Play mat

They say it isn't worth getting attached to objects. There is certainly some truth in that, perhaps quite a lot, but there are indeed objects so closely associated with important periods of our lives that, whether it is worth it or not, we become very attached to them.

Our children's first things are like this: their first outfit, first toy, blanket - and even their first play mat. It will always be there in the photographs taken during that period, and when we put it away, it will feel as though a piece of furniture were missing from the room; somehow, it will seem empty.

At first, we may not even think about how many ways we can use it. We will tell you about our five favorite activities to do on our play mats, and why we love having them with us all the time!

 Safe

As long as our baby is so tiny that, apart from turning their head, they cannot do much else, we can safely lay them on our bed or on the sofa (strictly with cushions all around them, of course). At this stage, we may even take our eyes off them for a minute or two; there is a good chance they will stay there. (They should never be left alone in a high place, such as a changing table, even if they are a newborn and asleep. The chance of anything happening may be small, but it is not impossible, so let's not take the risk!) But as soon as we see that they are beginning to roll around, we should start using the mat more often. It is very soft, so they can roll around comfortably on it without bumping into anything, and if we happen to have to rush out of the room for something, they certainly will not fall off it!

The scent of home

Fortunately, we can easily take it with us anywhere we plan to spend more time. (We can even use it outdoors, but then put something underneath it so that it does not get dirty and we can use it indoors again afterward.) We cannot say it fits into a very small space, since it is larger than an average baby mat, but it is not difficult to pack up, and it will be very useful when we want to put our baby down for a while while visiting someone. The scent and texture will be familiar to them, and they will spend the time more peacefully while their parents also relax and chat a little.

Playing together

Especially when there is an older sibling, the play mat can become their little world, where the older one first shows the younger one how to play with blocks, stuffed animals, or anything else. At first, the little one will simply watch, perhaps trying to chew one or two pieces, but before they know it, they will get used to being together while playing too, and they will entertain each other wonderfully as well.

Of course, the parents can easily fit beside them too, making it a wonderful place for family reading and relaxation. The baby will also find it reassuring that, although they are lying separately rather than in someone's arms, they are still so close to everyone important to them.

Strengthens

We recently read that a play mat is the equivalent of a baby gym, which is very cute on the one hand - just imagine babies "working out" - and completely true on the other!

It is not the mat itself that strengthens the baby - although it would be wonderful to have such a magic workout mat for adults, one we could simply lie on and get muscular... - but rather the fact that we try to place the baby on their tummy as often as possible, so they have to lift their head and thereby strengthen their neck and back. At first, this will only be a few minutes a day, and we should make sure they do not overexert themselves.

Encourages crawling

There is no safer place for our baby to first roll from their back onto their tummy, or the other way around, than the mat. If they notice a toy they cannot reach but really want to grab, sooner or later they will figure out how to make it theirs - all they have to do is roll toward it. From there, using a similar method, it is a straight path to crawling: if there is a colorful, exciting object in front of them, they will keep struggling until they reach it. Then they will realize that this movement earns them a family celebration: everyone rushes over, claps, and rejoices, while they proudly clutch their prize.