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Baby Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed from a Child Development Professional
36
items Baby Must-Haves for the First Year from a Child Development Specialist and as someone who worked as a child care provider for over 10 years.
Sections
6
Introducing Solids (~ 6 months)
Baby Health and Safety
2-4 Month Old Toys
5-6 Month Old Toys
7-10 Month Old Toys
11-12 Month Old Toys
Introducing Solids (~ 6 months)
Essentials for introducing solids to your baby.
Find spoons that have texture and have a slightly larger handle. This makes it easier for your baby to grasp and explore foods by themselves.
Baby Spoons
I strongly recommend finding plates and bowls that suction to a surface. Infants don't have full control over their motor skills and often throw their cups, plates, and spoons around. A plate and bowl with a suction allows them to explore their food ...
Suction Plate for Baby & Toddlers | Lalo
For the aesthetic mommas who want a more natural look to their baby's dishware.
Sustainable Dishware for Babies | Baby Dish Sets - Avanchy
Silicone is a great option for infants because their plates will most likely get tossed to the floor. It's a durable material that can withstand your infant and even toddler.
Silicone Baby Bowls | Baby Suction Bowls - ekobo usa
As always, find a chair that best fits your style and needs. My one suggestion is finding one that is simple and can grow with your baby. Simple is best for easy clean up. The ones with cushions and fabric are great but then you have to disassemble t...
Baby High chairs & Accessories | From Birth to Adult | Stokke®
Having one of these is great for going to the beach, park, and in general any type of travel. Not a necessity but convenient to have.
Travel Booster Seats For Eating
Cute and stylish bibs that can be used during feedings but I find are much more helpful for when baby is teething and drooling a TON.
Baby Bibs - Copper Pearl
I strongly recommend bibs that have a pocket at the bottom to catch all of the food that doesn't make it into your baby's mouth. It won't catch all of the mess but will catch some. Also when baby is old enough, they will also learn to reach into that...
Babies Bibs - Target
Asian Woman Owned company
Long sleeve bibs are a game changer! As parents, we can’t help but want our kiddos to stay clean and eating is extremely messy for infants and toddlers! This is a great way for your little one to truly explore their food wi...
Waterproof Bibs
Baby Health and Safety
All things needed for baby proofing, traveling, and overall health.
If you decide to use a pacifier with your little one, these clips are a must have!
Babies have a tendency to drop things constantly. So if you don't want to constantly sanitize a pacy or lose it, clip it onto them. It's seriously a must have.
Babies have a tendency to drop things constantly. So if you don't want to constantly sanitize a pacy or lose it, clip it onto them. It's seriously a must have.
Paci Loop 2-Pack - Bazzle Baby
If you chose to purchase an infant car seat, regularly check the weight and height limit. Many people use the car seat over the time frame that it should be used, which is a huge risk to your infant's safety. Since car seats are expensive, I always r...
Explore All-in-One Car Seats | Shop Now | Graco Baby
This is a chore that I see a lot of parents struggle with. To be honest, it's a little nerve wrecking to trim your baby's tiny nails! But it must be done to avoid any unnecessary scratching. Find a tool that works best for you! Most parents love the ...
Baby Clippers - Target
When your infant starts to crawl, baby proof the spaces where your infant can freely explore. Baby proofing helps you to create “Yes Spaces" for your infant which positively supports their development. It allows them to freely explore their environme...
Health and Home Safety | Babyproofing & Wellness Products
Use baby gates instead of play pens. Your infant will get bored of being stuck in a small space, even more so because they want to be close to you. If possible, section off areas of the house (create “yes spaces”) where you're comfortable leaving you...
Baby Gates & Safety Gates - Target
2-4 Month Old Toys
Here is a list of toys for infants between the ages of 2 to 4 months. Note: These toys are not just for this age group. They can be put into a toy rotation and grow with your infant.
These are amazing books to allow your infant to fully explore without worry of baby damaging the book… or eating it.
