The 5 Best Travel Potty Seats For Toddlers Reviewed

Potty training has to be one of the most stressful elements of parenting toddlers, aside from massive tantrums in the supermarket and watching them in a jungle gym.

Nothing quite like wearing your best clothes only to have your baby pee on your lap. 

But, potty seat manufacturers see the issue, and they do try to make things easier for the parent, and fun for the child.

Did you know that online retailers actually have best seller lists for potty seats? Well, now you do. 

And the other thing about being a parent is taking them wherever you go, including camping trips and the like.

And when you kid needs to go, they gotta go. And adult toilet seats are far too big for them. So not only do you need a potty seat, but you also need one that’s portable.

We’ve been checking out the best travel potty seats that are out on the market at the moment, and we’ve handpicked our top 5 to show you.

Our reviews are coming up shortly, and after that we’ve also got a handy buying guide for you which runs through everything you might want to think about before you buy.

And better yet, we’ll then top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject, followed by a quick list of tips.

Best Travel Potty Seats For Toddlers

1. UNI BOO BOO Travel Potty Seat

Now this is a great travel potty seat. You may think it looks a little girly, but boys who are toddler age will love it too.

It has lots of bright colors which are very eye catching. It even has two unicorn characters on it. Great for getting your kid’s attention and getting them to go potty when they have the chance.

When you put this on a toilet seat, you’ve effectively made the toilet seat cool. We also love just how portable it is. It folds up super small and comes with it’s own storage bag, which you can easily stash away in your purse. Or you could even fit it in a fanny pack. 

But that’s not all, there’s a ton of other features too. There’s 8 large non slip rubber pads to secure the seat to an adult’s toilet seat. There’s no hinges to worry about that might pinch your child’s skin. And of course it’s safe and non toxic.

It has a handy splash guard, but if you didn’t want to take advantage of it, you can just decide to remove it.We love how easy it is to clean too – super important.

We were also impressed with how much weight it can hold too, more than double some of its counterparts at a maximum of 82 pounds. Great if your toddler is a little older and heavier.

2. TYRY.HU Portable Potty Seat

What we love about this potty seat is that you can either use it as an entire potty, or you can take it on the go and use it as a seat on top of an adult’s toilet. It’s that versatile. 

It is very sturdy and is made up of 3 main parts, the portable potty, the removable liner and the toilet seat cover. When you want to be used as a potty, the parts just snap securely into place. 

Then if you want to use it on a public toilet somewhere, the legs of the potty fold all the way out and the non-slip grips keep the Potty stable, whether on round or elongated toilets. The ABS plastic is very strong and sturdy, but smooth and comfortable against the skin.

It’s lightweight, and comes with it’s own travel bag, which makes it super convenient to take on vacation. Which unfortunately is transparent and puts the potty on show, but on the plus side, at least the bag with the potty in is readily identifiable.

It comes in two color options, blue and pink, both are pastel rather than bright, so not great for catching the baby’s attention. But the plus points of the potty seat easily make up for that.

We love how easy it is to clean. And if cleaning is ever important it’s when it comes to potty training. The material is also BPA and PVC free and non toxic. Perfectly safe for your little one.

It even comes with two rolls of disposable drawstring potty liners, making disposing of the mess very easy. We’d prefer it if it came with more though.

There’s a specially designed splash guard too.

3. Gimars Non Slip Folding Portable Potty Training Seat

We think this travel potty seat is great – but you don’t have to just take our word for it – check out the customer feedback on the Amazon page. After nearly 7,000 individual customer ratings, the average Amazon customer rating still comes in at 4 and a half stars.

It’s available in three different colors, all featuring owls. You could go for blue for a boy or pink for a girl, you could go gender neutral and pick the yellow one. It really makes a difference to have a character on the seat, it captures the child’s attention, which is exactly what you need.

We love that it’s non-slip, thanks to the 6 non-skid pads which secure the seat in place, and your toddler won’t slide down the toilet bowl, lol. It folds up super small, which makes it easy to stash away on your outings. It comes with a waterproof zipper bag, keeping it separate from other items in your purse

And although it’s a fold-up one, the hinges are positioned so that they won’t pinch your baby’s skin.

It’s easy to clean too, which is very much a plus in our book.

4. Folding Travel Potty Seat from Jool Baby

Here’s another great best seller in travel potty seats, achieving the number one ranking in Amazon’s best seller list for the Toilet Training Seat Covers category at the time of writing this. 

Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the best isn’t it? You don’t need anything too fancy for a travel potty seat really, just something that does the job and does it well.

It comes in two nice pastel colors. There’s a nice gender neutral aqua one, which is great for boys or girls, or this a nice pink one if you prefer. When in use, there are 8 suction cups underneath the seat to fix it very securely to the adult’s toilet seat, making it very sturdy.

Then it’s super easy to clean at the sink, or with wipes if you prefer. And then you can fold it into quarters, and slide it into it’s little travel bag which is included in the price. The hinges are positioned so they won’t pinch the child’s skin at all, which is great. And the seat uses only BPA free materials.

There’s even a lifetime warranty! You won’t need it though, it’s a great product. Jool Baby actually has a whole range of different handy and well priced potty training items you should check out. Just follow the link to the Amazon page.

5. Green Frog Portable Potty Seat

This toilet seat is nice and bright and has a great friendly looking character on the front – a smiling winking green frog. Very fun and engaging for your toddler – you’ll have no trouble getting their attention. 

At the time of writing this article, it’s this travel potty seat that’s the most portable, at about half the price of some of the others that made the list. But it also has a lot of the great features the other seats have too.

It’s a very sturdy seat when properly used, complete with not just silicone pads, but also anti-slip locks to prevent any slipping or sliding. It’s so sturdy in fact, it can even handle 6 year olds on it! It’s non toxic, and very kid friendly, with rounded edges that aren’t going to pinch your baby’s little bottom. 

The seat is very easy to clean, and once you’ve washed it you can fold it into quarters, and stash it away in the accompanying bag and get back to the rest of your day.

Best Travel Potty Seat For Toddlers Buyer’s Guide

As promised, here’s our buying guide which goes through everything you might want to think about before buying a travel potty seat.

Secure, sturdy and Non-Slip

The purpose behind buying a travel potty seat, is that when it comes time for your toddler to go potty, is two fold. You want to ensure that they don’t fall inside the adult’s toilet, and you want to prevent catching germs. 

So, to that end, you must ensure that any potty seat you buy will fix securely onto the adult’s toilet seat and will not slip. This is also why a travel potty seat trumps those disposable toilet seat covers you can get. They might be a barrier for germs, but they are flimsy, and are not designed to provide a more solid surface for the child to sit on.

Color & Characters

Kids are attracted to bright colors, so if you could find one with a nice, bold picture or pattern on it, that will help get their attention, so they can concentrate on the matter at hand. If the seat has their favorite cartoon character on it, then that’s great, but if it doesn’t it’s not the end of the world.

There’s no right or wrong with regards to this choosing the color and style, but maybe you could ask your toddler to come over and see which one he/she likes. No harm in that.

How portable is it

If you’re packing for a camping trip, you might be happy to pack an entire potty rather than just a potty seat.

But if you’re just popping to the mall, if you could pack a fold up potty seat into your purse, that would be much more convenient. And if the seat could come with it’s own bag or pouch, that would be good too.

Easy to clean

When it comes to reusable travel potty seats, or anything related to potty training for that matter, it’s so important that you look for products that are easy to clean. Hygiene is everything. 

All of the travel potty seats in our top 5 picks are super easy to clean, plus they also come with their own bags, so you can keep them separate from other items you might be carrying.

Made of non-toxic substances

You can be assured that none of the travel potty seats in our top 5 picks are in any way toxic, and they are all BPA free.

Brand

There is no top brand as such in the field of potty seats.

Sure some brand names are more well known than others, but the concept will be lost on your toddler. 

Budget

Travel potty seats can vary in price sure, but even the more expensive ones are very affordable and worth the money.

A reusable potty seat is something you will use again and again, so it’s a worthy investment. 

Customer reviews

We recommend reading customer reviews for this type of product. Quite often you can read a customer review and picture the same scenario with your own little one.

You’ll find that all the customer feedback on our top 5 travel potty seats was very positive, but it’s good for you to hear other people’s views besides ours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best potty chair for toddlers?

If you’re looking for a potty rather than a potty seat, then we can happily recommend the TYRY.HU Portable Potty Seat that we showed you earlier.

It ticks all the boxes, and you can also use it as a travel portable toilet seat too.

What is the best portable potty seat?

Well, if we had to pick just one it would have to be the UNI BOO BOO Travel Potty Seat.

But that said all of the portable potty seats in our top 5 picks make great options.

How often do I sit my toddler on the potty?

According to kidshealth.org, potty training is all about establishing a routine. 

First you have to attract their attention to the potty, and let them sit there for a few minutes at a time, and just be comfortable about being there on it. If your toddler wants to get up, rather than sit them back down, you can just let them get up. Going to the potty is not supposed to feel like a chore.

