(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best toddler feeding supplies

Sophie - some friends of ours tried the Infantino ones and ended up with Sophie in the end but it may be worth a shot. It's as much about all the different shapes Sophie offers as the texture - the legs are great to get in when they are smaller, and for back teeth; the back/body is good for the middle/side teeth, etc. Sophie was good/easy to position from 4+ months, now at 7 months she rotates it to whatever part she wants herself.

We got one of these in our 7 month bluum box and our baby likes it a lot. I'm not sure it would have been as useful at 4 months, but it might be worth a try. http://smile.amazon.com/Baby-Teether-Ball-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001A67AE2/

Also these spoons she teethes on a lot (you might be able to find similar silicon spoons for cheaper). Bonus helped her learn to use spoons, was something we could do with her at the dinner table, and she learned how far not to put spoons in her mouth. ;) http://smile.amazon.com/BEABA-First-Silicone-Spoons-Sorbet/dp/B00HU7DLBG/

This Elmo toy has big hand teething surfaces that have been popular (we also have a kitty toy that's similar). http://smile.amazon.com/Sesame-Street-Teether-Baby-Rattle/dp/B0035ER5DS/

This Green Toys toy is cool but seems to come and go in popularity for teething specifically (she still plays with it) - seems the softer stuff is more interesting this round (she's got two bottoms and is getting sides/tops). http://smile.amazon.com/Green-Toys-Twist-Teether-Colors/dp/B004KT82AM/

We have a couple of freezer toys that she gives the sideye to and doesn't seem to like, but this one she seems to like: http://smile.amazon.com/Nuby-Silicone-Teether-Bristles-Colors/dp/B005LETP1A/

I was in the process of weaning her in general, around 14 months. I had already dropped a day feeding, and replaced it with a sippy of milk. Back then she was only waking up once a night for boob.

So one evening, I decided that instead of offering her boob, I'd instead give her a drink of water. I picked her up and handed her a cup. She happily drank from it, and I laid her back down to no fuss. The next day I figured I'd just put the cup in her crib. From day one, I have kept the cup in the same corner of her crib so she knows where it is. Initially I made a big deal of making sure she knew it was in there, where it was, and how she can get a drink herself if she's thirsty at night.

She picked up on it immediately, and I slept through the night for the first time (I think, at least in a long time) that night. Now I see her wake up and sit up on the baby monitor, but she usually just goes ot her cup, get a drink, and lays back down. For a while she snuggled with it, which was cute lol.

I think though she was more ready to wean than I was. She didn't fight it at all. Like she liked it when I offered boob, but didn't freak out when I'd give her a sippy of milk or water instead. She didn't grab my boobs or beg for it. I feel like I lucked out.

In case you're curious, these are the kind of sippy cups I use now for her crib. I figured out these are the best after some trial and error (aka a few days of water all over her crib due to her outsmarting those 360 cups). I recommend against the ones with the rubbery handles if you have a chewer like my kid. She started gnawing off the rubber part of the handles, so I had to switch to the hard plastic ones without handles.

Juice box holders (link)

We occasionally give my daughter juice boxes or milk cartons, and these save a ton of mess from accidental squeezing!

We also bought a little toddler sized table/chair set from amazon. We bought it for coloring and stuff like that, but ended up eating at it as a family pretty frequently because it was a better size for my daughter and less hassle than a high chair in our tiny kitchen.

ETA also we have a few of these My Busy Books that my daughter loves. They have them for tons of shows, they come with 12 characters and a play mat (not super high quality but she's 2, so...) and she'll play with them for hours!

Control-Fed to see if anyone had mentioned this and they haven't-- "The Happiest Baby On The Block," by Dr. Harvey Karp. I can't imagine what the first six months would have been like for us without it. I still shhhhhh my baby to sooth her at almost 15 months, and it still works. Find a radio station with the flattest static you can, and play it for her, all night long. It'll sooth her and block out background noises that may disturb her. To be honest, the rest of the book wouldn't be very helpful for you now since it's meant for newborns, but the white noise may still work.

If you're this stressed out, your baby can probably sense it. I'm certainly not trying to guilt you more; it's just a really nasty vicious circle. I'm not nearly as at the end of my rope as you sound, but I also work, so I get a 10 hour break every day from my kid, which probably goes a long way. Like you, our families are not close, and we don't really have any friends in the area; in my case, my husband works a LOT so it's often just me and the baby.

Everyone keeps telling me to join a meet up group of moms. I haven't found one yet that meets on weekends, but you seem to be a stay at home mom and it might be easier for you. Also, if you can afford it, something like Gymboree where you can make mom friends and get a change of setting.

Good luck, and hang in there.

