CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Coming up with unique holiday gift ideas might be a challenge for some, but there are many fun options to consider when shopping for families with babies and toddlers this year.
Claire Tibbs opened Peach Fuzz in 2018, a shop specializing in products for babies and young children, located at 1005 N. California Ave.
She said there are plenty of baby items this holiday season that could be useful for the wintertime including '"the super popular" matching Mama and Mini winter hats; the thick, insulated warmmuffs that attach to a stroller; and stroller and car seat covers.
"They have them in this kind of teddy sherpa fabric and they flip right over the car seat and are perfect," Tibbs said of car seat covers.
"Since you can't have a baby in a snowsuit necessarily while they're buckled in a car seat, they're perfect because you can keep the baby in minimal layers and then keep them cozy with that top layer."
She also said that Chicago-themed items such as onesies, hats, and books are good. "Anything that feels Chicago specific-I think people love giving that sense of pride to new little ones."
For younger infants, Tibbs recommends teething toys that also turn into rattles as well as Tummy Time Peekaboo, a product that helps babies strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles while also aiding in visual development with art cards.
Toy musical instruments are a favorite for older babies that are transitioning into toddlers including drums sets, xylophones, as well as a mini acoustic guitar that comes with flashcards and an app that teaches children how to play songs.
For those looking for gifts that encourage learning and brain development, Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais, a pediatrician with Pediatric Health Associates in Naperville, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine highly recommends books.
"That is my #1 piece of advice. Even duplicate board books are great because then a family can ensure there are books in each part of the home," she shared with WBBM.
"There is overwhelming evidence that surrounding a child with the written word, as well as verbal communication, boosts a child’s literacy leading to empathy skills and academic success as the years go on."
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