Reddit mentions: The best sorting & stacking toys for babies

What you call dropping and laying on his side is called a flop - that means your bunny is very happy and content and is a good thing. :)

Now if you would like to encourage him to play more - you will need to provide more toys and things for him to pay... bunnies are smart and keeping them entertained is important. I'll share some ideas below.

Providing more toys and enrichment ideas will really help with the chewing issue also as chewing the wrong thing is usually motivated by bored or frustration.

Get him also a stuffed animal to take some frustration out on and use as cuddle buddy - it should help him.

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Now having said this bunnies do need at least an xpen type space at all times to feel happy and have enough room to run - so at least 4 by 4 ft I think you already have this set up. But also you should let him out to explore each day for at least a couple of hours - exploring time is key and also a good time for you to spend time on the FLOOR with him bonding! They love it when human sits on the floor watching TV while they run around - he will for sure come to explore you and get yummies and pets from you. So time to explore and bond with him is really key.

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As far s picking up: Please don't. There are much better ways to cuddle! (below was written for a girl, but work for a boy just the same). Try some of those things and he will start coming up to you more to spend time with you.

I totally understand the need for grooming.. but you only do that on occasion right (like nails)? Other than than please stop picking her up. Don't train her to be handled, it doesn't work... you must do it sometimes and in those cases try to give a treat as a reward after to build clear positive associations with for example getting her nails cut, but otherwise avoid 100% picking her up - never for pleasure of just "training"...

All rabbits hate being picked up! They associate it with being snatched by a predator bird since they are prey animals. The more you pick her up the more she associates you with being picked up each time you are around and that is ruining her trust.

Now for how to best bond with bunnies, get their trust and for them for them to come without being picked up or chased.. it's quite easy to achieve this using the right approach. The right approach is simple - get down on the FLOOR at their level!

Cuddles and bonding is really best done on the ground at her level where you feel safe to her. Try to dedicate more time to her on the floor at her level - make her feel safe and like your respect what she liked and doesn't and I promise the aggressive behavior you are seeing will subside.

What works best with bunnies is always always letting them come to you instead of you going to them... silly as it is, that is what makes them feel most secure around anyone who is trying to bond with them. The best way to encourage them to do this is another silly thing - get on the floor. Literally just sprawl out and do your own thing and wait for her to come and explore you (I promise she will if you are patient). On the floor you are on her own level and you feel both safe and curious for them explore.

I would honestly suggest trying to really focus for the next few week on spending lots of time on the floor with her when you are home and let her out to explore so she can choose to come to you herself. You are already letting her explore so the net step is just to be on the floor yourself and be patient - she needs to see you in your world and feel safe about you. Watch TV on the floor and lean against the sofa for comfort or even when you are on your laptop. Basically just make a real effort to spend lots of time with her on the floor for a couple weeks and see if that makes a difference. Always let her come to you on his own terms when he feels safe, don't reach for her if you feel like she is not feeling safe in that moment (kind of anticipate her feelings)... some greens will help make you feel more inviting and attractive, and over time she will learn that humans mean yummies and they are safe and he will pop by for pets from you more often. :)

Watch a couple videos below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3rlWno7B8g - great video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS9HcoC19h4 - another good video

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Toys:

As far as other things they would like, can I share with you some info I compiled below?

1. Bunnies like exporting type toys - tunnels, cardboard houses, willow and hay balls, chews, and treat puzzles . The two thread below have examples:
   
   1. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/an8cut/rabbit_room_ideas/
      
   2. https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/ajf2vl/how_to_enrich_my_rabbits_life/
      
2. Also a couple suggestions below that are my personal favorites and all buns tend to enjoy:
   
   1. Treat/pellets ball - feed pellets in it vs a bowl
      
   2. Nesting cups - hide little treat bits between stacked cups, I have not met a bun who doesn't love these
      
   3. Plastic slinky - most buns love these
      
   4. Play house
      
   5. Dig box
      
3. Also try homemade things - the best I found was an empty egg carton stuffed wit favorite greens for him to figure out how to open. :)
   
   1. Or something like this https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/be338f/diy_pellet_dispenser/
      
   2. Or a homemade castle like this person did https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/bcl9p4/cardboard_castle/ - she has instructions on how to make one, send her a message.
      
