The Best Essential Baby Buys for Year One

After two babies we are always being asked our “must-haves”. I compiled a minimalistic list of essential baby buys for my best friends. Now I’m sharing it with everyone!

With our first born we did not have a lot of space and knew we were going to be moving across the country soon after he was born. We truly only had the essentials. By the time baby 2 came along were settled in our own home and were able to take our time creating a nursery for him, but still stuck to the minimalist attitude. So, divided into 6 core categories here are our essential baby buys for year one.

Most of the pictures below will send you to Amazon! If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

SLEEP

BASSINET

I know. The cost is insane. But the SNOO is magic. We did have the luxury (calling it what it is) to use the Snoo with both of our babies. If your budget does not allow you to purchase or rent the Snoo it is worth trying to find it second hand or consider renting from a friend.

SWADDLES

Swaddles are so crucial to have during the newborn phase. There are so many on the market, but these 3 are my absolute faves. The Posh Peanut swaddles are incredibly soft and cling to baby for the easiest swaddling experience. It will also double as a cosy small blanket. Then we love the Aiden & Anais muslin swaddles to, yes, swaddle, but also as light summer blankets that you will find yourself using throughout toddlerhood. Lastly, the very specific Ollie Swaddle. I did not have the Ollie for my first born but I did for my second and I LOVED having it for nighttime sleep when we didn’t have the Snoo with us. If you do not have the Snoo I highly recommend getting the Ollie.

SOUND MACHINES

These two items are completely different, so both are necessary, in my opinion. We have The Hatch Sound Machine in each of my boys rooms and love them. So many nightlight options, sound options, you can control it from your phone, easy to travel with, very durable, and it will stay in your kid’s rooms for years. The Baby Shusher does exactly that, it only makes shhh sounds. It is a lifesaver so you are not sitting there shushing 24/7 and a must to take to the hospital.

SOOTHING MECHANISMS

Binkys and loveys. The things that over time your baby will be searching and asking for before nap and bed time. Below are the specific ones my boys LOVE. The Bibs Paci and Angel Dear Lovey. The binky can be used right away, I don’t believe in nipple confusion (successfully solely breastfed my second for 8mo). The lovey wait to introduce per AAP Guidelines.

CRIB MATTRESS

When I was a brand new mom sleep scared me. I was terrified of SIDS or any crazy unlikely situation occurring. So, I spent the money on the expensive Newton Baby mattress. I can say that my boys sleep great on it and as a parent it gave me peace of mind. Also, it is SO EASY to clean! My firstborn was notorious for peeing out of his diapers overnight, we had one of those horrible poop situations where baby takes diaper off himself, and a stomach bug. After all of that the mattress still looks like new. So, for me, it’s been worth the money. Mattress cover/pad recommended!

FEEDING

BREAST FEEDING

My oh my. Breastfeeding. What a journey. All I can say is the Haakaa is a must, the Spectra pump is fantastic, and the Am Amma nursing cover is expensive but I promise you it is the best one out there. Many of the cotton nursing covers stick to you, weigh on the baby, and are uncomfortable . The Am Amma nursing cover for one doesn’t look like one, is light on you and the baby, zero static uncomfortable-ness, and can be used in countless ways.

BOTTLES

Both of my boys were so easy with bottles, as in they didn’t refuse the nipple of the bottle. My first born was on a bottle at 5 days old, my second was not using a bottle until he was a few months old. So, very different situations but we used both bottles the same way. We used the Dr Browns bottles to start because we noticed much less spit up. *The blue Dr Browns tend to leak, avoid those!

By the time the boys were 6 months we transitioned to Comotomo with no issues. The reason we switched was because the Comotomo bottles are much easier to clean and because they are grippy and squeeze making it easier for baby to grab the bottle and feed themselves.

Lastly, cleaning the bottles. We personally love the Munchkin bottle cleaners that do come in multiple colors and the Boon grass drying rack.

BURP CLOTHS

Until you have a newborn you will never understand the importance of burp cloths. You will want plain white ones you can trash or bleach and use day to day at home and you will want cute ones. No matter what you will want many, many burp cloths. My top picks are the plain white Cozy Cub muslin burp cloths, the Aiden and Anais burpy bibs which double as a bib (they are awesome), and then I LOVE the thickness of the Copper Pearl burp cloths. Great for putting under baby during tummy time and having on hand when your’re out and about.

