A baby gate (one of those devices that you fix to a wall and extend across an entrance, such as the entrance to a staircase) goes a long way, anonymous. Additionally, be sure that the floor is kept as clear as possible, never extend cords across a room, and be sure all furniture is fixed to a wall using braces. Likewise, keep all fragile or heavy objects out of your togepi’s reach or equally secured.
While it’s imperative that you do the above first (as not everyone can get a service pokémon for another pokémon), it’s true that service pokémon are available. I would recommend consulting with your Nurse Joy for options and to register for your region’s service pokémon program. Typically, for pokémon with sight impairments, a telepath such as ralts or munna will be assigned to you and your pokémon. The reason for this is that psychic pokémon have the ability to function as another being’s eyes, which is typically a better situation for the battlefield than simply offering a service growlithe or vision augmenting tools.
Actually, certain baby pokémon do better when placed in groups, rather than separated, even if that group consists of various species. This is especially true with pokémon either known for bringing happiness (happiny) or that evolve via levels of happiness (igglybuff and togepi). This is because socialization helps them develop a healthy mental state and allows them to form the bonds that eventually lead to the development of their abilities or to their evolution, respectively. Likewise, none of those pokémon are particularly discerning when it comes to their companionship (or at least, not generally speaking), so quarrels between any of them are unlikely.
So to answer your first question, absolutely, those three will make excellent playmates.
To answer your second question, believe it or not, the same sorts of toys you would give a human baby often work well for these pokémon. Soft toys, durable plastic toys, and anything that lights up and makes music are all excellent choices—especially the latter if you’d like something that will ensure they’ll stay in one place when you take your eyes off them for a moment. Never give them anything that can fit in their mouths and be swallowed, especially igglybuff (as it will attempt to chew anything). It’s also a good idea to give your happiny a round, smooth stone the shape of a chansey egg (but slightly smaller, so she can carry it), as happiny take comfort from carrying one of these around. Yes, it’s a good idea even if you don’t wish to evolve your happiny right away. Don’t worry—the round stone isn’t happiny’s only evolutionary requirement. Also, keep a stock of these stones on hand, and make sure they’re as close to identical as you can get them. Your happiny may lose her stone often, and it’s worth it to have a replacement ready.
Best of luck, anonymous, and congratulations on the new litter!
At the risk of being somewhat unprofessional (and inciting the ire of my editor), in response to the act of breeding pokémon without knowing much about how to raise them:
I do hope you either intend on raising the other hatchlings or have already rehomed them to a certifiable no-kill pokémon shelter or to respectable homes, reader. If not, sorting that out is your first priority.
That having been said, many of the basics to raising baby pokémon are the same as raising adult pokémon. That is to say, eventually, you’ll need the proper types of food for your igglybuff and togepi, the proper spaces, the proper bedding, and even the proper waste disposal bins.
However, at first, they should be left with their parents for a few weeks. During this time, the parents will be the ones to feed the hatchlings, and many of the basic skills your togepi and igglybuff need to survive will be taught during this period. You’ll know when your togepi and igglybuff are ready for independent care when the parents spend less and less time away from the nests they’ve made for them. Give it another week and then approach the nest (to avoid being attacked by the parents).
As a note, if you’ve received these eggs from a breeder or otherwise do not have the parents on hand, allow one of your other pokémon to care for them. Most pokémon, as noted in an earlier ask, are instinctually equipped to take care of newborns, even if they’re not of the same species.
Once the hatchlings are ready for you, note that baby pokémon also need a lot more affection than their adult forms. Luckily, as igglybuff and togepi tend to be interested in the same things, this may be less of a challenge for you. Get plenty of soft, chewable toys, preferably ones that can hold their attention. Both igglybuff and togepi like dangling toys they can bat at, and igglybuff adores musical toys or toys that make sounds. (Togepi will play with these as well, but it doesn’t get quite as excited over them as igglybuff.) The only real challenge in keeping them engaged will likely be giving them equal amounts of affection. Some togepi can be quite possessive and will cry if not handled enough or if it believes you’re handling another pokémon more than it. The ability to multitask will be essential to you.
As for feeding, as mentioned above, the newborns will be fed by the parents (or caretakers). After that, togepi feed mostly on soft berries and foods at first. As they get older, they can consume things like vegetables, harder fruits, sprouts, beans, and occasionally eggs. (Obviously, do not feed your togepi eggs from its own line. Pidgey eggs, animal eggs, or any other eggs in general are fine.) Igglybuff are strictly herbivorous and should be fed leafy greens when not fed kibble. Contrary to popular belief, root vegetables should be treats, not mainstays, as the high sugar content may be harmful to it. Berries are fine to give on a daily basis, but limit your igglybuff’s intake to only one or two berries a day, also due to the high sugar content.
