So you’ve covered the essentials for newborns. Now is the time to collect all the baby must-haves for the first year! We asked our rookie mom squad which products they would not have survived without the first year. Read on for all of their favorites, and especially for the one product they all pretty much agreed that every baby should have.
Baby must-haves for the first year
Here are the 8 products our Rookie Mom Squad said were a must-have for babies for their first year:
- Boppy Seat
- Sound machine
- Hands-free breast pump
- Baby carrier
- Game mat
- Silicone feeder
- Activity gym
- Sleeping bag
Boppy Seat
To start with, we have a tried and tested favorite. A boppy! Lo Mansfield from @thelabormama loves the Boppy Loungers. She says they have been using it for hundreds of hours between their three children.
Sound machine
Laura, our resident sleep expert and mom of two, says the HoMedics Sound Machine is a must! With the HoMedics Sound Machine you have the choice between 6 different soothing sounds. It’s also compact enough that you can take it with you on the go!
Get more sleeping tips from Laura here!
Hands-free breast pump
If you are a nursing mom, then you need to check out the hands-free willow pump. It was Karissa is the greatest lifesaver. The Willow Pump lets you get on with your normal day without getting stuck on a pump (which can even juggle a two year old and a nursing child).
Read more about why Karissa loves her Willow Pump here!
Baby carrier
Have you ever heard the joke that if evolution worked, mothers would definitely have more than two hands? Well you may not be able to find an extra set of hands BUT a baby carrier can help. They allow you to keep your baby close and get things done.
Lo recommends the Lillebaby carrier. It has multiple carrying positions that will help you and your baby find what is most comfortable for you. Even when traveling, your babies do great things in this carrier!
Game mat
A play mat that actually matches the aesthetics of my home? Yes, please! Ashley recommends putting down a play mat to prevent bumps and bruises on the hard floors once your child starts moving.
Wondering where to find these beautiful playmats? Try Yay Mats, Little Nomad, and Skip Hop.
Silicone feeder
Teething isn’t fun, but luckily there are plenty of products out there that can bring relief to your little one. Shelby recommends keeping these little silicone conveyors nearby. You can put frozen fruit in it and give it to your little one to chew on.
Aside from teething, they are also a great way to introduce new foods.
Activity center or baby gym
A game studio or activity center is a great way to keep your baby entertained. In addition, many of them are designed to help your baby reach important developmental milestones. Lo says this is a must have for your baby’s first year (especially if they have older siblings!).
Lo’s girls loved their Oribel Activity Center. A great advantage of these tables is that they have foldable legs so they are easy to store and take with you.
Sleeping bag – No. 1 Recommended product for the first year!
As I said above, when we were chatting with our rookie mom squad about essential baby products, there was one point that kept popping up. Sleeping bags! They are a safe alternative to blankets, but they provide babies with the comfort they need to sleep soundly. Here are some of our favorites.
The Kyte sleeping bag is made of high quality materials, which is why Ashley chose her little one. These sleeping bags are as soft as butter and still breathable. They are also available in a range of beautiful colors.
Laura recommends the convertible Woombie. It’s a great choice for getting your baby out of the swaddle.
As for Shelby, her little boys both used Woolino sleeping bags. These are amazing quality and work from the newborn days to toddler days.
Both of Sally’s babies (who slept well!) Slept in Halo Sleepsack Swaddles. She loved how they kept her babes tight and safe and so warm!
The first year with your baby is a really magical time. These products are the best of the best and we know you will look back on the baby days and be thankful you had them!
What were your baby’s first year must-haves?
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