4. Chew toys specifically - there are what you need to get to offer as alternatives to him chewing furniture!
   
   1. Willow and hay balls are great - good quality ones here https://shop.smallpetselect.com/collections/natural-toys-and-chews-for-rabbits
      
   2. They also have these logs where you can hide treats and pellets for fun - the bun would love to chew those I think and they last too. :)
      
   3. Great quality toys that are super fragrant and yummy to chew here https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/toys
      
   4. And thicker good chew sticks here https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/chew-sticks
      
      ​
      
      Now the other thing would be to get you little guy neutered... But I already mentioned it to you and you know to do when he is old enough. :)

1. Mid range price + best rating
   
   
2. Korean language kids toys
   [Letter blocks. A classic. Always highly rated.] (http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Goose-Korean-Character-Blocks/dp/B003XMFF0M/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1377044368&sr=8-8&keywords=korean+language+kids)
   
   [Flash Cards for Kids - Highly rated, inexpensive] (http://www.amazon.com/Tuttle-Korean-Kids-Flash-Cards/dp/0804840091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377044368&sr=8-1&keywords=korean+language+kids)
   
   Or a DVD set plus flashcards and a poster for a more immersive experience. Lots of great reviews but more expensive and sold through AmazonSellers.
   
   [Alternatively and not at Amazon I just thought this was cute.] (http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/65696573/korean-alphabet-hangl-quilt-pattern-kit?ref=sr_gallery_25&ga_search_query=korean+baby&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=CA&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=korean+baby)
   
   
3. Highly rated powder solution for roseaca
   
   
4. [Highest rated at mid range price] (http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-FloorMate-SpinScrub-Vacuum-FH40010B/dp/B003A2IDMC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376520553&sr=8-1&keywords=vacuum+mop)
   
   
5. [On the premium price side of things but a beloved and highly rated brand with lots of color and style options] (http://www.amazon.com/bumGenius-Freetime-All-In-One-One-Size-Closure/dp/B0072FRENC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376869531&sr=8-2&keywords=bum+genius)
   
   
6. Almost 50 pounds but great reviews and good price
   
   Weighs in at only 34 pounds. Higher on the price scale but fantastic reviews
   
   
7. These are craaaaazy handy if you have the height for it! Great rating and a very cheap solution
   
   A more comprehensive, but affordable closet solution with great ratings
   
   And just a personal favourite—These things are awesome to as you can clip them together in a few different configurations to make some cubbies that fit your space
   
   
8. Good price for, highly rated, multicolour, Egyptian cotton set at 900 GSM
   
   Similar price for US Pima cotton set (another quality cotton), does not list the GSM but also highly rated.
   
   
9. These Tommy and Klein collections seem to get a lot of good reviews on quality and comes in sets for a mid range price. The Tommy sets seem to be a little less expensive:
   1
   2
   3
   
   
   Outside of Amazon though Target is great for kids clothes:
   I'm a big fan of these t shirts. They come with a cape.
   1 2
   
   
   Cute sweaters for fall (more from Target not the 'Zon. Just 'cause)
   1
   2
   3
   4
   5
   
   An Amazon alternative to sweater #2
   
   Jeans to go with everything. Dark to hide stains:
   at Target
   Or a great alternative from amazon
   
   And one cute jacket to look like a spokesmodel for LL Bean Kids (via target)
   
   Complete outfit in 2 parts from target: 1 2 (turn up the cuffs for an adorably hipster look)

Cardboard boxes with shredded paper, pieces of cardboard, paper towel rolls, and some hay stuffed inside with a tunnel attached is by far my buns' favorite toys. They love going in and ripping everything apart and finding hay/treats to eat. Bunnies love cardboard boxes in general. They'll rip them apart and move them around, chew on 'em, make hidey holes, climb on them. I'll even cut out some holes on the side of the boxes and stuff cardboard tubes frayed at the ends/stuffed with hay for them to have fun with.

