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NEW MOM list of what I actually used and loved the first year.
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items A month to month guide of what I found to be the most useful products in the first year of being a mom.
Sections
4
0-3 Months
3-6 Months
6-9 Months
9-12 Months
0-3 Months
Putting together a baby registry is daunting when your'e a first time mom. You want to be as prepared as possibe but Its hard to know where to start. Here are the things I found the most useful in the very beginning.
These were the only kind of pacifier my daughter would take.
FRIGG Daisy Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier | Made in Denmark | BPA-Free (Willow/Croissant, 0-6 Months) 2-Pack
GET a ton of pacifiers
Bibs De Lux Silicone Pacifier - 0-3 Years - 2pk
100% Biodegradable. Even if you plan on using cloth diapers, have some disposable ones on hand for when you are out and about.
Baby Diapers | The Honest Company
One of the only expensive baby gear things we ended up using constantly. It allows the baby to rock and move on their own and folds up easily to take with you or store away.
Baby bouncers that gently rock your child
Trust me when I say that A) You will be spending an unbelievable amount of time sucking snot out of your newborns nose and B) All those fancy booger removers that get marketed to new moms do not work as well as the thingy they give you in the hospita...
Comfort Soft Sterile Baby Nasal Aspirator and Ear Wax Bulb Syringe 2oz Blue - Pack of 2
HALO SWADDLES!! This is something we didnt know about until we brought our daughter home and she kept wiggling out of her muslin swaddle at night. All you need is one of these for the first three months and you are good to go.
Sleepsack Halo Swaddle
They live in these gowns for the first few months, its very glamourous.
PARADE Kimono Gowns - Signature Prints
The bassinet stage doesnt last long, so just look for one that has mesh siding and is green guard certified.
Chicco Lullago Anywhere LE Portable Bassinet - Serene
The softest and the prettiest.
mushie Extra Soft Muslin Fitted Crib Sheet | 28"x 52" (Retro Stripes)
Should you spend 300 or 400 dollars on a travel system (stroller and car seat)? In my opinion no, just pick a trusted brand that has high safety ratings. Graco has always worked really well for us.
Graco® Tempo™ Travel System, Pipp
Helps to have this set up before the baby comes!
Onco Baby Car Mirror Rear-facing - Platinum Award Winning Car Mirror Baby Rear Facing Seat, Baby Essentials for Newborn, 100% Shatterproof Baby Mirror for Car, 360° Car Seat Mirror Rear Facing Infant
Use it for a car seat cover, use it while your nursing. As a new mom, this was one of those items that was not on my radar until a friend gifted me one. You will use this constantly the first few months.
Multi-Use Cover - Rad
MUKIN Baby Muslin Washcloths - Soft Face Cloths for Newborn, Absorbent Bath Face Towels, Baby Wipes, Burp Cloths or Face Towels, Baby Registry as Shower. Pack of 6-12x12 inches (Pink)
You want to make sure whatever tub you pick has newborn support and that it can be removed once your baby gets bigger.
Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub - Gray
ALL muslin everything for the tiny babies. It is super soft and absorbant.
2 Pack Baby Hooded Muslin Cotton Towel for Kids by Comfy Cubs - Sage
Calming for baby and parents.
Yogasleep Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine, 3 Soothing Natural Sounds with Volume Control, Sleep Therapy For Adults, Kids & Baby, Noise Cancelling for Office Privacy & Meditation, Registry Gift
The only rattle my daughter cared about for months and months. It's really easy for newborns to hold. The wooden beads made a very pleasant sound and it's also aesthetically pleasing.
The Manhattan Toy Company Classic Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy
This worked so well for baby times and is cute enough that it has made it into the living room.
Mack & Milo™ Abingdon Swivel Reclining Glider Nursery Chair | Wayfair
No touch thermometer is a absolute must have.
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer, Digital Infrared Thermometer for Adults and Kids, Non-Contact Baby Thermometer, 3 Ultra-Sensitive Sensors, Large LED Digits, Quiet Vibration Feedback, Black
If your giving birth at a hospital or birthing center, make sure you pack this. Your nipples will be very grateful.
Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama | Lanolin-free, Postpartum Essentials Safe for Nursing, Non-GMO Project Verified, 2-Fluid Ounce
Clipping your babies nails for the first few times is a harrowing experience, but these nail clippers made it easy.
