Below is a guide to the MuchNeeded essentials you will need to help them through each stage of their life.
Sleep Supplies
You will need different sleep supplies as your child makes their journey through their first year of life. Having the proper sleeping conditions are important as SIDS is a possible result of poor sleep conditions. More than 2,000 babies a year succumb to SIDS, and promoting the proper sleep environment is one of the best ways to prevent this occurring.
0 to 6 Months
A bassinet or crib. Many moms, especially those who breastfeed at night, prefer a bassinet to help keep their little one close to their own bed at night. For on the go sleeping arrangements, check out the Disney Sweet travel play yard.
Warm sleepers for the colder months. You should not have blankets when children are this small, so you need to make sure they can keep a comfortable temperature in the clothing they wear to sleep.
A baby monitor. You can choose from sound only or video baby monitors that can alert you when your child wakes and need to be fed or changed. Check out our Best Baby Monitors selection if you want to look for different options.
7 to 12 Months
A full-size crib. Your baby now moves around enough that she will need a large space to sleep and something with higher sides for safety. A convertible crib, such as the Stork Craft Davenport 5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Drawer can help take your little run all the way through their toddler years.
A mattress protector. No matter how vigilant you are about keeping your little one clean and dry, there will be times when they wet through or spit up in the bed. Mattress pads can make cleanup more simple and help protect your mattress.
12 to 24 Months
Blankets. Your little princess is now mobile enough to pull off her blankets if she were to become tangled. But to be safe, you should place the blanket below her shoulders blades when laying her down.
Soothing sound toy. You should never lay a toy next to your little girl in the crib, but there are attachable sound and light toys that can help them to better go down to sleep on their own.
24 to 36 Months
Toddler bed. Your little girl is now likely a climber, and a crib may become dangerous if they keep attempting to escape. Find a toddler bed that is low to the ground and has a firm mattress.
Bedding set. Your princess is now ready for full bedding, including a comforter and pillow. You can now choose the perfect bedding set fit for a princess.
Feeding
The feeding supplies you need will depend on whether you choose to breast or bottle-feed your baby. 77% of mothers will breastfeed their children at least for part of the first year, though formula can provide the proper nutrition for babies of mothers who don’t. Check out some of the feeding supplies you should plan to pick up.
0 to 6 Months
Breast pump. If you plan to nurse but want others to be able to feed your baby, you will need to invest in a good breast pump.
Bottles. Choose bottles with slow flow nipples and make sure that they are BPA-free, so they are safe for the baby, For moms on the go, the Philips AVENT Premium Bottle Warmer, can help you get your little girl’s bottle the perfect temperature.
7 to 12 Months
Spoons and bowls. By six months, your little girl will be able to start solids such as cereal and pureed foods.
Fast-flow nipples. Your baby will be drinking their bottle faster now, so you should switch to faster flow nipples so they can eat more comfortably.
High chair. A high chair can make feeding easier and give your child a spot to learn to feed themselves finger food. A popular choice is 4Moms High Chair, which features a magnetic tray that can lock dishes in place.
12 to 24 Months
Sippy cups. During this time frame, you are likely weaning your little one off of the bottle. Find a sippy cup to help them make the transition and adjust to the feel and flow of a cup. Phillips Avent Sippy Cups come with easy-to-grip-handles perfect for your little one.
Bibs. Your child will be learning to feed themselves, which means a bigger mess. Make sure to have a good supply of bibs so you can allow them to explore when they eat and minimize the mess.
Toys
Toys not only help keep your child entertained but also help develop their mind through the early years of their life. 90% of your child’s brain development occurs from birth through the age of five. Below are some toys you want to make sure you have to keep your little princess learning and stimulate.
0 to 6 Months
Mobiles. Your child will first learn to explore with their eyes, and motion is the ideal way to attract their attention. Consider bright colors or black and white as they will be easy for your child to focus on at this age.
Black and white books. Your little girl loves to hear the sound of your voice, so reading is a great time to bond. Your child will not be able to see colors until five months, so black and white books will be easier for them to look at.
7 to 12 Months
Playmat. Your baby is moving around much more, and a playmat will prompt them to hone these movements while adjusting their hand-eye coordination.
Musical toys. Music helps improve a baby’s intellectual, language, motor, and social-emotional skills. The Graco Dream Glider comes with mobiles and toys to keep your little one entertained for hours.
12 to 24 Months
Push toys. Your princess is beginning to test out their legs, so you should make sure they have push toys that help them work on standing up and taking those first critical steps.
24 to 36 Months
Imagination toys. Children love to explore and mimic their surroundings. Toys like play phones allow them to learn basic skills and expand their knowledge base.
Education toys. Now is a good time to provide your child with toys that increase their language skills. By three, your child should have a vocabulary of around 200 words, and you should be able to understand 75% of what your child says.
Diapering
0 to 12 Months
Diapering supplies are a must for your new bundle of joy and can typically be broken down into the diaper stage and the transition stage. Below you will find what supplies you need for both stages in the journey.
Diapers and wipes. You will need these and a lot of them. Since disposable diapers amount to 3.4 billion tons of waste in the U.S. alone, you may want to consider eco-friendly options such as cloth or biodegradable diapers.
Diaper pail. If you are using disposable diapers, a diaper pail is a must. They can help reduce the smell and keep bacteria contained until it is time to dispose of them in the trash. The Diaper Genie is a favorite of both new and been-there-done-that moms.
Diaper bag. Keep everything at easy reach with a diaper bag like the Nappy Bag by Maman, which features insulated bottle holders.
12 to 36 Months
Pull up. It is time to transition from diapers to the potty, and your little one will need something that is easy for them to get on and off.
Training potty. Find a training potty that your child will easily be able to get on and off on their own so they can learn to be independent in the bathroom. Be prepared for your new bundle by stocking on what you will need for your little one’s first years of life by following the guide above.