Practical Items Every Foster Parent Should Have On Hand [For Babies And Toddlers]

**This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Well, you may have noticed that I haven’t been as active on the blog over the last couple of months. That’s because we’re back to fostering! (SURPRISE!) And as a matter of fact, it was a surprise to us too! We got a text on a Tuesday from a family I knew about 20 years ago asking if we still fostered. We had actually closed our license 5 years ago but I let them know they could give our name to the judge. Because we have a past connection, we would be considered ‘fictive kin’ so the judge (could) chose to place with us even without a license. Court was Wednesday. Kiddo arrived Thursday morning. So we had just 2 days to prepare!

Mom holding baby. Practical Items Every Foster Parent Should Have On Hand [For Babies And Toddlers].

Because this was a whirlwind placement we weren’t expecting, we didn’t have much gear anymore. Even though Ruby is only 2, she is most likely our last biological child so I had started getting rid of things. (We also had no intentions on fostering again before this call.) And as I began to restock our stash, I thought it would be beneficial to create a post for others looking to foster.

Practical Items Every Foster Parent Should Have On Hand [For Babies And Toddlers]

If you plan to foster infants and toddlers, I’m sharing some of the practical things I’ve felt are most beneficial to have on hand at all times. (And be sure to head over here to learn about my #1 sleep tip!) Let me know if there’s anything I missed that you think should be added to this list!

Thrifty Nifty Mommy

Sleeping Baby Zipadee-Zip Sleep Transition Swaddle

One of my BIGGEST tips when it comes to infants and toddlers is to GET THE ZIPADEE-ZIP! We call it magic. This little sleep sack is a swaddle transition and features a unique star-fish design that provides the perfect amount of stretch, room, and resistance to help kids feel safe, snug, and comfortable.

Designed as a sleep solution for babies from 2 through 24 months (although my kids have used much longer as the length and design is generous), our ‘Zippys’ are well loved in our home.

Buy It Here

Storkcraft

Graco Stella 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib with Bonus Mattress

With our first five biological children, we had the standard size crib. When we had Ruby, I didn't want such a big piece of furniture so I chose a mini crib for her and it was THE best decision ever! So when it came to our foster son, I knew I needed to get him the Graco Stella 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib too. Not only does it offer all the same benefits of a full-size crib, it takes up so much less space.

I especially love how the crib's adjustable mattress support base features 4 different height options, including an innovative "newborn" height setting to conveniently provide parents with easier access to their newborn. So it's perfect for babies fresh from the hospital all the way through toddlerhood. Ruby is 2 and is still loving her mini crib.

As a foster parent, I know you'll also appreciate the affordable price tag as well as the fact that this crib comes with a mini crib mattress!

And finally, this mini crib also converts from a mini crib into a daybed and twin-size bed with headboard & optional footboard (conversion kit sold separately).

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WildBird Ring Sling

Baby-wearing has been a lifesaver! I loved wearing our kiddos as well as our foster littles. Throughout our years of fostering, we had newborn all the way through age 11 so having a way to keep the little ones close while handling all the other tasks of the day helped make life a bit more manageable.

My favorite way to wear newborns is with WildBird's Ring Slings. These carriers are safe for babies from newborn all the way to 35 pounds. They allow you to wear baby on the front, hip, or back. Plus, they are compact and fit easily into a diaper bag!

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Tula Baby Mesh Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier Paradise

Tula Free To Grow Carrier

Once babies are about a month or two old, depending on size and strength; I love switching to a soft structured carrier and Tula is a favorite!

The Free-To-Grow carrier is designed for front facing in as well as back carry for infants and toddlers; 7-45 pounds. Available in a variety of gorgeous prints, I love the coastal paradise with blue and white florals.

Being able to have my hands free to complete tasks while also meeting the needs of our littles makes life so much easier. Our current foster son LOVES to be held. But at a year old, it's hard for me to make lunch, clean, and to all the other daily tasks with him physically in my arms. Being able to strap him in this Tula allows me to meet the needs of everyone in a safe, comfortable way. The breathable mesh panel is especially nice for air flow and slightly cooler wear.