Frida Baby NailFrida The SnipperClipper | The Baby Nail Clipper with Safety spyhole for Newborns and up
3-6 Months
We used this thing so much.
Graco Pack 'N Play On The Go Playard, Kagen
What makes this so nice is that it has all the sensory things you need for your newborn but also can be turned into a magical play tent when baby gets older.
The Play Gym by Lovevery | Stage-Based Developmental Activity Gym & Play Mat for Baby to Toddler, 1 Count (Pack of 1)
We loved this, especially the being able to play piano with your feet part.
Skip Hop Baby Activity Center: Interactive Play Center with 3-Stage Grow-with-Me Functionality, 4mo+, Silver Lining Cloud
Used these NON-STOP during the teething times. The different sizes of the pouches made it so that it we always had the right size according to her age.
Baby Fruit Food Feeder Pacifier - 2 Packs Silicone Fresh Fruit Feeder BPA Free [3 Sizes Silicone Food Pouches Included] (Light Pink & Grass Green)
Mushie sheets are perfect end of stroy.
mushie Extra Soft Muslin Fitted Crib Sheet | 28"x 52" (Retro Stripes)
This mattress worked really well for us, we used it in her toddler bed as well.
Babylist Shop
One thing I never thought about until it was happening, you will put a bib on your kid as an accessory to their outfit because thats how much drool were talking about so its nice to have some more stylish ones.
mushie Muslin Baby Bib | Soft Cotton for Infant Drips, Drools & Feedings | Adjustable Fit | 2 Pack
Worth it. You can use this high chair long after the high chair stage, its adjustable, its portable, its aesteticly pleasing.
Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair with Tray. The Perfect Adjustable Baby Highchair Solution for Your Babies and Toddlers or as a Dining Chair. (6 Months up to 250 Lb) (Natural Wood - Black Cushion)
I gave this cup to my daughter at 5 months when I learned that open cup drinking supports healthy oral and speech development, aids with teething, and helps babies learn to have a strong swallow. It was amazing to see how quickly she was able to drin...
Tiny Cup
This bowl is so good! Because it comes with a lid you can just easily put it away for later.
Olababy 100% Silicone Suction Bowl with Lid for Independent Feeding | Baby Food Container and Storage | First Stage Self Feeding Essential for Toddlers and Kids| Baby Led Weaning Snack Feeder
6-9 Months
We tried a few before landing on this one, and couldn't be happier with it. Its so strudy.
Regalo Easy Step Metal Walk Through Gate
10 Pack Baby Sliding Cabinet Locks - Vmaisi Adjustable U Shaped Child Safety Locks,Childproof Latches for Kitchen Bathroom Storage Cupboards Doors, Handles and Knobs White (10)
Cutest crawl motivator ever.
Skip Hop Farmstand Beetbox Crawl Ball
I liked this one because it fit perfectly in the cup holder of our stroller tray.
C’est Silicone!™ Snack Catcher with Lid
I know, I know, you can just steam the vegetable on the stove in a pot and then transfer it to a blender, why buy a thingy just for making babyfood? Because when you have had 4 hours of sleep in 1 hour segments, having one less step is EVERYTHING.
NutriBullet Baby Steam and Blend Food Processor
9-12 Months
We had a couple of differnt toys to encourage her to walk but this one was the only one she cared about.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Chomp and Clack Alligator Wooden Push Toy and Activity Walker
We played with these on the floor and in the bath too.
mushie Stacking Cups Toy | Made in Denmark (Retro)
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pounding Bench Wooden Toy With Mallet
Used this non stop, stress free play for wobbly bebes.
ECR4Kids SoftZone Single Tunnel Climber, Toddler Playset, Contemporary, 3-Piece
At this age foam bath shapes are a great toy for the bath because your kid is less likely to try and eat them.
Mudpuppy: Stickable Foam Bath Shapes
Something I had to learn the hard way, when your kid starts walking-good luck trying to find a shoe that will stay on their foot. Even if it was the right size, so many shoes we tried would just slip off her as she was wobbling around. Getting a shoe...
Baby Shoes Boys Girls Breathable Walking Sock Infant Shoes Baby First Walking Shoes Non-Skid Slipper Shoes with Soft Rubber Sole Toddle Sneaker