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As a new parent, of course, you won’t know what products for babies and toddlers to get. The baby shower and gifts you receive will be great, but the products for babies and toddlers you need to get won’t start to click until way after you have spent money on items you really don’t need.
Now that we are heading into the year’s final weeks, and the last weeks of Noah’s infancy are approaching, I knew it would be the right way to end this year.
Here is a recap of my best baby and young toddler products for 2021 that made parenting more manageable, especially with everything going on.
When deciding on babies and toddlers, it’s essential to look at these three categories to ensure it’s something of value, easy use, functionality, and lifestyle to determine if it’s right for you and your baby. Just because it works for one family doesn’t mean it will work for you.
This post is about products for babies and toddlers.
What I try to do when I read reviews is think about the cost and if it’s something that I can use with Noah. By now, you will know your baby’s personality and will see if it’s worth it or not.
When you first have children, you buy all these products to realize that 90% of them your baby doesn’t like or you don’t even use, and then you waste money that you could have put into different resources.
Now that I’m transitioning into full-on toddler life, taking the lessons with me will ensure I don’t make these same mistakes again.
Products for babies and toddlers all parents need
Bottles
Within the first few days of life, you will know if your baby will have gas issues. Here are the bottles that we use and I swear by.
My 23-month-old wasn’t super gassy, but these bottles were the best to keep the air down. Have a review of Dr. Brown’s products that breaks down all the products we have used to date. Here is a full list of my recommended baby products under 12 Months.
Diapers
Diapers matter. I know you hear everyone talking about getting one brand over the other, but when it comes to blowouts and making sure it all fits in eh diapers, these are the best on the market.
Wipes
Wipes are universal, but try to ensure you get wipes that will work on any skin type. This may cost a little more, but it’s worth it to keep down skin irritations as your child grows.
After the six-month mark, you will realize you will start spending like crazy trying to get them to
roll over and walk. I’m here to tell you what you are thinking of buying; you don’t even need.
Products for Babies and Toddlers 6-12 month phases
360 fit/pull-ups
It wasn’t until we reached the 12-month mark that we started using these, but I wish we had started using them sooner. The flaps on the standard diapers are complicated, and I never got the hang of them, so having this option has been a lifesaver, and we still use them even now that he is 23 months old.
Blocks
Even though they might look at them, getting blocks early for your child helps them work on their motor skills which come in handy in more places than just walking.
Jumper
This is the best investment for your kid. This allows them to burn off that energy they will get and start independent play.
You can safely put them in here and walk around the room knowing they are safe and sound while exploring their activities on the jumper for them.
Your baby has turned one year old. Congrats! Now, this is when the fun begins! They will start learning to talk and walk better, and you have to switch focus. You want to hone in on developing language, motor skills, and critical thinking. Some of my favorite products for the 12 – 18-month-old stage:
Baby PlayPen
Now that crawling and walking are on the menu, you will want to start exploring and move very fast at this age. Control, where your tot is going, will allow your toddler to have a safe place but room to get those steps in and build their imagination.
Around we GrowBaby Activity Cube
The Around we GrowBaby Activity Cube is a toy that will grow with your child. You can take off the walking piece and have an instant activity center that your child can use for months and years to come.
Learning Pad
Drawing may start for your little one at this age, so having a place to begin working on their writing and fine motor skills is super important.
First 100 Words
These books are the perfect size for them. They can hold it in their hands and flip through the pages independently.
Even though they can’t read, the bright colors will allow you and your baby to build vocabulary, which is essential for them at this age.
100 Words Book
These books come in so many themes that you can get for lifestyle, animals, or place specific. The book is in English and Spanish, so teaching your child another language is essential; this book offers both options.
Finally, as we enter the final stages of infancy/young toddler life, you will realize it gets more expensive. This is another reason we have to plan when getting products.
Clothing will always be an expense you have to spend since toddlers grow so fast. Toys will have a longer life since toddler attention spans are a lot longer, and toys they might not have played with when they are younger become attractive to them again.
Products for Babies and Toddlers 18-24 months.
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Light-up Learning Vacuum
You will notice that your tot wants to be more involved in your everyday routines. Cleaning is one of them. This will allow them to participate in the process without messing up the carpet, which is expected at this age.
VTech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight
This toy uses light and should help with fine motor skills. Its interactive and bright colors build on their creativity and exploration.
Wooden Alphabet Puzzle
These build on their critical thinking and problem-solving skills like the builder blocks. You can help them make language. By spelling out their name, common words like “Yes” or “No,” and must have words like “Mama” and “Dada.”
Melissa & Doug Spin and Swipe Wooden Toy Cash
Register With 3 Play Coins and Pretend Credit Card
This may be a little advance for your tot to play with on their own it’s worth the investment. Playing with it during playtime works on so many skills that it’s a toy that grows with the child.
There are also other products that I want to mention. No, it is not toys, but these products are just as crucial for your toddler’s development as the toys.
They have played an enormous role in allowing my 23-month-old to adjust to being in a high chair. (If your child starts going to daycare, they will grow out of it quickly) to transition to the new life stage of being a toddler.
Kids Wood Table and Chair Set
We use this every day. Once we no longer used the high chair, the next phase was transitioning to “toddlerhood.” Yes, adults can sit in the chairs, and we haven’t had any issues with the chairs breaking on us. The table cleans easily. Your tot will adapt quickly because they will know it’s made for them based on height. (Toddlers are smart)
First Essentials by NUK Hard Spout Sippy Cup
After a while, your baby won’t be able to use a bottle anymore (especially if they are going to daycare) and will have to start drinking from sippy cups.
These promote reasonable oral muscle control due to the design, which I talk more about in this post about why we had to get these types of cups even before my toddler was one year old.
Munchkin Stay Put Divided Suction Plates
You need them. Trust me. As your little ones start getting older and want more independence, having this suck to the table will avoid messes.
Baby Gate
Your tot will be confident walking around the house, and you will have to put up safety measures to keep them from climbing up and down the steps or going into spaces that will not be safe with adult supervision.
You will use products earlier or later in your child’s first 24 months. Overall, these products will get you through what is needed to survive. And not spend money on products and toys your baby will never use.
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This post was about products for babies and toddlers.
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