Baby Essentials We Love for the First Year

The first year with a baby is full of magical milestones—and a whole lot of gear. From the early newborn stage to the more active, curious baby months, we found a handful of products that made life easier and more comfortable. Whether you're building a baby registry or simplifying your setup for baby #2, these are our favorite baby essentials for the first 12 months.

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1. Two-Way Zipper Sleepers

Let’s start with the real MVP: two-way zipper sleepers. We had so many cute outfits, but our son lived in soft sleepers with two-way zippers. They made diaper changes so much easier.

Look for breathable cotton or bamboo fabrics. I recommend grabbing 7–10 of these and skipping the fancy newborn outfits altogether—babies grow so fast you’ll blink and they’ll need a new size.

2. Water Wipes

We’ve been using the original water wipes by WaterWipes since day one. They’re 99.9% water-based and super gentle on baby skin. After two years of daily use, we’ve never had to try another brand—no irritation, no rashes.

3. Diaper Balm

We love the Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm—it’s magical. We apply it at the first sign of redness, and it usually clears up by the next day. Made with clean, organic ingredients, it’s been a staple in our changing station since the newborn days.

4. Nursing Pillow

The Boppy Original Nursing Pillow was a lifesaver, especially after my c-section. It made breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and even just holding the baby much more comfortable. It also doubled as a prop for tummy time and early sitting support.

5. Swaddle Blankets & Sleep Sacks

Swaddling helped our son stay warm and sleep better. I liked having both traditional muslin swaddles and zip-up sleep sacks. I used the muslin swaddles during the early newborn days, then transitioned to sleep sacks as he got older and more wiggly. And yes, I owned all of the ones below—because anything that helped him sleep meant we could sleep too 😀.

6. Baby Pacifier

The BIBS Baby Pacifier quickly became one of our most-used items during the first year. Its soft natural rubber and lightweight design made it the only pacifier our baby would take. It helped soothe him almost instantly—especially during fussy evenings, car rides, and sleep time.

7. Teethers

Around 4–6 months, teething kicked in—and having a few soft, safe teethers on hand was a game-changer. We loved silicone ones that were easy to clean and could be chilled in the fridge. Our little one's favorites were: the Matchstick Monkey and Sophie la Girafe.

8. Play Mat

Around 2 months, our Little Bot play mat became the heart of tummy and play time—and we’re still using it two years later. It's non-toxic, stylish, and super durable. We loved that it blended in with our decor and didn’t scream “baby zone.” It’s a splurge, but totally worth it if you can grab it on sale!

9. Activity Gym

This was one of our most-used baby items. Our son was obsessed with his Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym. It encouraged reaching, grabbing, kicking, and tummy time—and gave me some precious time to eat, make a meal or wash the dishes.

If you have the budget, check out the Lovevery Play Gym too—it’s Montessori-inspired and designed to grow with your baby into toddlerhood.

10. Diaper Backpack

I can’t say enough about the convenience of a diaper backpack. Ours had enough room for diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, clothes, and even my wallet and keys. I recommend picking a gender-neutral one that both partners are happy to wear.

11. Baby Carrier

Babywearing gave me the freedom to get things done while keeping our baby close. We both loved the BabyBjörn Mini in 3D mesh—lightweight, breathable, and super easy to use. It was comfy for my petite frame and also worked great for my average-height husband.

12. Lovevery Play Kits (Nice-to-Have)

We subscribed to Lovevery’s Play Kits and loved how developmentally appropriate and beautifully designed they were. Each box arrives with toys and activities tailored to your baby’s age and stage—no more guessing what to buy or when. These kits helped support motor skills, focus, and open-ended play. While not essential, they were definitely a fun and thoughtful addition to our play routine.

Final Thoughts

Every baby is different, and your list of must-haves may vary—but the items above made our early days with a baby feel a little more manageable, and a lot more comfortable. If you’re building your baby registry or shopping for a loved one, these are practical, well-loved picks that make a real difference.

And don’t worry if you don’t get everything right away—you’ll figure out what works best for you and your baby as you go 💛.