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The first years of a child’s life bring tremendous growth in every area — from a helpless newborn to an inquisitive toddler exploring the world. This period lays the foundation for the future. In this blog, educational psychologist and author Loes Waanders walks you through four essential developmental areas for children aged 0 to 4: physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and speech and language development. Observe Your Own Child Before diving in, remember: every child develops at their own pace. The internet is full of well-meaning advice, which can sometimes be helpful, but also overwhelming. If your child isn’t walking “on time,” it might make you feel anxious. Know that your child follows their own unique path. What your child needs most is a calm, confident parent — not one pushing them to meet arbitrary milestones. Let this blog be an inspiration, not a checklist. 1. Physical Development At birth, a baby is completely dependent on you. In the early months, they begin discovering their body — lifting their head, rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking by the end of the first year. Fine motor skills begin to develop too, like transferring toys from one hand to the other. Toddlers love to paint or play with cars, and by age 3, many can unbutton clothing or draw with a pencil. 2. Cognitive Development This includes how your child processes and remembers information. A newborn mostly reacts instinctively — crying when hungry or uncomfortable. Over time, they learn through repetition: when mom says, “Your bottle is coming,” they associate her voice with feeding. Around 6 to 8 months, they begin to understand how their behavior impacts others. A toddler learns through experimentation — like noticing that a toy car goes faster on a smooth floor. Children also imitate others. Around 18 months, they begin solving small problems independently. Between 2 and 4 years, fantasy play (like playing house) becomes common, blending reality and imagination. This can lead to nightmares or fears. Avoid using fear-based discipline (“The monster will get you”), and instead, support your child by acknowledging their feelings and imagination. 3. Social and Emotional Development Early on, children learn how to connect with others and manage feelings. Babies experience basic emotions — happy, sad, angry, scared — but can’t express them yet. That’s why caregivers play a vital role in soothing and naming emotions, even from day one. Babies may not understand your words, but they feel your tone and presence. Toddlers are naturally self-focused. Before age 3, they often play next to others, not with them. By 3 to 4, they begin to wait their turn and understand others’ emotions — “Mommy is crying, so she’s sad.” This is the beginning of emotional understanding, which differs from empathy (putting oneself in another’s shoes), which continues to develop until age 9 or 10. Narrating social situations helps children make sense of them — “Mats wanted the doll too, so he grabbed it.” 4. Speech and Language Development Even before they talk, babies communicate — through crying or gestures. Parents naturally respond with soothing and speech. Though babies may not understand your words at first, they feel your reassurance. Around 7-8 months, babbling begins, and by 12 to 18 months, the first real words appear. Language comprehension usually develops faster than speech. A toddler may understand “Give me the ball” even before they can speak. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of what you say around your child — they pick up tone and meaning quickly. Between 18 months and 2 years, toddlers often say their name and use two-word phrases. Between 2 and 3 years, these grow into longer sentences. By 3 to 4, children ask lots of “why” questions and begin answering simple ones. Final Thoughts This is just a snapshot of the many areas in which your child grows. Most importantly, keep tuning into your child’s unique pace. Some kids make big leaps in speech while others focus on motor skills — and that’s perfectly okay. Each child distributes their energy differently across these areas. Loes Waanders is a child psychologist helping parents find more peace and joy in parenting, work-life balance, and self-care. She runs the largest online academy for parenting, kids & careers, and is the founder of the Parent First method. She’s also a speaker and author of the book De ontspannen ouder (The Relaxed Parent). www.loeswaanders.com