They’ve got some other great tips on there too. Of course they recommend that the toddler try the potty after drinking a lot of fluid. And they also suggest, for example, that if the baby wakes with a dry diaper, that would be an excellent time to try him/her on the potty.

The most important thing though has to be encouragement and praise. No matter how much your toddler’s mess stinks, it’s your job to tell them “great job” and mean it. Usually praise is it’s own reward, but we won’t tell anyone if you find some way to bribe them.

Should I force my toddler to sit on the potty?

While there is little harm in physically picking your child up and placing them on their potty, if this results in tantrums, then maybe your timing is wrong or you’re trying too frequently.

As we said earlier, going potty is not meant to feel like a chore. If your toddler wants to get up from the potty and play with their toys, that’s perfectly fine.

What age should a child be potty trained by?

The answer to this question comes down mainly to your toddler’s childcare or playgroup arrangements. If any childcare provider you want to enlist, or any playgroup you’d like your child to attend has any set rules about this, then they must be abided by. 

Some toddlers take really well to potty training, while others are more of a struggle. The key is to be patient, don’t stop trying, and offer lots of positive praise and encouragement. 

Tips for potty training on the go 

• Always go into the toilet cubicle with your toddler, don’t expect them to fend for themselves, you should secure the potty seat in place for them and if there’s no step stool, lift them onto the seat
• Always ensure that the potty seat is properly secured before they sit
• Always ensure that everyone is clean before you leave, hygiene is important
• Always leave a public toilet clean and tidy for the next person
• Accept that you can’t always force them to go
• Let your toddler have a go of using their travel potty seat at home, so that they’re already comfortable and familiar with it when they have to use it when they’re out and about
• Check the temperature of the tap water before getting them to wash their hands (believe me this can help avoid tantrums)

The 5 Best Toddler Step Stools Reviewed

Toddlers grow up pretty fast, and they like to be constantly moving and exploring.

Pretty soon, they’re trying to get up on the toilet alone, or they want to give you a little bit of help around the house.

The only problem is, their little legs may be too short to reach!  

Thankfully, there is a solution: a toddler step stool! These little stools will help your toddler to be able to reach all new heights with ease.

There are a bunch of these handy things on the market too, so there are plenty to choose from.

The problem with too much choice, however, is that it can make it difficult to narrow down what option will be the best for you.

That’s why we’ve written this handy ranking to show you the best toddler step stools on the market. We’ve also written a buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.

Best Toddler Step Stools

1. Step Stool for Kids

We always want it all when it comes to buying a product, but we never expect that a product really will match with all of our wildest dreams. Thankfully, the answer to our prayers is here with the Step Stool for Kids 2 pack of toddler step stools. 

There are so many different reasons why you are going to adore this step stool. To begin with, the stool is incredibly durable and sturdy. You don’t need to worry about any accidents because it’s been designed so well.

It also has thick rubber feet that are slip resistant. It features two different heights, giving your little one 10.5 inches on the top step and 5.5 inches on the bottom step. Your toddler will be so tall, it’s like the years have gone in seconds!

The surface of the stool features non slip rubber that is very comfortable to stand on, and the steps have been designed to be wide so if you or your toddler has larger feet it’s not an issue.

It has a maximum weight capacity of 175 pounds in total too, so it’s ideal if you also wish to use it. There have been some parents that have said that the top step is a little too high up for their little tyke to reach the toilet, however.

2. Utopia Home Kids Step Stool

Nobody wants to spend a fortune on a step stool, but some may find that it’s a necessary evil if you want something that ticks all of the other boxes. Thankfully with the Utopia Home Kids Step Stool, you no longer need to compromise those other important features to get an affordable product!

The Utopia model has been made of numerous layers of polypropylene plastic, which is perfect for durability. It’s odor resistant too which is ideal if your child ends up spilling something or having an accident when sitting on it.

The surface is anti slip too so you don’t need to worry about your baby’s feet slipping off it. It features a simple design in three different colors, so it really blends in with the household. 

Furthermore, the stool is incredibly easy to carry around, and has a decent width of 11.4 inches and it’s 8.7 inches high, more than enough for your little one to reach those countertops if you want them to.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t lock so this is something to consider and you will definitely need to be vigilant when you are watching your child use it because of this, as it is foldable.

3. Bumbo Step Stool

If you’re looking for a basic, yet effective step stool, the Bumbo Step Stool may be just the thing that you need. It will help your child to be able to reach the toilet or the sink easily, as it’s positioned around 7 inches off the ground.

One feature we really like is that this is a plastic step stool, meaning that you don’t need to spend hours grumbling to yourself about having to assemble it. It’s incredibly lightweight to carry around with you, so your little one shouldn’t have a problem carrying it either. It can even handle up to 110 pounds worth of weight!

The step up stool comes with slip resistant feet that look like cute little elephants. This little touch of character is sure to be something your child will enjoy. The surface can be a little bit of a pain to clean though as it can hold a lot of dirt.

4. Little Partners Learning Tower Step Stool and Platform

Now for something a little different! The Little Partners Learning Tower Step Stool and Platform is certainly an eye catching option, and it definitely doesn’t look like anything else on this list. It’s more of a tool for the kitchen, but it has a little enclosed space which is great to keep a younger toddler safe. 

This is a very large unit that actually has adjustable standing height, so you can move your child to just the height you need them to be. It is able to hold a massive amount of weight too – up to 500 pounds in total. You can be sure that your child will be nice and supported. It also has an attractive design that you are sure to love.

You will need to assemble it and it’s likely going to require more than one person to put it together, which is the biggest downside of this product. But this is certainly worth it for keeping your child safe for their whole play time in the kitchen and beyond.

5. KidKraft Two Step Stool

If you’re looking for a good two step stool, then the Kidkraft Two Step Stool is a good choice. It’s ideal for younger toddlers that aren’t quite tall enough to reach those higher places yet. 

The stool can be used for children between 3 and 8 years old according to the KidKraft website. This is because the bottom step is around 6 inches off the ground, whereas the second step is 14 inches off the ground. It’s even able to deal with up to 81 pounds, though this is certainly not suitable for an adult wishing to use the stool.

While it does require assembly, it’s certainly not difficult to put together and will probably take you around 15 minutes.

Of course, the stool is made out of high quality materials and is impeccably durable, so you know your toddler will be nice and safe using it. It comes in a few different colors, namely espresso, white and natural wood.

If you want to you can even get your toddler to paint on it if you get the natural one, for your family’s own personal flair!

Best Toddler Step Stool Buyer’s Guide

What Can You Use a Step Stool For?

Toddlers always want to be moving around. Sometimes though, they just can’t explore some places without the help of an adult. This sometimes may be for the best to keep them out of danger, but on other occasions you may want them to be able to reach new heights!

A step stool will allow your toddler to be able to reach all sorts of areas like toilets, shelves, sinks, to climb up onto their bed and so much more. Some of them even have storage compartments for toys.

In fact, adults can use them in order to reach harder to get to areas like light bulbs, top shelves and closets. Your toddler can even use their step stool as a portable seat. The possibilities are endless and it is certainly worth your time to invest in one of these handy things.

Things to Look Out For

It can be a little bit difficult to buy the best toddler step stool, especially when you have so many different options to choose from.

If you’ve never bought one before you may find it tricky to know what features you should be looking for.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are buying your toddler step stool to make sure that you get the best possible option for you and your little one.

Safety Features

When it comes to our children, we only want the best. Above all else though, the priority should be their safety. This means that when we’re buying products for our children we should be looking out for safety features before anything else. You may not think this to be the case, but there can even be dangers when it comes to buying a step stool. 

Some things that you need to be looking for when buying the step stool for your toddler is a rubber grip that’s solid and sturdy. Some manufacturers simply do not provide this and it can be a big problem for toddlers that are getting adventurous.

Your little one may even slip if you don’t have good grips on the stool. As a result of this, it’s important that you opt for a step stool that can give you a good rubber grip in order to get the most friction, and ultimately, the best safety.

Material 

Whenever you buy a product, you should always think about the material that it is made out of. Primarily when it comes to toddler step stools there are two main materials on offer. The first material is plastic and the second one is wood.

As you may imagine, the wooden step stool will be better for you as far as durability is concerned. If you want a stool that’s slightly more portable though then you need to be looking as one that’s made out of plastic.

Steps

Step up stools can come in all sorts of different flavors, but you can primarily find them with either one step or two. Ultimately what you choose is going to depend on the needs of your little one.

For example, if you’re using the step as a tool to help your toddler to get up to the potty, then you may be better off using a one step stool because ths will be sufficient for your toddler to get onto the toilet seat. 

If you plan on using the step stool for other things though, then you could be better suited to a two step stool instead.

Price

There are a lot of different step up stool on the market and naturally, some are going to cost more than others. While we do only want what is best for our toddlers, the fact remains that sometimes a budget can be low.

In this case, there are plenty of great options out there that are available for a low price. You don’t need to break the bank when you’re buying a stool for your toddler.

You should always weigh up the price against things like the durability, features on offer and other key things that you need to think about. There’s no point in paying extra money just for the sake of it. 

