4-5 months

You are on your way to becoming a seasoned parent!  This is a time when after the flurry of a newborn, you may be starting to get the hang of things, with a routine developing or already in place.  Less new items are needed, which is good news for your wallet, but there are a few key transition items.

Sleepsack– Once our baby started sleeping through the night consistently, we moved him from the Magic Merlin to a Sleepsack, to give more freedom of movement.  Since it is recommended that babies do not use blankets at this age, the sleepsack is perfect.  Depends on your region and temperature, but we used Carters babysuits underneath until age one.

Banana Brush– A teething lifesaver!!  The shape allows for easy holding and grasping, and when your baby is teething this perfect for their sore gums.  A friend described it to me as the difference between them crying for hours, and I took her word for it.  Seriously such a relief for teething babies.

Angelcare bath tub– Before your baby is able to sit up, this item is perfect for supervised bath time in the bath tub, so that your baby is surrounded by water, but stabilized.

“The iPod”– I called this toy “the iPod”, but really it is a musical toy for babies by baby Einstein that plays classical music.  Also doubles as a teething toy, and it is really fun as they get older to watch them figuring out how to press the button for music.

 

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Hard Books- I found this to be a great time to start reading to my baby.  Here are a few favorites, which at age one, are still favorites.

Jellycat If I Were a Lion, If I Were an Octopus, If I Were a Penguin

Goodnight Gorilla

Itsy Bitsy Spider

 

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8-12 months

Your baby is on the move!  Or will be shortly.  Not as much new “gear” is required during this time period, whew!  Mainly sippy cups for the transition out of bottles, sensory toys, and a new car seat as your baby grows.

Somewhere in this timeframe, your baby will outgrow the first car seat.  We got the Britax Boulevard, which is both rear facing and forward facing, so it will accommodate your baby/ toddler/ child for the next few years.

I was late to do this, but it is a good idea to introduce sippy cups and straws to transition your baby away from the bottle.  I started this at 10 months, because I waited for my pediatrician to mention it before starting.  The Munchkin weighted straw is perfect!  Whoever is the genius that came up with this idea deserves a pat on the back, and thank you from mothers everywhere.  Highly recommend.  Also the Nuk sippy cup with base handles seems to be a fan favorite for most babies around this age.

Once your baby is able to pull up and has some coordination, a Walker is a great toy to introduce and gives your baby confidence and practice for when they are ready to walk.  Blocks seem to be a big hit at this age, as well.  We were gifted this Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Center, and any toy like this is sure to provide entertainment.

Your baby is now one!  Well done parents!!!!