Regarding wastes, Togepi, which evolve into more bird-like species, will need a litter cage, or a birdcage-like apparatus lined at the bottom with shredded paper. (Always be sure to use uncoated paper. Never use magazine pages or the glossy, color pages of a newspaper. These may contain chemicals that will be harmful to your togepi.) You can save money and effort by buying cages specifically for togekiss. Many of these will also have the perches togetic and togekiss will need pre-installed, although customizable models are available. Change the bedding every day—twice daily for hatchlings who are still getting used to their cages. Finally, yes, you will have to train your togepi to use the cage at first. When you notice your togepi getting quiet and still, fidgeting, or actually in the act, immediately pick it up and place it in the cage. Do not yell at your togepi if it relieves itself on your floor; rather, tell it in a firm voice that this is not acceptable and let it watch you clean up its mess. Also, use positive reinforcement by rewarding it whenever it successfully uses its cage. Eventually, it will begin to figure out what the cage is for on its own.
Igglybuff, meanwhile, are like many fairies in that they use a litter box. Unlike its cousin, clefairy, you should not use cat litter to fill it. Rather, use hay or paper. The igglybuff line tends to inhale deeply shortly before eliminating wastes (as it uses the pressure of the air it traps to help evacuation), and cat litter tends to be easier to inhale. Simply place the litter box in a place your igglybuff can easily see and access, and it will figure out the rest. If you still have its jigglypuff or wigglytuff parents, have them teach it how to use the box. Be sure to change this daily as well.
As for bedding, both species typically enjoy small, soft pokémon beds, but at first, they may insist on sleeping with you. It’s fine to do this at first, but as they get older, you may need to train them to sleep in their own. Allowing them to continue to sleep with you may disrupt their ability to perform on the battlefield, as they will develop the tendency to seek you whenever they perceive that they’re in danger.
Finally, as noted earlier, baby pokémon require a lot more attention than their adult selves. Igglybuff generally engage in vocal exercises to develop their voices, which means they may use Sing at random. They also tend to bounce when bored or excited, and as their bodies are very soft and pliable, they can continue bouncing until they build up enough momentum to do actual property damage. Togepi, meanwhile, are far less likely to injure you, but they are highly curious pokémon that have a tendency to wander off on their own and place themselves in danger. It is of the utmost importance that you keep as much of an eye on both of them until they either evolve or outgrow these tendencies.
But if you can do all of this and survive largely intact, you’ll find that it will be easy to bond with your pokémon and fulfill the requirements they need to evolve.
It’s certainly a legitimate concern, @evetype, but I assure you that once evolution happens, most pokémon tend to calm down. Your togepi’s wanderlust is actually a trait most of its species experience in varying degrees, and it’s directly related to togepi’s natural curiosity. Once it evolves, the bond between togetic and its trainer takes precedence over any remaining curiosity it has, and thus, it will be more inclined to stay put.
For the most part, anyway. It’s certainly true that this is a generalization and that there are togetic who still feel strongly about wandering, especially if their trainers did not travel much. If you notice that your togetic is still prone to wandering after evolution, there are two things that you should do.
First, be sure that she’s in an up-to-date poké ball that’s linked to both your pokédex and your storage system account. You can track her using either your PC or your pokédex, should she somehow break free.
Second, the above will only work if she also has an implanted chip. Many trainers of pokémon capable of flight make it a point to chip their pokémon, and the procedure itself is both harmless and performable at any licensed pokémon center. Simply take your togetic (or even togepi, as the chip will not harm a pokémon undergoing evolution) to your local Nurse Joy and ask for a chip to be implanted, and she’ll walk you through the rest once the procedure is over. Typically, the whole appointment involves not only the implantation but also the syncing of the chip to your trainer accounts and pokédex, as well as a national database of pokémon. That way, no matter where your pokémon is, she can be found, identified, and—eventually—brought back to you.
Ah, yes, the togepi line. Quite a fascinating one, actually!
Togepi The Spike Ball Pokémon Type: Fairy Official Registration #: 175 Entry: A foot-tall, egg-like pokémon that possesses very little in the way of offensive, defensive, or—for that matter—any battling abilities. In fact, it is said that shell of this egg-like pokémon stores joy and happiness and that this egg-like pokémon’s main ability is spreading peace and love wherever it goes. You are, in short, battling the most baby-like of all pokémon, and it would be most advisable to rethink your life decisions if you find yourself in this situation. You monster.
Togetic The Happiness Pokémon Type: Fairy/Flying Official Registration #: 176 Entry: The evolved form of togepi, as a result of a heightened sense of happiness. True to its defined species, togetic is a small, bird-like creature best known for its ability to spread happiness and luck to kind-hearted people. Conversely, it grows depressed and lethargic when exposed to the arrogant, selfish, and immature for long periods of time. Thus, while togetic is traditionally considered to be a symbol of fortune and prosperity to the people of its native Johto, in more modern times, it has also become the symbol of people with questionable taste in men. Such as this writer’s older sister.
Togekiss The Jubilee Pokémon Type: Fairy/Flying Official Registration #: 468 Entry: The evolved form of togetic, by exposure to shiny stone. A large, bird-like creature that flies from region to region on a pair of great, pure-white wings. It prefers to migrate to peaceful regions, to shower the people living there with blessings of prosperity and peace as a reward for their efforts to love and respect one another. However, if it crosses a war-torn country, it is known for spreading peace, happiness, and justice by delivering unto any authority figure it finds the most violent uses of Sweet Kiss and Fairy Wind observed in the pokémon kingdom. In short, this writer wholeheartedly approves of togekiss’s political platform and is more than ready to vote for togekiss in the next general election.