Indestructible Books - Hopscotch Children's Store
Lovevery is definitely more of a luxury toy brand, HOWEVER it's worth the splurge. The play kits are a great way to give your infant quality toys that best support their development. Set 1-2 toys out at a time for your infant to explore. Rotate every...
Target
These shakers support brain development and fine motor development (movement) by encouraging your little one to grab the shaker and shake it.
My First Shakers (3 pc) - Edushape
This is a great tummy time toy! It holds your infant's attention while also encouraging them to reach for it.
Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler - Hape Toys (Hape International Inc.)
Noisy toys aren't so great for parents but they are amazing for infants. The noise really helps to hold your infant's attention as they move it around.
My First Rainstick, 3'' (2 pc) - Edushape
Teething is not fun and your little one will find a variety of things to chew on for comfort. This is yet another thing that you will have to research and search for the teethers that your infant really likes. In my 15+ years working with infants, th...
Star Silicone Clutching Teether - HABA USA
5-6 Month Old Toys
Here is a list of toys for infants between the ages of 5 to 6 months. Note: These toys are not just for this age group. They can be put into a toy rotation and grow with your infant.
Lovevery is a great company in that it provides quality toys for your infant and comes with an information booklet to help you interact with your infant and their toys. Ultimately supporting their development in the best way possible.
The Senser Play Kit | 5- to 6-Month-Old Baby Toys | Lovevery
Great for supporting fine motor skills and tummy time.
Color Carousel Wooden Baby Rattle | HABA USA
PlanToys is another great company to check out for quality toys. These tumbling cups are great for tummy time but are in general, fun for your infant to explore.
PlanToys Sensory Tumbling
Great toy for supporting tummy time and fine motor skills (grasping and picking up).
Triangle Clutching Toy - PlanToys USA
This is a great bath time toy. It is simple and can easily be cleaned. Avoid toys that squirt water as they get pretty nasty and are hard to clean.
Sailing Boat - Polar Bear - PlanToys USA
Great for supporting fine motor development and will likely also be used as a teething ring.
HABA Color Snake Clutching Toy (Made in Germany)
7-10 Month Old Toys
Here is a list of toys for infants between the ages of 7 to 10 months. Note: These toys are not just for this age group. They can be put into a toy rotation and grow with your infant.
A great bundle of toys that can be added to the toy rotation. It focuses on language, brain, and motor development.
The Inspector Play Kit | 7- to 8-Month-Old Baby Toys | Lovevery
3
Play kit for 9-10 month olds. This is the age where your infant develops stranger anxiety and start to feel some big feels. This box has a book about emotions and toys that support motor development.
The Explorer Play Kit | 9- to 10-Month-Old Baby Toys | Lovevery
Around the age of 10 months, infants can start learning how to stand and pull up on furniture. Activity tables are a good way to encourage standing and walking.
Activity Table - Target
Instead of an activity table you can also just use a kids table to support standing and walking. Here you are able to get creative and change up the activities you want your child to do. There is more flexibility in just having a kid's table and this...
Kids tables - IKEA
11-12 Month Old Toys
Here is a list of toys for infants between the ages of 11 to 12 months. Note: These toys are not just for this age group. They can be put into a toy rotation and grow with your infant.
This play kit supports fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, and problem solving skills.
The Thinker Play Kit | Toys for 11- Month and 1-Year-Olds
As annoying as noisy toys can be for parents, they are great for kids. This is a great set for any one years old.
First Birthday Gift Set (5 in 1) - Edushape
This is a great set to add to a toy rotation but set it out when you aren't overstimulated.
Band-in-a-Box - Clap! Clang! Tap! | Melissa & Doug
A really simple puzzle to start your 12 month old off.
Marine Puzzle
Great addition to the Melissa and Doug instruments kit.
Oval Xylophone - PlanToys USA
Important to note: These should not be used to help your babies learn to walk. Instead, introduce a toy like this once baby is already walking. This will help to support their balance and walking but it can actually delay walking if introduced too ea...
Baby Push Walker