As a first time mum I am still getting the hang of which toddler items are essential.
Did you know…
In Germany, parents spend an average of €3,000 on toddler necessities in the first year alone? But what about after? Once your toddler turns one?
From educational toys, safety equipment to maintaining comfort, there are so many toddler products – it’s insane. Today I’d like to share my must-buy toddler products for one-year-olds (alas what my toddler and I love to use now).
Please share your must-have toddler items in the comments!
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Hygiene Must-Have Toddler Items
First my favorite Hygiene products. I probably forget half so if you have questions feel free to ask.
1. Soft Baby Towels with a Hood
My mum already used those for us. Soft baby towels made from organic cotton (not that synthetic uncomfy stuff), with a hood.
WHY?
When it’s chilly, these towels double as a cozy cape, wrapping your little one in warmth and comfort after a bath. Their hooded design helps keep a toddler’s head warm, preventing heat loss and making them feel secure and snug.
2. Baby Shampoo, Lotion and Butt Cream from Weleda
I’m a big fan of Weleda products, from lotion to belly soothing oil I’ve got it all. It’s easy to see why they’ve been trusted for over a century. I especially love their yellow baby care line. My midwife recommended these products when Luca was born, and they’ve become a staple in our routine ever since.
WHY?
Luca inherited my sensitive skin despite that Weleda doesn’t give him itchy skin, so even though Weleda products are on the pricier side, I’m willing to invest in them.
The quality truly shows—our bottle of shampoo has lasted nearly a year since a little goes a long way, especially for tiny heads. And the butt cream has been a real butt-safer a few times.
3. Baby Toothbrush and Safe Toothpaste
Aha we were late with teeth, but now they come all at once.
I used a DM toothbrush first, but the bristles where too hard. I changed to Dr. Best, which Luca liked. I couldn’t find it in Korea so now we use a smaller one by Slotic that doubles down as teether. It is my favorite so far.
WHY?
I love that it fits into Luca’s hand and that it has a short neck. I also love that it is also a teether. I read some mums had issues with the bristles coming out or the chewy part to break. We haven’t had that issue.
Safety Must-Haves
4. Baby Monitor with Video
Keeping an eye on your little one while they nap or play is easier with a reliable video monitor. You can choose models with night vision and two-way audio. I have a really old fashioned one with only sound and wish I’d had one with video.
5. Safety Gates
Ideal for stairways or separating certain rooms, safety gates provide a safe boundary for exploring toddlers. I am on the second floor with open stairs so they are life saving.
6. Corner Guards
Are in my opinion not that useful. My son keeps peeling them off. Maybe I just haven’t found the right ones yet.
7. Outlet Covers
The most important thing ever. My son loves outlets. The holes just need to get poked. One of the simplest yet most effective safety measures is using outlet covers to keep tiny fingers safe. I use both the ones that can be used despite the covers and ones that cover the outlet completely.
Toys for Development and Fun
I personally love everything wood, but I am not a super hater against well made plastic toys. Montessori Toys are great too. Here are some of my faves:
7. A Learning Tower
Ok, this isn’t really a toy. It is one of the best things we ever bought thought. Learning towers are a fantastic addition to any household with a young toddler. They allow toddlers to stand safely at counter height, participating in daily tasks that are both fun and educational.
WHY I LOVE THEM
When I cook Luca can watch. He loves climbing up an being on the same height as us. At first I worried about him falling down, but my learning tower came with a safety net. He fell while climbing up once, but we had cushions on the ground and he didn’t slip much. Ever since than he has become really great at climbing and is up in seconds.
I couldn’t find the exact one I use, but here is a very similar one. It was important for me to have the side handles that help with climbing. It’s also foldable. If you are in Korea here is the exact one I use from Coupang.
8. Stacking Towers
We have stacking towers both in Germany and Korea. These colorful toys are perfect for enhancing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
WHY I LOVE THEM:
Luca never gets bored of them. He stacks them the right way, the wrong way. We hide some toys within the tower. He loves to crash my towers. They are even fun for me.
10. Interactive Books
Luca loves books. He is 14 months and he makes me read the same books 10, 20 times a day. Korean, German… it doesn’t matter.
WHY
I think books are the best way to teach a language. Choose books with sounds, textures, and pop-ups for sensory-rich storytelling that fosters early literacy skills.
Feeding and Drinking Essentials
11. Sippy Cups
Spill-proof sippy cups help transition from bottles to open cups without the mess. When we are home Luca uses cups, but on the plane or on the go spill-proof cups are amazing. I use the one by NUK, I also use the one by NUBY it’s a bit cheaper, but it leaks a bit. By the way check this post if you wonder about how what to do with your child on a plane.
12. First Fork and Spoon
My son starts eating with a fork and spoon now. He is doing well with the kids fork from DAISO. It’s a very simple set.
13. High Chair
I use the one from IKEA which is easy to clean. An adjustable, easy-to-clean high chair is essential. Look for options with safety harnesses. Luca tries to stand up on his seat.
Comfort and Sleep
14. Soft Floor Tiles
Cushioned floor mats provide a safe and comfortable play area. Opt for foam tiles that are non-toxic and easy to clean. We use giant ones.
15. Sleeping Bag or Wearable Blanket
Perfect for chilly nights, these keep your toddler warm without the risks associated with loose blankets. Luca hates them so I am going to try the ones who have separate legs.
16. Stuffed Comfort Toys
Soft and cuddly toys can provide emotional support and comfort during bedtime. I think he just starts picking out his favorite.
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