Olivia, does your MCHN organise a mothers group. I have a friend in yarraville, and hers didn't as she was told there were not many new mums there. Her daughter would be about 2 now though, so not the same age.

Soft rattles are a great idea, the kind with a clear, thick plastic ring to hold are good as there is usually things inside the ring for the baby to look at too.

What about a playgym, the kind with overhanging toys - you can usually pick these up on ebay.

And even the thing plastic rings are good too, I think playgro make them.