We asked our Today’s Parent editors (plus some new parents at our sister magazines) to share their favourite, life-saving products for baby’s first year.
This was soooo much better than the mesh ones we used with my older kid. These are a great way to get your kid munching on solids in a safe way and it keeps baby busy for a while. — Kim Shiffman, deputy editor, Today’s Parent
$8 each, bedbathandbeyond.ca
Making small batches of homemade baby food and purees was so much easier with this thing. I gave up batch cooking with pots and my Vitamix early on. Sometimes I just wanted to make a fresh portion of something small and this takes up no space, letting you steam and puree in the same appliance. I used it right up to the toddler and preschool years for stuff as simple as applesauce for dessert. — Claire Sibonney, senior editor, Today’s Parent
$200, bedbathandbeyond.ca
It’s just a necessity. Unless you are made of money, you are going to be scrubbing A LOT of baby poop stains out of cute baby clothes, so set this by your laundry sink with an old toothbrush and just accept it as an almost daily occurrence. — Ariel Brewster, senior editor, Today’s Parent
$6, walmart.ca
In the days when Theo hated having onesies pulled over his head, the Uniqlo and H&M kimono ones were amazing. They really look adorable too. — Jessica Pollack, managing editor of digital at Hello! Canada
3-pack Wrapover Bodysuits: $20, hm.com
A mom friend bought me a basket of her go-to baby essentials and among them was the Zoli battery-operated nail file. The device gently and painlessly buffs baby’s long nails and sharp edges in seconds. My husband—a gadget lover—was eager to give the Zoli a spin on the night we received it and has been giving baby weekly manicures every since. — Stefania Di Verdi, executive editor of branded content at Rogers Media
$45, westcoastkids.ca
Theo barely had any tushy rash and I used this all the time in lieu of chemical-laden products or intense barrier creams. — Jessica Pollack, managing editor of digital at Hello! Canada
$17, well.ca via todaysparent.com
Two days into learning how to breastfeed my baby and I was ready to throw my traditional breastfeeding pillow across the room. My Brest Friend saved my back, my arms, and my sanity. I love that it has back support and that it can be secured around your waist at any height. — Suzanne Gardner, social media editor, Today’s Parent
$65, thebay.com
I discovered these disposable saline wipes during my mat leave and our daughter loved them so much that she was the only kid in daycare who was willing to have her nose cleaned. Not only are they a life-saver during cold and flu season, but they are alcohol/paraben/phthalate-free and the “great grape” scent smells like Bubblicious. — Philina Chan, art director, Flare
Unscented, $5, well.ca
This was great for travelling! All you need is wifi and a secondary device (I had an old iPhone laying around the house) and you’ve got a two-way monitor. — Simone Olivero, social media editor, Today’s Parent
The patterns are gorgeous, so I’m not embarrassed to have it out all the time, and it’s easy to wipe clean. Plus, when I’m heading up north or on a weekend trip I roll it up and toss it in the trunk. — Jessica Pollack, managing editor of digital at Hello! Canada
$169, snugglebugz.ca
I used these exclusively to sterilize bottles and pump parts. Just seemed really easy to toss them in a bag and pop it in the microwave. Plus it saved counter space! — Jessica Pollack, managing editor of digital at Hello! Canada
$14, well.ca
It was the only thing that fixed my bleeding left nipple. (Note: This is a prescription nipple ointment.)— Kim Shiffman, deputy editor, Today’s Parent
Sure you could just use the peri bottle you get for free at the hospital post-birth, but seriously, this fancy version is worth the money. It’s cleverly designed to work perfectly upside down and it really does make postpartum bathroom visits easier. — Suzanne Gardner, social media editor, Today’s Parent
$20, bedbathandbeyond.ca
It saved my life. We thought we’d try baby #2 with no swaddle but tried the Miracle Blanket one night in desperation and he slept for 5 hours straight. — Kim Shiffman, deputy editor, Today’s Parent
$30, snugglebugz.ca
I hated how sticky most bum creams were. This one by Rocky Mountain Soap Company is sulfate, paraben and phthalate-free and has calendula and chamomile, which is amazing for getting rid of redness and irritation. I never had to deal with diaper rash and I also used this to clear up cradle cap and other skin irritations. — Simone Olivero, social media editor, Today’s Parent
This is great for people living in condos! Fit in my tiny IKEA vanity and worked great for those first few baths. — Simone Olivero, social media editor, Today’s Parent
$60, walmart.ca
When we started sleep training our baby the biggest challenge was shifting her from daddy’s cradling arms to her crib. My husband had the smart idea of warming up her mattress with a small heating pad and taking it off right before he placed her into the crib to help with the transition. Ridiculous? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. — Philina Chan, art director, Flare
BooBoo Saks, $22, amazon.ca
This is such a cool product. You never really have more than one hand free at a time when you’re taking care of a baby and packing up purees in this feeder for outings and picnics made life so much easier and less messy. People would always marvel at how neat it was. — Claire Sibonney, senior editor, Today’s Parent
$10, bedbathandbeyond.ca
Because WHO CAN SWADDLE?! So impressed when people can. Apparently I have two left hands. — Jessica Pollack, managing editor of digital at Hello! Canada
$17, toysrus.ca
Read more: 60 best baby products for your registry The 10 most dangerous baby products 14 awesome baby products under $10
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