Folding Stools

There are a lot of folding stools on the market, and they may seem a little tempting because they are portable and can be stored more easily. We strongly recommend that you don’t get a folding step stool.

First of all, if the child is using a stool on a regular basis, it’s fairly inevitable that they are likely to encounter some issues. Namely, with a folding stool, your child’s fingers may end up getting trapped in the folded part. They may even get curious and do it on purpose.

You are better off minimizing the risk and just getting a standard step stool. They’re usually only small anyway, so portability and storage space issues aren’t that big of an issue.

With that being said, if you are thinking about getting a folding stool there are some safer options out there. You will just need to make sure that you are watching your child carefully when they use it.

Numerous Uses

If you are getting a step stool, it’s highly worth your time to get one that can be used by numerous people.

For example, you may want a stool for your slightly older child who’s just started helping you with chores, or you may have an adult in the home who’s a little shorter than the average bear and they may not be able to reach the cupboards. Stools can be pretty handy for a wide range of different uses so it’s certainly worth your time to pay for a stool that has numerous uses. 

When you are looking for a step stool, if you are planning on using it for yourself of someone else that may be older or heavier, it is imperative that you check the maximum weight capacity.

It’s easy to look at a step stool for a toddler and think you can justify sticking one leg on to reach something because it looks sturdy and then all of a sudden it breaks beneath you.

Always check the maximum weight capacity to avoid the annoyance of having to replace the stool. Also don’t guess the weight capacity as guesstimates aren’t always accurate. Safety first, for you and your tiny tot. 

Portability

You’re going to be using this step stool in a number of different places, so it’s important that it’s easy to carry around. Step up stools designed for toddlers generally are fairly easy to carry around, but there will always be that one outlier that weighs a tonne.

It’s worth checking what it weighs first, just so you or your toddler doesn’t end up feeling like they’re weightlifting on a regular basis. Just imagine, a toddler in one arm and a monumentally heavy step up stool in the other… we shudder to think about how heavy that will be! 

If your toddler is toilet training then you will need to make sure that it is light enough for your toddler to carry around on their own. Alternatively, if you’re using a step stool for them to be able to reach your kitchen counters, you may prefer a heavier options that will give you a little bit more stability. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can adults use toddler step stools?

Yes! There are actually a number of different toddler step stools on the market that can be used by all ages and weights.

Of course, don’t just assume that because your toddler can use it that you can too – you’ll need to check the recommended maximum weight and clarify whether you fall in that range?

What’s the best stool height for a 2 year old toddler?

This is a little bit like asking how long is a piece of string. Every toddler is different in terms of height so what may be a good choice for a taller toddler may not be a good choice for a shorter toddler.

You also need to consider other things such as where you’re going to be using it and what height you will need the toddler to reach, so you will need to assess all of these variables first. 

DIY Toddler Step Stool

For those of you who would rather make your own step stool, this video shows how to do that:

The 5 Best Inflatable Baby Water Mats

An inflatable water mat can have a great impact on your baby’s development.

Introducing one of these mats to tummy time can help to improve their motor skills and muscular strength.

Water mats can appear much more exciting for your little one and so it is important to select one that is going to capture their attention, whilst remaining comfortable for them too. 

Finding the best water mat can be a little difficult as the market for this product is rather broad.

However, we have done the hard work for you and browsed the market selecting our top five picks of the best inflatable baby water mats available.

Below, we have also included a handy buyer’s guide containing our top tips for choosing the best product for your baby.  

Best Inflatable Baby Water Mats

1. Splashin Kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water Mat

The Splashin Kids inflatable premium water mat is the perfect addition to tummy time. The sensory qualities encourage brain development while the mat itself is great for physical development as well as hand and eye coordination and motor skills.

Courtesy of the floating toys and eye-catching design, this mat is likely to excite your baby from the get-go allowing you to enjoy hours of fun with your little one. Not only are the bright colors and moving features going to attract your baby’s attention they are a great sensory tool too.

Made using heavy-duty PVC, this mat is certainly going to be durable against frequent use and possible punctures. In fact, this mat is deemed to be leak-proof and airtight so you don’t have to worry about it becoming damaged or unsafe for your baby following frequent use.

Despite its heavy-duty qualities, this mat remains easy to set up and can be done so within minutes. With a designated section for the air and another for the water, this mat can be filled to your chosen level. When not in use, it can be folded away for easy storage and transportation.

Impressively, babies aged 3 months and onwards can use this mat and with a large play area, they are bound to enjoy hours of fun.

2. MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Inflatable Baby Water Mat

If you’re looking for a way to make tummy time a little more exciting, look no further than the MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Inflatable Baby Water Mat.

Boasting a durable design courtesy of its heavy-duty PVC material construction, this is a leak-proof mat that is going to provide your baby with endless amounts of fun. Impressively, the materials used to create this mat are BPA Free and non-toxic so they aren’t going to pose any risks to your little ones. 

A great way of playing with water without actually getting wet; this toy ensures that you aren’t confronted with any water related accidents while remaining super exciting for your baby. 

The use of this mat can support your baby’s development in various ways. The bright colors and floating toys act as a sensory aid encouraging hand and eye coordination and brain development too.

Additionally, this inflatable water mat also helps to promote physical development. As well as being super comfortable it can help to strengthen their arm and leg muscles whilst also preventing flat head. 

Suitable for babies aged 3 months and onwards, this is a lightweight mat weighing only 0.71 lbs. Setting up the mat is a simple process and when not in use it can be easily folded for convenient storage and transportation when necessary.

3. Gebra Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat

With a fun turtle design and large surface area, the Gebra Inflatable Water Mat is an exciting addition to tummy time and a sensory resource suitable for babies aged three months and older. Made using BPA Free materials and thick PVC, this is a durable mat that is leak-proof and resistant against frequent use.

Courtesy of the bright and engaging colors and floating marine figures, your baby will enjoy attempting to grab them, developing their hand, hip, back, neck, and leg muscles in the process. This water mat is great for cognitive and visual development too.

Impressively, this mat can hold a maximum weight of 80 lbs which is great if you have two young babies who enjoy playing together. Both can benefit from playing with this mat at the same time.

Similar to our previous picks, this mat is easy to set up making it great for parents who want a quick solution to relieving their babies’ boredom. The outer ring requires filling with air, whilst the center of the mat needs to be filled with water.

It is also lightweight too making it super easy to carry around when needed. Have a baby playdate that you need to attend? Why not fold this mat away and take it along with you.

4. No products found.

No products found.The BellaBaby Premium Pat and Play Inflatable Water Mat features a fun design that makes it an exciting addition to tummy time. Introducing this toy to your baby’s playtime is going to deliver many benefits to both their muscular development and cognitive development. 

Courtesy of the colorful and eye-catching marine design, your baby will have fun attempting to grab the floating animals with their sensory and motor skills developing in the process.

Aside from this, the mat is great for muscular strength development, encouraging your baby to use their arms, neck, hands, legs, and back in particular to catch the moving marine creatures. 

Suitable for babies aged 3 months and older this inflatable water mat is easy to set up and can be done so within seconds. Both the air and water can be emptied easily after use and the mat itself can be folded for easy storage and convenient transportation when necessary. 

Of course, babies of a young age or expected to make a mess, however, this needn’t be a concern thanks to the easy to clean design of the BellaBaby Premium Pat and Play water mat. Simply use a wet wipe to clean away any mess and then it appears as good as new.

No products found.

5. Keten Inflatable Tummy Time Baby Water Mat

Suitable for babies aged 3 to 9 months old, the Keten Inflatable Baby Water Mat provides a fun way of encouraging your baby’s development. With bright colors and a marine theme, this mat is likely to keep your baby entertained for hours. 

The detailed graphic design and floating fish promote hand and eye coordination as well as social skills and motor skills. It is also a great way of encouraging them to use their imagination as they play with the floating figures. 

In terms of physical development, this water mat delivers a more exciting concept of tummy time, requiring your baby to use their hands, arms, neck, legs, hips, and back to reach and move the figures around. This provides a fun way of preparing their muscles for crawling and developing head control too.

Strongly designed using nontoxic and BPA free heavy duty PVC, this is a durable mat that is going to withstand frequent use with ease. It is also leak proof too making it safe for your baby and eliminating the potential occurrence of any accidents. When it isn’t in use, this mat can be folded making it easy to carry wherever you go.

Best Inflatable Baby Water Mats Buyer’s Guide

Before investing in an inflatable water baby mat, there are several factors to consider, from the size of the mat to the design and the material construction.

Considering each of these factors which will ensure that you select the inflatable baby water mat that is suitable for your baby and their needs.

We have outlined a few of these below to make the process a little easier when it comes to choosing the right product.

The Design

Of course, the design of the mat is an important factor.

Ideally, you want to opt for a mat that features a bright and engaging design that is going to be appealing to your baby. Most mats of this kind feature a marine design with floating creatures that your baby can attempt to catch.

The design plays an important role in the development of your baby’s cognitive, social, and motor skills as well as their hand and eye coordination. A more appealing and bright design is likely to ignite more excitement in your baby that encourages them to move, ultimately helping to promote their muscular development too.

