We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Baby Rattles?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,038
Share

Baby rattles are simple toys designed to stimulate infant development through the senses of sight, sound and touch. Most are constructed from wood, plastic, rubber, or fabric and contain small pellets to generate a rattling sound. Manufacturers must be especially aware of potential choking hazards and sharp edges during the design phase, since either could potentially injure a child. Parents usually place rattles near their babies and allow them to naturally interact with the toys.

Rattles are more than simple toys when it comes to child development. A newborn's vision is still underdeveloped for several months, which leads him or her to become more of an auditory learner. When infants encounter baby rattles for the first time, they may not even see the toys clearly. They begin to realize that a world outside of themselves does indeed exist, and they can interact with the rattle through the grasping instinct. Gripping a rattle and creating familiar sounds gives very young infants the first notion of a subject-object world.

Another important stage in a infant's development is cause and effect. Baby rattles are designed to perform consistently, so a child soon learns that there is a direct relationship between his or her actions and the desired results. If an infant were presented with a rattle that didn't make a sound, he or she would become very confused and frustrated. Different toys with different sounds, however, might stimulate a baby's natural sense of curiosity. This idea of different causes and effects leads directly to other early infancy toys, such as mobiles and activity boards.

Many rattles are sold along with teething rings. Babies going through the painful process of teething may use both to soothe their gums. Infants also tend to process information about an object by tasting it, so all toys must be kept as clean as possible. They should also be inspected for cracks and other damage. The materials used for rattling should not be toxic, but accidental ingestion could be a frightening experience.

Commercial baby rattles are generally discarded as the infant develops into a toddler. Toddlers may still enjoy toys that generate noise, but a rattle as such may no longer hold their interest. Some parents or grandparents may create sturdier toys called "heirloom rattles" out of turned wood. These rattles may be stored for future generations or kept as a permanent memento of a child's first year of life.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By MissDaphne — On Oct 25, 2011

I received a present for my baby that at first I thought was odd, but it turns out to be one of his favorite things. It's a plush baby rattle. Basically, the head of a giraffe on a striped stick! My husband didn't really know the baby terminology and he referred to it as a "giraffe stick," and the name stuck.

I thought it was peculiar and even gruesome, but baby *loved* it. The plush rattles are great for playing peek-a-boo. You can hide the rattle somewhere baby can't see, but keep shaking so that she can hear it. My tot also liked to hold the rattle himself.

In fact, "giraffe stick" was such a hit that he has now been joined by "monkey stick" and "elephant stick." Our are the Garanimals brand that you can buy at Walmart. Cheap fun!

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-baby-rattles.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.