Edit: Re: bottles: Some babies don't like bottles at all, they will drink from spoons, or just go straight to cups. Try a straw sippy cup, like this one-- my kiddo's been on them since about 10 months.

Idk if you're into glass sippy cups (with a protective sleeve) but someone here recommended the Green Sprouts glass sippy and we use the straw. It's great! It felt hard to get water out of at first but I realized that it's designed for baby to put all the way in her mouth, and then it's super easy (instead of just sipping on the tip like adults do). Also it doesn't leak and it's fine if she tosses it on the floor. https://www.amazon.com/Green-Sprouts-Glass-Straw-Ounce/dp/B00GD0YFWU

You can put notes on your registries emphasizing that you have a very small space. I emphasized this with my family, and my mom knows not to buy any large toys for the baby, or they're staying at her house. So far, so good. IDK if you drive and need a car seat, but if you do Graco makes a portable swing that works with their SnugRide seat. I have a small (but not 500 sq ft!) 1 bedroom, and if it weren't for this I wouldn't have a swing since those things are massive.

http://www.toysrus.com/buy/portable-swing/graco-snugglider-infant-car-seat-swing-frame-2583976

I was gifted this for when LO is a little older- http://www.amazon.com/Combi-Walker-Table-Chairs-Green/dp/B00J69XI8C/ref=br_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&colid=J87WI33E0ION&coliid=I3MA01C2BDVCZR

It may be too much for your space, but I like that it changes and grows with the baby. There are also bouncy swings and things that hang in doorframes.

Good luck! Friends of mine have a 300 sq ft studio in Manhattan, I'm always amazed at their storage solutions.

Lol glad to help! I have definitely hi-jacked my son's cups before and had them in bed with me. Especially if you're also having snacks ;) Netflix and headphones ftw. My fiance makes fun of me when he sees me drinking out of it. I think the fact that it's for babies makes it weird for him haha like I'm too old to be using it or something. NONSENSE!


These are the adult ones I saw on Amazon, I haven't tried them though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVHXV47/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FaKXBbFHJTWRB


Something about faster flow for adults haha

I bought one of these https://www.amazon.com/Nuby-Garden-Silicone-Squeeze-Hygienic/dp/B00JKG4QKU?th=1 I started by putting stage 2 foods in it with a little extra water so it still has chunks but its easier to swallow. SUCCESS! He loves this! Plus it makes feeding way easier. Since we started that he somehow got the hang of eating and is up to 10 oz a day. Daycare and my husband are now able to feed him Stage 2 with a spoon and bowl and no vomiting or gagging. He still can't do puffs but hopefully that will come soon

I would try 3 things:

1. Can she use a straw? If she can they make spill proof straw cups that you can use. My daughter prefers to use straw cups to sippy cups. Not sure why but she learned to use a straw before a sippy cup.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-Spill-Proof-Tumbler-Sprinkles-Persian/dp/B07DK3G4NC/ref=asc_df_B07DK3G4NC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312126077698&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12881538063190876022&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-574262712450&psc=1
   
   
   
2. We used the nuk bottles with the sippy lid for a while to help her transition. Not sure if you have tried these ones or not but they look like bottles visually but the nipple is shaped more like a sippy.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/NUK-Disney-Large-Learner-Mickey/dp/B079H8S5TK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=nuk+sippy&qid=1570892149&sr=8-3
   
   
3. Try helping her drink out of regular cups. She might think it's cool to drink like the grownups. We started showing our daughter how to do this with help at about 18mo and once she seemed to understand the concept we bought her little plastic shot glass sized cups with cartoon characters on them. Now 6 months later she can do it on her own with supervision. She is still not trustworthy 100% because she thinks it's funny to dump them on purpose but she is probably 90% trustworthy not to spill it accidentally while drinking from it.

I have 16 months old twins. They are usually pretty well behaved when we go out to dinner. I don't let them run around or anything, but they tend to be messy. Being a former server I know that sense of dread when you see the family comes in with two toddlers.

I do a few things to help lessen the toddler impact: I bring some crackers with me so they don't freak out waiting for food. I'll play peekaboo or some other toddler friendly game to keep their mind off of being strapped to a high chair with nothing better to do. I clean up after them. Being the toddlers they are they tend to drop food on the floor. I try my best to get as much of that up as I can without actually moving the table and chairs. I bring disposable placemats like these because if they are given a plate there is a good chance it will be broken by the end of our meal. Last, but not least, I tip well.

1. I really like to mix peanut butter and plain greek yogurt together. Using it as a dip, it tastes great with apple slices and other fruits. It's healthy, the right amount of sugar and simple to make!
   
   
2. I pack a lunch almost everyday for work and school and I would love to have this sandwich cutter! It would be fun for my preschoolers to see and make lunch time more fun!
   
