BP shorts pajamas xxs (style name after my own heart ; ), Express cardigan xxs
As we’ve been at home pretty much 24/7 for the past few weeks, our assortment of toddler gear has really been put to the test. We live in a very small space, so every major item we get has to be carefully considered with the hope it will be useful for a long time. Overall, we’ve been focused on finding things that are sized for Nori (currently 20 months) and geared toward helping her be more independent. Read on for our most used items!
1. A Sturdy Toddler Learning Tower / Stool
Unicoo Toddler Tower
Nori probably spends half her day on this thing. She loves popping up to counter height to eat a snack, watch or “help” us prep meals, or even just to read or play with her toys on our bar counter. There’s something about being able to climb up and down on her own to be at our height level that she can’t get enough of.
Note: anti-slip furniture pads like these are a necessary safety addition if you have hardwood or tile floors.
2. A Simple Gadget For Hand Washing
Munchkin Faucet Extender (also at Target)
We love this! As Nori has been getting too heavy for me to lift up numerous times a day, this helps her reach the water on her own to wash hands while supervised (on a step stool).
This model stood out as it’s adjustable, easily removable, and works on a variety of faucet types. It’s also dishwasher-friendly for easy cleaning!
3. A Small-Space Crib
Babyletto Mini Crib (also at Amazon)
We had purchased the Pottery Barn Low Profile Crib for petites (see my post) for my parents’ house, thinking we’d move it once we buy a bigger place.
Well, two years later we’re still in our ~850 sq foot condo, and this Babyletto mini crib has been such a space saver! It’s fairly light, has wheels, and folds up for storage. There are two height settings for the mattress platform as your little one grows. Nori used this from her infant months til almost 2 years old.
Update: We now use this breathable, washable crib mattress (comes in both mini & full size) and highly recommend it – truly a genius product! Use code JEAN50 for $50 off.
4. A Fun & Efficient Bath
Toy Drying Rack
Toy Drying Rack: Had to immediately buy this after seeing it in my good friend’s bathroom! Expands to fit most bathtubs.
For the shower in our other bathroom, we have this large mesh toy scoop with suction hanger.
5. A High Chair That Grows With Them
Stokke Tripp Trapp
We liked this chair starting when she was about 8 months (in hindsight, would’ve gotten the cushion insert for even earlier months), and even more so now. It’s “grown” with her as the footrest has been lowered a couple notches over the past year.
This is a nice divided suction plate we like that fits on the tray perfectly! Also, see this post for my tip on getting food odors out of silicone and see my baby feeding post for getting started on solids.
6. A Comfy Book Nook
Bookshelf / PB Anywhere Chair
Most of Nori’s things are intermixed with ours, so we wanted to give her a defined space that was her own. She loves cozying up with milk or books on her mini couch.
We also always get questions on this bookshelf. While some may prefer shelves that display books with covers facing outwards, this way is a space saver, and she hasn’t had any problem identifying books by the spine.
See my recent post on some of our favorite toddler books!
Note: At first, books that didn’t get put back vertically would fall through the slats (potentially onto toes), but as her motor skills have improved, it’s no longer a problem.
7. Honorable Mention: Play Kitchen
Teamson Kids Kitchen
Nori was ecstatic about this when we first got it, but these days spends more time either on her toddler tower or by her bookshelf. Since this is a larger piece, we’re at least glad it also functions as a storage cabinet for some toys, but the doors take a bit tugging to open.
What toddler gadgets or items can you not live without? Let me know in the comments below!
Hey Jean, what would you recommend in between those two items listed for kitchen helper tower? Can we use it for a 13-month old?
Hi Jean!
I have the same mini crib and noticed the crib sheets you’re using is not a mini sheet – what did you use to make the non mini crib sheet fit onto the mattress in the mini crib?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Ashley! I mentioned this in a prior comment but I just buy full size crib sheets and very firmly tuck the excess underneath, which has worked well for us. Alternatively you could buy sheet straps (like suspender straps) to secure the excess under the mattress. Hope this helps!
Hi! What is the color of the cabinets?
Hi Jean! Love your contents both Instagram and website. I’m just wondering if you can give me any suggestions on white paints for the house. My husband and I are inspired by your white wall condo. Thanks and keep posting helpful tips 💕
PS: I purchased the same closet and organization you posted and I’m loving it!
Hi Joan, thank you so much! I don’t have multiple recommendations but one that I do like is Sail Cloth by Behr which you can see in the photos on this post https://www.extrapetite.com/2018/11/pottery-barn-low-crib-for-short-petite-mom-parents.html
Hi Jean! My baby girl is just a few months younger than Nori and I LOVE your baby posts! I’m looking to buy her a mini couch chair and was wondering if that’s the PB regular anywhere chair or the My First anywhere chair, which is a little smaller? Thanks!
