib Soother
With calming lights and sounds, this soother doubles as a developmental tool. I often use it to encourage babies to turn their head toward their non-preferred side by placing it strategically in the crib for littles who have a head preference. It’s also great for sensory regulation during tummy time or as a calming transition before naps.

High-Contrast Black & White Cards
Newborn vision isn’t clear at first—they see best in bold black-and-white patterns. These cards hold attention beautifully in the 0–3 month stage when light-up toys feel overwhelming. Place them during tummy time, back play, or side-lying for longer engagement.

Tummy Time Must-Haves for Babies

Infantino Prop-A-Pillar
This colorful caterpillar-style pillow tucks under your baby’s chest to make tummy time more comfortable. It gives just enough lift to reduce frustration while still strengthening the neck, shoulders, and core. As baby grows, you can use its sections for supported sitting.

Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
One of my favorite tricks for babies who hate tummy time. Instead of staring at the floor, they get to press into floating shapes that squish and move. This builds cause-and-effect learning while also motivating them to stay on their belly longer with some fun, helpful distraction.

Tummy Time Activity Mat with Piano/Props
This versatile mat keeps babies interested with multiple features—mirrors to turn towards, toys to reach for overhead, and a piano that plays music when they kick. The piano is especially motivating for strengthening legs and core, and I’ve used this same mat and its included props with families for months as babies progress into rolling and sitting.

Best Toys for Rolling and Propped Sitting

Double-Sided Crib/Floor Mirror
This isn’t just a tummy time tool—it’s also great for rolling practice and propped sitting. Prop it beside or in front of your baby to encourage reaching, turning, or sitting balance. I even recommend attaching it in the crib on the side your baby avoids turning toward to reduce flat spots.

Spinners
These suction-cup toys can attach to mirrors, windows, or even the fridge. Use them at baby’s level in sitting to motivate reaching, or move them higher for pull-to-stand practice later. They’re versatile, long-lasting, and keep attention in whatever milestone you’re working on.

Fisher-Price Sit Me Up
A safe, contained seat for short periods of early sitting. It allows your baby to practice trunk control without the “slouch” that comes with unsupported floor sitting. Not for long use, but wonderful when you need your hands free.

UpSeat
My top pick for a supportive seat. The design keeps hips slightly elevated above knees, promoting healthy hip development and postural alignment. It doubles as a feeding chair when you start solids, making it a long-term win.

Boppy Pillow Dupe
Yes, this nursing pillow doubles as a sitting support! Wrap it around your baby’s trunk so their forearms rest on it. This raises the “floor” and helps babies avoid collapsing forward like a “panini press” when first learning to prop sit (a mama I work with used this description and I just had to include it!).

Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies, Reflux, and Oral Skills

Evenflo Balance
I’ve seen babies instantly improve latch and reduce reflux when switching to this bottle. The nipple shape encourages a deep latch and efficient suck—great for breastfed babies transitioning to - or also using - bottles.

Pigeon
A hidden gem for babies with oral restriction or weak latch. The narrow, soft nipple helps babies achieve better suction and reduces dribbling. I’ve seen it transform feeding for little ones who struggled with multiple other bottles.

Lansinoh
With a gentle slope from tip to base, this nipple allows babies to seal their lips fully around it, reducing air intake and gas. Affordable and effective for breastfed babies.

Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic
Yes, the parts are annoying to wash—but for babies with reflux or sensitive tummies, the vent system often makes a noticeable difference. While not a proven fact, I have found in clinical practice and my own mama experience that the smaller nipple size is also great for tiny mouths.

The First Years Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
Forget the fancy machines. This simple warmer has outlasted multiple kids in my home—it consistently heats bottles to a safe temp without burning milk.

If your baby struggles with feeding, don’t panic. Bottle refusal or reflux isn’t your fault. I help families troubleshoot these exact concerns in my virtual assessments. A quick 15-minute free inquiry call can determine if working together would be a good fit for solving your baby’s feeding struggles.

Soothing and Daily Comfort Essentials for Newborns

Philips Avent Pacifier
Pacifiers aren’t “bad”—in fact, stimulating the suck reflex is incredibly soothing for babies because it mimics the curled fetal position in the womb. This brand is shaped to encourage comfort without interfering with feeding.

Electric Baby Nail Trimmer
If you’ve ever tried clipping newborn nails with scissors, you know the fear of nicking their skin. This gentle trimmer makes nail care stress-free.

SwaddleMe Pod
If swaddling works for your family, these zip-up pods are lifesavers. They mimic the snug womb environment and often improve sleep stretches in the early weeks.

Bedside Bassinet with Breathable Mesh
Perfect for parents who want baby close but safe. The breathable mesh lowers anxiety and makes nighttime feeding easier.

Comfy Glider
This is the one baby product I’ve used daily for years across multiple kids. Feeding, rocking, soothing—you’ll spend countless hours here. Invest in one that supports you, too.

Dreft (gentle detergent)
Safe for sensitive skin and smells heavenly. I still get nostalgic when I catch the scent on baby clothes.

Little Sleepies Pajamas
The softest bamboo material that actually grows with your baby. Unlike most brands, they fit longer, making them worth every penny.

Mini Portable Stroller Fan
Car seats are basically hotboxes. This clip-on fan helps prevent overheating and reduces car seat fussiness, especially in summer.

Zutano Booties
Forget socks. These booties are the only thing I’ve found that actually stay on baby feet. Durable, cozy, and a game-changer in cold weather.

Parent Helpers (Because You Need Support, Too)

UpSeat Baby Floor Seat
For short, supervised sitting practice, the hip-friendly design makes this the best option for development. Bonus: doubles as a feeding seat.

Trideer/Yoga Ball
Your back will thank you. Bounce, rock, and soothe baby while keeping yourself comfortable. I also love this for postpartum core and pelvic floor work once cleared. And if your baby doesn’t like tummy time? Place them on the ball!

Final Thoughts

Even as a pediatric PT, I felt overwhelmed during my first pregnancy. But once I filtered out the noise, I realized babies don’t need everything. They need you—and a handful of versatile, supportive tools that make daily life easier.

This list is my go-to for families I work with, and I hope it helps you feel confident when relatives ask, “What should I get the baby for Christmas?”

If you’d like my full 2025 Holiday Gift Guide (0–6 months, 6–12 months, new moms, and new dads), sign up for my email list and I’ll send you the all-in-one guide plus a printable checklist when it’s ready!