Even at a tiny 8 weeks - mummy is super impressed with how quickly you are exploring the world around you. Let’s face it - you don’t do too much right now (other than pooping, sleeping, drinking - and crying!) but when we do get a moment to play, mummy tries to make it as educational and fun as possible.
Already you are largely supporting your own head when mummy carries you around, pulling her hair, smiling lots and lots, and chattering away to your toys. We’re still waiting for you to giggle, lift up your head when you have ‘tummy time’ with your toys, and have some ‘sit up’ play-time. So mummy has done some research on the best toys out there and will be reviewing them when you’ve had a chance to road test them.
Bugs Mirror - Mothercare / ELC
Daddy bought this ELC Mirror for you at the weekend. The mirror suggestion was made by a play specialist at the Royal Berks Hospital. When you were poorly, mummy tried to stay by your side for every waking moment as you were very frightened. Unfortunately mummy still had to eat and stretch her legs occasionally though! One day mummy was in the cafe getting some lunch and you had a major strop. You woke up in your hospital cot and screamed the ward down. When mummy got back she found you staring at yourself in a mirror encased in foam. It seems the play specialist had popped by and left this in your cot to keep you quiet. It worked! Mummy and daddy were so impressed we shopped around and found you this one.
MUMMY’S VERDICT - 4/5
This vibrant mirror from the Early Learning Centre was a bargain at £15. As baby mirrors are not made from real glass (for safety reasons), many of them are encased in soft toys and become warped as they are sewed into the toy. As this mirror is in a flat canvas, the reflection is much clearer and longer allowing Dexter to see his whole body when lying on his side. The mirror can be used in three ways; it can be free-standing (as pictured), hung up on the wall (the mirror has a handy fabric loop on its narrowest side for this purpose), or indeed wrapped into a cylindrical toy using velcro for when baby is a little more confident.
It’s a winner here at Chez Mills as it’s easily transportable and colourful. I can lie beside Dexter and he can see the two of us in the reflection so he feels safe whilst he studies himself. I love watching the look of consternation on his face as he punches the mirror to play with his twin! The ‘mirror experience’ allows babies to focus, track images, and explore the wonderful things a face can do. It also promotes social and emotional development as they can interact with you.
My only criticism is that, when it’s in free-standing mode, Dexter has to be up very close to the mirror in order to see himself. This to due to the angle created when propped up against the rear panel.