HIGHCHAIR

I experienced a cheap highchair off of Amazon. I have also experienced a very nice highchair (also availble for purchase on Amazon). Just spend the money. Trust me. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is SO easy to clean, baby is safe and secure, it grows with the baby, and it can look sleek and be used with most dinning tables.

SOLIDS

It’s pretty simple. Get a couple bibs, plates, bowls, placemats, baby spoons, baby flatware, and snack containers. My go-to brand is Mushie. Because of the silicone I would suggest avoiding putting it in the dishwasher, makes it taste soapy, but they are a breeze to hand-wash, I promise (I would not suggest something if it wasn’t easy to clean!).

The snack cup is Mushie, but the snack container is a different brand, GoBe, and y’all, it’s awesome. It will keep your baby/toddler entertained. Lastly, a full top bib (you’ll thank me later), beginner spoons, and mesh teethers that are fantastic for frozen fruits.

DRINKS

As baby starts to drink some water (around 8-10mo) you get to introduce straws! I personally used the Dr Browns straw bottle as the water bottle and the Oxo Tot straw cups for formula/milk/juice. I’ve tried so many other straw cups and these are the closest/best you will get to “leak proof”! The little open cups are great to start teaching how to drink out of a cup which I start around 11-12mo.

TRAVEL

CAR SEATS

Car seats are one of the most overwhelming purchases you make as a parent simply because the choices are endless. With my firstborn we had the Uppababy Mesa. Loved it. Then I sold it to a friend thinking it would be a few years before baby number 2. The month I sold it was the month I found out I was pregnant. Jokes on me! So, I wanted to try out the Nuna Pipa. Turns out I love it even more than the Uppababy Mesa.

There are things about the Upppababy that Christan and I agree we prefer over the Nuna and then there are things we love with the Nuna that the Uppababy doesn’t have. Example: Uppababy (easier to unlatch from the base using only 1 hand, seamless integration with the Uppababy stroller which we liked better than the Nuna stroller). Nuna (SO LIGHT it’s a noticeable difference, the canopy that covers the entire carseat is amazing, the base instals in seconds, integrates with the Uppababy stroller with the attachment). Ultimately, you will not go wrong with either carseat!

STROLLER

I LOVE our Uppababy Cruz stroller, it is basically a smaller version of the Uppababy Vista. It has been everywhere with us from strolls around town to long car trips and flights across the country. However, if you are going somewhere you will not use the stroller much, like a beach vacay, but need something to get them quickly from point A to point B, the GB Pockit Air is AHHH-MAZING. The stroller folds up so small it fits in the overhead bin of planes! Lastly, if you need a true all-terrain or jogging stroller the Bob Revolution Flex is an amazing stroller for any type of terrain.

PACK N PLAY

The 4Moms Pack N Play or “Playard” is fantastic. So simple to set up and fold up and both of my boys have slept great in it. The other playard is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and is excellent if you are needing to bring a sleeping arrangement while using air travel. It folds up so small it can be a carry on! Which means no having to pay to check a pack n play.

BABY CARRIER

I own all three of these carriers and love them each for different stages of baby-hood. The Tuck and Bundle wrap is easy to use and perfect for the first months of life when you want your baby snuggled up close to you. It is also breastfeeding friendly.

The Babybjorn Carrier Mini is my all-time favorite. So, so, so easy to put on, take off, great for the new born stage and works fantastic months later. The only problemc is once your baby starts to really put on the pounds it’s hard to go for a long time with the baby in this carrier as there is no hip/back support.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is bulkier but definitely the next step up once your baby is bigger and you plan on carrying lil bit for long stretches of time.

TRAVEL HIGH CHAIR

I cannot tell you how many times we have used the Phil & Teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair and the Inglesina Fast Table Chair. We use it at home on our island when I’m prepping meals, we never forget it when we go to restaurants, and we travel with it always. It is a dream for 6-12ish months because it sits the baby right up to the table unlike traditional restaurant high chairs. Lastly I have listed fun travel place mats. The Busy Baby Placemat can connect toys, the other is a disposable sticky mat.

