Little one stepping into toddlerhood? We’ve got you covered…
This article is sponsored by Johnson’s Baby, Cow & Gate, WaterWipes, SMA & Nurofen
Watching your baby become a toddler is a whirlwind of excitement. From saying their first words and getting their first tooth, to learning to walk (or should we say run!), they slowly start growing into their personality – but ever feel like this all happens in the blink of an eye?
Every little milestone feels like a huge triumph, and while you navigate their new found curiosities and sense of adventure, it’s also a time to support their development changes.
Whether it’s weaning, bathtime or being on hand for little bumps and bruises, we’re here to help you prepare for anything your toddler throws your way.
Make bathtime more fun
As your little one starts getting a bit older, chances are they’ll be used to the idea of bathtime. And while time in the tub can be exciting one minute, it can cause little tantrums and upset the next. But bathtime is an important part of a toddler’s development as it helps with their social and cognitive skills. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make this experience more fun and engaging for both of you.
If you want to make each bathtime feel like a personal waterpark, it’s a good idea to mix things up to keep them interested. This could include:
- Toys that encourage learning – things like plastic cups that they can fill up and pour from, or floating sea creatures to spark their imagination
- Make the most of the bubbles – whether it’s a bubble wand or using the foam bubbles from the bath, you can enjoy a bit of sensory play with these – or even better, give your toddler a foamy hair style, beard or moustache – it’s always a winner!
- Sing while bathing them – whether it’s a rendition of ‘splish splash’ or something from one of their favourite shows, it all adds to the fun
- Consider bath books – you can get some plastic-coated ones that are ideal for the bath. You could even get some about mermaids or boats to match the water theme
- Playing pretend with them – toddlers love to play, so why not act out stories, use their their toys or pretend the tub is the ocean?
- Let them use different textures – from squeezing sponges to feeling flannels, let them enjoy experimenting
- Splash, splash and splash! Within reason, of course…
Not forgetting your bathing and changing essentials too. From bubble bath to shampoos and thermometers, we’ve got everything you need for bathtime bliss… hopefully!
For detangling hair
Johnson’s Kids No More Tangles Conditioner Spray
• Size: 200ml
• Paediatrician & dermatologist-tested
• NO MORE TEARS® formula which is gentle on the eyes
• Hypoallergenic^ & pH balanced
As your toddler grows, so does their hair. Help keep it knot-free with this conditioner spray, specially formulated to help unlock knots and tangles for easy combing. Want to really win the tangled tug of war? Use this as part of the three-step routine, featuring the No More Tangles Shampoo and Conditioner*, to unlock 75% more knots and tangles!**
Feed their appetite with weaning & first foods
When your little one enters toddlerhood, they’ll soon discover a whole new world of foods to try. When your little one starts their weaning journey, they'll soon discover a whole new world of foods to try. If you're just starting out on that journey and you're not sure sure what solids to introduce, or you just want some advice, we've got some tips to help you along the way. Talk to your health advisor or GP for advice before you start weaning your little one.
- Weaning should begin around six months with a small amount of solid food once a day, gradually increasing the amount and variety to help your little one experience more tastes and textures
- Start weaning with soft vegetables that aren't sweet, such as broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, to help your little one get used to a range of tastes. You can then move on to mashed or blended fruits like banana, strawberries and peaches.
- From seven months old, introduce different tastes and textures, including things like yoghurt, mash potato (with a few small lumps), soft or shredded cooked meat, rice, pasta and well-cooked eggs
- Try to get fruits and vegetables into every meal as these contain lots of vitamins and minerals
- Always have snacks or ready made foods on hand when you’re out and about, as these can be useful when hunger strikes
- Let your toddler guide you on how much food they need and follow their hunger cues
You can find more information and advice on our Weaning Hub.
For little tummies
SMA Follow-on Baby Milk Powder Formula 6-12 Months^^
• Size: 800g
• No palm or fish oil
Want some help meeting your little one’s nutritional needs? SMA® Follow-on Baby Milk Powder Formula complements a varied weaning diet, with iron to help support normal cognitive development and iodine to help support normal growth.
For nutritional support
Cow & Gate 3 Toddler Milk†
• Size: 800g
• Suitable from 1 year old
• No palm oil or artificial preservatives†
Here for your baby’s journey into toddlerhood, this milk is nutritionally tailored to support their development. It’s enriched with calcium and vitamin D to support normal growth and development of bones, iron to support normal cognitive development, as well as vitamins A and C. From the age of one, try giving your toddler two 150ml beakers of toddler milk a day, as part of a varied, balanced diet.
For cleaning up messes
WaterWipes Original Plastic Free Baby Wipes Single Pack Textured
• Size: 60 wipes
• Plant-based††
• Plastic-free‡
When things get a little messy, whether it’s sticky hands and faces or food and drink spillages, reach for these gentle wipes. Made with just three ingredients, including 99.9% water and a drop of fruit and berry extract, these are kind to sensitive skin, leaving it feeling extra clean and fresh.
Help soothe sore throats, upset tummies & more
Once your toddler starts spending more time outside and playing with other children, they'll be exposed to more germs which may mean they are more likely to become unwell as their immune system continues to develop. So it’s completely normal for them to experience upset tummies, coughs, colds and more.
If you do have a poorly toddler, the best thing you can do is comfort them and try to help ease their symptoms (depending on what the problem is). If you’re unsure on anything, your health visitor, GP or pharmacist can give you advice on how to treat your toddler’s illness.
Some things to consider are:
- Giving them plenty of water to help make sure they stay hydrated
- Making sure they rest. Try to encourage them to doze off if they need to, even if it means reading them a story to help them
- Letting some fresh air into the room, as being too warm may make them feel worse
- Allowing them to find comfort in quiet games, stories or company
You can find more advice on our Children’s Health Hub.
For fever & pain relief
Nurofen for Children 3 months – 9 years Ibuprofen – Strawberry
• Size: 100ml
• Sugar free
• Strawberry flavour
From high temperatures to toothache and sore throats, this strawberry-flavoured liquid ibuprofen provides fever and pain relief that lasts for up to eight hours. Plus, it starts working in as little as 15 minutes, so you can help take their pain away when they need it most.
For babies and children aged three months and over, weighing more than 5kg, to nine years old. For short-term use only. Contains ibuprofen, always read the label.
