It’s easy to admit one year in that we’re head over heels in love with our girl. It’s also obvious at this point that there were multiple baby items we really didn’t need, and a few standouts that we still love and wouldn’t want to go without even a year later.
We all complete our first baby registry absolutely clueless. Or we think we know…but we don’t. I listened to friends, scoured tPinterest recommendations, and plowed my way through baby blogs, yet still ended up spending a lot of money on items I thought we needed (but used only twice).
While my daughter had a 3-figure bouncer that did nothing but make her cry, I was walking around in jeans that didn’t fit, tirelessly washing the same two nursing bras, and in desperate need of a haircut. Talk about misguided priorities…
Those expensive, use a few times items— those aren’t on this list. I’m sharing what we’ve been using from the first few weeks and are still using as Lolo turns one. Some are fun, others are practical, all are things I’ll tell my new mama friends about and 7432985798% be continuing to use as long as possible, then saving and using again if we ever have another little babe.
The List
Chemical-free diapers-
Call me boujie, but it was important to me that our diapers had little to no chemicals in them. We tried all the top brands out there and settled on Nest. They’re not blow-out proof (I doubt any diaper is), but I can count on one hand how many times they leaked ~even at night~ and I truly believe they’ve helped our girl stay virtually diaper rash free for the whole year.
The carrier with *everything*–
The fabric, the versatility, the pockets (yes, pockets!), the comfort…truth be told I originally wanted this for the leopard print, but the Colugo carrier has proven to be everything I needed as an active mama on the go. It’s stylish enough to wear out and about, but sturdy enough to take on a hike. Ten out of ten in my book.
Our favorite toy-
You know that game “desert island”? If we were playing that with baby toys, this wooden bead maze would be on the top of my list. We use this daily to keep Sloan busy in her highchair and it’s also proven itself in the car, at restaurants, and even in church. It’s (overall) quiet, easy to travel with, and with suction cups on the bottom this is one that’s worth its weight in gold.
All-natural baby balm–
It would be easier for me to tell you where we haven’t used this magical cream than to list where we have. Sloan and I use the Primally Pure baby balm for EVE-RY-THING…cracked nipples, dry skin, scratches and rashes, stretch mark prevention, and chapped lips. Honestly, we keep two in the house because my girl and I are already arguing over whose is whose. A diaper bag staple, IMO. Use code MANDM10 for 10% off your entire Primally Pure order, and don’t hesitate to check out their baby oil aaaaaand splurge on a self-care item or two while you’re there 😉
This sleep sack-
Sloan loved her swaddle and magic sleep suit, so a sleep sack was the next logical step and Kyte Baby did not disappoint. It’s TOG rated, so we know our girl is staying warm, soft, totally washable, and comes in the most beautiful colors. For an item we use multiple times a day for naps and nighttime, it has held up extremely well, and I can guarantee we’ll be using it until a sleep sack is no longer necessary.
The best glass bottles-
We tried about three different bottles and (praise be!) Sloan took all of them, but the NUK glass bottles ended up being our favorite and are still going strong after one year. They’re sturdy but not too heavy for Sloan to hold herself, clean easily, and we don’t have to worry about any chemicals from plastics. Pro tip- buy the 8 oz size right from the start to save yourself an upgrade down the road.
Mini polaroid-
I have hundreds thousands of pictures of Sloan in my phone, but very few printed out. The Fujifilm Instamax Mini 11 is a fun way to capture those special moments and have a physical picture at the end of it to display instantly. These are [the best] for baby books, to stick in the journal I’m sharing below, or actually framing. You know someone’s lookin’ cute when our polaroid comes out, and it’s proven to our preferred way to document.
Impossible to kick-off booties-
We’ve sized up in these three times because I refuse to go a season without them. The Zutano booties are adorable, warm, ridiculously easy to get on, and perfect for our family outings. As Sloan starts walking more we’ll likely transition out of these, but they’re a must for that first year and I’ll be sad to see them go.
