Baby Playmats

About

Before your baby can sit, roll or crawl, the floor is where everything happens. A baby playmat turns that floor into somewhere soft and clean to put them down, which matters enormously on the days when you just need both hands free for ten minutes. It's usually one of the first things that gives you a little breathing room. Tummy Time Without the Tears Tummy time is one of those things everyone tells you to do, and nobody warns you your baby might hate. If yours protests after about thirty seconds, you're in very good company, and it does get easier. A padded playmat helps more than you'd expect. A firm, cushioned surface gives your baby something to push against, and a raised pillow or bolster takes some of the strain off their neck in those first weeks. Start with a minute or two after a nappy change, get down on the floor at their eye level so they've got your face to look at, and build up from there. Most babies come around once they work out there's something worth seeing. Which Mat Suits Which Stage Newborn mats are about comfort and contrast, with simple bold patterns and a soft surface for short stretches. Activity playmats with overhead arches come next, holding toys within batting distance to encourage reaching and rolling, usually from around three months. Larger play rugs take over once your baby is mobile, covering enough floor for crawling and later for sitting up and building things. Picnic rugs are their own thing, with a waterproof backing for the park, the beach or the back lawn, and they roll up small enough to live permanently in the boot. Plenty of families end up with two, one that stays in the lounge room and one that travels. Choosing a Playmat You'll Be Happy to Look At This one's going to live in your main living space, and you'll be seeing it every day, so it's worth liking it. Padding is the first practical question, because a thin mat on floorboards isn't giving your baby much. A machine washable cover saves you a great deal of grief onc