Hi Lili, we have the regular anywhere chair. As you mentioned, the My First anywhere chair is a bit smaller and we felt like it could be outgrown pretty quickly.
Love your blog! Do you or did you use a baby play mat since you have hardwood floors?
Hi Ann! We use this mat from Yay! Mats https://amzn.to/3d6CQ5g
Hi Jean,
It’s kinda related but related to this post. I was following your link to Amazon and wanted to buy the PlayYard. I have a 710 sqft aprtmt and have a mat that would fit perfect for a yard made up of 10 panels (6+2 sets of extensions), but the price difference between that and buying 2 sets of 6 panels is not that big. What are your recommendations?
Thank you so much in advance
Hi Lisa! We got 2 sets of 6 but ended up using only 10 panels in our similarly sized small apt. But it was nice knowing we had the 2 extra panels in case you move or decide your little one needs a bit more room. Hope that helps!
Love reading your baby content (and other posts)! My daughter is 7 months, so your posts have been super helpful. I’m curious as to what resources you read for baby advice/products etc.?
I’m so glad you’ve found them helpful! I haven’t really read many books but I do follow accounts on baby food and baby sleep like Taking Cara Babies and Feeding Littles. x
Thank you!
Your little one is so adorable. I visit your site often to get fashion tips. I’m 5 ft. and slight like you. But mostly I love the mommy daughter photos. I’m expecting my first grandchild this month and I know she will be just as precious as Nori.
Love your tips, thank you! The toddler tower is such a great investment; my 2 y/o loves to be counter height to “help cook”!
Just curious, how do you store the toddler tub? Do you inflate and deflate for every bath? Thanks!
Thanks so much! I’m three children in and peeped at this post to see what you’d chosen. I’d heartily agree with each of these items but HOW did i not think about the bath toy drier. This has been a problem for so long. such a good idea! Thanks.
We’re also based in Boston and I can recommend the new England book ‘ the ox cart man’ as your little one grows. Also the DK toddler hide and seek books have been SO well loved they are falling apart and still poured over daily. Thanks for this post!
Being a mom of a 9 month old, I always find your baby related posts super useful. I love that sushi crib sheet! I followed the link to purchase it but it looks to be full size. Have you had it resized to fit a mini crib? Thanks again for a super useful post.
Hi Aru! Since there’s a limited selection of mini size crib sheets out there, also since we might transition her to a bigger bed (our pottery barn one waiting at my parents house converts to a toddler bed too) I’ve been buying full size crib sheets and just tucking them very firmly underneath!
You can also buy sheet straps (they’re like suspender straps) to secure sheets that are too big, but I haven’t had any issue just tucking them underneath well.
Love this post! Definitely picking up a few of these items. My baby is 7 months younger than Nori, and your baby posts have all been so helpful to me. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that, Thanh! I’m thankful for all my mama friends whom I glean so many tips and experience from and can pass along in some way.
This is so sweet!
Mireia from TGL
The little bath is so cute!
Briana
That adjustable toddler sit is just beautiful, totally looking for that for baby no. 3
Does nori sleep in your room then? How was sleep training her?
Yes she does…she sleeps with a slumberpod tent over her mini crib. Sleep training just took a lot of consistency and persistence with a set routine and schedule (to be gradually changed of course based on the child’s age), but I think having a nap time and bed time routine with consistent activities leading up to sleep helped a lot. Not sure if you follow taking cara babies on IG but she seems like a great sleep resource.
That faucet extender is a lifesaver! Our favorite kid item is the Serena and Lily step stool since it matches our adult furniture. I actually use it a lot to reach high shelves!
BTW love that rug in Nori’s reading nook – do you have a link for this? Sorry if I missed it somehow!
Hi Betty, it’s a cloud shaped one from Korma rugs and I like that it’s machine washable but very fluffy and soft. I have it linked in this post https://www.extrapetite.com/2020/04/custom-childrens-books-for-babies-toddlers.html
I love reading your kids posts, they’re always how you solved problems I’m either just having or just about to have-my kiddo is about 6 mo younger than Nori. And I have been seriously struggling with how to keep doing/teaching hand washing, and wondering about a kitchen. And now you talk about both.
So happy to be able to share in this parenthood journey together! We’re all just learning as we go : )
Hey Jean, what would you recommend in between those two items listed for kitchen helper tower? Can we use it for a 13-month old?