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    HomeGuidesAge Guide
    Infant (3-6 months)Toddler (1-3 years)
    6-12 months

    Safe Products for Babies (6-12 Months): Complete Guide

    Research-backed product recommendations for 6-12 month olds. Solid foods, mobility, and exploration safety.

    4 Product Categories
    18 min read
    Updated February 21, 2026

    The Quick Answer

    At 6-12 months, your baby is likely crawling, pulling to stand, and eating solid foods. Baby-proofing becomes critical. Choose safe feeding gear free of BPA/lead, secure furniture that can't tip, and create protected exploration zones.

    Developmental Stage: Baby

    Crawling, sitting, and first foods. Emphasis on baby-proofing and safe exploration.

    Key Milestones & Safety Implications

    1

    Sitting independently

    Ready for high chair without recline. Always use safety harness.

    Affects: Feeding
    2

    Crawling and cruising

    Full baby-proofing required. Gates, outlet covers, furniture anchors.

    Affects: Safety
    3

    Starting solid foods

    Feeding gear must be lead-free, BPA-free. Introduce allergens per AAP guidelines.

    Affects: Feeding
    4

    Pulling to stand

    Furniture tip-over risk increases. Anchor all heavy furniture.

    Affects: Safety
    5

    Pincer grasp developing

    Can pick up small objects. Choking hazard vigilance critical.

    Affects: Safety

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    Developmental Stage: Baby

    Crawling, sitting, and first foods. Emphasis on baby-proofing and safe exploration.

    Key Milestones & Safety Implications

    1

    Sitting independently

    Ready for high chair without recline. Always use safety harness.

    Affects: Feeding
    2

    Crawling and cruising

    Full baby-proofing required. Gates, outlet covers, furniture anchors.

    Affects: Safety
    3

    Starting solid foods

    Feeding gear must be lead-free, BPA-free. Introduce allergens per AAP guidelines.

    Affects: Feeding
    4

    Pulling to stand

    Furniture tip-over risk increases. Anchor all heavy furniture.

    Affects: Safety
    5

    Pincer grasp developing

    Can pick up small objects. Choking hazard vigilance critical.

    Affects: Safety

    Safety Priorities for Baby

    1

    Furniture Anchoring

    Tip-over deaths are preventable. Anchor ALL furniture over 30 inches tall.

    Furniture straps
    Anti-tip kits
    Wall anchors
    2

    Choking Prevention

    With pincer grasp, babies can pick up small objects. Constant vigilance required.

    Choke tube tester
    Floor-level cleaning routine
    Size-appropriate foods
    3

    Safe Feeding Practices

    New foods introduce allergen and choking risks. Follow AAP guidelines.

    Lead-free feeding gear
    Silicone utensils
    Suction bowls

    Product Recommendations

    High Chair
    6-12 months

    Now actively feeding. High chair is used multiple times daily.

    Top Pick
    Stokke Tripp Trapp with Baby Set
    8.8

    Stokke Tripp Trapp with Baby Set

    Stokke

    Pulls directly to table for family meals. Grows with child. GREENGUARD Gold certified wood.

    $269View Details
    Budget Pick
    IKEA Antilop High Chair
    8.0

    IKEA Antilop High Chair

    IKEA

    $25View Details
    Avoid at 6-12 months
    High chairs without 5-point harness
    Booster seats without secure attachment to chair
    Fabric seats that can't be fully removed for cleaning
    Feeding Supplies
    6-12 months

    Baby-led weaning or purees, you need safe dishware and utensils.

    Top Pick
    The Good Kiind Explorer Stainless Steel Lunch Box
    8.7

    The Good Kiind Explorer Stainless Steel Lunch Box

    The Good Kiind

    Stainless steel construction. No plastic touching food. Dishwasher safe.

    $100View Details
    Budget Pick
    LunchBots Cinco Stainless Steel
    8.6

    LunchBots Cinco Stainless Steel

    LunchBots

    $40View Details
    Avoid at 6-12 months
    Plates or bowls that can be thrown (injury, mess, negative mealtime association)
    Metal utensils for self-feeding (can injure gums)
    Ceramic dishes (breakage risk)
    Baby Gates
    6-12 months

    Mobile baby = baby-proofing essential. Hardware-mounted gates for stairs.

    Top Pick
    Munchkin Loft Hardware Mounted Gate
    8.2

    Munchkin Loft Hardware Mounted Gate

    Munchkin

    Hardware mounted (safest for stairs). Steel construction. Walk-through design for parents.

    $70View Details
    Budget Pick
    Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Gate
    7.5

    Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Gate

    Regalo

    $40View Details
    Avoid at 6-12 months
    Pressure-mounted gates at top of stairs
    Accordion-style gates (entrapment hazard, recalled)
    Gates with gaps larger than 2.5 inches
    Sunscreen (Now Appropriate)
    6-12 months

    At 6 months, mineral sunscreen is safe. Choose formulas designed for babies.

    Top Pick
    ThinkBaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
    9.1

    ThinkBaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50

    ThinkBaby

    Zinc-only formula (no chemical filters). EWG Verified. Fragrance-free.

    $17View Details
    Budget Pick
    Blue Lizard Baby Mineral SPF 50
    8.7

    Blue Lizard Baby Mineral SPF 50

    Blue Lizard

    $18View Details
    Avoid at 6-12 months
    Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, avobenzone)
    Spray sunscreens (inhalation risk)
    Sunscreens with fragrance

    What to Skip at 6-12 months

    Baby walker

    Still dangerous. AAP recommends against at any age.

    Honey

    Botulism risk for babies under 12 months.

    Round foods (whole grapes, hot dog coins)

    Major choking hazard. Cut lengthwise into strips.

    Transitioning to Toddler (1-3 years)
    • At 12 months, transition to whole milk (if no allergies). Discuss with pediatrician.
    • Around 12 months, most babies are ready for a forward-facing car seat. Check height/weight limits.
    • First birthday = many childproofing measures need updating as skills increase.
    • Toddler stage (1-3) brings running, climbing, and testing limits. Prepare accordingly!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & References

    AAP Choking PreventionCPSC Furniture Tip-Over SafetyAAP Infant Feeding Guidelines
    R

    Renee, R3 Founder

    •Pediatric Safety Researcher

    Lead researcher and founder of R3, dedicated to evidence-based product safety analysis.