20 genuinely useful buys that will make the first year of parenthood so much easier, as chosen by Stylist editors

20 genuinely useful buys that will make the first year of parenthood so much easier, as chosen by Stylist editors

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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20 genuinely useful buys that will make the first year of parenthood so much easier, as chosen by Stylist editors

By Annie Simpson

6 months ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

8 min read

Expecting and have no idea where to start on what you actually need to buy? We asked five Stylist mothers to advise on what helped them through those first twelve months. From muslins and breast pumps to white noise machines, here are the buys that they found to be most useful for early parenthood.


No matter what your journey to pregnancy and motherhood has been, after you’ve seen those two pink lines appear on a test and gotten through your first scan, it’s likely that you’ll be feeling a mix of emotions. But the heady blend of excitement and nerves can quickly be overshadowed by more practical questions – like what you’ll need once the baby arrives.

And that’s exactly the position I currently find myself in. After going through several rounds of IVF, and experiencing miscarriage, it took a while for the fact that this is happening to sink in. But now, as I hurtle towards my third trimester, I’m starting to panic about what we’re going to be needing in a few short months, from bottles and pumps to muslins, cots and the almost endless array of strollers and push chairs available. Knowing what’s essential (and what’s worth spending money on) is somewhat of a minefield. 

After countless Google searches and checking the lists of ‘essential items’ that major retailers all claim we need, I’ve been left feeling even more confused and overwhelmed than when I first started. So what else was I to do, then, but enlist the help of several mothers on team Stylist to share the items they couldn’t have gotten through their first year of parenthood without? Here’s what they had to say. 

Lisa Smosarski, editorial director 

Tommee Tippee portable black-out blind regular

Tommee Tippee portable black-out blind regular

After finally getting my baby into a sleep routine I was horrified to discover they wouldn’t sleep unless it was pitch black. Fine at home but it meant chaos when travelling. 

These temporary black-out blinds were a lifesaver.  

Shop Tommee Tippee portable black out blind regular at Argos, £25

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Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment

Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment

Chapped nipples. Not something anyone ever wants to hear, especially a breastfeeding mum. This ointment really did soothe, is fine to breastfeed with after application and works wonders on your lips and other dry skin areas too. 

It’s basically the ultimate soothe-anything ointment. 

Shop Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment at Look Fantastic, £10.99

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Love To Dream Swaddle Up

Love To Dream Swaddle Up

Swaddling has long been thought of as the perfect way to settle and comfort a sleeping baby. Yet some of us aren’t quite as good at rolling that baby burrito. 

This incredible little sleep suit was the perfect answer and is super cute when they’re all bagged up, too! 

Shop Love To Dream Swaddle Up, £29.99

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Tuppence and Crumble star fleece baby wrap

Tuppence and Crumble star fleece baby wrap

All three of my children are winter babies and this star fleece was one of my favourite ways of coping with dressing babies for the cold. Wrestling a baby into a snow suit of any description takes HOURS and a lot of stress. But this star blanket is easy to whip on and off and is super toasty. I wish they made them in adult sizes. 

I’ve bought so many for newborns since, because it made my life so much easier. 

Shop Tuppence and Crumble star fleece baby wrap at Not On The High Street, £28

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Alix Walker, editor

Baby Bjorn cover for baby carrier

Baby Bjorn cover for baby carrier

I used the same Baby Bjorn carrier for all four of my children, from a few weeks old until at least 12 months. I don’t think anything in my baby kit got as much use, and it’s almost as good as new today (I tried other baby carriers and none compared).

But I also found this Baby Bjorn cover genius. I walked a lot when my children were babies and I could cafe hop, pulling this over them when we were outside, without having to bother with faffing around with a coat.

Shop Baby Bjorn cover for baby carrier, £51.90

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Finnson Frida eco stroller organiser with stroller clips

Finnson Frida eco stroller organiser with stroller clips

Some people like giant baby changing bags that are perfectly stocked for every eventuality but I found anything too big with too many pockets hurt my back and harboured all manner of crushed up baby biscuits and dirty babygrows. 

This, by Finnson, is more handbag-sized (I still use it as a handbag today), a dead ringer for a Ganni bag, clips onto a pushchair really easily has two baby bottle-sized side pockets and a giant strap for cross body, hands-free wearing. 

Shop Finnson Frida eco stroller organiser with stroller clips, £69

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Totter and Tumble Morris & Co. The Strawberry Thief playmat

Totter and Tumble Morris & Co. The Strawberry Thief playmat

These are an investment, but totally worth it. A large, wipeable play mat that also looks genuinely nice. Perfect for changing nappies, tummy time, learning to sit and crawl (it’s super soft), and you can roll it away when you need the space.

Shop Totter and Tumble Morris & Co. The Strawberry Thief playmat, £160

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Harris and Jones personalised keepsake box

Harris and Jones personalised keepsake box

This feels a bit twee but I have a keepsake box for each of my children where I throw those little things I might want to remember… Their newborn baby hospital tag, scan photos, first shoe, baby announcement card, the silly polaroid we took when my eye bags were the main focus of the photo. It’s not remotely organised and I’m not sure how old I’ll be when I get round to doing anything with the contents, but I’m so happy I have them.

