Written by Editorial Team
Every parent strives hard to provide kids with a comfortable and safe environment. Even before the little one sees the world, they would be eager to buy a few baby essentials. One of the most important essential items is the baby play mats. Though you will hold them tight in your arms most of the time, a baby play mat for your baby can be beneficial when put down.
This article discusses when to introduce baby mats, features, and the top 10 babies’ play mats in India. Let us get started.
In This Article
A baby play mat is a multi-functional gear for new babies. This is an essential accessory that will keep your baby safe during their playtime and tummy time. Playing and other activities become easy and safe while babies can enjoy their playtime. Allowing newborns and infants tummy time three to five times a day helps strengthen their neck, arms, and back muscles. Playmats ensure that this tummy time is safe on the baby. But it is essential to ensure that the little ones are not left alone in the playmat.
Certainly Yes. Baby play mats ensure a safe environment for your little ones. Further, they also provide the following benefits.
Different playmats are available in the market – each one specializes in different aspects that help develop the little one.
Tummy time is an essential play for newborns and infants around 3 months. Supervised tummy time is an important routine that contributes largely to the proper growth and development of the baby. Tummy time mats help provide safe and comfortable tummy play for your little one.
[Read : Tummy Time For Babies- A Must Do]
Puzzle mats are the ones that have different textured pieces, which give the little ones a safe and interactive environment to play. This is best suitable for infants and toddlers who have started exploring their environment and have just begun their walking journey.
The activity gym resembles the tummy time mats and some toys arching and hanging over a small tube. The baby finds the hanging toys attractive and begins to march their legs to the ground to get hold of the toys.
The ball pits are suitable for infants and toddlers. A small pit is created with balls rolling over them. This enhances the sensory stimulation and cognition of toddlers.
Teepees have been very common with toddlers in recent years. It is a multi-functional mat with a gym, arching toys, and music. They help develop reaching out abilities and have fun tummy time. Once your little one begins to crawl, you can fold them, form a tunnel, and encourage a good range of activities.
There are different types of baby mats available in the market. You need to know whether the one you choose is the best for your little one. The following are some features you have to look out for in a baby play mat.
The baby play mats are essential for newborns. Ensure that the baby mat that you choose is newborn-friendly. The time that your little one spends on the mat should be entertaining and support the baby’s growth and development. Especially with the newborn at home, you need to give them tummy time. Make sure the mat supports tummy time and fun playtime. The materials should be breathable, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean and maintain.
Purchasing a baby play mat is not where it all ends. It is essential to maintain and use them properly. You need to check if it is easy to use. Simple and easy-to-use mats are better than mats with complex features. We might end up not utilizing the total capacity of the mats.
You need to determine where you can take the mats with you. In simple words, check on the portability of the baby play mats. You cannot keep your baby inside the house for a long time. You need to take them out and socialize with others. Choose a mat that is easy to carry along to different places. Your little one will also find a comfortable play zone even in a new environment.
The mats must be washed regularly to provide a clean play area for your children. Always choose the mats that can go easy on scrubbing or washing under the water. Choosing a suitable fabric keeps you unworried about spillage.
This is the essential feature to be considered while purchasing baby mats. Two types of safety are associated with baby play mats-physical and fabric safety.
The baby play mats are available in both thick and thin layers. There are no clear conclusions about the best, but the decision depends upon the baby’s age. During the initial days, the babies spend most of the time lying down with a few minutes of tummy time. Then, they begin to crawl and fall most of the time. To support all this, a thick-layer baby mat would be the best to support all.
If your little one is older enough and has a better body balance, you may choose thin layered baby play mats. Similarly, most parents choose mats that are easy to handle and wash. Always remember that your trim will spend most of their time in mats. It is essential to keep them safe and non-toxic.
The easy-to-wash mats are made with with polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Those are the top toxic materials in the world. Though they seem easy to handle, it is not safe to use them for your little one.
