Sure, they’ve got eight legs and zero chill, but babies are obsessed. Ever wondered why are octopus toys good for babies? 

Here’s the short answer: octopus toys are like developmental cheat codes wrapped in cuteness. Buckle in, because we’re diving deeper than Ursula’s evil lair and sharing the science behind why babies love these eight-legged creatures. 

If you are looking for the perfect octopus for your little one or a loved one, check out Ollie the Octopus from the Shark Tank featured Dingle Dangle Baby Gift Set.

Wy Do NICU Babies Get Octopuses? 

Here’s what NICUs in Europe have known for years—and what most parents don’t:
Octopus toys aren’t just cute. They’re calming, regulating, and biologically familiar. That’s why hospitals started putting them in incubators. And the results? Pretty amazing.

• 🧠 Mimics the Umbilical Cord: The soft, curled tentacles resemble the coils of the umbilical cord. For preemies, this sensation offers comfort and a sense of safety -something their developing nervous systems crave.

• 💓 Promotes Physiological Stability: A 2022 study found that preterm infants given crochet octopuses had:

  • Reduced acute pain

  • Decreased crying times

  • Improved oxygen saturation

• 💤 Reduces Stress Responses: The tactile stimulation of holding and grasping the tentacles helped babies self-soothe, leading to calmer sleep patterns and easier regulation.

• 👶 Supports Early Bonding: NICU nurses report that babies with octopus toys exhibit less agitation and are more easily handled during stressful procedures.

This is why so many neonatal units across Denmark, the UK, and beyond have integrated octopus toys into preemie care. It’s not just hospital folklore, it’s evidence-based baby whispering.

Why Are Octopus Toys Good for Babies?

Now, that we know why NICUs are fond of octopus plushies, let's take a look at why they might be a good option for your own baby (or make a wonderful first baby gift).   

1. Because Tentacles = Gripping Greatness

Babies are born with the palmar grasp reflex it’s why they’ll grab your finger like they’re sealing a business deal. That reflex turns into fine motor skill development when they get to practice grabbing, squeezing, and exploring different shapes.

Looking for an adorable octopus gift? Check out the Dingle Dangle!

Why are octopus toys good for babies? Because eight tentacles = eight chances to grip. And each one gives their brain something new to process. Textured limbs? Yes. Crinkly sounds? You bet. Dangly bits that bonk them in the face and make them giggle? Absolutely.

Science says: Grasping and manipulating objects builds hand strength and coordination. According to research in Infant Behavior and Development, babies who are exposed to multi-textured, manipulable toys show faster motor skill development than those who aren’t. So yeah, Team Octopus for the win.

2. Because Babies See the World Like a Fuzzy Monet Painting

Newborns have blurry vision for the first few months. They can barely make out shapes and shadows unless they’re bold, bright, and high-contrast.

That’s why octopus toys are good for babies - most are designed with vibrant colors and patterns that practically yell, “Hey baby, look over here!” The more visual input babies get in this stage, the faster their vision develops. It’s like visual push-ups… but way cuter.

Science says: Studies from the American Optometric Association show that high-contrast toys help stimulate the visual cortex, improving tracking, depth perception, and focus. Also: staring contests with octopuses = undefeated entertainment.

3. Because Babies Are Basically Tiny Sensory Junkies

Babies don’t just like sensory play, they need it. Their brains are wiring themselves in real time, and each sound, squish, and squirm is a spark of connection.

Why are octopus toys good for babies? Because they’re built for full-sensory engagement. One tentacle crinkles. One rattles. One might be silky smooth while another has raised dots. That’s not a coincidence, it’s neurological gold.

Science says: Sensory exploration builds stronger neural connections. A study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that sensory-rich toys improve cognitive processing, especially in infants 3 to 9 months old. So every chew on a crinkly leg is basically baby brain bootcamp.

4. Because They’re Surprisingly Comforting

Here’s a plot twist you didn’t see coming: octopus toys are used in NICUs across the world to calm preemies. The tentacles mimic the shape and feel of the umbilical cord, helping babies feel safe and regulated, kind of like swaddling, but cuter.

Why are octopus toys good for babies? Because they offer comfort and connection. They’re weirdly womb-like. Soft. Familiar. A plush friend with a hug radius of 360 degrees.

Science says: A 2017 study in The Journal of Neonatal Nursing found that premature babies who cuddled crochet octopuses had fewer breathing irregularities and lower heart rates than those who didn’t. Translation? The octopus might be the original baby whisperer.

5. Because Real Babies Say So

Scroll through any parenting forum and you’ll find the same thing: babies obsessed with their octopus toys. One mom swore her baby said “Ockie” before “Mama” (ouch). Another said her child sleeps only when holding all eight arms at once like a tiny plush kraken.

Anecdotal? Sure. But when every baby in the wild seems to instinctively choose the octopus over, say, a perfectly fine giraffe rattle… you start to notice a pattern.

Meet the Dingle Dangle Octopus

Now that we’ve settled the question of why are octopus toys good for babies, allow us to introduce the pinnacle of octopus evolution: the Dingle Dangle Octopus.

Our eight-armed champion jingles, crinkles, and swings from your head (yes, you read that right) as part of the award-losing, Shark Tank–approved Dingle Dangle Hat. It turns squirmy, squealy diaper changes into hypnotic, giggle-filled moments of calm.

Babies can’t resist it. Parents swear by it. And tentacle by tentacle, it’s making diaper changes a little less painful for everyone involved.

GET A DINGLE DANGLE TODAY!