Stuffed Toys For Babies Faq’s
Laura asks…
What is the safest stuffing for baby toys?
I hand-make lots of hats, blankets, pillows, and other hand-made items. I’ve recently been crocheting a stuffed toy for a baby. I normally fill the things I make with poly-fill (polyester filling) but I’m not sure if it’s safe enough to fill a baby toy. What is the safest stuffing I can use to make a baby toy? Is poly-fill suitable or should I buy something else?
TS Staff Answers:
I’ve only used poly-fill and have assumed that is safe. I haven’t make any crocheted baby toys yet, so I’m not sure if the baby could pick the poly-fill out of it between the stitches. I’ve always used it for machine sewn toys that I’ve used tight stitches for. I also usually put a piece of the cellophane package from egg noodles inside to make the crinkle sound that babies love. I hope that is safe too!
Mark asks…
Stuffed toys..creative storage/decoration ideas?
I have lots of stuffed toys.My baby is too young to play with them and since she co-sleeps,they are all in her crib!Can you suggest a nice way of storing them so they can be seen and also look neat…my idea :where can I find those hammock net thingys for them?
Where can I get my own net?
I live in US,btw..
TS Staff Answers:
If your in the UK (dunno if they have them elsewhere) Ikea have some great storage devices. You can get colourful plastic stacking boxes that can stack sideways so you can see everything inside…
Maybe put them on the window sill?
Or just buy some netting and tie it with bright ribbon at each end to make your own hammock?
Michael asks…
How can I clean and sanitize baby toys and stuffed animals that can’t go in the washer?
My in-laws bought my 6 month old daughter a stuffed Elmo. It’s a cute toy- except for the fact that both of my sister in laws had it in their mouth too (gross I know). My daughter puts everything in her mouth these days. My mother in law also put her fingers in my daughter’s mouth. Who knows where they were! I’m really disgusted by their behavior, but how do I clean up after their germy distruction?
TS Staff Answers:
If it’s got mechanical parts but a soft plush exterior I would check to see if the outside part can be pulled apart and washed. If it can’t I would use the hand sanitizer that you spray on and not let your little girl have it for a few days while it dries and weakens. Tell them never to put anything your daughter plays with in their mouths because that’s one of the way EV71 is spread…they should know about that since it’s an epidemic in China at the moment. I’m sure they are not doing it to piss you off…but sometimes when people see babies they stop thinking. I know a LOT of strangers are always trying to touch my daughter and they go straight for her hands which she also puts in her mouth. I tell them not to but if they actually try it after I tell them no…I physically stop them. I also have anyone who touches my daughter to wash their hands very well- My husband and I actually wash my hands so much they have started bleeding.
Courtesy of Y!Answers