The Moms Who Get It Awards: Our Favorite Products for the First Year

Feeding young babies is really hard…and feeding older babies is really hard, just in a different way. If you’re struggling to balance your general life responsibilities with the need to put healthy, balanced meals on the table, these premade plates will be a lifesaver.

Let this ingenious product take the logistics of allergen introduction off your hands. You can mix it into bottles or food, starting as early as four months.

Save yourself some serious time with this gadget that will mix your baby’s bottles for you. Customize the settings depending on the type of formula and volume you want to mix, and voila: a warm bottle, ready to go.

A great early snack for little ones getting used to solids, these rice biscuits travel well and dissolve easily in babies’ mouths. They’re allergen-free, gluten-free, and minimally messy. PS: These are currently out of stock, with more on the way.

This good-looking first plate set is plastic-free, with dishes and utensils made from bamboo and silicone. It also has pretty powerful suction, so it should help you avoid at least some of the inevitable intro-to-solids mess.

The perfect place for your twin babies to drink their bottles, yes, but also lounge while you try to get things done…or get the perfect photo of them together before someone has a diaper blowout. Note that it takes 2-3 weeks to arrive, unless you place a rush order.

With a new baby comes a cart-load full of bottle parts, pacifiers, pump components, and other random odds and ends that need to be washed again and again. This rack lets you air-dry them all without taking up too much counter space.

One Skimm mom who loves this chair sings its praises for multiple reasons—like its sleek design, two-layer tray, and silicone-coated straps that are super easy to clean.

With three mattress positions and four overall setup options—crib, toddler bed, daybed, and sofa—this crib gives you tons of flexibility. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, sturdy, and best of all, reasonably priced for what you’re getting.

Yogasleep knows a thing or two about making sound machines—they’ve been making them for more than 50 years. But your grandma wishes she had this version, which is rechargeable and portable so you can even use it on a packed Manhattan train, like one Skimm mom.

Not all babies love sleeping with their arms pinned at their sides. If yours doesn’t, don’t give up on swaddling before trying this “swaddle up” option.

So popular that it frequently sells out, this swaddle is a Skimm mom favorite, with one mom raving that it stays put and is easy to use even in the depths of sleep deprivation. The opening at the bottom also makes midnight diaper changes much easier.

This WiFi-powered monitor offers tons of information, like a full nightly report on your baby’s sleep—plus lots of flexibility, with floor stand, wall mount, and travel stand options, so you’ll always be able to keep an eye on your baby.

If it’s an old-school, non-WiFi monitor you’re after, this is a reliable and reasonably priced option. With a 330-degree horizontal and 110-degree vertical pan, it offers a wide-angle view so you won’t miss anything.

With soft, bamboo-derived rayon, a double zipper, and a lightly padded feel, these are more like tiny wearable sleeping bags than regular sleepsacks (hence the name). We’ll understand if you get jealous and want your own.

Their two-way zippers, 95% organic cotton fabric, and huge variety of adorable prints make these PJs winners all around. One Skimm mom even praises their wide hand holes, which prevent your baby’s hands from getting caught during an outfit change.

Looking for an easy way to track sleep, feeds, diapers, medication, and more? This app is straightforward to use and can be shared by all the people taking care of your baby. Use the free version just for tracking, or upgrade for personalized schedules and plans to help with sleep.

Turn any table into a changing table with this pad that’s easy to wipe clean, and big enough to fit kids up to 30 pounds. It’s comfortable, water-resistant, and easy to move around if you need to change your baby in a few different locations at home.

File this under things you never thought you’d need to buy. But there may come a point when you’ll try just about anything to help relieve your baby’s gas or constipation. Skimm moms swear by this set of single-use tubes that provide easy, safe relief.

With compartments for everything from wipes and diapers to your laptop, this attractive backpack-style bag is comfortable to wear, easy to strap to your stroller, and should hold up for years.

This supremely giftable play mat is simple but stimulating for babies, from their earliest newborn days until well after they’ve learned to sit up and grab everything in sight. Fun extras include five detachable toys and a play guide for parents.

Yes, it means bringing potentially annoying sounds into your home, but this play mat, designed for newborns and up, is sure to be a hit. It has options for every type of play, including plenty to encourage tummy time, and the individual components (like the piano) will keep entertaining your kiddo even after he or she can walk.

Simple, yes, but you can do a lot with this little six-egg set. Each egg “cracks” open and has a squeaking chick inside. Play pretend market, cook pretend recipes, or help your little one sort by color and shape.

Parents everywhere know and love this versatile early-walker toy that’s really not expensive given the long life it’s bound to have in your home. The front panel can be removed for floor play until your little one is ready to push the whole gadget around the house, and there’s an excellent chance it will remain in their toy rotation long after they’ve learned to run.

It’s hard to tell who loves this thing more: babies or parents. For your baby, it’s a place to “stand” independently (with lots of support) and play with the attached toys while also feeling included in whatever’s going on in the room. For parents, it means your baby is contained and you can maybe have a couple seconds to eat your lunch. Win-win.

It’s not cheap, but this travel crib (which is super easy to fold up and take with you on trips) is worth the price because it’s also a great playpen for long days at home. Keep your kiddo happily contained with some favorite toys, or unzip one of the walls so they can crawl in and out. Psst: There’s no weight limit, so you can use this thing for years.

An all-time favorite we recommend to (or buy for) everyone we know, this baby bouncer is one of the simplest but most ingenious products on the market. It’s a place for babies to sit, watch, and eventually play while mom and dad read to them, sing them songs…or get things done around the house.

This jumper lets your baby spin around and play with animal-themed toys, while also taking in what’s going on around the room. The seat pad is machine-washable, and it can be adjusted to three different heights.

This plant-based, 100% mineral sunscreen protects your baby with zinc oxide, and can be used from six months. Another plus: it has no scent.

Designed for babies 0 to about 18 months, this bathtub has a narrower newborn side and a toddler side that gives your little one more freedom to move around. It’s especially useful if you’re worried about space, since it folds flat and can be hung on a door or wall when not in use.

This sensitive skin-friendly wash works from day one, and is gentle enough to use every day after that. It’s dye-, paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free, and designed to keep skin perfectly moisturized.

These are made from 100% organic cotton and available in lots of sweet styles—from an avocado print to a pretty floral. They’re soft and over two feet long on each side, so you’ll be able to use them for a while.

If you’re dealing with any kind of eczema or skin irritation, try this Skimm mom fave (of course, check with your pediatrician first to make sure there’s nothing else you need to address). It’s not cheap, but it will last a while, and it’s great for sensitive skin.

This sturdy, smooth-riding stroller can easily stand up to others that are twice the price. Customize it for your needs with an extra seat, bassinet, or car seat adapter.

The car seat/stroller hybrid of every new parent’s dreams, the Doona is especially useful for city parents or people who travel a lot. We’re waiting (not so patiently) for the equivalent of a Doona to be invented for convertible car seats.

If you want a one-and-done baby carrier that will last for literal years, look no further. Suitable from birth or 7 pounds to 45 pounds, and with lots of different possible configurations (including positions on a parent’s chest or back), this thing really does it all.