If you're new to baby-wearing, there's a small learning curve on getting children on your back. I suggest watching a couple YouTube videos and then practice with a helper spotting. You'll get it in no time and will wonder why you didn't baby wear sooner!

You can also shop Tula on Amazon.

Use the discount code 'ThriftyNifty15' to save 15% on your order!

Buy It Here

The California Beach Co.

Pop ‘N Go Playpen

I used to have the Pop 'N Go Playpen a couple years ago and it was so amazing that I just had to get another after we got our foster son. This isn't your ordinary playpen. It's lightweight, portable, easy to use, and even comes with a UV protection sun shade! My favorite feature is that it's also bug free as the netting zips up tight to prevent those pesky mosquitos and other bugs from getting in.

Made for both indoor and outdoor use, this playpen is HUGE! It measures in at 59" (W) x 48" (H), making it perfect for multiple children. Setup takes just seconds and it even comes with stakes to secure it on breezy days. Getting toddlers in and out is super easy as there's a side zipper that can be opened for wide access. And because of the generous size, parents can even crawl in to play with baby too!

Often times, we've found our foster loves to need pretty constant watching and having a piece of equipment like The California Beach Co.'s Pop 'N Go Playpen helps a ton. We have a garage sale coming up and I know it's going to be the perfect place for our daughter and foster son to play while staying safe and secure.

And once you have this playpen, be sure to check out the playmat accessory (also available on Amaon) too. This can be placed under the playpen or used as a standalone for a softer place to play.

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Thule Urban Glide 3 (Single Or Double) All Terrain Stroller

A high quality stroller can become a lifeline of sorts. Being able to get out becomes trickier when you add fostering to the mix. Having a great stroller where kids can be safely strapped in is important.

I love the Thule Urban Glide 3, which is available as a single or double. This stroller makes it so I can even take the kids out for walks on our gravel roads with ease. The sun shade is HUGE, and offers full coverage protection. The cargo basket features a zip and velcro closure to keep items safe and secure. The brake is flip flop friendly (which I love because I live in sandals all summer long)! It's just an all-around great full-size stroller.

Visit my full Thule Urban Glide 3 Double Stroller Review to learn more.

Buy It On Amazon

Comotomo

Comotomo Baby Bottle Bundle

With over 25 foster children in our home to date, and several of them being infants, not one came with bottles or formula. So having options on hand is essential.

Comotomo’s beloved bottles feature an innovative and sensible design to most closely mimic breastfeeding – making it easier to transition from nursing to bottle-feeding. This becomes extra important when an infant who has never used a bottle before shows up on my doorstep. Although they also work well for strictly bottle-fed babies as well.

I love this set as it comes with everything I need with a new placement: two (5 ounce) bottles, two (8 ounce) bottles, and three sets of replacement nipples for a variety of stages (0-3 months, 3 months+, and 6 months+). These bottles are easy to clean, durable, and never leak.

Buy It On Amazon

Lansinoh

Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave Nipple

Having a couple bottle options on hand is a must because if a baby comes and refuses to eat, everyone is miserable. The Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave Nipple is another great option.

With fewer parts, making it easier to use and clean, these bottles tend to work well for all babies, including those who were being breastfed. The Air Ventilation System (AVS) reduces intake of air, a potential cause of colic or spit up; which any parent or foster parent will appreciate.

Lansinoh is a trusted brand and when it comes to high quality products to keep on hand; they are a great choice.

Buy It On Amazon

Little Unicorn

Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blanket 3 Pack – Party Animals

These 100% premium cotton muslin swaddles are soft on baby's skin and then become the perfect security blanket for toddlerhood. Measuring in at 47" by 47", Little Unicorn swaddles work well for snuggling newborns and helping them feel safe and calm. The open, premium weave of this muslin allows for improved airflow to reduce the risk of overheating and better regulate baby's temperature while asleep.

