Top products from r/toddlers

Kid most recent fav is
Educational Insights Raccoon Rumpus Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATWSQR8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p3YKAbD0B4JSW

He loves this one since he was 18 mths and still plays it weekly
ThinkFun Roll and Play Game for Toddlers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0070A9OUA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_S4YKAbHTXCEA0

He also loves
HiHo! Cherry-O Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D8VHIOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_C5YKAb4CTGWSV

My niece loves
Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FNK6P6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_f6YKAb98Y9BHF

Lookup educational insight games on amazon or on the educational insight site and they have fun games - i find amazon has good prices on them.

My 3 yr old also loves kinetic sand.

This is the next one on my list for him since he now loves dinosaurs
Dinosaur Escape https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S288BKI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wbZKAbRVN5AKM

I posted a whole response, but based on what else you've said it sounds as though any amount of crying is a no go for you. Lots of people feel this way and go with it, but there are no magic bullets. If you don't want a baby that fusses even a little at night then you'll have to wait until baby is ready to sleep through the night.

It's a perfectly legitimate way to do it, but from your post you sounded like you were looking for advice, not support. I think it may be a little bit confusing. The advice is either wait until baby sleeps through the night, or work on sleep training baby which will involve some amount of fussing. u/counterfitfake had a pretty gentle method for CIO (which was too gentle for us when we tried something similar as we couldn't be in the room at bedtime at all, but awesome that it worked for them!)


If you really do get to your wit's end with the wakeups I highly recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Some crying required, but if you believe (as I do) that a baby that wakes up repeatedly through the night is not well rested then the trade off may become worth it.

I don't have experience with this yet, as my baby just turned 1, but I just finished reading the book "How to Talk so Little Kids will Listen" Link to Amazon it seems like it might help you here. I think the advice from that book would be, acknowledge her feelings by saying something like, "you hate getting ready for bed. wouldn't it be fun if you were a giraffe, that only had to sleep 30 minutes a day!?" And hopefully acknowledging her feelings will get some more insight into why she doesn't actually want to fall asleep or get ready for the day. Sorry if that doesn't help much, but i 100% recommend the book!

i'm sorry things are so stressful! hopefully you'll find something that works to calm her down soon! and good luck with your new work routine!

Not that this helps - but my daughter used to drink 64oz+ of formula a day, about half at night until we switched to food when She cut down to 40ish ounces. The pediatrician always thought it should be less but we never got there. She's skinny for her age but we share meals and she usually eats a bigger breakfast, lunch and dinner than I do plus 3 or 4 healthy snacks (cheese, nuts, hummus, fruit, etc)

I give her a sippy full of water every night and she usually finishes it. I personally wouldn't be freaked about diabetes/whatever unless she's drinking that much water at night. Kids are different, and some eat way more than others.

I'd get rid of milk, cold turkey and just offer water. My daughter never accepted water in a bottle so we just put a non-leaky sippy in her crib with her at night. It seems to me like the milk is how she's soothing herself back to sleep and she's just going to have to learn to do that part on her own, minus the milk. It's tough and there's a lot of differing opinions, but I'm (now) a big believer in cry it out. I like this book and it's gotten us through everything so far.

As far as neighbors, I'd be really honest and really nice. Go down, tell them you are trying, the next 3-4 days will be rough. Maybe bring them cookies and ear plugs as well. We lived in an apartment when my daugher sleep trained and my neighbors were surprisingly nice about it when I gave them a head's up on what was happening and apologized both before and after.

Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/157542200X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WBhYCbAEPA4ZB

I’ve got boy/girl twin toddlers too! You’re gonna want to get all these books... hitting, kicking, sharing...

It’s great because we read them and practice what they say and the kids totally get it. When my son hits we say “are hands for hitting?” And he says “no” then we say “what are hands for?” And he says “waving” or “clapping”

If he’s just excited and needs to let out energy I redirect him to clap or high five and I meet him at the energy level he wants. If he’s angry, we make sure he know hitting hurts sister and that we need to use gentle hands.

You basically do this on repeat and one day it’ll kinda click. He is almost 2 and still gets aggressive at times but we have a way to diffuse it quickly.

Good luck! Do they hug and kiss yet? That sorta makes it all worthwhile.

We only have showers, but our baby had baths. He's how:

1. We started off with a bath sponge. I recommend this for all new babies - it stops the infant from sliding around in a comfy manner. Here is a nicer organic one
   
   
2. We moved on to a baby bathtub like this one. This is good to at least age two and possibly longer, depending on the size of the baby.
   
