One of the first things I did when I found out I was pregnant with Caterpillar was start looking online at the endless clothes, toys & equipment for babies. Our first big baby shop after our 20 week scan was probably the most exciting shopping day I’ve ever had! Some items proved to be virtually useless whereas others were extremely well-loved. Here’s 11 items I couldn’t live without during my son’s first year.
Does anyone use any other kind of bedding? One of the best inventions of our generation, these minutature sleeping bags are safe, useful and – let’s be honest – frickin’ adorable. We were fortunate that Caterpillar was a pretty sizeable baby from day one so we didn’t have to wait long for him to be large enough to use a Grobag, which was lucky since he kicked blankets off within the hour and cried. There are hundreds of sleeping bag brands now but Grobag dominated back then and we found them to be brilliant quality.
Muslins
Experienced mums tell all new mums to stock up on muslin squares and nobody really knows why until the baby arrives…and then you don’t leave the house without them. I’ve read whole blog posts about their uses but in addition to the obvious (wiping up milky spit-up and dribble) we used ours as a mat to lay him on wherever we were and as a comforter (he still takes one to bed now aged three).
Babystyle Oyster Travel System
Choosing a pram can be really stressful. It’s a really important and often expensive purchase and the volume of choice can be overwhelming. Our decision was made easier because my best friend had an Oyster and I already knew it was solid, durable, compact and really easy to maneorver (even one-handed). Plus the colour choice is huge! It has a midway price point which I always find reassuring and I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about it. We bought the full travel system which includes the chasis, carrycot and buggy – and we used the Maxicosi Pepple car seat which is also compatible.
Fisher Price Vibrating Bouncer Chair
Caterpillar spent more time in this than in his Moses basket during those early weeks – it was virtually the only place he would nap, besides the pram and our arms, and was pretty much the only way I got to take a shower for several weeks. Something about the vibration really calmed & comforted him, allowing us to have our hands free for a short time.
I couldn’t write this list without mentioning formula since Caterpillar wouldn’t be alive without it. I plan to write about my breastfeeding struggles in a future post but suffice to say I was unable to do it and had to switch to formula when Caterpillar was only a few days old. Aptimel was the first brand we tried and luckily he took to it extremely well. Similarly, we used Tommee Tippee bottles & steriliser and, again, Caterpillar had no issues at all with them.
Lamaze Cot & Buggy Toys
I became a little obsessed with these I must admit. The bright, bold colours and cute characters and patterns are absolutely beautiful and Caterpillar loved all the different textures and activities. I believe we bought about eight different toys in the end from this range.
Dummies
I didn’t really want to succumb to a dummy however we soon caved on day five when nothing else would settle him. They then became a permanaent fixture until he gave it up last year.
Teething solutions
Teething is a part of early parenthood that is a struggle for babies and parents alike. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helplessness and frustration that comes from being unable to comfort your child when they are irritable or in pain. Two items which can help slightly are; teething powder or granules – Caterpillar loved Nelson’s and it really seemed to calm him almost immediately – and these cute teething necklaces, they are cute to wear and great for occupying & comforting your teething little one.
Babies don’t tend to fit in this for long but while they do fit they LOVE it. Ours is actually third hand already and we plan to sell it on again one day. When your baby is at that stage where they aren’t quite mobile but they are too interested in everything to lay still for long the the jumperoo is perfect for keeping their attention and making them laugh.
You’re probably familiar with this high chair as so many cafes and restaurants use them – probably because of the reasonable price and easy-clean aspect. I’ve tried lots of different high chairs over the years and nothing has beaten the Antilop. It has a simple, sturdy design that gives you everything you need. Plus the price is so low it’s hard to believe.
Gill Rapley’s Baby-led Weaning Books
Both Gill’s first book and The Baby-led Weaning Cookbook are absolutely brilliant. I’ve written a full review here but, briefly, these books give you all the guidence and inspiration you need to feel confident doing this method of weaning, plus it’s so much fun.
Lists for the second and third years coming soon so please subscribe for updates.
I was the same, looking online for what I’d need throughout pregnancy! We only have a small house and a tight budget though so we waited and saved till the last minute to get things. The ikea antelope is my favourite #bloggerclubuk
Karen TwoTinyHands recently posted…Custom iPhone Case from CaseApp {Review & Giveaway}
Great range of products – muslin cloths are such an essential for us, they’re so versatile! #BloggerClubUK
Helen x
http://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/
I think I had everything above on my list for my first, apart from the Jumperoo, which I’ve only heard good things about! #BestandWorst #BloggerClubUK
Grobags are a winner, Effy was too small at first and it was an absolute nightmare using sheets.