When you invest your money in playmats, it is very natural for you to expect them to last longer. Ensure that the mat comes with a durable quality that can assist the infant age and a short period of toddler-age of your little one.
You can start offering play mats once your little one is comfortable lying on their back. Initially, they might not interact with the mat, but gradually they will. Try offering a few minutes of tummy time, which will help them roll over by three months. The hanging toys will help them reach and sit up by 6 months.
In most cases, the baby moves out of the play mat when they begin to crawl. Crawling is a phase where the babies tend to explore the environment. They will be least interested in the play mats and eventually quit.
[Read : Baby Milestones : Crawling]
Play mats have both pros and cons. Let us discuss them in detail.
[Read : Motor & Cognitive Skills Development Of A Baby]
There is a wide range of play mats available in India. We shall discuss the top ten baby mats in India.
The Double-sided Reversible play mat is a durable baby play mat that is long and lightweight. It can be used as a play mat and a standard mat. The thick design gives a smooth texture to your little one. It is a reversible play mat, which means you can use both sides of the mat.
Pros
Cons
The Playmat is double-sided – both sides of the mat can be used. It comes with vibrant colors and 3D textures, which helps the babies to improve their sensory and cognitive skills. They are water-resistant and easy to clean. It is easy to carry them to the park, beach, etc. It is made of foam and can be used on indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Pros
Cons
As the name suggests, the double-sided baby mat is waterproof and easy to clean. It can also be used double-sided. This mat is is foldable and easy to carry. It has a cushioned surface that ensures safety while the baby crawls. This play mat is the ideal one for outdoor camping.
Pros
Cons
The Double side plays mat is waterproof and slip-resistant. It provides adequate grip to the babies, even on hard surfaces. This mat is made of foam and is best suitable for outdoor activities. It is easy to clean and maintain. The mat comes with vibrant colors and educational prints, which help improve the visual cognition of the babies.
Pros
Cons
The baby play mat comes with a water-repellent material and is easy to clean. It is suitable for babies from crawling stage to just sitting up and playing stage. The mat provides insulation to the babies and gives them warmth. It is soft and flexible. Reduces the sound when your little one falls.
Pros
Cons
The Interlocking Play mat is non-toxic and high-density foam and helps protect the spine, knees, hips, and elbows even on a hard floor. Each tile in the mat is 4 square feet and 12mm thick. Each tile can be interlocked and put back easily. It can be used as a play mat for your little one and a yoga mat for you. It provides insulation and is moisture-resistant.
Pros
Cons
The baby folding mat can be folded into a small package and be carried to different places very quickly. It is BPA free and non-toxic – it helps in protecting the health of your baby. The mat is waterproof and prevents slipping. It is made of high-density foam and reduces the sound of falling.
Pros
Cons
The Double-sided waterproof baby mat ensures a soft and comfortable floor for the babies to crawl and play. It is suitable for both infants and toddlers from birth to the school-going phase. The comfortable cushion ensures that the babies are safe while rolling and tumbling. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Pros
Cons
The Double-sided play mat gives a safer environment to your little one as they are free from toxic and BPA material. They are made of eco-friendly XPE material. It is reversible and can be used as a play and yoga mat. The 3D print gives a new way of learning for our little ones. They are water resistant and easy to clean. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Pros
Cons
The Baby Crawl Mats provides a safe and hygienic environment for your little one. It is made of 100 per cent eco-friendly recyclable material to ensure the safety of your little one and our ecosystem. The mat has long and provides adequate space for your little one to sit, stand, roll and tumble. It is double-sided and comes with a soft and thick material.
Pros
Cons
Baby Play Mats are increasingly becoming an essential item for babies. While most parents ignore the required features to look into, it is essential to do primary research before buying one. Most of the mats come with a soft cushion. Ensure that you don’t leave your little one alone while on the mat. They can dig up the mat and peel the cover. Keep your eyes on them. Ensure they make the best use of the play mat and have a happy tummy time. Happy parenting!
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