There’s nothing better than heading out the door with peace of mind, knowing you’ve packed everything your little one might need. But what exactly should go in your diaper bag, and how do you keep it neat and organized? Below, we’re sharing our best tips and must-haves for a well-organized diaper bag — including some clever Jollein products you won’t want to leave home without. What should always be in your diaper bag? Luiers en billendoekjesLet’s be honest — diapers are non-negotiable! Always pack a few extras, just in case. And don’t forget the wipes — not only for diaper changes, but also for unexpected messes. Tip: Store your wipes in a Jollein wipes case that keeps them fresh and makes them easy to grab. It’s stylish, durable, and a total game changer for your bag! Changing matA soft, compact changing mat is a must. It lets you create a clean surface for a quick diaper change anytime, anywhere. Extra outfitSpit-ups, blowouts… anything can happen. Always pack an extra bodysuit, pants, and shirt.Pro tip: Roll up the clothes to save space and keep things tidy! Bottles, snacks & pacifiersA happy baby = a happy outing! Don’t leave home without bottles, snacks, or baby food. And sometimes, a pacifier can be the ultimate lifesaver. Pacifier tip: Clip a Jollein pacifier holder to the outside of your bag. That way, it’s always within reach — and no more digging through the bag! Muslin cloths & bibsMuslin cloths are miracle workers! Use them as burp cloths, sunshades, or even light blankets. Don’t forget a bib — spills and messes are part of the fun. Toiletries in a compact pouchKeep essentials like hand gel, ointment, or mini sunscreen in a small pouch. That way, you don’t have to rummage through your bag to find them.Jollein offers great pouches — perfect for toiletries or those random little items that otherwise get lost. Toys for on-the-goA small toy or book can be a great distraction while you’re out and about. Just make sure it’s lightweight and compact so it doesn’t take up too much room. How to keep your diaper bag organized It’s easy for a diaper bag to become a chaotic mess — especially when you need something right now. These tips will help keep your bag tidy and functional: Make smart use of compartments Diaper bags often have multiple pockets. Assign each one a category: diapers, feeding, clothing, etc. This way, you’ll always know where to find what you need. Organize with pouches Group small items into separate pouches: one for toiletries, one for wipes, another for random extras. This keeps everything neat and easy to access. Roll the clothes Rolling clothes saves space and helps keep your bag tidy. You can even roll an outfit (bodysuit + pants) together for a grab-and-go clean change. Keep essentials within reach Clip a pacifier holder or other frequently used items to the outside of your bag. It saves you time — and stress — when you need something fast. Do a weekly check Once a week, take a moment to check your bag. Restock what’s running low and remove anything you no longer need. That way, you’re always prepared. An organized diaper bag = more peace of mind With a well-organized diaper bag, you can head out relaxed and fully prepared. At Jollein, we’ve got all the clever items to help keep your bag in order — from handy wipes cases to stylish pouches and pacifier holders that clip right to your bag. Whether you're planning a day trip, a sleepover, or just popping into town — a well-prepped diaper bag means you’re ready for anything, and can focus on enjoying those sweet moments with your little one. Happy organizing!