   Our showers have shower heads attached to hoses that work well for kid's showers too, which makes baths easier in general, plus as they get older, it is easy to introduce them.

So, it's a bit expensive but we got a stool like this and it was so worth it for us. My 20 month old loves it. Loves being able to help at the counter, play at the sink, watch me make something, look out the window, etc. We use it daily!

How old is the toddler? Janet Lansbury has some great books about discipline, like this one. It's geared toward parents, but there's a lot of useful info in there for caregivers. Toddlers are little boundary-explorers, and creating a secure, consistent environment where they know what to expect is the goal, but it's easier said than done. Behavior is communication, so if you can figure out the underlying need that's leading to the behavior, and meet the need, that's the ideal situation. It's a daily balancing act of figuring out where to put the boundary and then how to hold the boundary firm.

We do watercolor paints. Cutting with safety scissors (new skill, just snips fringe in the edges of papers, but loves it). Gluing with a glue stick--I cut a bunch of shapes and she glues them on a paper however she wants. She loves sprinkling glitter on glue but I save glitter for playgroup we attend. We play this simple game she got for Christmas ThinkFun Roll and Play Game for Toddlers - Your Child's First Game! (literally just roll the cube, pull the matching color card, do an action).

I recommend Oh, Crap! Potty Training. I used its methods for my almost 2 1/2 year old, and its been such a success! In fact, she just used her first public restroom yesterday. The process has taken a few weeks, and the first few days are very intensive, but it's overall been a positive experience for both of us. It was so much easier for me to go into it with a plan!
Good luck to you!

I ordered it from amazon.

Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qmkUDb7M6F9E2

My little girl started getting out of bed on her own. She kept getting up earlier and earlier, so I ordered this. I talked with her before about it and when we got it, she now loves it. We only need it to light up for when it’s okay to get up and leave her room. It’s not too bright so if she wants to sleep later, she can & it stays lit up. It doesn’t make any sound when it lights up either. It also has loads of other features, but we don’t need them quite yet. She loves it and comes downstairs in the mornings now saying how she can come down because her clock turned green. It’s a success in my house!

I bought one online about a year ago. It’s this little alien looking clock, very cute. Here’s the link. It had a nightlight, ok to wake light timer, nap timer. We have only used the okay to wake light when she was waking up wayyyyyy too early. She has since stopped that so we don’t used that anymore but she loves her clock. It’s funny. I’ll ask her what time it is and she’ll run upstairs and grab her clock and bring it down.

Once we got the house training down, I just put pants on him and asked him every 15 mins if he needed. Also took a few changes of pants, trousers, socks and an extra pair of shoes when we were going far from the house.

I know this looks ridiculous, I laughed when my mum gave me it but its amazing. I have it clipped onto the buggy or in his bag and it's completely water tight. He loves using it and it's gotten us out of tight spots as he wouldn't just wee out at the park etc.

I bought AJ this book to read. We read it the day before we were going to more seriously attempt potty training. We read it when we sit on the potty. He giggles at the part when the baby finally goes potty. I think somehow that clicked in his mind. He still doesn't go potty unless we ask him, but when do he does. I know for us that means we have to be more observant and diligent about asking. Maybe try taking him every hour or so?

Also I noticed AJ seems excited by the last page of that book where they show all the undies. I'm thinking if we're still on track next week I might show him the undies that Santa bought him to be a big boy and see if that's the final push he needs.

Good luck!!

My only son turns 2 in a couple weeks and we haven't started potty training, so I don't speak from experience lol. But it still seems pretty early in the process if you've only gotten serious the past 3 days. Peeing in a potty is such a big change from everything they've previously experienced their entire life!

Whether you keep at it now or decide to put it off a couple more months, good luck! We plan to start after Halloween. I read the "Oh Crap" book and plan to use their method.

I got one about a week ago for my 2.5yo. We've had a red nightlight since he was born.

We got the clock because he keeps waking up waaay too early now that it's light so much earlier. The model we got has a lot of settings, so we have it so the "wake up light" is the only light it makes, and none of the sounds active.