I'm a huge fan of these swaddles as they are multi-purpose. I've used them as carseat covers, nursing covers (when breastfeeding my bios), swaddles to cocoon a baby, burp cloth, blanket to snuggle a toddler with on the couch, and more. They are super lightweight and easy to pack in the diaper bag too. Definitely a must-have for anyone with a baby or toddler.

Buy It Here

Paperclip

Thermogenic Silicone Dinnerware Set

Appropriate dinnerware is a must for our foster littles and I'm so glad the days of uncertainty surrounding the temperature of your child’s food are long gone! Check out the brand new Thermogenic Silicone Dinnerware from Paperclip!

The first and only of their kind, these dishes and silverware are made with heat-reactive silicone that changes color when the food that touches them is heated up, which provides caregivers peace of mind during feeding time. No more guessing if the food is at a safe temp for the littles to dig into. Your dinnerware lets you know at a glance.

Not to mention, every product from the Paperclip Feeding line comes with a reusable Snack Stash Bag! Snacks are LIFE to most toddlers but often time, kids come into foster care with food insecurities. So having these awesome reusable snack bags prepped and available for the kids to grab whenever they want is awesome.

Check out the Paperclip website to learn more.

Buy It On Amazon

Mommy’s Bliss

Mommy’s Bliss Newborn Essentials Set

Having a newborn can be hard. But welcoming a newborn you have no information or background on can be extremely difficult. And when that little one is having a hard day, this Mommy's Bliss Newborn Essentials Kit is the perfect toolkit to have on hand. (Our Ruby was colic for 6+ months and I wish I had this back then!)

This set contains Mommy’s Bliss four most popular products – Gripe Water, Vitamin D Drops, Gas Relief, and Saline Drops/Spray.

These newborn must-haves are the most-requested rescues for those early days with safe and trusted solutions for baby's tummy troubles, sniffles, and everyday wellness. They are tried, true, and come highly recommended by moms everywhere.

Buy It On Amazon

Mommy’s Bliss

Baby Eczema Ease

One brutal truth about foster care is that, often times, the parents are looking for things to nit-pick. So whenever any of our foster kiddos have even the slightest skin irritation or rash, I try to be proactive and put something on it. This Baby Eczema Ease lotion is thick but so easy to rub in. It's a great choice for dry patches, eczema, and to use as a daily skin protectant.

Buy It On Amazon

Mommy’s Bliss

Organic Little Gums Soothing Massage Gel

Designed for babies 2 months and up, this gel is a lifesaver for teething kiddos (and tired moms)!

Created for moms, by moms, this set includes two tubes: one for day time, one for night time, each with their own formulas to best help your little one.

Both options contain all-organic ingredients like vanilla powder, ginger extract, fennel extract, chamomile and thyme; it does not include belladonna, alcohol or parabens, benzocaine, artificial colors or flavors. (No numbing or cooling, either.)

Buy It On Amazon

Stonz Wear

Roamer

During our foster journey, I have had kids as old as preschool show up on our doorstep with the clothes on their backs, no shoes or coat in sight. So having a few pairs of quality, gender neutral shoes on hand has been extremely helpful.

The new Stonz Roamer shoes are the ultimate choice for sun-soaked beach days or fun at the park. These durable summer shoes are comfortable and stylish footwear and help protect little feet but also have a barefoot feeling.

I have these shoes for our toddler as well as our current foster love and they are 100% amazing. Be sure to check them out along with Stonz Cruiser Sneakers!

Buy It Here

Little Bible Stories

Little Bible Stories Speaker

I'm a huge fan of scree-free fun and this little speaker is a great option. Our faith has played a big part of why we chose to foster in the first place and being able to share Bible stories in an engaging way is important to us.

This speaker allows kids to spend hours listening to the captivating stories of the Bible that teach about God’s love, power, and plan. Kids will also learn valuable lessons such as courage, faith, obedience, and kindness.