Tunnels rank at number 2 favorite toy. Their favorite is the crinkley cat tunnels which have holes throughout them they can dart out. They like the crinkle noise too.

They love manipulating objects, hard plastic slinkies (not metal ones!) are fun for them ... and to watch, haha. Hard plastic baby rattles, baby keys, etc. Just no gel/soft plastic as it would be easy for them to bite and ingest.
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Toys_and_Games This has an awesome list of toys and also places to buy bun toys. I've bought cottontail cottages, activity tables, rosewood activity trees, etc--buns love them all! But they are expensive for sure. The activity tables last forever but it would definitely be cheaper to build one !

Oh, also--I would recommend games like the Teach N Treat for mental stimulation as well: http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Living-World-Teach-Treat/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474030&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+n+treat

There are tons of dog and cat games like that too that buns will love: http://www.amazon.ca/Trixie-4594-Products-Solitaire-White/dp/B0057G1WT0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I346NPTH7GATHZ

Also they love moving around these treat balls when you stuff em with pellets: http://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Toys-Treat-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474058&sr=8-2&keywords=treat+ball

They love games that have anything to do with eating/end result being eating. :P

http://www.amazon.ca/Kitty-Mansions-Memphis-Tree-Beige/dp/B0043Z0EUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=IHU58PNBHRME6 CAT TREES! Build your own if you want! Make sure if you buy one to cover any non-safe bun material.

I also got them one of these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0038B2EKM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00005C5H4/ref=oh_details_o02_s05_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Stack cups! Put treats between them and watch them knock them over and nom the treats. :)

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00000IZQP/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They also like knocking these off.

http://www.amazon.ca/Super-Pet-Tropical-Fiddle-Stick/dp/B000HHO26E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I1Y9U0EEWOMV8N These things!

http://www.amazon.ca/Ware-711-Roller-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001CQFDJY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I3D5TZDNHU5HM8 This makes eating hay a bit more fun for them. :)

My boys love rolling around and destroying these: http://www.amazon.ca/Peters-Woven-Grass-Play-Ball/dp/B0009YJ3OG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I2VYO2771IW0LJ

Bunnies really enjoy long-term projects, which is why they like the dig boxes I described in the first paragraph so much. They dig and rearrange the boxes foreeever until I make a new one for them.

If you do the math it’s not so jaw dropping!

297 (total price) /3 (months) is 99

99/month is still pretty pricy for my family, as I think most people in our socioeconomic group can agree with (first time parents under the age of 27, just barely breaking into our career fields)

However, the package comes with 6 toys each

99/6 is 16.5

Given that there is science to back up how beneficial these materials are for the child’s development at that particular stage in their life, $16.50 per toy per month is not a price I am against paying. That’s probably around the price people spend on plastic crap that doesn’t benefit their child’s development or eating at McDonalds per month anyway.

Let’s look at one of these packages and compare pricing on amazon, shall we?

https://montikids.com/we-recommend-level-4/#gf_11

This package is the next age appropriate set for my child. The material it comes with includes:

A level two object permanence box
A push ball set
A stable ring stacker
A peg box
A four piece first shapes puzzle set
A Ball tracker Maze
And five cloth storage bags

On amazon we have:

A comparable object permanence box (29.99)

Montessori Object Permanence Box W/ Drawer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZVT3KW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_P4s3BbNETTNEJ

A wooden ring stacker (12.00-but not explicitly the same as it does not come in the the same set up as the Monti Kids set. I wasn’t able to find one more similar, but based on typical industry pricing that I’ve seen I’d put something more comparable at around $20. However, for these purposes I will be using the $12 price point)

Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker Wooden Ring Educational Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067PWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Y7s3BbV9QWTX1

Push ball tower (currently on sale but usually priced at $19.99, as listed, so I will be using the $19.99 price point for these purposes.
Also, the closest I could find to the Monti Kids set but not the same. I personally like the Monti Kids set more because it is more developmentally appropriate for my child and we are also teaching him not to hit, so we are avoiding things like hammers and drum sticks)

