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Baby's First Year : products and tips that actually helped me get through it.
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items [This list is a work in progress. ] A list of the products that I actually used and loved during my son's first year. Plus some of the tips and tricks that were essential for my survival and for my son to thrive.
Sections
4
The Products
Postpartum Mental Health
Babies are expensive
Helpful Apps
The Products
I 100% loved our Doona. I was a little skeptical at first, but once we got it, I was so excited. I used it from the day we took him home from the hospital to a little past his first birthday. It was worth the money spent too. It is perfect for Ubers ...
DOONA
If you live in a colder climate and have a Doona, I recommend getting this. It worked great in both Texas and Washington state during winter months.
Doona Winter Cover for Car Seat & Stroller
I tried at least 6 other kinds of bottles and a few other pacifiers and these were my son's favorites. I wanted to avoid the Dr Browns bottles because I didn't want to have to wash all the individual parts. My son was very colicky and gassy though. A...
Dr. Brown’s Wide-Neck Baby Bottle, 5 oz, 2-Pack
Formula feeding? Get a couple of these! They aren't just great for the diaper bag either. Prep bottles before bedtime. Put the water in the bottles and formula measured out in this. You can have it ready in the nursery, by your bed or by the crib. So...
Philips AVENT Powder Formula Dispenser, Grey
I wish I had a carrier as soon as we brought him home. I didn't get one until about a month in. This is the one I had and it worked for me. I was able to wear him while doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, even on the treadmill (which is probably not re...
Ergobaby Embrace Cozy Knit Newborn Carrier for Babies - Heather Gray
For the first month we used Pampers Swaddlers because it has the notch that won't iritate their leftover umbilical cord thingy. Once it fell of and it was healed we switched brands.
Pampers Swaddlers Active Baby Diapers Enormous Pack - Size 0 - 140ct
We switched to Millie Moon diapers after his cute little belly button healed. These diapers are so soft, fit well, and are incredibly affordable. We only had one blowout in these and that was when he was sick after getting a whole bunch of vaccines a...
Millie Moon Luxury Diapers Size 1 - 108ct
We used Desitin and Vaseline at every change and he never had a diaper rash. The only time his bum skin got irritated was when I tried out a fancier brand of diaper cream. I switched back to Desitin right away and it cleared up that day.
Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream with Zinc Oxide -16oz
Cradle cap is so annoying. My son had so much hair when he was born. But then he developed cradle cap and it thinned out. I used this shampoo and the comb he got at the hospital. And with in a week or two, it was cleared up. This bottle is so big tho...
Happy Cappy Dr. Eddie’s Medicated Shampoo, 8 Oz
Seeing your tiny baby sick is the absolute worst. Chances are you'll need this during that first year.
Infants' Tylenol Pain & Fever Reducer Liquid - Acetaminophen - Dye-Free Cherry - 2 fl oz
Swaddles, and later - sleep sacks, are the best at helping to comfort, cuddle, and let your baby know it's naptime or bedtime.
Love to Dream Swaddle UP, Baby Sleep Sack, Grey
Got a baby? You need this. Seems silly, but trust me it's great to have. Just keep it clean and away from the baby. It feels and looks like a teether to them.
Bumco Diaper Cream Spatula - BPA-Free Butt Paste
This is a life saver whenever my son gets extra fussy when new chompers are starting to cut his gums. Numbing gels aren't recommended for infants. So this is my preferred safe alternative to calm him while he's teething.
Boiron Camilia Teething Drops for Day & Night Relief
$15 for three sleep and plays is a really good deal! They're comfy, cute, and affordable.
Baby Boys' 3pk Safari Animals Zip-Up Sleep N' Play - Cloud Island™ 0-3M
These are super affordable and they are helpful when you have a teething and drooling 6 month old.
Nuby 2pk Teether Muslin Bandana Bib
Only $2.50. I used these mostly in the winter for all his jackets and sweaters.
18pk Kids' Hangers White - Pillowfort™
I love this drying rack. It's cute and super functional.
Boon Grass Drying Rack - Stem & Twig Bundle - Green - 3ct
This bottle brush set is ridiculously cute. It's a must have especially if you have Dr. Brown's bottles or straw cups. It has every brush you'll need to get your baby's bottles squeaky clean.
Boon Cacti Bottle Cleaning Brush Set - Green
Burt's Bee's has some of the cutest prints and softest fabrics. Their zip down PJ's are nice for bedtime (zips are great for night changing) and fun for Sunrise playtime (has the grippy on the footies).
Burt's Bees Baby® Catching Bees Sleep N' Play - Heather Gray 3-6M
This projector is great. It signals to my son that is bedtime or nap time. We've had it for nearly a year and it is still going strong. Such a great value.
Dinosaur Toys, Octopus Night Light Projector
Yum yums. My son still likes these. They are really good first snacks.
Happy Baby Organic Sweet Potato & Banana Gentle Teething Wafers - 0.14 oz. Packs
These oversized playpens really are the best. It's a great way to keep their toys gathered and contained. I highly suggest getting some foam puzzle mats for the bottom to add cushion.
TEAYINGDE Baby Playpen Large Play Yard Fence With Mat for Toddlers, 50"x50" Gray
This is my son's favorite blanket. He has had it since birth and he is 18m now. He carries it around all day. The tags are silky and one is oversized. He loves holding and rubbing that tag. It's super soothing for him.
Amazing Baby Zebra Muslin Swaddle Blanket
Postpartum Mental Health
I struggled with postpartum ocd, anxiety, and depression. It was a very rough first year as a mother. But I got through it! And I'm stronger than I've ever been. All mama's deserve support. We all deserve a village. And our babies deserve the very be...
I was 6 months postpartum when I had a breakdown. I had postpartum ocd, anxiety, and depression. And I was scared. But I was able to get help. And if you're going through it too, you are not alone and there is help for you.
Postpartum Support International
🔵 I am 1 in 5
TheBlueDotProject Maternal Mental Health
My Instagram where I discuss my postpartum journey.
Instagram (@tsu.mommy)
Perinatal Support Washington is a great resource if you live in Washington state.
Instagram (@perinatalsupportwashington)
Babies are expensive
Here are a few ways to save some money.
Create a Target baby registry! You'll get a bag of samples and full sized products. Plus you'll get discounts and coupons.
Registry : Baby Registry: Target
Babies outgrow clothes at lightning speed. Find a Once Upon A Child near you! They have great deals on pre loved baby clothes and gear. Follow your local one to find out when the sales are. The stores are well organized and everything is clean and in...
Once Upon A Child
Join all the rewards programs you can and actually USE the coupons they send. Formula is expensive. Save some money by joining the Similac Rewards program.
MySimilac® Rewards 2024 | Get Baby Formula Coupons & Rewards
I like using iBotta to get cash back on my purchases. I've had it for a few months and I've redeemed a $20 Amazon giftcard. I wish I downloaded it sooner!
Ibotta
Auntie Dolly will send your baby an age appropriate book if you live in an area serviced by her Imagination Library. She is the best! A free gift every month! 📚🥰
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Helpful Apps
Trackers, white noise, feeding...
Free app! I use this white noise app on the go. It has a bunch of different sounds. We like the nature sounds and the womb sound.
White Noise Baby Sleep Sounds - Apps on Google Play
That first year you'll spend a lot of time going to the doctors for baby well checks. And they always ask how much your baby eats, sleeps, pees, and poops. I used this app to track all that.
Cubtale Baby Tracker - Apps on Google Play