Geared for ages 3-10, this speaker comes with over 30 classic Bible tales, 12 prayers, and 8 songs. But you can also grab The Great Classics and More Jesus, Please duo for 20 must-have additional stories about courage, holiness and heroes of the faith. Downloadable audio file to add to your speaker – instant access.

Buy It Here

Ouch Baby Flower Edition Swaddle Blankets.

Amazon

Bamboo Muslin Cotton Blankets

Our current little guy LOVES lightweight bamboo muslin cotton swaddle style blankets and carries them around everywhere. They are lightweight and he finds comfort by chewing on the corners. (I know, I know. Not my favorite thing to have him do this but when it comes to children and finding things that help them deal with chance and trauma, you just roll with it.)

Measuring in at 47" x 47", these blankets are generously sized to swaddle newborns and are also nice options for draping over a carseat or stroller as a sun or privacy cover.

I love how soft these blankets are and they are a great quality too. The patterns are adorable and these are a must-have in my book.

Buy It On Amazon

Muslin Quilt Blanket

As I mentioned above, blankets can become extremely important to kids; and are a good source of constant comfort. The muslin quilt blankets from Ouch Baby Store are pretty awesome. I love the neutral prints and 45" x 50" size.

Breathable, soft, cozy, and cute; each blanket is made with four layers of high-quality, breathable cotton muslin. Think beyond bedtime as these blankets are a good option for play as well as on-the-go needs too.

Machine washable for easy cleaning, my kids adore these blankets.

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Ouch Baby Store Adjustable Swaddle Wraps

Swaddling mimics the feeling of being in the womb and is an important tool to use for most babies. And effortless swaddling makes nighttime much easier and these adjustable swaddle wraps work well for newborns. Geared for 0-3 months, they allow you to achieve a snug, secure fit every time. With velcro closure wings, it takes just seconds to cocoon the baby.

Crafted from 100% premium muslin cotton, I find muslin swaddle wraps to be as soft as they are breathable. Super easy to use, they are also small and packable for overnight trips and daytime naps when not at home.

Buy It On Amazon

Little Spoon

Organic Rice Free Puffs

Often times, foster children come with food insecurities. (Sadly, we've even seen this to include infants and toddlers.) So having a variety of healthy snacks on hand at all times is a must.

We love Little Spoon's options, especially their new line of puffs! These meltable, graspable, organic baby puffs are made with only 6 ingredients. Built with experts for independent eating + motor skill development.

Our current little foster love adores these snacks and I love how mess-free they are. Plus, Little Spoon offers subscriptions so you'll always have these healthy, yummy snacks on hand with no worries of running out.

Get $35 off your first order with the code: April35!

Ordering is easy. Just sign up, curate your order to include the foods and snacks you prefer and Little Spoon will prep your order + deliver it to your front door. Pause, edit, skip or cancel anytime. It’s that easy.

Buy It Here

Little Spoon

Little Spoon Smoothies

In addition to Little Spoon's new puffs, my kids LOVE their Smoothies! These fresh blends are absolutely delicious and great for all ages. (My older kids sneak them every chance they get!) So these would be a really good, healthy option to keep on hand for any age. I like to freeze them upon arrival and toss in the cooler when we're heading out for the day. They work as an ice pack and are thawed by lunchtime.

They are great for on-the-go healthy snacking and feature hidden veggies + superfoods. These smoothies are certified organic, contain nothing artificial, and have no added sugar.

Don't forget to use the code April35 for $35 off your first order!

Buy It Here

These are the basic necessities I recommend having on hand for anyone looking to foster littles ones. And while some people favor devices (swings, bouncers, etc.) for ‘holding’ babies, I find them to be extras and not necessarily a must. Often times, a baby wants close comfort, which is why a carrier is a great answer. As babies grow, having them play on the floor is a safe way to encourage development and allows for movement and practicing rolling.