Recommended Supplies for Infants & Toddlers
For Teething:
Bibs with Teething Attachments
Babies drool incredible amounts when they are teething, and these cute little bibs will do double duty as both drool catchers and teething toys that your little one can pick up and gnaw on as needed.
Sophie the Giraffe
Most of us have seen little ones gnawing on the ever popular rubber giraffe named Sophie. These are a huge hit with teething babies, and light enough to easily grab and go when you need to take your teething baby out into the world.
Most of us have seen little ones gnawing on the ever popular rubber giraffe named Sophie. These are a huge hit with teething babies, and light enough to easily grab and go when you need to take your teething baby out into the world.
Cactus Teether
These are very similar to the bananas many of your friends may be giving their kids. I like keeping the toys unique enough that you know whose is whose at the end of the playdate, and I appreciate that these have more surfaces for baby to chew on and explore. The long arms area also great for when they're bringing in their molars!
These are very similar to the bananas many of your friends may be giving their kids. I like keeping the toys unique enough that you know whose is whose at the end of the playdate, and I appreciate that these have more surfaces for baby to chew on and explore. The long arms area also great for when they're bringing in their molars!
Little Twig Feeder & Teether
I love this type of silicone feeder for starting babies on foods that can't be safely offered on their own (berries, etc). The older style of feeder has a plastic mesh that can scrape up baby's gums and be pretty harsh, so these are a huge improvement. All the better that it comes with a silicone freezing system so that you can freeze those foods, or even breastmilk, to make popsicles that will also ease their teething pains!
I love this type of silicone feeder for starting babies on foods that can't be safely offered on their own (berries, etc). The older style of feeder has a plastic mesh that can scrape up baby's gums and be pretty harsh, so these are a huge improvement. All the better that it comes with a silicone freezing system so that you can freeze those foods, or even breastmilk, to make popsicles that will also ease their teething pains!
Calmies Rubber Teether
This was my son's favorite teething toy! He loved that he could hold it so easily, and it really encouraged him to explore his hands and bite more. I loved the natural rubber texture and smell - it's not scented at all, but has a naturally sweet, comforting smell to me.
This was my son's favorite teething toy! He loved that he could hold it so easily, and it really encouraged him to explore his hands and bite more. I loved the natural rubber texture and smell - it's not scented at all, but has a naturally sweet, comforting smell to me.
Teething Tincture
This stuff is amazing at taking the edge off of the teething pain, so that your other efforts and remedies can have a chance of succeeding. Some days, you just need that extra layer of help, and it's helpful to have this in your cupboard for just those times.
{Do make sure you review and follow the instructions for infant dosing, as it is a much smaller amount than what the bottle says!}
This stuff is amazing at taking the edge off of the teething pain, so that your other efforts and remedies can have a chance of succeeding. Some days, you just need that extra layer of help, and it's helpful to have this in your cupboard for just those times.
{Do make sure you review and follow the instructions for infant dosing, as it is a much smaller amount than what the bottle says!}
Tummy Tincture
This is a fantastic remedy for resolving digestive upset during pregnancy, as well as settling baby's tummy when they're gassy or uncomfortable. Teething causes them to swallow excessive amounts of saliva, which can give them bellyaches, cause gas, and make for some truly funky poops. This can be a game changer!
{Do make sure you review and follow the instructions for infant dosing, as it is a much smaller amount than what the bottle says!}
This is a fantastic remedy for resolving digestive upset during pregnancy, as well as settling baby's tummy when they're gassy or uncomfortable. Teething causes them to swallow excessive amounts of saliva, which can give them bellyaches, cause gas, and make for some truly funky poops. This can be a game changer!
{Do make sure you review and follow the instructions for infant dosing, as it is a much smaller amount than what the bottle says!}
For Play:
Snail Hand Puppet
My toddler LOVED this snail! It was perfect for hugging and cuddles when he was upset, is much easier to make talk than many others, and is adorable. He requested it on a daily basis, and it's soft and light for bringing out and about.
