The joy a baby brings to a family is inexplicable. However, parenting itself is not that easy; one minute you think you’ve figured it out the next minute; all you know about parenting turns obsolete. No matter what tricks you use, you cannot easily say you’ve got it all covered.
Either way, handling parenting a stage at a time makes it manageable. And the most critical step of these stages is raising a toddler, given that toddlers outgrow things quickly and are barely independent. Therefore, it’s necessary to be keen on what you need if you’re raising one. If you’re in this critical stage of parenting and are wondering what you need if you have a toddler, then read on to find out.
A Baby Crib
A baby crib is the first thing you should have if you have a toddler. Baby cribs provide a safe place for your baby to sleep. This must-have gem provides your baby with a sound sleep. Designed to provide safety baby cribs are an ideal option for sleep training your child.
When buying a baby crib, make sure you purchase a new one, for it’s against federal laws to buy or sell old baby cribs. And as stated earlier safety is of necessity and old baby cribs don’t guarantee you that. Apart from getting a new baby crib, make sure it meets all standards and has all measures put into place for your toddler’s safety.
Toddler Car Seat
Statistically, car crashes are among the leading causes of injury and, worse still, death for children. These numbers make having a toddler car seat mandatory. Besides, using a child car seat is the law in every state so, failing to use it is illegal. Therefore, this goes without saying that having one is a must.
However, it’s essential to know how to use a safety seat appropriately. So, when buying one, make sure you follow the instructions on how to operate it and safely use it. Failing to do so may result in injuries or still put your baby at risk in case of a car crash. An important disclaimer however, is that a safety seat does not reduce the chances of a car crash; it merely ensures the baby is safe. Responsible driving however, reduces the chances of a car crash, so keep your toddler on a safety seat and drive safely.
A Baby Walker
Toddlers grow fast, and they grow through different stages of development, both mentally and physically. Among these stages is the playful and curious stage. This stage involves learning how to walk and an increase in mobility. Freely allowing your baby walk, raises the risk of getting injured from objects around their way, that’s why it’s essential to have a baby walker.
Baby walkers sufficiently prop your baby enough to help them safely hover around the house. Good baby walkers have a braking mechanism that prevents the baby from moving backward. This safety measure reduces the chances of the baby running into objects behind them, which is highly risky. Apart from that, a walker gives you the allowance to do your house chores.
A Baby Stroller
Another must-have safety product is a baby stroller. Strollers are essential especially when going out for a walk, or multitasking. These basket-like wheeled machines provide adequate cushioning to safely place your baby and a top cover to shield them from the sun.
A good baby stroller should be easily foldable for portability and enough cushioning to provide comfort. A good stroller should also have a top cover necessary for protection from the sun.
Baby Monitor
Whether you have a big house or not, a baby monitor is an essential item to have if you’re raising a toddler. Most parents shun the idea of leaving their toddler all alone when running other errands. And this is understandable given the rise in the number of sudden infant deaths (SID). Baby monitors, aid in monitoring the activities of your child in cases of your physical absence.
Advanced baby monitors not only help you hear what your baby is doing but also see what they are up to. This product provides you ample time to run other errands or do other things like taking a shower without worry. Also, it directly or indirectly provides peace of mind to parents, given that looking after a toddler now and then is stressing.
High Chair
High chairs are a safe form of a child’s all-inclusive dining table and playing palette. High chairs safely strap your child while offering a slate for eating. This must-have product comes with a tray and is high enough for your comfort and the child’s comfort while feeding them.
The best high chairs come with a comfortable seating pad and are high enough to offer an allowance for your child to freely move their legs. Also, an excellent high chair should be stable enough not to wobble and keep the baby safe. Some brands design a detachable tray to make the furniture a multipurpose item. In that, it can be a high eating chair or merely a comfortable high chair for just lounging your baby on.
Waterproof Sheet
While potty training your baby, it’s inevitable for them to pee on their crib this further increases the risk of your baby catching pneumonia. Fortunately, waterproof sheets save your baby from getting soaked from all that mess. Apart from just messing up their nappy, babies tend to sweat when asleep which also quickly absorbs in the mattress. To avoid this predicament, use a waterproof mattress protector.
The best waterproof mattress protectors should be soft and made from pure cotton. However, polyester can serve the purpose too, unless it creates side effects for your baby. This must-have product ensures your baby gets a sound sleep without getting soaked up.
All these products emphasize safety, the top priority when it comes to looking after a toddler. So, while getting these products or when gauging what to buy, prioritize safety over anything else.