   
3. Feed the pregnant lady.

Not sure if this is the type of top you’re looking for: Philips Avent My Natural Trainer Sippy Cup, Clear, 5oz, 1pk, SCF262/03 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075GXMNLL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x6zDCbY7DY12H

We used this sippy cup when my daughter was 4 months old. Ultimately we switched to the munchkin 360 cup which we loved! Good luck :-)

One thing that may help...something that I've found particularly effective...is a matter-of-factish handling of things. "Oh, no no tiger, you're too little to use that/do that/see that...here, let mommy help you!"

If you don't already have some, try picking up some themed kids dishes that's something he likes like this for example and have him eat from those. The key is to do it as if it is perfectly normal and natural. Perhaps a couple of different kinds and let him pick...."okay little one, it's almost dinner time...do you want Batman or Superman? Or maybe dinosaurs?"

The shyness stems from a sense of "this isn't normal/I shouldn't feel like this/this is wrong", undoubtedly. By being "matter-of-fact"ish about it, you're showing that it's not only NOT WRONG, it's normal and you fully support it.

Good luck!

We tried a lot of different ones bc my son basically self-fed from the very start (he wouldn't let anyone spoonfeed him, it was super frustrating). Anyway, these Playtex ones are by FAR my favourite. They're a good weight, perfect size, durable, inexpensive, and the fork is the only one we've had that was "sharp" enough to actually pierce foods, but the tines are wide and rounded enough that they could never hurt themselves. At almost 2 years old, they're still perfect so they age really well.

We had good luck with [this cup](Philips Avent My Little Sippy Cup, Pink/Purple, 7oz, 2 piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4QRALT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qwDSAbNZPGCQ9) and just leaving milk out. Kinda squishy top and the handles are easy to grasp. Good luck. Hang in there mama.

We use the Munchkin straw cup a lot but it leaks quite a bit. We also use these Munchkin ones and they barely leak and can really take a hard impact when my kid chucks them across the room. They’re super easy to clean too. I wish I could get him to use them all the time but sometimes he just wants a straw.

LollaCup!

Originally tried it because my LO was having issues using a regular sippy as well and I got a recommendation from a nurse for this one. I used one for about 6 months but tired of constantly washing, so I put it on the Christmas list and got another for my LO. The weighted straw means he gets every last bit out of the cup.

Not 100% leakproof, but neither were any others I tried. Dishwasher safe. BPA Free. Fun colors. Durable. And if you forget it when you head out to eat, your LO will know how to use a straw and can still effectively drink from any cup with a plastic disposable straw.

I found the cup with the Giraffe and Lion. Posting here to save others time in searching.

Image #4: https://www.amazon.com/PLAYTIME-INSULATED-SPILL-PROOF-Jungle-Ferris/dp/B01MR80RW3

Yes, I submitted the information. If the image is still there in a few days I'll resubmit to make sure.

We used a shot glass, and then moved on to a 360 cup for being out and about. He is 16 months and now drinks from a juice glass in addition to his 360 cups. I heard great things about these cups for training them to deal with the tilting of the glass, but we never got around to getting one and now he is definitely past ti.

This is the one we used to transition. My daughter really liked it.

https://www.amazon.com/NUK-Disney-Large-Learner-Mickey/dp/B079H8S5TK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=DTJBG38GEFPQ&keywords=nuk+sippy+cups&qid=1571366573&sprefix=nuk%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-3

It's such a weird looking thing! It's an open cup which is tilted to make it easier for baby to learn to use themselves as they don't need to tip it as far. Also easier for you to hold and tip for her. Not sure where you are but this is a usa link. You can get them here in the UK too.

http://www.amazon.com/Bickiepegs-Doidy-Cup-Red-color/dp/B001298VTU

To prevent the pouches from erupting like a volcano this helped....


EasyPouch Independence - The No Squeeze, No Mess, self feeding utensil for baby food pouches. [2 Pack] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8NKKZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.6Y2DbZA67FR3

It's basically like a Tupperware that fits around the pouch. This way I could hand the pouch to my son without him squeezing the contents everywhere.

These changed our lives. I have probably recommended these to 100 people now! http://smile.amazon.com/EasyPouch-Independence-Squeeze-feeding-pouches/dp/B00F8NKKZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453180724&sr=8-1&keywords=pouch+holder

This is a 'Playtex' insulated 9oz cup in 'jungle/green'
They are sold in Walmart and Amazon, maybe other places.

See the 4th image.

https://www.amazon.com/PLAYTIME-INSULATED-SPILL-PROOF-Jungle-Ferris/dp/B01MR80RW3#immersive-view_1571757234709

Also here

https://www.amazon.com/PLAYTIME-INSULATED-SPILL-PROOF-Jungle-Ferris/dp/B01MR80RW3