Walk 'n Roll
This deceptively simple toy is another huge favorite. It makes a comparatively pleasant sound when it rolls, making it an excellent pretend vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, etc. Toddlers will come back to this one again and again, finding new ways to use and explore it.
This deceptively simple toy is another huge favorite. It makes a comparatively pleasant sound when it rolls, making it an excellent pretend vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, etc. Toddlers will come back to this one again and again, finding new ways to use and explore it.
Pull Along Snail
Another favorite, this snail is super cute when it moves. (Obviously we're fans of snails around here!). You can use it like a puppet if you lift the head by the string, and toddlers are encouraged to walk to get the middle rolling up and down with the wheels.
Food, Knife & Cutting Board
These are for the older toddlers, and are amazing for pretend and practice play. My kiddo will cut these over and over, as quickly as I can put them back together. The variety gives him opportunity to practice with lots of different shapes, angles and sizes, and the size of the food is compatible with his other play food so we can mix and match for more interesting meals.
These are for the older toddlers, and are amazing for pretend and practice play. My kiddo will cut these over and over, as quickly as I can put them back together. The variety gives him opportunity to practice with lots of different shapes, angles and sizes, and the size of the food is compatible with his other play food so we can mix and match for more interesting meals.
For Sleeping & Soothing:
Zipadee-Zip Swaddling Transition Blanket
As your baby approaches the age when they'll be able to roll over and may get stuck on their stomach, it is important to begin weaning them off their swaddle. There are a few options out there that help you do this, this one is breathable and super functional.
Zipadee-Zip Swaddling Transition Blanket
As your baby approaches the age when they'll be able to roll over and may get stuck on their stomach, it is important to begin weaning them off their swaddle. There are a few options out there that help you do this, this one is breathable and super functional.
Aden + Anaïs Muslin Sleeping Bag
I recommend transitioning to these or something like them well before babies are old enough to begin to roll over. They are much more breathable than the average sleep sack, making them a safer choice as your babe begins to move more at night. They zip from below for easy diaper changes, and just get softer with age.
I recommend transitioning to these or something like them well before babies are old enough to begin to roll over. They are much more breathable than the average sleep sack, making them a safer choice as your babe begins to move more at night. They zip from below for easy diaper changes, and just get softer with age.
Ninni Pacifiers
If you are aiming for exclusive breast/chestfeeding, then we recommend that you avoid pacifiers, if possible, until your preferred feeding method is well established (generally plan on 4-6 weeks).
That said, if you do need one at any point, this is the best pacifier I know of. It's the only one that encourages a wider mouth at the base, and doesn't apply pressure to the palate that could encourage unhealthy shaping. This is the most human-like, but is also optimal for bottle feed babies (I encourage this wider base for bottle nipples as well).
If you are aiming for exclusive breast/chestfeeding, then we recommend that you avoid pacifiers, if possible, until your preferred feeding method is well established (generally plan on 4-6 weeks).
That said, if you do need one at any point, this is the best pacifier I know of. It's the only one that encourages a wider mouth at the base, and doesn't apply pressure to the palate that could encourage unhealthy shaping. This is the most human-like, but is also optimal for bottle feed babies (I encourage this wider base for bottle nipples as well).
Kids Books
Click below to explore my favorite books for this stage at Bookshop.org!
{These are affiliate links; I 100% support you finding them locally, at your library and/or used when able.}
Recommended Reading​
Click below to explore my favorite books for this stage at Bookshop.org!
{These are affiliate links; I 100% support you finding them locally, at your library and/or used when able.}
Hearthstone Midwifery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. HOWEVER, these are just links, and I would support you 1000% in taking these recommendations directly to seller websites and other sources you feel good about giving your money to.
I would never refer a client to an item that I didn't fully believe in, and offer these listings in order to better support clients in sorting through the overwhelming abundance of options as they prepare for this next important stage in their lives. If you have feedback about any item listed here, please let me know! I am constantly updating these lists based on client experiences, as well as my own, and would love to hear what you have learned.