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pound and Roll Wooden Tower Toy With Hammer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VO3GME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_w.s3Bb1QXHJ0K


Peg Box (35.99 and nearly identical)

Montessori Materials Imbucare Dowel Peg box Set Toddler Preschool Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ET0BVE0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.ct3BbFBB4RW0

First shapes wooden puzzle (21.99 and extremely similar)

Montessori Single Shape Puzzles Wooden Puzzle Board Knob Wooden Puzzle Geometric Shape Puzzle Early Education Material Sensorial Toy for Toddler Shape & Color Sorter (4 Pieces) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CRFTX4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1et3BbQ9FR3T2

Ball Tracker Maze (86.95 PLUS 24.98 shipping. Extremely similar to the Monti Kids set NOTE: this is the only item I found with listed shipping; everything else does not have shipping added)

Amazing Tracker Ball Maze https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BTIG88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tgt3BbPFDHVN4

Cloth storage bags (comes with three each- 27.98 for two sets, so you will get a bonus storage bag!)

Misslo Cotton Breathable Dust-proof Drawstring Storage Pouch Bag (Pack 3 L) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP4L1K8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eit3BbDEZ3DTK



So- lets do the math. Just for the physical items (which are similar but not the exact same) ordering off Amazon comes out to:

$259.87 without tax or shipping (aside from the noted item)

Leaving us with a $37.13 difference.

If all the Monti Kids order came with was the materials, then sure, why not save 40 bucks (assuming shipping and tax doesn’t come up to that amount)

However, the Monti Kids order also comes with online classes for you to take so you can better understand and help your child’s development, one-on-one support from certified Montessori instructors, a “toy timeline” helping you track your child’s development and when is best to introduce each new material, and 10 instructional videos on how to set up your space so your child learns the as much as possible through their play.

I’m okay with spending that extra $40 bucks.

Please note: I have not ever ordered through Monti Kids. I am not a sales person or affiliated with them in any way, as I had not heard of them until today. I did this comparison for my own research as we have several holidays coming up- and also a little bit because u/guardiancosmos is kind of going out of their way to be a jerk. Super exited about Monti Kids though!

People will want to buy things for the baby. Some are useful things, many are not. What you really want is gift cards - Walmart, Target, your local grocey store, etc...

Do not fall into the trap of buying every toy, gadget, and outfit you can for your baby. The time your baby spends with her mother or you (or best of all, both of you together) is infinitely more valuable than any toy. This seems obvious to me, but then again I see so many families who are obviously broke but still have bought a lot of nice stuff for their kids. They don't need nice stuff, they need you. And they need you to have the money to fix the car when it breaks down, or to get through lean times when the next recession hits. I have a baby girl BTW, and her favorite toy is these nesting cups I got for $4.

Hopefully the mom will understand this too.

Minimalism is becoming a pretty popular idea, even among people who could afford to buy all the stuff. Here are some articles you might want to read:

https://redandhoney.com/crunchy-minimalist-baby/

https://littlehouselovelyhome.com/minimalist-baby-checklist/

https://www.theminimalistmom.com/minimalist-guide-to-baby/

https://theartofsimple.net/8-essentials-for-a-newborn-baby/

Whatever stuff you decide to buy, see about finding it on craigslist or local mommy groups on facebook before buying it new.

Other advice: If you haven't started this already, start going with the mom to every doctors appointment. The more supported she feels the better for everyone. Also the more informed about the medical side of things you are, the better for everyone. Follow the doctors advice. Go for walks with your baby's mom. Walks are a good way to bond and a perfect exercise for pregnant moms. The fitter she is when she goes into delivery the better for everyone and for your budget.

Last thing: Hopefully your baby's mom is enthusiastic about breast feeding. It's not easy for all women. That's why hospitals have lactation specialists. Breast milk is the best food for a baby up to 6 months, and beyond that they should still be able to nurse as they transition to solid foods. Breast milk is also free. Go to the store and check out prices on formula and baby food - it's expensive stuff, especially if you want the organic stuff.