Show Notes
Social media is full of advice about what’s the best toy for your newborn baby - but what does the science say? Are we buying toys we simply don’t need? In this episode of The Baby Fact Check, new dad Greg Foot is joined by trusted experts to fact check some of the most common pieces of social media parenting advice around newborn play:
“Tummy time isn’t safe for newborns.” “You don’t need to worry about playtime until your newborn is a bit older.” “Black and white toys are the best for newborn play.”
With help from Professor Sarah Lloyd-Fox (University of Cambridge) and Lindsay Carr (Great North Children’s Hospital), Greg gets a bunch of “tummy time” tips, hears how early play actually begins, and why supporting your baby’s development doesn’t have to mean expensive toys.
PLEASE NOTE - Since recording, new guidance has been released in the UK. In March 2026, the UK government published its first screen time guidance for under-5s. For under-2s, the advice is to avoid screen time other than for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation, like video-calling relatives. So, the advice is to avoid solo viewing of screens, however interactive use could be ok in small durations. The guidance also warns that fast-paced, social media-style videos may affect how young children learn to concentrate (echoing Sarah's "sticky fixation" point), and advises to keep mealtimes and bedtimes screen-free. Also new for 2026 is the suggestion to avoid AI-based toys, tools and chatbots until there's more evidence on how they might affect a child. Source: Screen time guidance for under 5s, Best Start in Life (DfE/DHSC), 27 March 2026 — https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/
If you’ve seen a piece of parenting advice you’d like us to fact check, email us on [email protected] Join The Baby Fact Check Family on Patreon: patreon.com/TheBabyFactCheck Follow us on social media:Instagram: @TheBabyFactCheckTikTok: @TheBabyFactCheckFacebook: @TheBabyFactCheck The Baby Fact Check is a Science Media Studio production. Series Producer: Greg FootContent Producer: Graihagh JacksonVideo Producer: Adrienn RuszAudio Mix: Jonnie HowardRecorded at: The Raspberry Pi Foundation, with help from Daria Hupov & Peter SimisonSpecial thanks: Teddy’s mummy, Katrin!
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