8-12 months

Your baby is on the move!  Or will be shortly.  Not as much new “gear” is required during this time period, whew!  Mainly sippy cups for the transition out of bottles, sensory toys, and a new car seat as your baby grows.

Somewhere in this timeframe, your baby will outgrow the first car seat.  We got the Britax Boulevard, which is both rear facing and forward facing, so it will accommodate your baby/ toddler/ child for the next few years.

I was late to do this, but it is a good idea to introduce sippy cups and straws to transition your baby away from the bottle.  I started this at 10 months, because I waited for my pediatrician to mention it before starting.  The Munchkin weighted straw is perfect!  Whoever is the genius that came up with this idea deserves a pat on the back, and thank you from mothers everywhere.  Highly recommend.  Also the Nuk sippy cup with base handles seems to be a fan favorite for most babies around this age.

Once your baby is able to pull up and has some coordination, a Walker is a great toy to introduce and gives your baby confidence and practice for when they are ready to walk.  Blocks seem to be a big hit at this age, as well.  We were gifted this Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Center, and any toy like this is sure to provide entertainment.

Your baby is now one!  Well done parents!!!!

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TRAVEL

We travel quite a bit, and adding a baby to the mix definitely adds a new element.  For airplane travel with a newborn, believe it or not, this was the easiest time for travel for us.  Between 0-6 months, our baby would be fed, then fall asleep for the remainder of the flight.  From 6-12 months, not one minute of sleep on the plane.  Below are the travel essentials.

Baby K’Tan– for when your baby is small enough that a stroller is not needed.  Excellent for getting through the airport and boarding the airplane.

Travel Stroller– I love this stroller so much!  The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is the version that we got, and I love it for a variety of reasons.  1. It is super easy to fold and open, like insanely easy.  2. The wheels do not have tires, meaning they will not pop, 3. The Velcro windows in the canopy allow for ideal viewing of your baby as you stroll.  4. It is much more compact than a jogging stroller, like the BOB, so it is much easier to load into your car, and slim enough to store in a restaurant.

For your diaper bag- a soft book and a travel teether are good to have on hand.  If your baby likes pacifiers, a WubbaNub pacifier is great to travel with- it is easier to grab if it falls out of your baby’s mouth, and less likely to roll to a neighboring seat or row.