10 Must Haves for Your Baby’s 1st Year

1.) TheBump.com
I'll prefix this by saying that I don't have any direct or indirect affiliations with this site. I stumbled upon it right at the beginning of my pregnancy and it soon became my go to for everything baby - From funky ailments to concerns about twin pregnancy, it proved to be an awesome reference for a new mom like myself. I was one of those "read everything" type of pregnant women, and each week, "The Bump" sent me an informative email on my twin's development. I still get weekly emails; but now in reference to my kid's developmental milestones. It's awesome for pre-pregnancy and beyond.

2.) Nursery Water
Now I'm not usually the super paranoid type, and I'll be the first to say that I drink tap water myself. (Don't judge me.) But for my newborns? I wasn't having that. Once I stopped breastfeeding, Gerber's powdered formula was what I used. Mixing it with tap water just didn't seem right. Nursery water from the grocery store costs about a dollar per gallon. I bought tons of the stuff. Knowing the philosophy of "breast is best", buying fresh water for their formula helped me to not feel as guilty and made the transition a little easier.

6.) Cereal Feaders
Now I don't want angry pediatricians emailing me death threats because these are not something that they recommend. They say that cereal feeders can contribute to obesity. I will say for the record that my mom used a cruder version of a cereal feeder on my siblings and I when we were babies. We're all slim and trim, so I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule. Once your kid hits about 3 or 4 months and can start on a little watered down cereal, putting it in one of these bad boys and giving it to your kid before bedtime will gain you - I'm sure - a much needed hour of sleep. Just use it sparingly. Soon after, they'll be ready for the spoon feedings anyway.

3.) Bibs... tons of them
Now this may seem self explanatory, and you may be thinking, prior to childbirth, post baby shower, that you have too many. But I'll tell you that as soon as my son began teething, it was as if someone turned on a faucet in his mouth. It was disgusting. He would soak through a bib in an hour flat. Needless to say, if you think you have enough bibs... buy more. Even if they're not "juicy" teethers, once they start eating solids, they become invaluable.

5.) Baby Bowls

Once your little munchkin starts on cereal, those little tiny plastic bowls with lids become indespencable. You'll run through those things fast, and unless you want to be washing miniature bowls twice a day, it'd be smart to stock up.

4.) Socks... you need tons of these too.
Now if you think that your socks disappear in the wash, your kid's miniature versions vanish even faster. Stock up on these; and a suggestion would be to buy more white than anything else. The fun patterned ones may be cute, but trying to keep up with, and match all that mess becomes annoying. Save your sanity.

7.) Sandwich Bags... no seriously

I use these for everything: Extra changes of clothes, dirty bibs, extra bottles. You'll find endless uses for them once you have kids. Even the mega-jumbo sized Ziplocs get some use in this house. They're perfect for holding clothes that the kids have to grow into.

8.) Green Disinfecting Wipes

I thought that these were a waste of money until I had twins. I bought a pack of these because I had a coupon, and haven't used anything else since. I sit them in a corner on my counter top. It definitely beats pulling out a spray bottle and papertowels. The "green" ones are safe for high chairs, counter tops, nurseries... everything. Once you use wipes, you'll never go back.

9.) A Good Sitter
Given that I don't have tons of family locally, I made sure to recruit a friend for babysitting as soon as I could. I got her and the twins acquainted very early on so they'd feel comfortable with one another. She's great with them, they love her, and she's had my back in a pinch when I needed someone fast. If you're pregnant and have a similar situation in the way of little family, lock down a reliable sitter as soon as possible.

10.) A Diaper Pail

Don't listen to anyone who tells you not to get one. If you have it, you'll use it. Although I feel they make the damn things too small, I use it all the time. It keeps the smell contained amazingly well. Even the pee pee diapers begin to have a strong odor after a few days.