A clothing rental subscription-
Baby clothes are expensive, time consuming to shop for, and one of the top contributors to textile waste in the world. Upchoose is a clothing rental service where you can choose new or pre-loved sets (we love the hand-me-down option) and get 100% organic cotton, name brand clothes sent right to your door for a fraction of the cost to purchase them. And when we need the next size, we literally just click a button! If you want to give this a try, use code MANDM21 for $21 off (basically 50%) your first month’s payment. And who knows…maybe our babes will end up wearing the same clothes? How sweet is that?!
Leather padded mat-
This was one of my pregnancy splurges because I was dead set on having a reading nook for Sloan, but we ended up using the Gathre Padded Mini mat for so much more that we got a second one for Christmas this year. This is perfect for tummy time when they’re little, is currently being used as a tumbling mat in the Davis house, and will eventually turn into that cozy reading corner I envisioned. We also have one of their wall hangings in Sloan’s room and there’s about ten other items I personally want from their website. Consider this your warning to shop at your own risk.
The cutest silicone bibs-
I cringe at how much time I spent researching the perfect bibs and tableware when Sloan started eating solids; I easily spent a week reading reviews before making a purchase. The bowels, plates, and utensils we settled on are…ok (not sharing them here because I don’t think they’re rave-worthy), but we love LoVe LOVE the mushi silicone bibs. Easy to fasten, easier to wash, and [surprise, surprise] come in the cutest colors. I bought three and honestly don’t think I’ll ever need to buy another bib. Ultimate mom win!
These neutral hangers-
Hangers? Yes…I’m sharing hangers. Because for some reason I also spent too much time searching for these non-slip hangers, but am beyond happy with everything about them. They’re the perfect size- small enough for her clothes now but will last until she’s ready to upgrade to adult hangers, don’t leave dents in Sloan’s sweaters, and just look really nice. It’s the little things, friend, and there’s something calming about a baby closet that’s in order…ok?!?
A must-get sleep course-
I really should move this to the top of the list, because purchasing the Taking Cara Babies sleep course was BY FAR the smartest thing we did as new parents. Because of this online course, Sloan was sleeping through the night before three months old and has continued to do so despite regressions and teething. The best part is that it gave two totally clueless parents a guidebook to baby sleep that we could confidently implement together and we were able to approach bedtime as a unified front. No question…get this. Or gift this. And sleep!
The perfect journal-
I loved the idea of keeping a journal for Sloan, but am one of those people who don’t always know what to write and just realistically don’t have the time. The Promptly journal is proving to be the perfectly doable solution to remember all the things from pregnancy through 18 years and it asks questions about you and your baby along the way so you can document the important memories without overthinking it. I keep this on my bedside table and look forward to having a little thought or moment to document. I cannot wait to give this to Sloan someday and I know she’ll cherish it forever.
*SIGH*
It’s true what they say…babies don’t keep. Buuuuuuut neither do 95% of their expensive, “must-get” items that the internet world makes you think you need. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this first year with Lolo (did I mention she’s turning one!? Gahhhhhhh!), but I ~would~ go back and save a $h!t ton of money and use it to buy myself a pair of jeans that fit and third nursing bra sooner.
When it comes to the items I didn’t share…those I thought we needed or the ones that have that annoying thing about them…I’ll just bite my tongue when a soon-to-be mama posts her gift registry, because it’s not my place and some things we just need to learn on our own. But you better believe I’ll be slipping a few of the above items in with the gifts she asked for (along with a book or two from this list, because mama’s health is important too) and will smile when she texts me saying “ OMG! This [insert item from the list above] is the best!”.
Trust me when I say I know how exciting it is to but alllllll the baby things. [Seriously…so fun.] But as a seasoned mama (does a year of parenting make you seasoned?), I must admit that less is more, quality trumps quantity, and there’s something to be said for beautiful items that make your heart pitter-patter but are also functional, long-lasting, effective, and easy to use.
THESE ARE THOSE ITEMS— trust me.
– Amanda
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.
