None of my children has ever had a favorite lovey until my youngest. She has “Doudou” (baby French for “lovey”). This cute little green bunny in the photo. Other colors and animals are available, but I chose to feature my daughter’s special “Doudou.”
Santa brought Doudou for Christmas last year when she was nearly one. Pretty much from the start, she has loved him.
Now she is 22 months and takes every nap with Doudou, and of course sleeps with him at night. In the morning I ask her if she slept well. If I forget to ask her how “Doudou” slept, she will say to me “Doudou? Doudou?” Until I ask. (He always seems to have slept well thank you.)
He is very soft and comes in a lovely little round box that you will certainly want to keep (he is sitting on it in the photo). He is made in France (not China) by French company Kaloo.
I can tell you that my daughter’s Doudou has met with all manner of natural biological calamities and has been machine washed and tumbled dry numerous times. He always comes out of his bathing experience soft and intact.
My daughter and I cannot recommend him highly enough!
baby, brands, Kaloo, stocking stuffer, stuffed animal, Toy Recommendations
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baby toy, doudou, Kaloo, stuffed animal, Toy Recommendations, Toy Recommendations
Our Hungry Pelican is now on child number three and shows no signs of wear despite being a favorite crib toy for many years.
The bright yellow velour pelican ties onto the crib railing. His fat cheeks squeak, his wings crinkle, and his feet rattle. He comes with four sea creatures (crab, shrimp, fish, and octopus) that are each different textures and colors, and make different sounds (rattle, rustle, etc.). Children can put the little animals into pelican’s mouth and watch them drop down into his tummy. The large circular tummy opening allows for easy removal of the animals so play can begin all over again.
I found that babies enjoy quietly investigating the sounds, colors, and textures of the four little sea creatures. Toddlers progress to the eating game.
I am grateful to Mr. Pelican for allowing me an extra half hour of sleep every morning. What can be better than that!
award winner, baby, crib toy, stuffed animal, Toy Recommendations
| award-winning toy, baby toy, crib toys, Hungry Pelican, stuffed animal, Toy Recommendations, Toy Recommendations
This little guy is smaller than he seems in the picture, but too big to be a choking hazard. I would estimate he is about 3″ or 4″ tall.
My fourteen month old loves him though. It may be something to do with the contrast between the textures: smooth wood and soft loopy jacket. She goes to sleep with Mr. Sheep in one hand and “Doudou” in the other.
Like all Haba toys, he is built to withstand lots of loving. Plus, on a practical side, his little jacket easily removes for laundering if necessary.
baby, brands, dolls, Haba, stuffed animal, Toy Recommendations
| baby toys, Cuddle Sheep, European toys, German toys, Haba, Hugging Sheep, Knuddelschaf, stuffed animals
This toy is very cute and colorful. I also like it because it is all one piece and has nothing that a baby could rip off and swallow (except maybe the ears, but baby would have to be awfully strong!).
My littlest has had this since she was 9 months old and she has always loved it. I think the bright colors are very interesting to a baby.
This would make a nice gift with the Elmer book that I write about here, or an Elmer board book for littler ones. To see some adorable Elmer board books, check out: Elmer’s Friends Board Book
or Elmer’s Colors Board Book
.
This Elmer stuffed toy is becoming harder to find. Mine came from a Borders bookstore, but I don’t think they carry them any more. After a Google search, I found them available here.
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