I have almost every single one of the products you’ve mentioned! They are all fab – love the Lamaze toys and grobags. x #ukbloggerclub
Fab suggestions here, there’s so much we are touted and don’t need but you’ve compiled the essentials and you’ve also made me broody! Thanks for linking up x
This is a great list, we love Grobags and the Ikea highchair! Also huge fans of the baby-led weaning cookbooks #BloggerClubUK
Great list, these are pretty much the things we used most with A! Especially the jumperoo, and I’d already forgotten so it’s handy to read now #2 has just arrived. #pocolo
Kaye recently posted…Five Little Things | 03 {newborn edition}
Muslin squares are just so amazing. I used it as a nappy too and well now I use to for cooking! And the Ikead high chair. I think every home with a baby owns one! #pocolo
Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk) recently posted…Dust Yourself Off And Try Again
We loved sleep bags, especially the Grobags. I still swear by sleeping bags keeping N sleeping longer and he’s 5, and loves sleeping in them as a treat. #pocolo
Ohh! Things have changed so much since my girls were little. Everything looks so much better and fancier now 😀
Kim Carberry recently posted…Ellie had the lurgy. #WotW
Definitely agree with some of these! A good post for new mums or pregnant mums to be!
I love those lamaze toys..they’re so bright! We are big fans of grobags in this house too and we have the ikea highchair! It’s so simple but does the job perfectly. Fab list xx #TheList
wendy recently posted…BellyBuds review
You cannot beat the jumperoo.
With my first two we really didn’t have room for one…but the girls loooooved the one at my friend’s house.
When we moved I got pregnant again…but with twins!
I wasnt about to buy two of them and they would take up so much space.
I was kinda sad about that.
I keep forgetting this!
#KCACOLS
Kristin McCarthy recently posted…First Born to Last Born…my how the times have changed friends…
We’re big fans of the IKEA Antilop chair too. It’s also pretty easy to pack away if you’re travelling to family in the car. A baby can’t play without a LaMaze toy. Love how their designs look a bit 1970s retro! #KCACOLS
Sunita recently posted…Wellbeing: Why now I know it’s OK to not be OK
Great list, my 7 day old already has seen more of his bouncer chair then his bed I am sure. #brilliantblogposts
Such a concise list – there is so much junk out there that lures in parents-to-be, its great to do a real ‘must-haves’ rundown! #KCACOLS
We have many of these too. Muslins are definitely our saviour. Them and baby wipes! #kcacols
I absolutely agree with the muslin squares! They’ve been my saviour. I really underestimated how many I’d need. We end up doing a muslin square wash a week here because my daughter has so much reflux. #KCACOLS
Sarah – Mum & Mor recently posted…Gaming Round-Up: Preparation For Legion
Great list! I will have to try some of these, thanks! #KCACOLS
Kim recently posted…Olympic Sized Emotions Watching Swimming
Huge fan of sleeping bags over here! Although mine was a small baby so we did have an annoying wait before he was the right weight to be able to use them. Sadly the vibrating chair did nothing for him, but the jumperoo was a complete lifesaver for the 5 minutes he would tolerate it for! We got ours second hand too and I sold it on afterwards, but wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again for another child. And the Ikea Antilop is just a classic and a bargain to boot! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…#SharingtheBlogLove #8
Grobags are the best bedding ever! I’ve used them for both my girls. We had the Oyster first time around but due to a smallish age gap I had to get a tandem for our second, I’ve since sold it to a friend though so I know it’s being put to good use. And my one piece of advise to shopping pregnant mums is ‘There is no such thing as too many muslins.’
#KCACOLS
Agreed! Thanks for reading x
+1 for the grobag. Have to say I love the icandy peach I have, loved buggy shipping! Agree on muslins and also caved to the dummy around day 5! Would add a play mat to your list once they start getting active! #KCACOLS
TheIrishBabyFairy recently posted…3 Month Blogging Anniversary
Play mat nearly made the cut actually lol! Thanks for reading x
I love a grobag, they are so good!! I also still use muslins with my 16month old, super handy! Good list and thanks for linking up! #bestandworst
helen gandy recently posted…A Visit to Woburn Safari Park.
Yes! I totally agree with nearly all of these! Grobags-definitely! My nearly 4 year old still loves them, and I can’t see him switching to duvets anytime soon! Muslims-definitely!! I had loads of these, and I absolutely loved them! We had the Mamas and Papas Sola travel system, and have handed the car seat to a friend, but the buggy is still in use, with the addition of a buggy board in the back! Our eldest hated the bouncy chair, and just wouldn’t go in it, so it went in the loft. It came down again for the second, and he LOVED it!! Aptamil saved our lives on both occasions too, as did dummies! I also said I’d never give a dummy-until I gave one in desperation and never looked back!! The only thing we didn’t have was a jumperoo! My husband said they were too expensive, and I could never find a reasonably priced second hand one! This is definitely a fab list for anyone struggling with what really are essentials for the first year!!
#bigpinklink
This Mum’s Life recently posted…The Big Pink Link Week 28
The jumperoo is very expensive if you buy new, especially considering how long they are in it. Thanks for reading and commenting xx
I loved Lamaze toys. We never had a jumperoo, but I always wished we had. And you’re so right about muslins – so many uses! #KCACOLS
pretty much spot on! grobags, jumperoo and muslins! what more could you need hehe! #KCACOLS
What a great list, I’m sure all mums-to-be will find it very useful!
Thanks for linking to #pocolo (sorry about the late comment) xx
Morgan Prince recently posted…Cute anniversary gifts your Hubby will love
I’m expecting my first in a few weeks and your post is very useful, thanks! x