Shop Harris and Jones personalised keepsake box, £35

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Susan Riley, head of brand 

Aden and Anais jungle jam muslin swaddles

Aden and Anais jungle jam muslin swaddles

These muslins are more expensive, but they are giant in size so perfect for swaddling and covering bassinets as well as the obligatory protecting clothes from sick/milk. 

Plus, they look great! Mine lasted years and I used them in multiple ways. Lottie still has them in her cupboard to play with her dolls.

Shop Aden and Anais jungle jam muslin swaddles at Nubie, £49.50

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WaterWipes Original Plastic Free Baby Wipes

WaterWipes original plastic-free baby wipes

WaterWipes are iconic newborn essentials. Every mother I knew had these by the box-load. Pure products for skin without faffing with cotton wool and water and super easy to take out and about. I still miss having these in my bag TBH. 

Shop WaterWipes original plastic-free baby wipes at Boots, £2.50

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Early Learning Centre stacking cups

Early Learning Centre stacking cups

Stacking cups – without a doubt THE most played with item. Great for pouring play while in the bath and stacking/counting out of it. 

You get bought so many lovely things from people that end up never being played with but these – while very unexciting looking – definitely do.

Shop Early Learning Centre stacking cups, £10

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BBCare® baby non-slip safety bath seat & extra long bath mat

BBCare® baby non-slip safety bath seat & extra long bath mat

I had a Mothercare aquapod safety mat and seat but they are no longer in business so this is something similar. 

It makes bath-time a cinch once babies can sit up – they get to play while you can wash them easier without them slipping all over the place.

Shop BBCare® baby non-slip safety bath seat & extra long bath mat, £45.99

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Milton combi microwave or cold water steriliser

Milton combi microwave or cold water steriliser

Milton combi steriliser – possibly my most overused item in the first nine months. It sterilises bottles in the microwave or out of it in cold water. Such a boring addition but so vital to feeding in those early months.

Shop Milton combi microwave or cold water steriliser at Asda, £27

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Lucy Reber, fashion director 

Jellycat Jungly Tails children's soft book

Jellycat Jungly Tails children's soft book

I just loved these soft Jellycat books for keeping Dina happy on journeys and in restaurants when she was a little one. 

They’re so lovely, bright and interactive and the tails make it easy for tiny baby hands to grab and hold. My sister had one for her kids and it got passed on to me – I used it daily. I am not sure if you are meant to, but I washed it all the time, too, given the inevitable chewing.   

Shop Jellycat Jungly Tails children’s soft book at John Lewis, £16

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Skin Catalina organic pima cotton-jersey pajama set

Skin Catalina organic pima cotton-jersey pajama set

I figured I’d be in pyjamas a lot in the early days, so I treated myself to some from Skin. They were so soft and lovely I honestly wore them non-stop until they were worn out. 

I loved the idea of wearing something luxurious, even if it was a loungewear item for the sofa with a tiny baby being sick on you. I also stocked up on some cheaper pairs from H&M that I loved, too.  

Shop Skin Catalina organic pima cotton-jersey pajama set at Net-a-Porter, £173

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Cutter & Squidge new arrival mixed mini brownie box

Cutter & Squidge new arrival mixed mini brownie box

Someone sent me these delicious brownies as a gift and I was THRILLED. Snacks are an absolute lifeline in those early days and I loved having exciting sweet treats on hand. Now I return the favour when friends are having little ones.  

Shop Cutter & Squidge new arrival mixed mini brownie box, £20.99

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Kitty McFee, executive fashion director

Baby Mori fruit print clever zip sleepsuit

Baby Mori fruit print clever zip sleepsuit

Zip-up sleepsuits for babies are one of the most brilliant, time-saving inventions of modern day. They honestly cut the time you’ll take changing a baby in the darkest of night by half and ANYTHING that speeds up those ungodly tasks at ungodly hours is a big yes from me. 

Baby Mori’s gorgeous suits are the chicest and softest that I found. 

Shop Baby Mori fruit print clever zip sleepsuit, £33.50

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Elvie pump

Elvie pump

Breastfeeding feels all-consuming in the early stages of motherhood and not being tethered to a pump with a plug was revolutionary for me. Elvie’s portable breast pump is the original and best IMO.

I also loved the Haakaa silicone pump, which I found worked well alongside a single pump, too.   

Shop Elvie pump, £269

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Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment

Metanium nappy rash ointment

A very glamorous addition, but this nappy cream was recommended to me by my mother-in-law when we were struggling to make any kind of progress with my little boy’s nappy rash. It’s still the best I’ve tried, and made an improvement overnight. 

Shop Metanium nappy rash ointment at Boots, £4.65

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Lumi portable pro max white noise machine

Lumi Portable pro max white noise machine

A lot of what you learn about babies sleep is about creating sleep cues for tired ones when they should be started to settle down for a nap. Ideal for pram naps but also great used at home overnight, playing white noise creates a sleep cue while simultaneously drowning out other noises, creating a calm and practical environment for kids to nap in. You can use it into toddler years, too.  

Shop Lumi portable pro max white noise machine at Mamas & Papas, £28.99

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Images: courtesy of brands

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