Essential items for 1-year olds
- S
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Best for sleep
Ergoupouch
Ergopuch sleep sacks keep your little one cozy year-round without the worry of loose blankets.
Best for Feeding
Subo Bottles
Subo bottle make smoothies, porridge or yoghurt easy and mess-free, perfect for on the go.
Best for Play
Soft Play
Soft play blocks are endless fun. Stack, climb, slide or build imaginative creations
Essential Items for a 1-Year-Old: Tried, Tested & Totally Worth It
If you’ve got a one-year-old (or 2 one-year-olds), here’s a roundup of the absolute essentials that make everyday life smoother, calmer, and a little more fun. These are all products we personally use and love for our girls, and I’ve added my affiliate links so you can shop straight from here if anything catches your eye!
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links. #CommissionsEarned
😴 SLEEP ESSENTIALS FOR 1 YEAR OLDS
🛏️ Ergopouches (TOG 1.0, 2.5 & 3.5)
These zip-up sleep sacks are a lifesaver. We use lighter TOGs (1.0) in warmer weather, 2.5 for the in-between seasons, and 3.5 when it gets cold. They’re breathable, soft, and reduce the need for loose bedding. Putting our sleep sacks on has become part of our bedtime routine and means there is no guessing if they have kicked the covers off. 👉 Shop Ergopouches here
🎵 White Noise Machine
A consistent white noise machine helps block out sudden sounds and creates a soothing sleep environment. Ours runs all night, every night. We chose as portable option so that when it isn't living in their rooms, it can come with us on car trips and big days out where we might need some sleep aid and sound blocking 👉 See our favourite white noise machine here
🧸 Comforter (We love Jellycat Bunnies!)
A snuggly soft comforter like the Jellycat Bunny can become a calming bedtime companion and it's so cute too. All 3 of our girls have a Jelly cat bunny. They are soft and beautiful quality and can be washed over and over.👉 Get a Jellycat Bunny comforter here
🍽️ FEEDING ESSENTIALS FOR 1 YEAR OLDS
🍼 Subo Bottles
Self-feeding without the mess! These bottles are perfect for smoothies, porridge or yoghurt; no squeezing, no spills. We take them in the car for breakfast smoothies on the go and they make life so much less messy! 👉 Get a Subo bottle here
🧼 Silicone Bibs with Food Catcher
Say goodbye to endless outfit changes. These flexible silicone bibs catch the mess before it hits the floor (or lap) and serves as a handy snack pocket 10 minutes later.👉 Shop silicone bibs here
🍱 Snack Boxes We love bento-style snack boxes with compartments. Perfect for daycare, outings or keeping snacks fresh on the go. Big points for layered styles with sandwhiches on top and surprise snacks underneath!👉 Check out our go-to snack boxes here
🧸 PLAY | BEST TOYS FOR 1 YEAR OLDS
🧱 Soft Play Blocks
Build, climb, topple then repeat. These blocks are great for safe indoor fun and motor development. We use them every day for obstacle courses, slides, booster seats, making castles, pretend cafes, you name it, the soft blocks can do it👉 Grab soft play blocks here
🚼 Baby Doll & Pram Set
Role play starts early. A simple doll and pram combo encourages nurturing, imaginative play. Bonus points for a cot, high chair or other baby accessories👉 Shop the baby + pram here
🥚 Colour & Shape Eggs
Perfect for little hands, these eggs help teach colour and shape matching in a fun, tactile way. Did I say, endless hours of distraction? They love matching them together and then pulling them all apart again. The age recommendation says 3+ but I am going to agree to disagree with them on that one, my one year olds cannot get enough of these.👉 Get the shape-matching eggs here
🎨 Toddler Desk, Chair, Colouring Books & Pencils
Give them their own “workspace” to draw, scribble, and play quietly. It’s one of the best things we’ve set up in our home.👉 Browse toddler desks here
🎒 GENERAL & EVERY DAY BABY MUST HAVES
👜 Backpack Nappy Bag A stylish and super practical choice for busy parents. Backpack-style nappy bags free up your hands and carry everything you need. You will never go back once you are hands free and have nothing hanging on or stuffed under your pram with a backpack style nappy bag 👉 Find a great backpack nappy bag here
That’s it, mama. My 1-year-old must-haves, straight from the trenches of teething, snack flinging, and bedtime negotiations x 2. Whether you’re stocking up for your own bub or buying for a friend, I hope this list helps make life a little easier (and a lot less messy). If you do shop through my links, thank you from the bottom of my sleep-deprived heart! Now excuse me while I go reheat my coffee for the third time today
Let me know if you try any of these essentials, and feel free to pass this on to another parent who might need a few helpful finds 💛 Love, S xx
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