Doesn’t it seem like there’s some new gadget for your toddler on the market every day? Though some products are useful, many are just plain frivolous or unnecessary. I am a minimalist (like most New Yorkers), so I only buy things I believe serve a utility and are valuable. Here is a short list of toddler products I have come to swear by.
Lumehra FlexBag
Is it a hamper? It is a duffle bag? Wait for it. It’s both! The FlexBag was designed to make ‘mom life’ simpler as it doubles as a bag to use at home and while traveling. Consider it a hamper on steroids since it has numerous mesh compartments. I use them for my kids’ socks, undershirts, and as a way to separate my baby’s clothes from my twin toddlers’ clothes, which cuts folding/putting away time in half. The bag is made of durable, stain/mold resistant, waterproof fabric, so it’s ideal to take on the road. If you have older kids, you can leave it in the back of your minivan (your supermom-mobile as I so fondly call it!) and throw in dirty soccer clothes, shoes, etc. to toss in the laundry when you get home. Can we say mom win? You can purchase the FlexBag here.
Nose Frida
My toddler twins are in daycare and I still can’t believe how many viruses the’ve been exposed to in a matter of months. Just as they’re recovering from a cold, they seem to get better for a week, only to have a runny nose again. Enter – the Nose Frida. I don’t know what I would do without it. It’s an ingenious product made by a mom who knew the tried-and-tested bulb syringe for mucus extraction is actually a cesspool for mold and bacteria. It makes me wonder why they’re still used in hospitals. The Nose Frida is a mucus removal device comprised of an aspirator tube and a mouthpiece valve that allows you to literally suction your little one’s boogies. To clean, you can take it apart and put it in the dishwasher or sterilize it. Just brilliant. You can purchase the NoseFrida here.
Door Knob Protector
When my kids became tall enough to reach door knobs, I became paranoid that they would sneak out of their room in middle of the night and go tumbling down the steps. Child proof door knob covers by Jool Baby lets me sleep easy. It’s a very simple design that snaps over a round doorknob. No fancy lock or lever. Your kids will attempt to twist and twist, but will be swiveling the cover around and won’t actually have a grip on the doorknob to open the door. Is it bad that I get some sort of pleasure out of them trying to make a break for it knowing that it’s impossible?! Purchase your Jool Baby child proof door knob cover here.
Faucet Extender
My husband and I encourage our kids to be self-sufficient. From eating their food with a fork (no matter how much ends up on the floor) to climbing up the steps to belting themselves in their carseats, it’s gratifying for us (and them!) to see how they’re growing and becoming increasingly more independent. The Prince Lionheart faucet extender is a simple design that suits most bathroom sinks. With the help of their 13″ inch small stool, my one year old kids are able to brush their teeth on their own. They love it and so do I. Purchase the Prince Lionheart faucet extenders here.