Things

Have you ever noticed just how many things there are exclusively for ages 0 to 2? It makes sense that the clothes are smaller, the food needed is less, the lack of need to monitor time is present, but what about all of the gadgets and things that one “needs” to take care of a little one.

Car seats. Up to a certain weight or age, a human needs an accessory for riding in a car. Some recline, some sit up, some are rear facing and others are forward facing and some are a combination of those things. There are age limits and weight restrictions placed on the accessory which means that after using it for a short time you need to upgrade to a new car accessory. Moreover… there are expiration dates for how long they are good for. The very most interesting part, however is the large amount of accessories that can be added to, clip on or otherwise enhance this car accessory. Car seats, themselves are not a shock to a new parent that you might need them, but the variation in types and functions can be.

Strollers. For those parents who are out and about with little ones. Not all strollers are created equal. There are single seaters and ones that seat multiples; there are the regular and then the umbrella (compact) strollers, there are ones that let you click in a car seat and ones for jogging. You really want to test out the stroller before choosing one or another because some are more functional then others. Some collapse for putting into the car better than others. Some stroll better than others. An adult who has seen them casually walking by has no idea the complicated aspects that could have went into choosing that particular stroller.

Diaper Bags. Yep, if you are going to go out and about this is a must. One big secret… they are not necessarily only for holding diapers. Of course they do that too, but one can find compartments for wipes, food, meds, wardrobe changes, and any other number of things that are a must when away from the larger supply train at home. Many of the diaper bags have some print design on the outside which allow for accessorizing just like one might do with a purse or other item.

Crib/toddler bed. This, just like an adult bed is a good place for sleeping. However I list them here because of some of the distinctions that they make. First off, the sides to this baby bed. One needs not only the typical bedding, but also things like bumpers. Along with the crib comes the dresser which most like will house a changing table. A specific place for changing diapers and clothes. On top of that changing table sits a changing mat which also may need another piece of fabric.

Baby wipes. Very different from tissue paper or cleanex, the are moistened and are perhaps as important as a diaper. They serve many different purposes from wiping clean the little ones hands after eating to making sure the runny nose is taken care of and a million other things. The most intriguing part of the wipe itself is the accessory, the wipe warmer. It is no enough that they are moistened but the need for a warm wipe is also desired.

Eating utensils. Yes, different forks and spoons. Beyond that though you have sippy cups and snack holders. You have formula bottles and pacifiers. You have high chairs and booster seats. Much of the time that is not spent sleeping or playing is spent with the operation of eating which makes sense that there are so many things. I also think that an adult or two would appreciate a sippy cup for their own drinking pleasure.

Toys. One certainly would expect children to have toys, but much like the car seats the toys are limited to age range and vary far and wide. One lovely piece of furniture that we have found that has let the little man practice his sitting up is a bumbo seat. Just gives him extra support for sitting up and he loves to be able to play from there. Lots of noises and colors and all sorts of sensory experiences for the little ones to learn from their surroundings.

I am sure I have missed at least 10 other things I had in mind when I started writing. Because we are new at this, we most likely have taken on too many of the gadgets that the kiddos need. More than one person has pointed out to us the amazingly large amount of things we have collected. We have a purpose for all of the things, probably scared that we will get somewhere and do something and feel like we are missing that one thing. About six weeks ago we took the kiddos swimming for what we found out later, their first swim time. We went to Target first. We opted to not grab a cart because it was going to be a quick in and out. By the time we had made our way through the store both of us had our arms full of stuff and cloths hanging from the stroller. The best part about collecting so many things is now we have it for the future and oh by the way, the little ones love to swim.

Thanks for reading.