The NYC Registry Edit: Play.

We'd lean open-ended for the bulk of a registry - stacking cups, blocks, and a plain ball get reinvented by a baby at every stage, while a single-function light-up toy tends to get a week of real interest before it's retired to the bin. That said, a couple of battery-operated cause-and-effect toys (musical toys, for instance) are great for teaching that actions produce reactions. It doesn't have to be all one or the other.

Five things, really: age-appropriateness and safety (no choking hazards or small parts below the age label), what skill it actually builds at your baby's current stage, the material it's made from (wood, fabric, plastic, or silicone - each wears differently through mouthing and teething), whether it'll hold interest for more than a week, and how much space it takes up in a small apartment. Our full guide, How to Pick Toys for Baby's First Year, walks through all five.

Start with the age label - it's based on choking-hazard testing, not just difficulty. Any toy marked 3 years + has small parts that aren't safe for anyone younger. If it's just that the toy is 12 months+ and your baby is 9 months, it's likely safe but they may or may not be at the developmental stage for the toy. Beyond that, look for secure stitching on plush toys, no small magnets or exposed button batteries, and nothing with a cord or ribbon longer than 7 inches. Keep in mind if you're picking up toys while traveling, every country has their own rules so it may not meet US standards. 

No - none of these are sleep products, even the ones that look cozy enough to nap in. They're for awake, supervised playtime only; for any actual sleep, baby belongs on a firm, flat mattress in a sleep-certified bassinet, crib, or travel crib.

Fewer than you'd think. A handful that hit different senses - a rattle, high-contrast cards, a soft book, a teether - covers the first few months. For a while, a baby's favorite toy is usually just your face.

We'd say yes - it's one of the few toys that earns its square footage, doubling as a tummy-time spot and a safe place to set baby down.

Reaching and grabbing kicks in around 3-4 months, and by 6 months most babies are shaking and banging things on purpose. Before that, "play" mostly means looking, listening, and mouthing.

Usually, yes - just check for recalls, loose or worn parts, and secure button-battery doors before handing it over. Plush toys typically wash fine; hard plastic wipes down easily too.

It varies by product, so the label on the specific item is the real answer - some are only for 0-9 months (Bouncer Begin by Baby Bjorn) while others, like the Bouncer Bliss by Baby Bjorn is suitable for 2 years. Stokke's Yoga is suitable from newborn to 20lbs, and UppaBaby's Mira Bouncer is made for babies from 6lbs  to 29 lbs.

Look for a bouncer with a compact fold and a light frame you can move room to room. If you don't have floor space for a bouncer, think about getting a newborn attachment for your high chair, as these too can feature toybars and can be used for play.