Over the weekend Sloane turned 6 (!!!) months. They really aren't kidding when they say how fast time goes with children. In a way it feels like a lifetime ago we brought her home, and in other ways just yesterday. I promise I'm not going to cry ;-)
With our first six months has come A LOT of trial and error with baby gear. Of course every single baby is different, but I always loved reading what worked for others. Sharing with you guys today a comprehensive list (by category) of what our tried and true most loved items were the first half-year of Sloane's life! Okay, maybe I am crying a little bit.
Travel
Uppababy Mesa Car Seat This carseat has been fantastic paired with the stroller option below. We have a couple of strollers and this has by far been the one we reach for most frequently.
Uppababy Cruz Stroller I can't say enough positive things about this stroller. As mentioned above, we have a couple of strollers in our garage and this one is by far the most used. I keep in the back of my car at all times because it is so easy (and light!) to pop in and out when I'm by myself running errands with Sloane. The car seat snaps directly in it if she's asleep on the go, or she loves the rumble seat for walks or out to dinner, etc. We also purchased the bassinet separately, but would likely recommend borrowing from a friend if you can, as we only used for about a couple of months. Sloane wasn't a huge fan of laying flat, so we upgraded to the rumble seat with the infant head insert pretty early. We ultimately decided on the Cruz over the Vista given just how light and easy for travel the frame is. With future babes, we'll likely have to switch to the Vista, but I absolutely love the Cruz for strolling Sloane all over. I joke with Austin that we should have stuck an odometer to the stroller when we first started using it, haha!
Baby Bjorn Carrier One Gosh, we love this thing. From soothing Sloane as a tiny baby when the dreaded witching hour hit to tailgates and beyond, this carrier has been a dream. The best part about it is that you only need one as the baby grows into a toddler, when you can strap right onto your back! Austin absolutely loves it, too!
ToteSavvy I'm not one for a "diaper bag" -- I just couldn't really get into them. I browsed countless backpacks and beyond and just never found "the one." I'm so glad for the ToteSavvy. It's made me able to transform multiple existing tote bags of mine as well as our beloved LL Bean totes into the perfect "diaper bag"
Baby Bjorn Bouncer If you buy one thing at all (aside from diapers, haha!) let it be this bouncer. It was one of the most underestimated items we registered for. I had heard good things, but never really understood HOW good. If I need a safe place to set Sloane, I turn to the bouncer. If I need to take a shower, in to the bathroom comes the bouncer. Even outside on the deck, the bouncer is with us! The cover is entirely washable and it flattens basically to nothing to store under a sofa or travel with you wherever you go!
Tommee Tippee Bottles When I first introduced a bottle to Sloane, she absolutely loved the shape of these bottles. I will say however, as of late we have stopped using them as the nipple starts to flatten and suck inside of the bottle, frustrating Sloane. I'm not sure if it is that she is getting stronger, but these were great when we first introduced a bottle around 4 weeks old. I was first introduced to this bottle through my Amazon Registry Welcome Box!
Dr. Brown Bottles We initially started Sloane with these and she did not like them! But, I held onto them and now she loves them!
Babyganics Wash I love this for quick washes for bottles and pacifiers. Fragrance and harmful chemical free.
OXO Baby Food Containers We introduced solids to Sloane just shy of 5 months old. It was really important to me to make her food myself and these containers (buy two!) are great for storing a few days of food at a time.
NutriBullet I was originally torn on getting a baby food maker just for her food, but ultimately decided on this and it has been amazing. I wanted something that also allowed for Austin and I to make smoothies, etc and this fits the bill.
Monogrammed Bibs Certainly not a "must" but sure does make meal time a little cuter ;-)
Sleep
Halo Bassinet Sloane slept in this beside our bed for the first 4 months before transitioning her into the crib. I loved being able to swivel over to feed in the middle of the night without having to get out of bed!
Dock-a-Tot This was amazing for bringing Sloane into the kitchen and placing her on the island while I cooked, on the sofa while we watched TV and fit perfectly inside of the Halo, too!
Hatch We love this thing. It's a sound machine/night light combo that can be controlled by an app on your phone. I can increase or decrease her white noise from outside of her room and when she gets older create a "time to rise" light setting letting her know its okay to get up.
