Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
The first 5 years ~ My essentials as a mom of 2
29
items As a mom of 2 and a former Pre-K teacher, I've tried a lot of products that I loved and that made my life so much easier! Here's some items that can hopefully help you navigate those important first few years of life!
Sections
3
Babyhood(0-2)
Toddlerhood (2-3)
Preschool Years (3-5)
Babyhood(0-2)
These bibs were a game changer for mealtime in my house. Dropped food can still be eaten and easy to wash in sink after!
Silicone Bibs
You may be thinking this was meant to be in Toddlerhood, but research has shown that straw cups are better for speech and tooth development for babies than regular sippies. I do NOT reccomend the ones with a weight at the bottom of the straw, it conf...
Straw Sippy Cups - Target
Double zippers were my best friend when I was in the newborn trenches. And the first sleep regression, and the 4th... it makes quick and sleepy diaper changes go so much more smoothly.
2 Way Zipper
These are some of my favorite baby toys ever. My Preschooler still enjoys them too, so as a bonus it fits the whole 0-5 range.
Fisher-Price Peek A Blocks (1963-Now) for sale | eBay
This is such a helpful tool in the newborn stage especially with an older child. Compatible with nearly every car seat, I can open and close this stroller one handed!
Car Seat Carriers & Stroller Frames - Target
Baby sign language is such an amazing thing. You think a baby can't talk until closer to toddlerhood, but given the time and tools they can express their needs in other ways. Its incredible how smart these babies are!
Baby Signs: Intro to Sign Language for Babies
I never was good at swaddling. I couldn't keep it from coming undone! These things saved me in the newborn trenches. Remember, once they start to roll, stop the swaddle!
Baby Swaddle Blankets HALO® Sleep
Once they outgrow the swaddle but before they're old enough for a blanket, these are my favorite option.
Sleep Sacks & Wearable Baby Blankets | HALO
Both my little teethers loved these.
Vibrating Teethers™ - Strawberry or Grape
Adding an extra layer of comfort for baby is a travel life saver. Make sure to get a sheet that fits it snugly
Pack N Play Mattress - Target
Frozen teether will save you a lot of heartache in the baby years and can be repurposed as ice packs
Cooling Teethers for Babies | Chilled & Cold Teething Rings - Nuby
These really intimidated me at first but after the first couple times, putting it on was almost like a reflex. This helped me do more with my oldest and get more done around the house
Baby Carrier Wraps
These taught my 9 month old how to use a straw so fast it was incredible! They can't pull out the straw either which is so nice
The First Years Squeeze & Sip Toddler Cups
Barefoot is best for learning to walk, but of course that's not always an option! These kinds of shoes that form to the shape of their feet work next best!
Soft Sole Baby Shoes
Toddlerhood (2-3)
Before I became a mom, I definitely did not understand safety harnesses for children. But when you have a toddler and an infant, these are a life saver. My daughter actually helped me pick out the design she wanted and she wore it without a fight (mo...
Toddler Safety Harness Backpack
My favorite thing about this is there is NO WAY to access the battery pack! So I felt totally safe letting my girl have this for bed when she was a toddler. I had it for over a year and a half and with daily use the battery ran strong!
Glowies Fireflies Plush - Blue : Toys & Games
These were my oldests favorite for so long. They have numbered dots under their coats that match the number on top of them
Snap-n-Learn™ Counting Sheep - Learning Resources
It was hard to pick the age group for this one, because this is a toy that is beneficial through all these ages! Perfect for indoor active play
Foam Climbing Blocks
Timer toothbrushes are game changing for getting the Littles excited for the routine and brushing longer
Kids Toothbrush Timer
Reward charts are a good way to reinforce desired behaviors
Free sticker charts | TPT
I love these skill building quiet activities. There's so many to chose from
Busy Book
Preschool Years (3-5)
My Preschooler loves "fidgets". In our house we use them for calm down time, if she's upset and needs to calm down, or if shes having a hard time siting still. Always parent test any fidget and know your child (ie my Preschooler still puts things in ...
Fidget Toys
These are so useuful in giving structure to preschool aged children. I currently use mine with my daughter for potty reminders and transitioning to new activities.
Kids Visual Timer
These are a fun and engaging way to start introducing reading and writing to your preschool aged kids.
Dry Erase Books For Kids
All of my previous students and my currently 3 year old are obsessed with these. Open ended toys are great for building imagination
MAGNA-TILES® - America's #1 Magnetic Building Sets Brand
This is such a great alternative to screen time if you're like me and looking to reduce it. Collectable figurines and stories and songs
tonies®
Good introduction to feelings for little ones. I love this series
A Little SPOT of Feelings: Emotion Detective
One of my favorite tools for calm down corners or just handling feelings in general
Calming Jars With Glitter
This was such an important tool in my 3 year old learning early reading skills, she can spell 3 words so far in under a week
Educational Matching Letter Toys for Kids