From never-ending energy to curiosity and eagerness to try new things, toddler years are perhaps the most exciting and exhausting chapters of a baby’s life. Your little newborn is now a year old and can differentiate between yes and no. The baby is now old enough to know when to throw a tantrum and when to pass that sweet, naughty smile. And now that the “big kid” is a surprising reality of life, you must be looking for the essentials that can keep your little one safe and occupied. We have compiled a list of 6 must-have toddler essentials that will ensure that you and your little one can trek down the trail of this new and exciting stage of life.
A Bed Rail
Your toddler is now big enough and will soon have an independent bed. And it is perhaps the best time for making your child comfortable with the idea of sleeping on a bed. But if you go too quickly and remove the crib bars, you may frighten the toddler. And this is where a bed rail comes into play. It gives your child independence but at the same time, provide the safety that your child needs at this point in life. With a bed rail, your toddler feels more secure and contained.
A Potty Chair
Your toddler has spent pretty much most of their lives in diapers. Now is the time to move on and get comfortable with the idea of potty training. On your route to potty training, a potty chair is your essential partner. You can find two types of potty chairs
- One that fits on your toilet seat and
- One that sits on the ground.
If you go for the first type, you won’t have to clean the potty seat after your child uses it. Simply flush the toilet and you are good to go. Moreover, your child will get used to the idea of using a toilet more quickly because this is what all other adults around your child do.
But if you want a cute-looking potty seat that you can use to train your toddler, you can go for the second type.
Regardless of the type of potty chair you choose, you will need one during the toddler years.
Booster Seat
Your baby is old enough to fit in the high chair but is tiny enough to sit on a regular chair. Now, what should you do?
Invest in a toddler booster seat. Most booster seats that are available in the market are small enough that you can carry them around in your car as you head out for dinner. You can also accommodate your little one on the dining table in your home. And while you prepare the dinner in the kitchen, your toddler can enjoy playing with utensils and looking at you while sitting in a booster seat.
Blocks and Puzzle Mats
Blocks and puzzles are perhaps the best ways to keep a toddler entertained for hours. You can find large lego-like blocks and large puzzle mats that your toddler can play with. Moreover, you can also join in and if you have older kids, all of you can have family time together.
However, when choosing blocks for your little ones, make sure they are large enough and do not pose a choking hazard to your toddler.
Non-Slip Bath Mat
A toddler may no longer fit in a baby bathtub. And putting your little one in a bigger bathtub comes with its own set of risks. After all, your baby is now a toddler who is always on the go, eager to explore new things and bath time explorations are just a lot more fun.
By having a non-slip bath mat in your bathtub, you can ensure bath time safety for your little one.
Activity Walker
Most toddlers are still learning how to walk. An activity walker is just more than a walker that supplements as your child is learning how to walk. It comes with a number of activities that your toddler can try and learn as they plan to take a break from walking. Most activity walkers come with piano keys, rollers, switches, and songs to keep your toddler entertained for hours.
Final Words
There may be many more things that you feel are must-have essentials during the toddler years of your child’s life. You can obviously go on and invest in as many items as you want but the list we have provided will ensure that your toddler remains safe and gets enough developmental opportunities during the most critical phase of their lives.