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SuperBoy eating compost, a few summers back. Wowzer! He is going to tell it like it is: dirty & fun.
But first, a more recent post of 5 essentials I LOVE having as a mom. And the nine BEST toys for baby before 1 year.
1) Apparel
a) Wrap, sling, carrier, baby backpack–I really only use my Sakura Bloom and my Ergo or Boba. For hiking I use a phil&teds.
b) Clothing, layette, pacifier chain or holder
I have my infant capsule wardrobe here, my tot one here, and my pre-k one here. My kids live in cotton onesies + leggings with maybe a sweater tossed on top!
c) Sleep sacks, swaddlers, wearable blankets, swaddle blankets
d) Socks
You only need two kinds of socks for infants. Triple roll socks and Smart Wool baby socks. The rest fall off and are useless.
2) Bath
a) Bathtub, bath toys, bath mat, bath stool
A tub that has both an infant compartment and a toddler one is good. See example here. A bath mat for outside the tub is nice for laying your baby towels on (a little extra padding when you lay her down, kicking and screaming to be leaving the water). Toys! Our SuperBoy loves his toys in the bath. He’d probably stay in there all day if we let him. A stool (can double as a nursing stool) is great for when you’re leaning over the tub, or observing play as she gets older.
b) Towels, washcloths, a mini-robe
I thought baby sized towels were a gimmick until I used one on an infant. You need things his size! Little washcloths are great. Go for quality on both of these as after a few washings, cheap ones wear thin. A mini-robe is so cute and handy if you’ve bathed but are not yet ready to do night time apparel, or you’re at the pool or beach. Get high quality terry cloth or chenille. It’s worth it. I make wipes on my Etsy shop, here.
3) Bedroom
a) Crib, pack & play, co-sleeper, bassinet, moses basket
b) Sheets for your sleeper of choice and multi-sized water-proof mats (key for a quick changing pad in the kitchen, for when she’s airing out her bottom, etc), blankets. A wearable sleep sack is great too like this one from my fav aden + anais.
Don’t forget these . . . .
c) Rocker/glider, nursing stool, dresser, toy chest, hamper, diaper pail, bookshelf, curtains, rug, changing table, contour changing pad (covers)
Many of these furniture items can be multi-purpose. Dressers need only a contoured changing pad screwed into the back of them to become a changing table. A changing table can have built in drawers. A toy chest and hamper can be pop-up or fold-ups. Goodwill or a thrift store provide great second-hand supplies!
4) Books
If there are any special books you loved, these are good to share with your registry participants. Remember soft books are great initially, and as they get closer to a year and want to rip pages out of everything. See post here {Reading Material for Pregnant & New Parents} about books for expecting parents.
5) Music
Classical, classical, classical. See why here {Music and Its Impact on Your Child’s Heart} and here {How to Choose Music for Your Child}.
6) Car
Car seat, neck supports, reflective mirror
We love the Graco Snugride for up to 20 pounds. And now we’re in the Britex Diplomat as SuperBoy is too big for his little infant seat, which SweetPea now inhabits. Research the top quality car seats of the year your little one will need one. Great resources here and here on car seats.
7) Diapering
a) Cloth diapers–we use the best service in town, so I’m not an expert in doing your own dipes.
1) Diaper pail, odorizer, bag with special lining
2) Snappies (2)
3) Wet diaper travel bag
Delightful bags sold by a number of makers.
4) Covers
We love the Babee Greens that are wool and can hold in a whole lotta liquid. A lot of other people make wool covers too.
5) Diapers
Which kind? See post here.
8) Entertainment
a) Baby gym, play mat, dangly items, bouncer, swing, bumbo, jumper, exersaucer (LOVE the go-pod)
You need a few places to park your child while you get things done. Depending on the size of your home, you can have a few, all, or some of the above. You certainly don’t need all of them.
b) Toys: wooden or BPA free plastics, blocks, soft rattles, teethers, pacifiers, Sophie the Giraffe, stacking toys, balls, stuffed animals (“lovie”)
A good blend of soft and wooden toys is great. Also get anything that can go in the fridge to be cooled for those gums, and then grabbed easily by grubby little paws.
9) Feeding
Bibs, sippy cups of graduating age, bowls, slender spoons (the big thick ends don’t fit well into baby’s mouth), bowls with lids for travel, high chair, little booster seat, and most importantly, a bib!
BPA free is my preference on all these things, and preferably stainless steel.
Posts on first food here, and first veggies here.
10) Health & Safety
a) Gates, outlet covers, kitchen cabinet stoppers, no-slip bath mats, anything else imaginable
b) A good nail trimmer, rectal thermometer (most reliable temp), a first-aid kit (ice compress, band-aids, etc), Infant Motrin, Infant Benedryl, and Hyland’s Teething Gel (teething remedies here)
11) Nursing
a) A foot stool with no-slid stoppers on the bottom, nursing pillow, lansinoh gel pads for your sore nipples, custom order flax packs for engorged or sore breasts, nipple covers, nursing bras from me on Etsy!
b) A big sipping water jug for you to stay hydrated while you nurse
12) Stroller
There are so many options! Jogging, all-in-everything, simple umbrella. It really depends on your lifestyle and budget
a) One your carseat snaps into without fixed wheels for easy navigation while out and about
Example of Graco
b) One your toddler can sit in that can easily fold up
Example of Inglesina
c) The double we love
Right here
13) Skin Care
Shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, massage oil. My sister’s new product company Brooklyn Herborium, in particular, her Between Me and the Moon line, organic and handmade in Brooklyn, NY offer the BEST.