The Size

Some brands produce inflatable baby water mats of different sizes. It is important to select the mat that accommodates the size of your baby while remembering that they are going to grow throughout the time that they use this play mat.

We have included baby mats of varying sizes in our guide above to highlight the variety that is available to you. Those that are larger in size tend to be better suited to those who have two babies to occupy at once, as both babies can enjoy the playmat at the same time.

The Age

The majority of baby playmats are suitable for infants aged 3 months and onwards. It is important to ensure that the playmat is used at a time that is suitable for your baby.

Babies in the age category of 3 to 6 months are likely to benefit the most from the use of this mat as they are in an important developmental stage that can be further benefited by the introduction of an inflatable baby water mat. 

Setting up the Mat

Most mats are simple to set up with each being designed in similar ways. The center section is filled with water while the outer frame tends to be filled with air. Each can simply be filled courtesy of two separate valves.

This simple set up is ideal for parents who are looking for a quick solution to restless or easily distracted babies. Within minutes your baby can enjoy playing on an exciting play mat and you can enjoy a few moments of peace.

These water mats also tend to be pretty easy to tidy away too, simply ensure that the water and air are completely emptied out of both sections.

Transporting the Playmat

One of the great benefits of using a water inflatable baby play mat is their convenience.

After use, even those that are a little bigger in size, the mat can simply be folded away. This is great for parents who often find themselves on the go with their baby as the mat can be easily carried in between locations. This is also great for storing the mat when it is not in use too.

The Material Construction

It is important to choose a play mat that has been designed with quality in mind.

The majority of these mats are made using non-toxic, BPA-free, heavy-duty PVC which ensures that they can withstand frequent use without becoming damaged. 

The Durability

The baby inflatable water mat that you choose is likely to be subject to regular use and for this reason, it is important to select a mat that has been durably constructed.

Of course, a primary concern when using a mat of this kind is the potential occurrence of leaks, however, those selected in our guides above are deemed to be designed with leak proof qualities. This offers reassurance to parents that their babies can enjoy playing on the mat safely without being confronted with messy leaks and accidents. 

Cleaning the Mat

Of course, it is expected that babies of this young age can be a little messy on occasion. However, this needn’t be a concern as the majority of these baby mats are designed with easy to clean materials.

After use, most can simply be wiped over with a wet wipe, and then they are as good as new again. This also helps to prolong the life of the product by maintaining its quality making it less likely to deteriorate at a fast pace.

The Cost

Most inflatable water baby mats tend to retail within an affordable price range making them great value for money. Of course, some products retail with heftier price tags, however on the whole they tend to be an affordable purchase that your baby is likely to get regular use out of.

If you are on a budget, do not be put off by the play mats with more expensive price tags as we have included a variety in our guide above to highlight the variety that is available to you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using an inflatable baby water mat for tummy time?

Using an inflatable water mat has many benefits for your baby. Not only can it help to strengthen their back, legs, arms, and neck, thanks to the bright and engaging designs, it can also develop their motor skills and social skills through sensory stimulation.

Additionally, an inflatable baby water mat can prevent flat heads and boost hand and eye coordination. 

Through the strengthening of their muscles, an inflatable water mat helps to prepare your baby’s legs and arms in particular for crawling while also helping them to gain greater head control. 

Are tummy time water mats safe?

The quality of the water mat that you choose is often an indicator as to how safe it is going to be. Ideally, your child’s water mat should be made with BPA free materials that are strong and resistant to damage, even when subject to everyday use.

This will ensure that your baby can enjoy their inflatable baby water mat without there being a risk to their safety. On the whole, they are safe for use if the above factors are considered and they provide the perfect way to begin strengthening your baby’s neck, tummy, and arm muscles. 

How do you fill an inflatable water mat for tummy time?

Inflating and filling a water mat for tummy time generally tends to be a straightforward process with most mats adapting a similar setup concept.

Typically, mats of this kind are designed with two valves; one for inflating and the other for filling. Simply open the biggest valve first and begin to fill it with water, then open the second valve and begin inflating the frame with air. 

How often should baby activity mats be used for? 

There isn’t a set amount of time that a baby activity mat should be used for. Of course, babies should always be supervised by an adult when using one of these mats.

While some parents may choose to put their baby onto a play mat at short but regular intervals throughout the day, others may prefer to use an activity mat for a more prolonged period of time.

It is also likely to depend on whether your baby enjoys the play mat. Some may find them more exciting than others and therefore may enjoy using it more regularly.

The 5 Best Toddler Flashlights Reviewed

Flashlights can be both practical and fun for kids.

Just imagine – telling ghost stories at night in a little makeshift tent with a friend or a sibling, or making little shadow puppets on the wall.

They can also help your child to navigate when in the dark.

There are a lot of reasons to invest in these handy devices. 

The thing is though, there are a lot of great toddler flashlights out on the market, so it can sometimes be a little bit difficult to choose which option is going to be best for you and your toddler.

Thankfully, we’re here to help. We’ve written this guide to help you to find the best toddler flashlights!

Here are our picks, in addition to a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.

Best Toddler Flashlights

1. Melissa and Doug Sunny Patch Giddy Buggy Flashlight

If you’re looking for a fantastic flashlight for toddlers, we’re certain that the Melissa and Doug Sunny Patch Giddy Buggy Flashlight will make your list.

There are a lot of things to love about this flashlight. Namely, the key thing to love is that the handle is simply so easy for your toddlers to grip. There will be more than enough room for their little hands. 

In addition to this, the flashlight is easy to operate, with an on and off switch positioned right on the top of the grip. It means that your little one can operate the flashlight without any issues, and the switch is pretty large too so they can even turn it on with just one finger.

Not only this but your child is going to love the design of this little thing! It actually looks like a multicolored ladybug and it’s so cute! It will certainly catch their eye and keep them amused for hours.

The flashlight also comes with 6 little legs so you can put the light onto a surface with ease and it will rest in place. This is perfect for things like shadow puppets! It can be used indoors and outdoors too, so it’s fairly versatile.

2. Dorcy 41-2521

If you’re looking to take your toddler out on a wilderness trip and want a flashlight that’s going to last well into their early childhood years, you are going to be impressed with the Dorcy 41-2521. It’s a fantastic choice for use outdoors for numerous reasons. 

To begin with, the flashlight is very durable and doesn’t break when you drop it into water. It’s even waterproof from up to 1 foot deep. It’s pretty bright, so it works well for outdoor use. It also operates on 3 AA batteries. Unfortunately though, these batteries don’t last a very long time.

In addition to this, the flashlight is pretty lightweight too so your little one should have no issue carrying it from place to place. Of course, it’s certainly not the most interesting option out there so it is primarily for outdoor use and will require some creativity.

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No products found.Beep beep! Make way for the Toy State Caterpillar Construction Flashlight Nightlight! This flashlight is a real gem for playtime.

Modeled in the shape of a dumper truck, your little ones are going to have such a good time pretending they’re driving a little truck. Not only that but it’s also practical – what more could you want? 

The flashlight has been fully quality tested and is safe for your toddlers to enjoy. It is made out of non toxic materials too, which is ideal for toddlers that just insist on putting anything and everything in their mouths.

It’s not only a flashlight either – it even has an under glow night light function. You can select the amount of time that the flashlight stays on for too as it comes with three different timer options. It’s much better for children over the age of 18 months.

There truly is so much to love about this flashlight, but this couldn’t be an honest review without mentioning the potential downside. While it is great fun to play with, you may not get a lot of play time out of it before you have to switch out the AA batteries.

Yep, you heard us right – it’s battery operated. Certainly not ideal for the wallet. With that being said, it does come with the first lot of AA batteries so you don’t need to worry too much about the first batch of batteries at least.

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4. Vtech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight

Kids just love to have visual stimulation! They will have all of that and more with the VTech Spin and Learn Color Flashlight. This is like a little flashlight and a musical device all in one, your children will be amused for hours. 

The flashlight comes with 5 different light colors that are totally safe on the eyes. Your little one is going to love watching the colors flash while also listening to the whopping 50 different songs! It even plays names of animals and colors and it has a counting ability of 1 to 3. It’s ideal for toddlers aged 1 to 3.

To see what it looks like, check out this unboxing video:

As far as practical features go it’s also pretty good, turning off after 45 seconds of inactivity. Very good for preserving power. You can even change the volume as needed

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No products found.Kids just love toys. Parents love practical. What happens when you mix them all together? You get a practical flashlight and fluffy toy that your child will love! Introducing the Flashlight Friends light pink unicorn toy that has a flashlight inside of it! 

The toy has an attractive, cute design that your little one will just want to cuddle all day long. If your little one is afraid of the dark, they can just take this flashlight with them and feel comforted. There’s also no need to worry about the safety as it’s been fully tested.

In addition to this, the light has an automatic turn off system once it’s been inactive for 10 minutes. This means that your child can also use it like a night light. Of course this is certainly a good thing as the light can be a little bit bright for children, so it allows them to fall off to sleep more easily.

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Toddler Flashlight Buying Guide

When you’re trying to buy a toddler flashlight, it’s important to make sure that you think about what goes into making a good one.

