It is so much fun to introduce a baby to a new toy. But how can you trust that a toy will be safe for your baby? In recent years, the number of toy recalls has increased dramatically due to the number of toys that are now mass produced using dubious materials. With the myriad toys on store shelves to choose from, there's no need to settle for those that are poorly made, potentially dangerous, or made from toxic materials.

There are a number of toy manufacturers that take great pride in producing high-quality children's toys that are fun, educational, and safe. The key is to find toys that suit your child's interests as well as your budget. Look for companies that use responsible manufacturing methods and nontoxic materials. Remember, until your child is about three years old, any toy he plays with will likely wind up in his mouth. So make sure that every toy in your home is made from safe and nontoxic materials.

Wooden Toys

Many of the wooden toys you see on store shelves are made of plywood or particleboard held together with toxic glues and finished with petroleum-based sealers, paints, preservatives, and pesticides. Skip these toxic toys and look for high-quality, unfinished solid wooden toys. If possible, choose wooden toys that bear the FSC seal, since they are made with solid wood harvested from sustainable sources. You can tell if a toy is made from solid wood by looking at its unfinished edges. If you can see layers, it's made from pressed wood or particle board.

Make sure the paint on your baby's wooden toys is nontoxic. A wooden toy that is strong-smelling or decorated with bright paints is likely laden with chemicals. The safest bet is to choose unpainted wooden toys with beeswax or nontoxic oil finishes.

Stuffed Animals

Babies love to snuggle up with a favorite stuffed toy or animal. You may even have a few of your own still hanging around from your own childhood days. To make sure a stuffed animal is safe for your baby to cuddle, look for products made from natural, organic fabrics such as cotton, hemp, or wool. Unlike conventional stuffed toys, organic stuffed toys have not been exposed to synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, or finishes.

Plastic Toys

Be very wary of toys that are made from plastic. Not only are they petroleum-based, but they also contain a number of toxins like bisphenol (BPA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and phthalates that are harmful to children and the planet. Most plastic products contain PVC, a chemical compound that has been linked to cancer and other serious health problems.

BPA is used to make plastic toys that are stiff and shatterproof, like toy bottles or dolls. While phthalates are added to plastics that need to be soft and pliable such as that used for teething rings and pacifiers.

The manufacturing of plastics also takes a toll on the environment. Plastics' manufacturers are the single largest users of chlorine, a chemical that reacts in the environment to create the dangerous byproduct dioxin. In addition, heavy metals like lead and cadmium are used as stabilizers in soft vinyl products and packaging. These metals are unsafe for children and harmful to the environment when they are released during manufacturing and disposal.

To be safe, opt for toys made from natural fibers or untreated wood instead of plastics. When you do purchase plastic toys, be sure they are labeled BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free.

Cleaning Baby Toys

Babies are constantly touching and chewing on their favorite toys, so they can pick up germs and illnesses easily. You can reduce your baby's chance of catching illnesses by keeping his toys and play area clean. Most toys can be cleaned with a mixture of nontoxic soap and hot water. For deep cleaning, small plastic toys can be cleaned and sanitized in a dishwasher while fabric toys can take a spin through the laundry machine (just make sure you are washing full loads!).