When I was pregnant with my first child and creating a baby registry, I filled it with items I would be using right away: A crib and mattress, a play pen, diapers and wipes, a swing.
You know, the obvious stuff.
Looking back now I see that I failed to envision a time beyond my baby’s first year. Our registry was seriously lacking in toddler gear. Because we approached the registry process with tunnel vision, my husband and I were thrown for a loop when we woke up one day with a full-fledged toddler.
Don’t be like me! If you’re a mom- or dad-to-be and working on that first registry, here’s my list of must-have toddler items to include.
1. Sippy cups: Whether your busy toddler is playing at home or out and about with you, spill-proof toddler cups like this Dr. Brown’s insulated straw sports cup are where it’s at — they are dishwasher-safe or super easy to clean by hand, too.
2. Child-proofing gear: Curious toddlers love to explore the world around them. Unfortunately, the more dangerous the item, the more enticing it becomes for little fingers! To help save your sanity while keeping your child safe, be sure to stock up on the following: cabinet and drawer locks, door handle covers, electrical outlet covers, corner cushions, a stove lock, furniture anchors. Safety gates are another child-proofing essential — just remember that gates that bolt into the wall are the only safe option for the top of stairways, though pressure-mounted gates that don’t require hardware are fine for other spaces and doorways.
3. Teething items: Your baby will likely have a few teeth before her first birthday — but even more of those pearly whites will be poking through after that. Although many children make it through teething without too much obvious discomfort, my kiddos seemed to appreciate chilled teething rings and teething products with varied textures. That’s why we already have some teethers stashed away for when our 3-month-old begins teething.
4. A toddler car seat: Many parents choose convertible car seats that can accommodate your child from birth to toddlerhood and beyond. Other parents opt for infant bucket seats that may or may not come in travel systems. Whatever works best for your family, it’s important to keep an eye on the age/weight/height maximums for your baby’s seat. Before you know it, your baby will need to graduate to a bigger model. (And if your baby grows anywhere near the pace that my firstborn did, this could be sooner rather than later!)
5. Snack containers: As your baby enters toddlerhood, snack time will be yet another opportunity to try different food textures and flavors. These Dr. Brown’s stackable snack and dipping cups are the perfect size for sliced fruit and veggies, crackers, yogurt bites, oatmeal, and more. The twist-and-lock lids also make them handy for travel because you’ll never have to worry about missing-in-action lids again.
6. Potty chair: It’s never too soon for your little one to get comfortable around a potty chair — even if it’s still too early for potty training to officially begin. Shortly after their first birthdays, my first two kiddos enjoyed playing with their seat. (It featured bright colors and made flushing sounds when you push down the handle.) If your child starts showing signs of potty-training readiness early, the process could begin sooner than you think.
7. Toddler plates: If your toddler is anything like mine, she doesn’t appreciate when certain foods get mixed together. Sectioned plates keep food separated for picky little ones while helping caregivers with meal portions. Dr. Brown’s divided plates also feature a non-skid bottom that helps prevent it from slipping as your child masters eating skills.
8. Toddler utensils: Your toddler’s small hands and mouth require a pint-sized tool to get the job done. These Dr. Brown’s long spatula spoons are handy for reaching the very bottom of tall baby food jars and for wiping food from your little one’s mouth. As your baby suddenly transforms into a toddler overnight (or so it seems), they’re also handy for learning to self-feed.
9. Patience: OK, OK. So this isn’t exactly an item you can put on a registry. But it is still a must-have for parenting a toddler, for sure. Your child’s newfound mobility, evolving eating skills, and blossoming personality are bound to result in more than few messes and tantrums. It’s completely normal for parents to feel like pulling out their hair some days. Take it from a mom who has survived the toddler years with one kid and is in the trenches with another — just take a deep breath and ride the highs and lows of life with your toddler.
Because before you know it, you’ll have a preschooler!
Did you forget toddler items when making your baby registry? What must-have items would you add to my list?
Share your thoughts!This post is sponsored by Dr. Brown’s. I was given a sampling of Dr. Brown’s products to support the writing of this post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
