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Baby clothing
Dressing your toddler from 12 to 18 months

From around 12 months your toddler may start to walk or toddle around the furniture - an exciting milestone for you and your child. It also opens a new world for your child to touch, move, grab and investigate items at a new level! Safety is always an important consideration with children around but with many new objects to grasp it might be time to move more precious items to a higher level or completely take them away from inquisitive fingers.
Another safety hazard can be wooden floors – now frequent found in many homes and ‘new walkers’ are experts at slipping over. The right socks with anti - slip toes or soft, little walker shoes can provide a better grip to help with this problem and at the same time keep your little ones toes nice and warm.

From 16 months + your toddler is starting to become her own little person and keen to be independent and do things her own way – including dressing! If time permits allow her to do what she can herself – taking off clothing is of course much easier than putting on! From 18 months to 2 years your toddler can start to do some dressing but still needs your help and encouragement.

Clothing needs at this stage:

Your toddler requires clothing, which allows freedom to move, that are easy for dressing and also washing. You will need extra supplies for frequent accidents; whether from food, drinks or leaking nappies when out and about.

Cotton is ideal for next to your baby’s skin, providing comfort and warmth during the day and night - plus helps prevent unnecessary irritation if your child is prone to dry skin or eczema.

Joggers, t-shirts, jumpers with hoods and zip fleeces are all extremely easy clothing for whatever the weather may and useful as hand me downs for your next child as suitable for boys or girls.

Waterproofs coat and Wellington boots - for outdoor play and fun. Wet weather should not stop outdoor play and toddlers love it – so long as they feel protected, warm and dry. Once your child is walking an afternoon stroll in the park (reins and harness can be helpful) wearing waterproof coat and Wellington boots can protect your toddler from unexpected trips or falls whilst helping to keep him cosy and dry.

For the warmer weather – invest in sun hats with wide brims and long sleeved t–shirts plus baby/child sunglasses with full UV protection. Babies and toddlers need to wear sunglasses, as children’s pupils are much larger than ours so much more sensitive to sunlight (much more light can enter the eyes) - so try to get sunglasses with full protection and that fit well.

Bibs and overalls for meal times – still messy at times but essential for home and trips out to keep clothing dry and reasonable clean – well for a short while anyway!

Pyjamas and dressing gown – more grown up nightwear and helpful for bedtimes routines as allows easy movement but the using a dressing gown helps keep your toddler warm at story time and just after his bath time.