He got the concept right away. He's still waking up too early, but he's doing a much better job of staying quietly in bed until the light goes on. Before, he'd start asking to get out of bed. (He's still in a crib, btw)

We bought this one: https://smile.amazon.com/My-Tot-Clock-New-Improved/dp/B00NC10YFA/

And so far I'm really happy with it. It will grow with him, and can eventually be a full alarm clock, etc.

I recently got one of these at Sam’s Club. It folds neatly, and my 2 year old seems to love it when away from the house.

My two year old loves this for vacation https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Portable-Toddler-Fitted-Travel/dp/B000H1MRJO

Also do you have aldi grocery stores near you? I saw they have a toddler travel bed (inflatable) on special this week

We love ours! We introduced it the same day we moved my daughter to her big girl bed so we never had the struggle of getting out of the bed.

We have this one.

Have they tried reward systems, buying her new panties she picks out, reading her books about kids using the potty? There’s a book called oh crap, https://www.amazon.com/Crap-Potty-Training-Everything-Parenting/dp/1501122983/ref=asc_df_1501122983/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312154663427&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11165367220882139930&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011702&hvtargid=pla-426474776806&psc=1 I have several mom friends that swear by it.

I got the Ok to Wake clock on sale at Target. It has worked pretty well so far. My LO knows not to get up until the bug is green. The only downside is that it turns off after half an hr so if he sleeps longer then he will yell instead of poking the button to see the time. Amazon has a ton of different options depending on function and budget. I just wanted something to light up when it was ok to get up but not sound an alarm. This is the one we have.

Ok to Wake clock

Our toddler did the same, these are amazing and now on every door!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LR1YA6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Q.KNDbTD1E9EK

We got ours off a local buy sell trade group - they are usually in good shape because it's a limited time kids will use them - they're totally a toddler toy. Like this - only we got a used one.

My son (2.5) sleeps in this at my mom's and loves it

We have this one - it’s a little fancier than some of the others. Last year when my daughter was 1.5 she didn’t really figure out a lot of the water features but I think this year she will. https://www.amazon.com/Step2-874600-Showers-Playset-Multi-Colored/dp/B01K1K0K6M/ref=zg_bs_166211011_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4QXWPXX0PAFVPRKNQW6B

Some have umbrellas and I wish I had gotten that one, unless you have a lot of shade then you won’t really need it.

A nutrition/mom page I follow on Instagram recommended this ok to wake light but im curious what other alarm/lights people use

I wound up getting a hatch clock: Link Here

This made a HUGE difference in sleep routines, because it automatically turns on and off based upon bedtimes and wake times.

I have a Hatch Baby Rest that has several colors you can use as a nightlight. When the light is red, my son knows it's time to "sleep in bed," but if it's green, he's ok to come get me. You set the time for the lights to come on and off. It's also got white noise and lullaby sounds if that's your jam.

This thing has been life changing for us.

We got this.

Use Rechargeable batteries in it. It's been fine

Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lNgTDbFCS0KC1

YES! We got this one.

My kids will be 2 next month. Before we got the clock they would wake up and immediately start screaming and crying. Now they wake up and see that it isn't green yet and either go back to sleep or talk to themselves or each other until it turns green. As soon as it turns they excitedly start talking about the light.


This light has made my mornings so much better!

Hatch baby rest. You decide the color, brightness, sound (or none), and volume and can change it from your phone or on the clock.

Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4DWODbGXV6Q9P

We got this one (Mirari Ok to Wake)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=asc_df_B00EAHSBV45449986/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00EAHSBV4&linkCode=df0&hvadid=192246360916&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3621069812604162598&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016823&hvtargid=pla-304712359857

We put this on our front door to keep the toddler from opening it on her own. It's been working well, though it can be a bit sticky at times for the adults if you're not familiar with how to work it.

Also have a daughter of 20 months so I feel your pain!! Especially now she is getting so heavy. I recently purchased a kitchen helper thing like this, and it has been so helpful at home. https://www.amazon.com/Guidecraft-15924W-Kitchen-Helper-Natural/dp/B000SQNAQC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493245600&sr=8-3&keywords=kitchen+helper

OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jLyTzb77NXC94

We got this for our toddler; his jeans were always falling off.

Dapper Snapper Made in USA Original Toddler Adjustable Belt-Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IXVFLO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RZ7NBbFC5500S

There’s a tub you can buy online called “Primo” that works for infants and toddlers, my daughter bathed in it until last year and she’s 4.5. I got mine off of Walmart’s website.

