¿Niñitos?

Question

Hello, Could "niñitos" work in place of "niños pequeños"? Thanks.

Inma Sánchez · Accepted Answer

Hola Rod
"Niñitos" would be correct, but it would sound a bit odd to use it here in this specific sentence: "Si tienes niños pequeños..."(Si tienes niñitos...???)
I think it'd be more natural to use niñito in this other kind of context:

Mi vecina tiene un niñito muy lindo de 4 años.
My neighbour has a very cute 4 year old little boy.
Los niñitos jugaban en el parque con la pelota.
The little kids played in the park with the ball.

These sentences are using it with the -itos sufix to show more affection towards the kids. In the sentence from the exercise it is simply saying "if you have small children" , not being particularly affectionate in that sentence. This is why it may sound a bit odd there.
Saludos
Inma