Six years ago when I found out I was going to become a grandmother for the first time, one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to make visits to our home as easy as possible for our Grandson (and their parents!). I headed out to purchase many basic baby gear items which not only included a highchair, but a crib and mattress, a swing, baby bathtub, stroller, car seat, sound machine, outlet covers, thermometer, diapers and more. You can click here, for an article from AARP about keeping your grandchildren safe at home. I also purchased a cute tote to use as a diaper bag, because what Grandma doesn’t like to shop or visit the neighborhood playground? Every Grandparent situation is unique. The amount of time you get to spend together, their ages, their location, etc. but we still want to be the best, and most prepared Grandma that we know how to be.
Our first Grandson Bentley is now six years old and I’m still using the same baby items for the 4 Grandchildren born after him. All the baby gear I’ve purchased has held up extremely well and are used almost daily.
There’s one item I really want to share with you. It’s the highchair my daughter bought for her son and daughter. With our daughter being an Occupational Therapist working in pediatrics, it was important for her to find a highchair she felt could provide the proper support for babies while eating their first foods. Her research led her to the Ikea Antilop high chair! You won’t find a parent or grandparent who complains about the $20 price tag!
Feeding experts say a footrest is one of the keys to a good eating experience for kids (and adults, for that matter). Foot rests help babies and toddlers feel more secure and stable. While the Ikea Antilop high chair doesn’t come with a footrest, our daughter researched and found a baby company that specializes in customizing your Ikea highchair! The company offers an adjustable footrest that easily attaches to the highchair to provide foot support and proper posture while eating, which also makes them feel more comfortable and more interested in eating. Additionally, you can purchase a cushion from them that provides the proper support for babies and toddlers, again encouraging a safe eating posture. The cushions are available in many different colors and adorable patterns. You'll want more than one!
If you’re looking for a great resource on introducing food to your Grandchild for the first time, or a really picky toddler (we all have them), Feeding Littles is an amazing resource to help guide you and your family. You can also find them on InstaGram with over 1 million followers! We all know how important nutrition is, that's why you may want to consider this Yumi subscription service. It takes away the stressful thinking and planning of baby's meals. The Yumi tubs can also be kept frozen until you're ready to use them. If you missed Gigi Susie's post on making your own healthy baby food, be sure to read her post here!
I realize the baby gear items you'll want to have on hand will more than likely change over time as the Grandkids grow older. However, keeping things such as spare toys, books, or puzzles will make visits run more smoothly and the items listed may be a great place to start.
There's no place like home, except Grandma's!
xoxoxo,
Mimi Jackie
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