Buying a silver baby rattle is a time honored tradition. So far we have received two different types, one for each girl. I love the rattles and the girls will cherish them once they grow, but I’m writing to say that all rattles are not created equal.
A rattle that is a circle with a big silver ball attached (see above) is, quite honestly, a hazard. I’m no hot house flower and I don’t treat my kids like ones either. I’m more of a “Blessings of a Skinned Knee” type mom (translation: bruises can teach a lot more than warnings can). That said, I gave my first daughter her shiny new rattle and immediately she reached out and grabbed it. Yay, we thought. How brilliant. How advanced. What a smart girl we have on our hands.
You know what happened next. She whacked herself in the head. Of course she did, it’s a big, heavy ball I just let her grab. Then, (you can just picture it) her mouth opened wide, lips curled down in the saddest full faced frown and nothing came out. Her face turned red red red. Her tongue quivered. Still no sound.
Then all of a sudden she gulped for air and let out a wail as loud as they come.
Great new present, Uncle. Thanks! Up on a shelf it went and (shhh) it still sits there.
Fast forward to the next newborn. We received a barbell type silver rattle (see above). Wary, I thought maybe it’ll be OK? This one was lighter, no head bonking balls attached. I tentatively handed the rattle to the baby and – look at that! – she grabbed it right off. Pulled it to her mouth. Missed. Bonked her cheek.
Wait for it…wait. Nothing. No red face, no quivering tongue, just a happy baby trying again to get that rattle in her mouth. Sadly, she’s still trying – that mouth just keeps moving. But she LOVES the rattle and is the favored (read: only) toy she plays with.
So, if you’re thinking of purchasing a silver rattle for a new mom and baby, please, please give it the bonk test. Pick it up and hit yourself in the head with it. Sure the saleswoman or salesman may think you’re just out of the loony bin, but that new mom you’re buying it for with thank you!