There are a lot of options out there and you only want the best!

With that being said, here are some of the main things that you should think about when buying a toddler flashlight.

Usage

When buying a flashlight for a toddler, you will need to consider what you are going to be using it for. Generally with toddlers, flashlights are used for indoor play, but that may not always be the case.

For instance, if you’re buying a flashlight that’s going to be used both by a toddler and a child, you may wish to have something that you can take to the park, in which case you will need a flashlight that has a brighter light. If you want to take your little one camping, you may want to get one with a bright light and a long battery life.

That way, they can be navigating the wild with you and really feel involved, while you are the main one taking the reins! If you’re only using the flashlight for indoor play, then you may not need a flashlight with such a bright light.

Design

Toddlers have very small hands – and small everything else, for that matter! Because of this, you will need to consider the design of the flashlight when you buy. An adult flashlight may not be suitable because they may not be able to grip their little hands around it. It’s also important that the flashlight features a rubber coating on the handle so that it doesn’t end up slipping out of their hands and getting broken.

Furthermore, you need to think about the design in a less practical sense. Little toddlers need constant mental stimulation, so having a flashlight that has a nice, eye catching design is helpful. There are some flashlights that can emit various shapes and colors when it’s operating, so it may be worth considering one of those, especially if the flashlight is primarily for indoor play.

Charging Options

There are a wide range of different flashlights out there, all with their own charging options. There are some that comes with batteries that can be recharged, whereas with other flashlights you’re stuck with batteries that you need to constantly replace. This certainly isn’t always ideal, and can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Generally it’s better to get a toddler flashlight that can be recharged.

There are also some other charging options available. Some of them can come with solar panels and hand cranks, so you can charge them without even needing to set them up with a wire. With that being said the hand crank and solar panel options are generally designed for people that will need a flashlight so they can camp outdoors.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing is a handy thing to look for when buying a toddler flashlight. You never know when they may be running around with their flashlight and accidentally drop it in some water. Waterproof protection is certainly useful in these circumstances.

Of course, not all toddler flashlights have waterproof functionality so this is something you will need to check in advance. You should also clarify whether the flashlight can be used in any weather.

There are some brands that don’t recommend using their flashlights in the rainy season, so this is certainly something to think about. If you want to use the flashlight during rainy weather then you will need to look for a flashlight with that functionality.

Flashlight Type

There are a few different kinds of flashlights on the market, including LED, lantern, Halogen and more. Some of them are designed for younger toddlers, some for older toddlers.

Consider how long you want the flashlight to last too, as if you want it to last throughout some of their childhood years you will want to get something with longevity.

Budget

Whenever you buy a product, thinking about the budget is always important. It’s only natural to want to spend a fortune on our toddlers – after all, they only deserve the best. But there really is no need to spend excessive amounts of money.

Make sure you set a budget when looking for your toddler flashlight, and then you can narrow down your options a bit easier. It also helps you to eliminate the risk of buying flashlights with pointless features that your toddler will never use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main safety cautions surrounding toddler flashlights?

As with any toy for a toddler, it’s always important to make sure that you are monitoring your toddler while they play to minimize the risk of accidents.

First of all, it’s important that your child doesn’t put the flashlight in their mouth. If your child does have a habit of biting down on their flashlight, it’s vital that you choose an option that is safe for this or monitor them very carefully.

In addition, make sure that your child doesn’t stare into the flashlight and make sure that they also don’t point the light into someone else’s eyes. The same goes for putting the light in the face of an animal.

For children, it’s also better to opt for a light that isn’t as bright because they won’t hurt the eyes as much. Most of the models on this list are safe for your child’s eyes, but it’s still good practice for the day when they eventually get a real flashlight!

And finally, the most important thing is to make sure that you don’t allow your child to play with the flashlight without your supervision. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

What are some things my child and I can use a toddler flashlight for?

There are a bunch of fun activities for using flashlights! Here are just a few:

Shadow Puppets

Shadow puppets are a fun way to play and explore! Your child will be occupied for hours with this activity.

All your child needs to do is play a flashlight onto the table, or onto another surface so that you have a light that’s pointing directly at a wall. Then, you or your child can put your hands in a range of different shapes in order to make a pattern on the wall.

For example, you could make your hands look like a rabbit, or another person! You don’t even need to use your hands, you could grab a piece of paper and turn it into a design, then put them on sticks to create a fun puppet show for your little one!

Dance Party

Toddlers love to move it, move it! What better way to get your child’s motor skills up and running than with a disco dance party? You can do them indoors or outdoors, whatever you want.

If you get a flashlight that has lots of interchangeable shapes your child will have plenty of fun picking out the shapes on the walls and floors too! All you need is a flashlight or two and some funky music.

You could even get a number of flashlights for a few toddlers and let them run wild. Then, they may actually sleep through the whole night… If you’re lucky!

Flashlight Tag

This may depend on the age of your toddler, but flashlight tag is a fun game to play with a bunch of different toddlers. It may be better suited to an older tot!

It’s essentially like tag, mixed with hide and seek in the darkness. You can play it with adults and children alike. The person holding the flashlight will need to find all of the rest of the players in the darkness, and the person who has the flashlight will need to shine the light on the person they’ve found, and then they’re out!

Whoever is the last person to be found will from henceforth be the flashlight wielder for the next game!

Alternatively, you can just let your little one enjoy the pretty shapes and colors, and you can even join in on the fun. Maybe you could use it to teach them about animals or the stars? The possibilities are endless.

The Top 5 Baby Walkers Reviewed

There are very few moments more exciting to a parent than seeing their little one taking their very first steps. Of course, when you’re still getting used to that crazy old world out there, it can be tricky for a baby to get used to getting onto their feet, which is why a baby walker can be so helpful. These handy things help your child to walk in a fun and interactive way that you and your babe are both sure to love.

There are a lot of different walkers on the market, so it may be a little difficult to know what your best option is when you’re looking for a new walker for your little tyke. Thankfully, we’re here to save you a little time that you can instead spend with your little one. Here, we’ve listed some of the best baby walkers on the market so you don’t have to lift a finger. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to let you know some of the key things you should be thinking about when making your decision.

Best Baby Walkers

1. Joovy Spoon Walker

The Joovy Spoon Walker is the perfect tool to support your baby’s development. This nifty walker is plenty functional and fun all at once, even coming with a removable tray for tea time! Sure, it’s not as eye catching as some of the other options on our list, but there’s still plenty to love!

While this walker doesn’t have as many frills, it certainly does come in a bunch of funky designs that you are sure to love. It works both as a walker and as a high chair, so it’s pretty multifunctional! You can use it on floors and carpets alike, so your baby can roam the whole house without pesky flooring getting in the way!

In addition to this, you can also remove the seat which you can then put in the washing machine for easy cleaning. It’s ideal for when your baby gets food down the chair when they are eating. The chair is also adjustable so your baby will be able to use it even as they get bigger. When you’re done with it, you can then fold it down flat for easy storage.

2. Combi Baby Walker and Interactive Mobile Activity Center

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Moms and dads alike love the Combi Baby Walker and Interactive Mobile Activity Center! This walker is super fun for baby, with an incredibly cool design that will allow them to be able to walk, bounce and jump!

The walker comes with a full entertainment center, providing your baby with plenty to do – with mirrors, lights, toys and sounds to explore. It’s incredibly comfortable for your baby, with a padded seat to keep them nice and cosy. With the adjustable height levels you can also be sure that your baby will be able to use the walker for a long time.

The walker is easy to clean with a removable and machine washable seat, so no need to spend hours scrubbing it down after a particularly messy play session. When you’re done with it, you can just fold it down into a small size for storage. It’s even great for traveling too! If you’re concerned about baby’s safety, you will also be pleased to know that the walker comes with anti skid pads that can help to make sure that your child won’t fall.

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3. Disney Music and Lights Walker

Is your baby girl mad about disney princesses? If so, the Disney Music and Lights Walker is perfect for her! This walker will provide your little girl with plenty of fun while they enhance those motor skills!

The walker comes with a cosy chair with plenty of back support, so your little one won’t get tired after sitting in the chair. It comes with a snacks area for your baby to chow down, in addition to a toy area for play time. You can also take it anywhere too, as it’s foldable and compact for easy storage.

Not only this, but the fear of arduous cleaning is gone here- it comes with a removable machine washable seat – perfect for mom and dad! You can use it on rough surface as the wheels have good grip.

4. Safety 1st Sounds n Lights Discovery Walker

Your baby is going to have an unforgettable time walking with the Safety 1st Sounds n Lights Discovery Walker. This versatile option comes with a swanky play area and an eye catching design that both you and your little one are going to love.

The walker comes with an entertainment system with a bunch of bright colors and sounds that engage with your baby’s key senses. It provide both great mental stimulation and helps with the motor skills. It’s actually great for helping to support your little one even before they start walking. Of course, it should be noted that it is to be used for babies smaller than 30 pounds who are able to sit up on their own.

The walker comes with two different activity trays, and these open up to reveal a big tray. They all light up or make noises to stimulate your child’s sense. In addition, it’s very easy to transport because it is able to fold into itself for travel and storage purposes.

5. Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Walker

Your baby is going to have a lot of fun in the Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Walker. This walker is essentially a hub of entertainment, coming in so many vibrant colors and a glossy finish that looks simply beautiful.

Its looks are not its only great attribute, however. The walker comes with three different adjustable height settings, so your baby will be able to use it through a number of months as they grow. Your baby can even feel like they’re driving their own little car with the fun steering wheel that your baby can use to help them to move around the house.

The walker comes with a fantastic activity center, featuring sounds and lights to stimulate the senses. As the name suggests, your baby genius will be able to have great mental and physical stimulation from this walker. In addition, the walker comes with a snack tray that you can use to feed your baby their favorite little treats. Of course, it does have some issues, namely that it is not collapsible so it can be a little bit tricky to carry around. This also means that it can be harder to store, especially if you only live in a small apartment that doesn’t have a lot of space. Otherwise, it’s certainly an option that you should consider for hours of fun for your baby.

Baby Walkers – Buyer’s Guide

Types of Baby Walkers

When you are looking to buy a walker, you should first consider the kind of walker that you want to buy for your child. You can either choose a traditional sit to stand walker, or one that’s a little more modern.

Traditional Walkers

These are usually four wheeled walkers that have a long base, and they have a bar that your baby is able to use to pull their body up. These will give you a lot of mobility and balance. The key problem with these kinds of walkers is that they don’t have a lot of the more modern safety features that newer walkers do, and they don’t provide the baby with any support if they fall.

Modern Walkers

Modern walkers essentially keep your baby above the ground, and so the baby is able to either sit or walk in accordance to what they feel like doing. These walkers usually come with a padded seat that is above a few wheeled legs. They tend to be a lot safer for your baby too, as they come with extra features such as anti slip feet, locking wheels and very wide bases.

There are some reasons to buy either of these options. Some evidence suggests that traditional walkers help your baby to develop more because your baby will be able to watch their limbs move, which can help your baby with developing their fine motor skills. On the other hand, the reduced safety and extra supervision can be a concern.

You should always consider an option that’s going to be comfortable and safe for your child. This will mean that you have to think about the amount of support that your baby needs, as some children will need more support at different stages than others.

Things to Consider

Assembly Process

You tend to find that a lot of baby walkers are flat packed, so it’s wise to opt for a model that isn’t going to be difficult to put together. Sure this may not seem like the most important thing but you want your child to be able to have fun in their walker – you didn’t buy it just to stare at it in frustration until your baby is able to walk anyway. You’re also going to want to make sure that your baby can safely use the walker, and if you don’t assemble it correctly it’s not going to be safe. Sometimes, simplicity really is the way to go!

Of course, you can completely ignore this if you’re a DIY expert, but not everyone is. You may wish to find models that are simple to put together, such as ones that incorporate ‘snap to fit’ mechanisms for connecting parts that bear weight. Or there are also some models that come somewhat assembled in the box so there’s no need to be concerned about whether things have been properly tightened. Your baby will be able to play in no time!

Use

Of course, you don’t want a walker that’s going to require you and your baby to be highly trained in rocket science in order to use it. It’s important that the walker is simple for you to be able to get your child into it, and the same goes for getting your child out of it.

You should also think on a long term basis too. Things like adjustable height functionality can be very advantageous as your child grows – a baby can grow a lot between 2 and 8 months old. Not all walkers have a lot of adjustability – some are even fixed at just one height so you won’t be able to use them for very long.

You should also think about how easy they are to adjust because some walkers can be tricky to adjust. Others are a lot easier to adjust, and take you barely any time to do so.

Mobility

The key point of a walker is that your child is able to move around in it, so there’s nothing worse than having a walker that stops your baby from being able to move properly. Some walkers aren’t ideal for turning corners, moving or for cruising in general. This may actually cause your child some frustration and they may not even want to walk at all. As a result of this, it is important that you choose a model that doesn’t have this issue if you want to encourage healthy movement.

Comfort

When you’re buying a walker, especially a modern one, comfort is vital. If you are planning on using a modern walker, the chances are that your baby is going to be spending a lot of time sitting in a padded seat. You’re going to need to check that the water gives plenty of cushioning where it is needed.

You are also going to need to get a walker that has a fully adjustable seat so that your child will be able to use it even after a couple of months.

Additional Features

You’ll find that a lot of walkers currently on the market don’t just include the walker itself – some come with play trays, games, puzzles and more to help to keep your baby up and moving, and most importantly – entertained.

Not all babies are going to be interested by extra features of course, but puzzles and games can sometimes get your baby up and moving more. You will ultimately need to think about relevant the features are going to be to your child. Always pay attention to the difficulty of the toys too, because not all babies are going to be able to work with more difficult toys initially.

In addition, for the sake of your baby’s safety, always ensure that the walker has no loose parts because they can be a choking hazard to your little one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are baby walkers safe?

So long as they are used correctly your baby will be perfectly safe inside a baby walker. Of course, as with anything there are some risks. You should always make sure that you are cautious when your baby is in a walker to make sure that they aren’t at risk, and make sure that you always watch them while they are in the walker.

Does using a baby walker help your baby to learn to walk faster?

Your baby will not learn to walk any faster when they’re in a baby walker – on occasion, it can actually slow down progress. It’s a great tool for before your baby learns to walk, though.

Does your baby need to have a baby walker to learn to walk?

A walker is not necessary in order for your baby to learn to walk. Your child should learn to walk on their own. Your baby will first learn to crawl and support themselves, and after a while will have the balance to be able to walk on their own.

What are the main advantages of a baby walker?

There are a couple of reasons to buy a baby walker. To start with, it’s a great tool for before your baby learns to walk. When your baby starts to go from crawling to walking, having a little extra support to begin with can be handy to help with balance. They also help the leg muscles to develop quicker.

They also help with entertainment – walkers are ideal for encouraging your baby to walk because they are eye catching and fun. Your child can even eat with some of them!

Baby walkers help to stimulate your child, as they can move around and reach their toys. It gives them a whole new world of exploration while they are still being supervised. It’s ideal for growing babies that aren’t quite able to stand on their own yet but who want to be able to explore.

The Top 5 Pacifiers For Breastfed Babies Reviewed

Feeding a baby with milk from your breast is a great way of pacifying them when they’re cranky and can’t get to sleep. But it’s hardly the most convenient way of pacifying them! Even the most self assured and confident amongst us don’t want to have to get our breasts out in public all the time. And sometimes you just can’t, like when you’re trying to pack groceries and there’s a queue behind you.

And besides have you tried breastfeeding when the baby is teething? Ouch – not recommended if it can be avoided. If there’s ever a time Mommy needs a break from breastfeeding, it’s then.

And let’s be honest, pacifying your little one can be a necessity. I mean, sometimes the way some babies cry you’d think someone was really hurting them and you can feel everyone’s eyes on you and your baby.

Luckily however, there’s a remedy for that. You can get pacifiers which are designed with breastfed babies in mind, providing a very comparable level of comfort, which when accompanied by a familiar voice, is very calming for the little one.

We’ve been checking out the best pacifiers out on the market today, and we’ve evaluated them in terms of how suitable they are for breastfed babies. We’ve handpicked our Top 5, and our reviews on them are coming up shortly.

After that we’ve got a handy buying guide for you which goes through everything you might want to think about before you buy. And then we top that off with an FAQ section where we will answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

Best Pacifiers For Breastfed Babies

1. MAM Pacifiers

MAM is one of the leading brands in baby products, and their various pacifiers dominate the best seller lists with leading retailers.

What makes it such a good pacifier for breastfed babies, amongst other things is that it’s nipple, with its built-in air channel, naturally flattens and extends when sucked, just like when Mommy’s breastfeeding.

Moreover, the SkinSoft textured silicone has a more natural feel than some of the more rubber like pacifiers on the market. The nipples are also easy to latch onto, and they are non-slip, you won’t suddenly get a crying baby because the pacifier has slipped out.

These pacifiers were actually developed by leading pediatric dentists and developmental psychologists, so you can be assured that they are beneficial for the baby’s health and development.

It features the all important orthodontic nipple that we talk about in our buying guide, but better yet, this orthodontic nipple is symmetrical, which means that you never have to worry about whether or not you’ve put it in the right way, because there’s no wrong way.

As for the pacifier shield, the outer part, in order to prevent any skin irritation, and baby’s often have sensitive skin, there are tiny bumps to keep the inner surface slightly off the baby’s face, and there are large air holes as well to allow the skin to breath.

We also love that these pacifiers glow in the dark, which is so handy for when the baby wakes up in the night. You can spot the pacifier straight away and give it back to the baby, and all being well, get them back off to sleep again. And you won’t have to switch the light on, which helps. And all you have to do to “charge” it is leave it in the daylight.

As we mention in our buying guide later, price point is an important factor in choosing your pacifier brand, and to that end, the MAM pacifiers are a good choice because you can get a pack of 3 pacifiers for under $10, and it may qualify for free shipping if you go with Amazon.

2. Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Day Time Soother Pacifier

Tommee Tippee is one of the most popular leading baby product brands in the UK, and it’s growing really popular here too.

They have a range of innovative and award winning products, and this particular pacifier was inspired by their award winning Closer to Nature nipple which is designed with ripples in the nipple’s super soft silicone which help it to move, flex and stretch, just like mommy’s skin. And to the baby it feels very skin-like too.

Even the pacifier shield is rounded like mommy’s breast. This is also something you don’t get in a traditional pacifier. And this shape also helps to prevent skin irritation and rashes that can be brought on from sucking and dribbling with a traditional pacifier. Which is all thanks to the superior airflow you get with this more breast like shape.

The soother is naturally orthodontic, to support healthy teeth development (more on that on our buying guide).

It’s completely BPA free, so that’s another weight off your mind.

We also like that this pacifier is available in a pack of four, because you’re forever losing them when you’re out and about, and it’s available for two age groups, 0 to 6 months and 6 to 18 months.

3. Nanobebe Pacifiers

This pacifier also comes from a best selling brand, Nanobebe, and comes highly recommended.

It has also won awards for their innovative design, which are intended to prevent nipple confusion, and eases your baby’s transition between breast and pacifier. Which is great if you want to give them a little feed before trying to put them to sleep! You can get back to being you for a couple of hours instead of just Mommy.

It has that all important orthodontic nipple which is gentle on the gums and helps promote healthy gum and teeth development.

The Nanobebe Flex pacifier contours to the shape of the baby’s face and also fits comfortably against the nose and chin.

There are also large holes in the pacifier’s shield which allow airflow and in turn prevent skin irritation and rashes.

The packs are available in different colors, so you can get different ones to go with different outfits. The clear one is the most versatile for matching up.

We like that it’s composed of just one piece of silicone, as this means you don’t have to worry about it coming apart on you, and is in no danger of becoming a choking hazard. And by doing this, the pacifier meets the guidelines for newborns set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

And because it’s 100% silicone, this means you don’t have to worry about any nasty chemicals like BPA and phthalate.

The pacifier is backed by Nanobebe’s 100% satisfaction guarantee, which is very reassuring.

(The Amazon page also shows you some other cool baby products which are worth a look.)

4. Mombella Mimi The Mushroom Pacifier

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If you’ve seen the photo for this pacifier, you’ll have noticed that it looks nothing like a traditional one!

This is a soother in a perfect and more importantly familiar breast cup shape. It’s perfect for older babies whose bite reflex has kicked in, when more than ever, you would rather your baby use a pacifier than your own flesh to soothe themselves.

The mushroom has two nipples rather than one, so is sure not to wear as quickly as if it just had one. And will last far longer than a traditional pacifier.

Through sucking on the nipple of the mushroom, the baby can practice using the muscles in the mouth it uses for feeding, and when they practice that bite reflex, that’s really good for speech development too.

Moreover it’s also great for encouraging hand muscle development. They can try sticking the pacifier onto surfaces, or turning the mushroom part inside out. It’s quite an engaging toy for kids of that age. The novelty value of a product lasts much longer.

It comes with it’s own clip, so you can keep the mushroom attached to the baby’s clothes, and you’ll be much less likely to lose it.

We love how clear and bright these pacifiers look, great for getting the baby’s attention and also easy to spot, and therefore not loose.

Although it also doubles as a teething toy, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend for babies over 6 months of age which we think is because of the cylindrical shape of the nipples, which is not an orthodontic shape. (More on orthodontic nipples in our buying guide).

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5. Evenflo Feeding Balance Plus Stage 1 Cylindrical Pacifier

We admit that this pacifier doesn’t come from quite as strong a brand as some of the other pacifiers we’ve shown you, but it certainly deserves its place in our Top 5 Picks.

What makes this such a great pacifier for breastfeeding babies is how the cylindrical shape of the nipple allows the baby to mimic the tongue shape they make while breastfeeding. And this in turn helps support healthy sucking skills.

So it’s great for little babies who struggle to feed. And to that end the soft flexible silicone used discourages mouth fatigue, and the faceplate is slightly curved to make sucking easier for the baby.

Another thing we like about these pacifiers is that they have a handle on the outside, which is great because it means that you don’t have to worry about getting drool on your fingers when you take it out.

There’s also integrated ventilation holes in the faceplate which allow airflow and prevent skin irritation and rashes.

There are no nasty chemicals here to worry about, no BPA, PVC, polycarbonates or phthalates. And if that wasn’t enough it’s also made of FDA approved food grade materials to boot.

And it’s all in one piece, so there’s no danger of a choking hazard.

Because these pacifiers are completely clear they will match with any outfit.

Pacifiers For Breastfed Babies – Buyer’s Guide

As promised, here’s the buying guide for you.

Orthodontic Nipple

Pacifiers with an orthodontic nipple have a nipple with a rounded top and a flat bottom, and they are designed to flatten in the baby’s mouth just like a mother’s nipple, to provide the most natural sucking action.

Not only do such pacifiers mimic breastfeeding for the baby’s ultimate comfort, but it also reduces pressure on the baby’s gums and developing teeth, and helps to prevent tooth troubles as the baby grows.

Luckily, most pacifiers these days typically have this orthodontic nipple, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Interestingly however some manufacturers have made a USP out of using a non orthodontic nipple shape, and two such pacifiers even made our Top 5 Picks, please check out our reviews on our Number 4 Pick, the Mombella Mimi, or our Number 5 Pick, the Evenflo Cylindrical Pacifier, for more details on that.

Price Point

Pacifiers may seem like a very affordable item, but please take it from someone who knows, pacifiers are always getting lost when you’re out and about. And sometimes even when you’re right at home. Once you start using pacifiers with your baby, you will go through them like nobody’s business. I was buying on average 1 pack per week.

Therefore you should look for pacifiers which are very affordable, and which come in packs of at least two. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if a pacifier is more expensive, then it must be better quality or better for the baby. That is not the case. Look out for the other criteria we’ve set out instead.

Easy to clean

Using a pacifier that isn’t entirely clean is one of the more common ways a baby can easily become ill. Sure breastmilk does help the baby’s immune system, but their immune system isn’t fully developed until they reach about 7 to 8 years old. Don’t risk them becoming ill, and don’t let babies share pacifiers, as this is how germs can spread. Always buy your own.

When the baby is breastfed, parents often put the baby’s pacifier in with the milk bottles to sterilize them every so often. And this may suit you also if the baby sometimes feeds breast milk from a bottle with their father from milk you’ve pumped and kept in the refrigerator.

However, if you don’t have that luxury, it helps to clean the pacifiers if they are dishwasher safe. Please note that while silicone pacifiers are dishwasher safe, latex ones are not.

Size

For those who don’t already know, pacifiers are available in different sizes. Unless your child is particularly small or large for their age, then you should aim to stick with the right size for your child’s particular age group.

It should be noted at this point that the pacifiers in our Top 5 picks are randomly selected in terms of their size, so when buying please check you have the right size for your baby’s age group.

Brand

We do recommend that you go for a well known brand, however we also acknowledge that some brands are better than others when it comes to the best pacifiers for breastfed babies.

If you’re not particularly struck by the specific pacifiers we’ve shown you here, then we’d advise you to browse the other pacifiers made by these same brands. This is because they have ranges which are designed with breastfed babies in mind, which not all pacifiers are.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the other words for a pacifier?

Pacifiers can also be referred to as soothers and binkys in the USA and are more commonly referred to as dummies in the UK, and referred to as dodies in Ireland.

The Top 5 Hair Ties for Babies Reviewed

They say that morning hair only happens to adults. This is an urban myth.

Babies are just as capable of waking with weird and wonderful bedhead as their bedraggled parents. The difference is that morning hair makes them look unfeasibly cute, while mom and dad look terrible. That could, of course, have something to do with the fact that we also have pillow-face to deal with and it takes a while to hydrate the creases out.

Freshly woken babies rock several styles. The troll, where their hair has mysteriously turned upright and conical in the night, making them look like those little cartoon characters with their huge eyes and button noses. There’s also the Van de Graaff, where they look as if they’ve spent a few hours cuddling a vast, static ball. Even gentle brushing just makes this situation dramatically worse until they’re wearing a halo of fluff.

Most of the time, it’s fine (and endearing) to just let them be. But if their hair grows towards their nose rather than back and away from their face, it’s time to start getting their soft wee tufts under some kind of control. We all know how maddening it is to have an itchy face and babies have surprisingly sharp nails.

Since it’s unlikely that very little babies (up to 18 months old) will sit still enough for a hairdresser to approach safely with scissors, hair ties are the answer for a while. But what kind? Adult bands are a no-go, even if they’re seamless. Your baby’s hair is way too fine and by the time you’ve wrapped the band enough times to keep the ponytail or bunch in place, there will be barely any hair poking out of the top. You definitely need the special bands.

But which ones? There’s a big choice of bands for babies and toddlers, so we’re going to extend our definition of “baby” as ranging from newborns to 3½-year-olds, covering each age group. Following a list of our favorite sets of hair ties, we’ve written a little buyer’s guide to remind you of what to think about when you’re thinking of the most suitable ones to buy. We’ve also answered some of your commonly asked questions.