ATTACHABLE TOYS

Long car rides & flights with babies are SO easy from months 0-6mo. Once they start moving, crawling, and pulling up it becomes more difficult until they are old enough to sit still and do an activity (2-3yo). Either way, you need a few little, soft toys to keep them happy during travel. Linked below are a few of my favs! Click on the images to be sent to Amazon.

BABY BLANKETS

The Little Giraffe baby blankets are THE BEST. So cozy and a great size for travel. Both of my boys have the larger blanket and smaller lovey with their names embroidered.

PLAY

Toys. This can be an overwhelming topic but I am choosing to get straight to the point! Less IS more. You need only so many toys and teethers and “containers”, in my opinion. It is so good for your baby to be on the floor whether it’s tummy time, laying on their back, or on their side as it helps build their strength for rolling over, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, and eventually walking.

I personally adore the Lovevery play mat and both of my boys enjoy it. Next up, the Lovevery subscription boxes because it takes all of the guess work out and keeps the toys to a minimum. As the toys build up start a toy rotation box! Then there are the teether toys like Sofie La Giraffe, the Manhattan Toy rattle, and teether rings.

Lastly, I have a few “containers” in the mix that both my babies loved. The Baby Bjorn bouncer, SnuggleMe, the floor sit me up seat, and the Skip Hop Activity Center. I personally do not do walkers or bouncers.

BATH TIME

Included below are all the essentials for bath time. First up we have the baby bath, spout protector, and the baby towels and baby wash cloths that are a must.

Toys! We keep it pretty simple, but fun and educational. What I have listed are the only bath toys we have and its plenty. I do avoid toys that will accumulate mold. Click on the pictures to be sent to Amazon.

Lastly, the only shampoo/body wash, bubble bath, and body lotion we use for the boys, Noodle & Boo. My littlest has some issues with eczema and sensitive skin and we have never had an adverse reaction using Noodle & Boo. It is a bit pricey but the smell and gentleness on your baby’s skin makes it worth it! And then, of course, you need somewhere to store all this stuff! I have included the little bath caddy we use and I love it. It sits right across the bath tub, is adjustable, and has a slim profile.  

HEALTH & HYGIENE

This one is fairly self explanatory, but I highly suggest having these items on hand before your baby is born! The absolute worst is needing any of these items in the middle of the night and having to do a quick run to CVS. 

My go-to for wipes are water wipes and I love the pamper pure diapers for my littles. The only diaper rash cream you need is aquaphor. The stuff is magic! Seriously, you do not need any of the fancy diaper rash cream. Keep this on your little one’s booty and you will never have a diaper rash! Plus, its excellent for other things like eczema, dry skin, and scars. Vanicream is what I put on both of my boys face. It’s a very gentle moisturizing lotion that was recommenced by our doctor when my first born was struggling with some baby acne. Vanicream was the only thing that worked!

Next up, all those Wellements products I’m sure you have seen and I swear, they are the best. Their gripe water did wonders for our youngest and I’ve used the baby tooth oil on both of my boys. Next to this you see the inevitable nail file.

Baby Tylenol, Baby Motrin, Baby Vicks, and the Nose Sucker. Make sure you have ALL of them in your medicine cabinet because it’s inevitable, you will need it eventually. *Use any medicine under the advice of your physician.

Lastly, laundry. It feels like it never stops when you have a newborn. Then you have 2 children it truly NEVER. STOPS. For my youngest all I use is Dreft and we have zero issues. I’m also specific about the stain removers we use. Miss Mouth’s Messy Eaters Stain Remover is excellent for berry stains, red wine, most red/purple stains. Then I recommend HEX for all other stains, especially dirt/mud stains. Lastly, for stains that are orange/yellow like mac&cheese, sweet potato, etc the SUN (which combats most stains).

Pro tip: Wash any stained clothes in cold water, if you use hot water it could “set” the stain. After it’s done washing if the stain is still there lay it out in the sun and watch it disappear. Do not dry in the dryer until the stain is gone! The heat of the dryer will set the stain making it much more difficult to get out. This works on *most stains.

And there ya have it! All of the essentials, in our opinion, for your little one’s first year of life.

All the love,

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