Certainly. Spheal are easily tamable pokémon who are very eager when it comes to learning new tricks, including moves, and their rubbery bodies and cushiony fur mean they can withstand rough handling by a toddler. (Of course, keep your baby and the hatchling separate to allow both to develop enough to handle any sort of play with one another.) Moreover, as they grow, tamed spheal actively seek out interaction with and affection from others, partly because they’re normally a highly social pokémon and partly because they simply enjoy being rewarded for doing tricks. Young children find said tricks especially amusing (if aquariums are anything to go by), which only further encourages spheal’s behavior.
As a starter, spheal are excellent choices. Their line possess excellent defensive capabilities, and their offensive abilities are equally formidable. After all, there’s a reason why walrein are preferred by Glacia of the Elite Four. (But then again, as a trainer of one yourself, you likely already know that.) In other words, spheal are hardy, friendly pokémon, and because of both of these traits, they make excellent traveling companions. Moreover, many gym circuits traditionally begin with gyms that are weak to spheal’s Water Gun or Powder Snow, which means a trainer who begins with spheal may have an easier time conquering gyms than most. Of course, you may wonder whether or not traveling early on would be easy for something that can’t rightly walk, but rest assured that spheal’s ability to roll across land quickly make it just as mobile as any other pokémon.
In short, absolutely, anonymous. Spheal would make an excellent partner for your newborn. Best of luck to all of you, and congratulations!
The Pokédex According to Bill 