The best Mother’s Day gifts: matching with your mini Yay, Mother’s Day is just around the corner. The perfect day to put your dearest mom in the spotlight and thank her for her help and great advice. Shop one of the gifts below for your mom, friend, grandma, or even yourself, and make this Mother’s Day a big success! Matching with the puffed collection Our puffed items are, of course, the perfect Mother’s Day gift! Because what’s more fun than matching with your mini? Gift mom this super cute diaper bag and choose a mini backpack so you can go out in style together. Pick the fresh Olive Green or the sweet Biscuit color and pack all your essentials in these lovely bags. Bouclé besties: two matching bags in wonderfully soft bouclé You can also match perfectly with our bouclé bestsellers! A diaper bag for mom and a super cute backpack for your mini. Bouclé remains our favorite! This spacious diaper bag isn’t just roomy, the soft fabric also pairs easily with everything. Inside, there are 2 handy storage pockets, and a changing mat is included as standard. The diaper bag closes with a zipper. Twill: shop the set Our Twill collection also makes a super fun set to give and receive. Make life easier with this super nice diaper bag in a beautiful neutral color. The Twill collection is made from a linen-look fabric and matches perfectly with our other colors and prints. This is the perfect basic bag for daily outings. Also grab the handy changing mat and diaper pouch from this line to complete the set. Gift idea! Buggy organizer Give your mom a moment of peace with this Buggy Organizer. Never before has a bag been so wonderfully organized! Every mom deserves this. This handy buggy organizer comes in Biscuit, Olive Green, and black, and fits perfectly with all other puffed items — even more matching options! Inside, the organizer features our signature ‘dotted’ print, which is not only fun to look at but also handy for quickly finding items. Thanks to two storage pockets with elastic tops, you can safely store bottles and small items. The two outer slip pockets with the same ‘dotted’ interior add extra storage space. Peace and space guaranteed. Reason to celebrate Our party items are not only fun for festive days like Mother’s Day but also add a cheerful touch to your home, nursery, and bedroom! Hang the flags next to a nice poster or above the bed and make every day a celebration. Match with the fabric balloons and the look is complete! Diaper pouches Another great idea for a personal Mother’s Day gift is one of our stylish diaper pouches. These pouches are not only perfect for essentials like diapers, creams, wipes, and bottles but also work great as a makeup bag! Will you choose a super cute pouch from Nijntje or match the pouch with the puffed diaper bag and backpack by choosing a puffed pouch in Olive Green or Wild Rose? Whichever pouch you choose, this multifunctional item is a treat to see and every mommy will be super happy with it! Have you made your choice among all the lovely Mother’s Day gifts? Choose matching bags, a nice diaper bag with changing mat, diaper pouch, or the cutest party items from Jollein. Make Sunday, May 12th a celebration and enjoy this beautiful day with your loved ones. And to all (bonus or soon-to-be) moms: you are amazing!

Before becoming a mom, you probably had an idea in your head of how a baby sleeps — based on all those stories you’ve always heard. Things like: “The first few weeks can actually be a bit boring because your baby sleeps all day,” or “Put your baby in their own crib from day one, they’ll sleep best that way.” But once you become a mom, you quickly throw everything you’ve heard about sleeping babies out the window. Because these are the things nobody told you about sleeping babies! 1. There’s No Off Switch!Sounds a bit harsh, but let’s say it with a wink: babies don’t have an off button. Just when your little one finally falls asleep, and you’ve raced around the house cleaning up the worst mess, managed to brush your hair, and finally sent that message to your friends’ group chat, you collapse on the couch — only to hear your baby crying again. 2. Sleep Cycle… What’s That?Yes, lucky you — babies have a sleep cycle of around 45 minutes. That means your baby could be wide awake again before you know it (especially if you’re not quick enough to help them transition to the next sleep cycle). Translation: you’ve got time to watch one episode of your favorite show, take that desperately needed shower, or drink two cups of coffee to survive the sleep deprivation from the night before. 3. Koala TimeYour maternity nurse might insist: “Let your baby get used to sleeping in their own bed.” But the moment you lay your little one down in their carefully made crib, they start crying. There’s only one solution: cuddles, and lots of them — all day (and night) long. Luckily, you’ve been looking forward to those snuggles for nine months, and you’ll enjoy every second of it. 4. Arms Up… and Startling Time!Every new mom knows this moment: your baby is peacefully snoozing when suddenly their arms shoot straight up into the air and slowly fall back down. Within a second, you’re standing next to the crib checking if everything’s okay. But no worries — this is just your baby’s startle reflex kicking in during a little dream. Time to go back to folding that endless pile of laundry. 5. Routine? Oh No, My Baby Doesn’t Have a Routine!You’ve signed your baby up for daycare, and during your first introductory visit, the staff asks you what your three-month-old’s routine is. You rack your brain — should my baby have a routine? To avoid total embarrassment, you just make something up. Here’s the good news: most babies at that age don’t have a real sleep routine, and most moms are just grateful if their baby sleeps at all!