PRIMO EuroBath, Pearl White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000056OV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.ysEDbPYY3MWK

This has been working for us: Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/157542200X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2nkkDbFCW8TTX

We just tackled this like 2 weeks ago, and it only took 2 applications of this: mavala stop .

2.5 year old and was very attached to his thumb, so I was surprised at how quick it worked. He still hasn’t figured out how to settle down before naps/bed, so it takes a little more time to get him to sleep.

I use the Tot Clock with my 3 year old. He's had it since he was a few months short of 3, and it had an immediate impact on mornings. He went from calling me, banging his door, and being angry to calmly playing in bed until it turns yellow for wake up time.

My Tot Clock Toddler Clock, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NC10YFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JzRODb5KJ3SG2

We have this we take some places, for emergencies:

ONEDONE Portable Baby Child Potty Urinal Emergency Toilet for Camping Car Travel and Kid Potty Pee Training (boy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AOW90MC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T00SCbP7XX7PT

Didn't have to do much, just stick his penis in and say hey go pee LOL.

The way it's designed is supposed to avoid it coming back out.

We got this one for our daughter when she turned two, and we’ve been using it for about eight months. It took a while for her to grasp the concept of it (“green means go/wake up time” or “if you wake up and there’s no green light, it’s still sleep time”) but for the most part, it works for us. We still remind her every night when we say our goodnights (“good night/sweet dreams/see you when the clock turns green”), just to stay consistent.

I do get up earlier than her wake up time, and on days where she does wake up before the clock, I do see her just hanging out in her bed and waiting for the green light.

Mavala Switzerland Mavala Stop Nail Biting, 0.3 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000YUXI0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YW6TAbC7FM2WW

We own this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Mirari-Wake-Alarm-Clock-Night-Light/dp/B00EAHSBV4

Upside: 'green means go' is a mantra that our 2 year old gets.

Downside: it only stays green for 30 mins, so if your LO sleeps in, and misses the green window, you're all SOL.

Hi! I, too, am looking for some help, though we're not at potty training she just yet. Is this the book you're referring to? Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right (Oh Crap Parenting) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1501122983/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1rMODb0Y15RMD

Have you tried one of those [toddler alarm clocks](OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAHSBV4/)? 20 months old should be old enough for them to understand the color change and when it's time to get up.


For black out curtains, In our case, we had to cover up the windows with dark paper in addition to curtains to get full black out.

I recently read “how to talk so little kids will listen”. It was a game changer for me!
https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Little-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/150113163X

Main points to start on is to acknowledge their feelings. You don’t have to give in but you can say “I would be mad too!”etc. and instead of saying “but” (negates your previous sentence) I say “the problem is”. “ I know you want to read 5 more books, the problem is that it’s bedtime. How about we leave them out to read them first think in the morning?”

You are not alone. And you are not a bad mom.

I have lots of bad days when I don’t live up to the standard I’ve set myself—and PS if you’re looking for learning what TO do rather than just what not to do, I highly recommend No Bad Kids. If you google Janet landsbury you can check out her blog and podcast and search for topics that ring true for you.

Anyway, onto sharing some tidbits: just recently I let loose and just YELLED at my 18 month old. I am very sound sensitive and he likes to screech like a banshee and I was having terrible headaches... so finally I just really let loose and almost screamed at him to stop. He looked at me in shock and started crying in earnest.

I took me a second to even feel bad because I was so relieved to have the high-pitched screeching stop. And my yelling? It was premeditated. It’s not like I just hit a breaking point and lost control. No, I just decided I was going to do it and I did.

I felt bad of course and hugged him and he went about his day and it was all fine.

I have lots of low moments. I haven’t hit my son, but that is by virtue of my tendency to simply check out. When his volume gets high and my system goes into overwhelm, I walk away either physically or I dissociate. Now, you may think hitting is worse, but this is my biggest fear: that I will be the unavailable and dissociated mother who comes out of it only to yell and terrify her offspring.

And yeah, I have the desire to hit. I come from a terribly abusive family history and the urge is strong. I can only offer what has worked for me: I verbalize it. “I want to hit” and just hearing my voice saying it can snap me out of it. It’s worked so far, but I am always scared that I am one tantrum away from spanking.

Sooooo you are totally not alone. It’s very hard to break the cycle of family trauma! And in case it makes you feel any better... I am a god damn therapist myself. I know how I “should” be doing this parenting gig. Doesn’t make it any easier.

Hugs and love.