In a hurry? Time to go make a snack for your little one? Here are our top five picks.

Best Hair Ties for Babies

1. Youxuan Kids Hair Ties 1000: Small Size

Rubber bands are bad for adult hair, let alone baby hair. These look rubber (and the product summary would have you think so) but they’re actually made of eco-friendly silicone. You won’t accidentally snap your baby’s fine hair under tension while putting these on.

They’re also very stretchy even in the small size, which is suitable for containing first-year fluff in bunches. They have enough tension for you to make tidy ponytails and divide your baby’s hair into segments, but not so much that trying to put them on is a four-handed job: two hands to hypnotize baby with a peekaboo game, and the other two to apply the band.

The bands come off neatly, too, without snagging.

It’s a generous packet size for the price. If there’s one thing that babies lose faster than socks, it’s their hair bands. Tiny socks find great places to hide, but they’re not a patch on the bands which always make their way under the heaviest piece of furniture in the room. If you don’t want you spend your days on your hands and knees retrieving them, then it’s probably time to think about allowing yourself to succumb to the allure of the disposable product for this particular issue. You can probably clean any bands you round up with disinfectant, but that’s likely to compromise the silicone. They are tough, though. They’re not going to snap after first use.

The jelly colors are cute. Each pack holds bands in orchid pink, gossamer pink, ethereal blue, yellow, and purple. The pastel shades can be color coordinated with most outfits.

2. J-MEE Small seamless Baby Hair Ties: 100 PCS

These are the springy, soft fabric ties you’re used to seeing on older girls of maybe four and older. They’re great for babies and toddlers. They’re only 1¼ in diameter, so it’s easy to create a bunch with a quick double or triple twist, depending upon the volume and thickness of their hair.

These bands are a single, seamless mesh of polyester fiber. It’s a clean, functional design which doesn’t create a band which is too thick to stay knotted around fine hair. Covered elastics tend to mount up in width as you strengthen the knot with extra twists. If you have a chunky covering, then you end up with a comically small amount of hair coming out of a thick, bright base of color.

There are ten bands of ten bright colors, so that’s your accessorizing taken care of for a year or so. They’re easy washed and quick to dry, and very comfortable for your baby or toddler to wear because of their soft, springy stretch.

Actually, they’re addictively springy. J-Mee seem to be aware of the compulsive fiddling and fidgeting that these bands invite, so they caution parents against overstretching them. The nature of the mesh is that it will survive a wash and dry easily enough, but it will lose its spring if the fabric is routinely stretched out.

If you want to wash these, then use a really mild detergent and leave on a towel to dry naturally.

3. ASFOS 100 PCS Seamless Cotton Hair Ties in Bulk Mixed Colors

Like the J-Mee ties, these are soft, seamless, and made of fabric. They’re easy to slip on and off and you don’t risk breaking new and fragile hair. They come in the same volume of bands for around the same price.

So, what makes these different?

First off, these are cotton rather than woven polyester. You’re less likely to encounter static hair with these bands. Secondly, they are fractionally smaller at 1” in diameter. This makes them good for baby hair.

Thirdly, one reason for the low price point is the fact that your selection of bands is random. You’ll get the number you paid for, but there is nobody sitting at a table carefully counting out X-number of each color. This can produce a nice surprise, or you could find yourself with a handful of brown/screaming pink bands.

These bands grip well and keep their shape a long time. They stretch easily enough that you can split the pack between your baby girl and a toddler or preschooler.

4. WillingTee 200 Pieces Multicolor Baby Girls Hair Ties

These hair ties are miniature versions of adult bands. They’re seamless circles of elastic and nylon, making them super-stretchy. These are probably the most versatile bands in this list because of their tiny size (20mm/ or 0.8”) and great elasticity. They’re also very thin at just 2mm.

There are 20 colors in the 200-band pack, which gives you plenty of chances to make your hairstyles a little more creative by joining two bands together. There are a few Rainbow Loom ‘tip-torial’ videos on YouTube showing different ways of doing this.

Not only are these great for babies, being soft and snag-free, but they’re an amazing choice for creating more complex styles on toddlers and little girls. Their thinness allows you to keep sections of hair gathered close to the scalp to keep things neat and tidy while you create braids and up-dos that catwalk models would approve of. They’re also tiny (and numerous) enough for your toddler to use on their dolls.

Because they grip so well, they’re a good choice for the swimming pool, too.

You can rinse these out and allow them to dry naturally.

5. Teenitor Clear Elastic Hair Bands 2000pcs

This is our final choice, and our opening announcement is that these shouldn’t be used for toddlers younger than 3½ because of the infant fascination with shiny, nearly invisible and stretchy objects. They have a see-through allure that you don’t get with colored bands and it’s way too easy for little ones to think you have millions in the pot, and therefore it’s okay to spread them around the house.

All of a sudden you won’t have millions in the pot, and they could be a total hazard for any pets you have.
We recommend a minimum age of 3½ because by then your little one is entering a stage where they can be reasoned and negotiated with. You could even give them a tiny torch like a Maglite and see how many they can grab from beneath the couch.

They’re also a little difficult to find on the floor without a torch. Okay, that’s our public service announcement done. These bands are disposable, very stretchy, and the most discreet to wear. Adults and older kids can use these for swimming, or to keep their hair up in industrial areas.

If you want to hold your baby’s hair and then attach a more decorative item like a cute mini-scrunchy, then these bands will sit invisibly beneath the more ornate hair pieces. They’re also very thin. Although you may have to wrap them a few times on finer hair, their slenderness means that the hair is the focus of the eye, not the band itself.

They have good grip, even in humid weather and don’t snag the hair when you pull them off. These bands come with a plastic carrier case so that you can keep a stash of them wherever you go.

Honorable Mention: ProHouse Baby Nylon Headbands for Newborn Girls

When your baby is just weeks old, you may have very little energy to speak of. The thought of trying to figure out how to keep your baby’s best outfit clean for that special occasion is exhausting enough; the thought of taming their wild Van de Graaff halo is downright intimidating. There’s only so much hair-control cuteness you can achieve with a baby whose hair is a collection of fluff tufts. In these situations, baby bandanas and headbands are your friend.

You get 16 headbands in this little set and they come in a nice range of colors. You’ll probably have a choice of two of these bands to match with just about any outfit in your baby’s wardrobe. What’s cool is that some of these colors are quite sober or muted; it’s nice to have some sophisticated choices which aren’t too bold, pastel, or pink. We particularly like the claret, teal and pistachio options.

The bands are made from super-soft, high quality nylon which will grow with your child. They don’t feel tight when on (we’re taking the many adult customers’ word for this) and they don’t leave compression marks.

It is hard to go wrong with a headband, but we do have a couple of words of caution. Firstly, if your baby decides that this style invasion is not to their liking, then they could end up with static hair for the rest of the day. Secondly, you have to make sure that you don’t accidentally untie the bow. Trying to retie it evenly is even more difficult than doing up the poppers on your baby’s inner legs when they’re in a Peloton Champion kind of mood.

Putting the headbands on can be tricky when your baby is really tiny. Sit with your thighs tight together and lay baby down with their head close to your knees. Support their upper back, neck and head with one hand. With the other, smooth back their hair. Now, place the back of the bow on the spot between their hairline and fontanel. Hold the middle of the bow with your thumb while you push the band over and behind their head with the tip of your index finger. You should now be able to retrieve your supporting hand and adjust the bow.

Hair Ties for Babies – Buyer’s Guide

This is a quick reference for the questions you might want to ask yourself when you’re deciding on your own pros and cons for each item, depending upon your personal preferences.

Value for money: do you want to share the pack between all the girls in this family?

Aesthetics: do you want a greater mix of bright or pastel colors?

Environmental impact: are you okay with rubber or silicone? Or would you prefer fabric bands, which are washable and more durable?

Versatility: do you want to be able to form color combinations for a special occasion?

Pet threat: do you have a way of keeping these bands secure?

Grip: the elastic-based designs generally compress better than the stretchy polyester ones. Silicone is also super gentle but clings well to fine hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to avoid the soft spot on my baby’s head?

There are two soft spots (fontanels) to watch for: the larger one on the crown, and the smaller gap toward the back of the skull. The fontanel at the back tends to harden and seal between 2-3 months. The fontanel at the crown will seal by the time your baby is around 18 months old.

You can avoid these spots for hair bands if you’re anxious but tying bands there won’t harm your baby at all. There is a thick, protective membrane beneath the skin which can handle the gentle follicular tug involved in hairstyling. If in doubt, aim for asymmetrical styles or bunches.

Can rubber bands be used in Afro hair?

According to the cosmetic demonstration queens of YouTube and Reddit, yes. The top tips to prevent hair breakage is to soften them in natural oil (coconut, jojoba, almond etc.) for several minutes before they’re applied. Tiny bands (a half inch across) can be used for heavy locs or knots so long as they’re not twisted double. The main issue is to ensure that the bands are seamless and that they don’t catch on the hair when being put on or removed.