Baby's First-Year Basics: What Products You Need & When

A car seat—either an infant car seat or a convertible car seat—will likely be the first piece of gear your baby touches, as you’ll need one safely installed in your car to take them home from the hospital or birthing center. This infant car seat is well priced, easy to install and has many safety features.

Next up is a stroller that fits your infant car seat. One important thing that many new parents don’t realize is that most strollers can’t be used from birth without an infant car seat or bassinet attachment (which can be purchased separately). Strollers have minimum age and or weight requirements, so be sure to check your stroller’s specs to see when baby can sit in it safely. You can usually find this info on the brand’s website or wherever you buy it. If you’re buying a travel system, aka an infant car seat + stroller combo, you’re all set since the two are designed to fit each other. And it is possible to mix and match brands, as long as the stroller brand offers infant car seat adapters for your specific seat model. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing with babies for at least the first six months of their lives. Bassinets offer a safe space for them to snooze while keeping them close to you at night. 

Speaking of sleep, newborns are born without a circadian rhythm—so it’s totally normal for them to wake up throughout the night. A swaddle and sound machine are essential for a good snooze.

Structured baby carriers typically have a minimum weight limit, while soft wrap carriers tend to be nice for newborns. Babies also aren’t born with great head control, so when you’re picking out a carrier, make sure you choose one that’s safe to use from birth. The Solly Baby wrap is one of our editors’ and Babylist parent faves since it can be used with babies eight pounds and up and it’s super comfortable.

Babylist parents raved about this Angelcare bath support for newborns in our best baby products survey. I personally used this for both of my kids when they were newborns too, so I can say that the hype is in fact valid. It provides a safe spot for them to lounge during bath while letting them be immersed in the water to stay warm. You can also get a baby bathtub that comes with an infant insert, like the Skip Hop one below.

If you’re planning on breastfeeding, a nursing pillow is essential in helping you get the right positioning and keeping you and baby comfortable during feedings. This one is great for the newborn phase while you’re still getting used to breastfeeding because it’s so supportive and helps bring baby to you, rather than crouching over them, which is important for getting an optimal position and latch.

Planning on formula or combo feeding? This thing is like a Keurig but for babies—it makes bottle prep, no matter the time of day, super easy and quick. 

Whether you’re planning on exclusively nursing or know you’ll introduce a bottle at some point, it’s a good idea to have a few on hand in either case. You don’t need to go out and buy a huge stash (because babies have strong opinions on bottles) but having one or two to try is a good start. These Lansinoh bottles provide the ideal latch, especially when going between breast and bottle, but the Babylist Bottle Box is also a great option if you want to try a few different ones.

Around this stage, many babies outgrow their bassinet and are ready for a crib. A safe sleep space with a firm mattress and fitted sheet are important for following safe sleep guidelines—never put any blankets, pillows or stuffed animals in there with them. Pro tip: Look for a crib that grows with your baby—many convert to toddler beds for years of use.

One baby starts rolling over—which typically happens in this timeframe—you’ll need to transition from the swaddle to a sleep sack (aka wearable blanket). These cozy, arms-free options keep little ones warm while ensuring safe sleep. Look for breathable fabrics, easy zippers and the right TOG rating to match your nursery’s temperature.

As babies grow, a structured carrier provides the support both you and your little one need. Designed for longer wear, these kinds of baby carriers distribute weight evenly and offer multiple carrying positions—perfect for hands-free snuggles, walks, or even getting things done around the house. Look for adjustable straps, lumbar support and breathable fabrics for all-day comfort.

Heading back to work around now? A portable breast pump can make pumping on the go and at work much easier. Wearable, hands-free options let you pump discreetly during meetings or commutes, while lightweight battery-powered models ensure you’re never tied to an outlet. Look for pumps with strong suction, quiet operation, and easy cleaning to simplify your routine.

Notice baby is drooling a lot and gnawing on everything they can get their hands on? It’s teething time! At this stage, babies love to chew to soothe sore gums. Look for soft, textured teethers made of food-grade silicone. Bonus points for ones that can be chilled for extra relief! 

As your baby grows and feeding sessions become more flexible, it might be time to swap your structured My Brest Friend pillow for the softer, more versatile Boppy. The Boppy’s curved shape offers comfortable support for nursing and bottle-feeding. Plus, its lightweight design makes it easy to grab for feedings anywhere.

If you don’t already have a monitor, now’s the time you might want to get one set up in baby’s nursery, especially if you’re ready to transition baby to their own room now that they’re six months.

And perhaps one of the biggest milestones of the first year happens starting around six months: solids! As long as your baby is showing signs of readiness and you’ve gotten the okay from your pediatrician, this is when you’ll want to break out the high chair and baby-friendly bowls and utensils. 

Around six months, babies don’t need a special insert or attachment to use most strollers. If you previously had a stroller caddy or frame specific to your infant car seat, your baby is likely ready to graduate to an actual stroller. 

If you’ve been using a bath support (like the Angelcare), you’ll need to transition to an actual tub, whether that’s a baby tub or your bathtub. If the latter, make sure you get a nonslip bathmat and spout cover to prevent slips and head bumps. 

Ready to start solids? A baby food maker lets you easily steam, blend and prep fresh purees right at home. Whether you're going for single-ingredient purées or mixing up new flavors, these all-in-one machines save time and mess. Many models also work for batch prepping, so you can freeze portions for later, too.

Last call—if you haven’t babyproofed your home yet, now's definitely the time! Make sure you secure any stairs, cover outlets and prep your coffee table for your mobile baby. 

At this stage, brushing is more about getting your baby used to the routine and just a gentle scrub with water is enough. This banana teether plus training toothbrush is a parent fave thanks to its easy-to-hold handles, soft silicone bristles and that it doubles as a teether.

Nine months to a year old typically coincides with babies outgrowing their infant car seats, in height or weight. Most little ones will outgrow their seat in height first and this means it’s time to switch to a rear-facing convertible car seat. 

The Joovy Trike is a fun, grow-with-them ride that starts as parent-controlled and transitions into an independent trike as your little one gets older. With a secure harness, adjustable seat, and sunshade, it’s perfect for outdoor adventures.