Love to Dream Swaddle Sloane was not a fan of traditional swaddling. She slept best with her hands up by her face (and still does!) This swaddle was a lifesaver for us and finally allowed us to get some sleep!
Nested Bean Once we transitioned her out of the swaddle, we used the Merlin suit for a short bit and then transitioned to the Nested Bean sleepsack. She loved it! She's since gotten too long for the 0-6 month and we just ordered the Kyte sleep sack. I'll report back once we've used it for some time!
Baby Shusher Another one of the more underestimated items we first received. It was (and still is!) wonderful for calming Sloane whether traveling or in her bassinet or crib.
Baby Care
Pampers Pure Diapers We first tried these the day we got home from the hospital and along the way tried a couple of other natural brands (Honest, etc) and just keep coming back to these. They are free of toxic chemicals, fragrance and are softer than the Honest in my opinion which felt like a stiffer material. I will say however, especially if you are doing night feeds, they likely won't take you from 7am-7pm (especially as the baby gets bigger) -- so we are looking for recommendations on best overnight diapers!
Mustela Baby Wash - All we have used from the very beginning (and their lotion!) and its been so gentle on that precious baby skin. The smell of it will forever remind me of those sweet baby days!
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment This stuff is amazing. Just check out the reviews! Any sort of rash, dry skin, baby skin issue (or even you!) this stuff works wonders. Sloane gets dry patches up by her hairline and this stuff helps instantly!
Pacifier Wipes Love love keeping these on the go to instantly disinfect a paci that may hit the floor or other germy surface!
Toys
I'm just going to preface that each one of these items will turn your house into a dumpster fire, but I presume that's what we signed up for for the next decade or so ;-)
Skip Hop Exerciser Around 4.5 months, Sloane was tall enough to use this. I personally liked the more muted tones, and she loves the sounds and lights.
Freddie the Firefly Our most favorite toy since the newborn days. I think I would pay its $12 cost times 5 if I had to. We caught Sloane's first smile with Freddie. A wonderful gift for a new mom!
Stacking Cups Pretty simple but she loves to watch me stack these and play with them individually. They are great for development as she grows well beyond 6 months.
Baby Einstein Travel Music The best. Seriously. We keep one in the car and one at home at all times. Something about it keeps her occupied for quite awhile!
Crinkle Books Sloane loves the texture of these types of books! And they are machine washable which is definitely a plus.
Doorway Jumper We limit her daily activity in this but she has an absolute ball when she is in it. It's so much fun to watch her!
Singing Elephant At first, Sloane wasn't so sure about this toy and now it's one of her favorites to watch sing to her!
I grew up in sweet, smocked clothing and always knew I wanted to dress my baby in similar, classic, southern childrenswear. Dressing Sloane has been so much fun. Maybe too much fun? So many sweet things to choose from these days! A few of our favorite brands have been Petit Bebe (washes best by far), Kissy Kissy, Anavini, Angel Dear, The Beaufort Bonnet and Little English just to name a few.
Petit Bebe Bishops We loved these types of dresses all summer long, and even with thick tights into fall and winter. The long rompers are also precious on.
Bloomers Adorable under the dresses above!
Zippered Kissy Kissy Zippered made nighttime changes much easier! Now that Sloane isn't getting changed in the middle of the night, snaps work fine but I still always tend to grab for my zippered options when I can.
Miscellaneous
Little Giraffe Luxe Blanket It finally just cooled off recently to use this and it is one of Sloane's favorites! She absolutely loves soft things and she loves to bury her face in this when we are taking stroller walks.
Copper Pearl Swaddle Blanket The best little lightweight blanket for newborn swaddling, car seat blankets and stroller blankets. It's got the perfect amount of stretch.
Muslin Blankets We have three of these on hand at all times. They are wonderful.
MAM Pacifiers These have been her favorite style of paci so far. I guess it's time we bump her up to the 6+ month version.
Pacifier Holder She wasn't a fan of the WubbaNub's until recently, so we were able to use this around her MAM pacifiers to keep track of them easily!
La Jolla Storage Baskets We have multiple of these and love for toy or blanket storage. Especially if you don't have a playroom they provide an attractive option for storing toys when not in use.
The Laundress Baby Detergent A good friend told me about this detergent when Sloane was tiny and it's all we've used since. The smell will forever remind me of when she was a baby. I sometimes even wash my pajamas in it too!
