Six Must-Haves For Baby’s First Six Months

Before having a baby, I harbored idyllic visions of only a few of the most beautiful wooden toys and gorgeously illustrated books neatly stacked in the nursery. I was hoping the “less is more” philosophy could apply to my life as a new parent. After all, hadn’t my grandmother and great-grandmother and generations of women before me done just fine without a Rock N Play Sleeper?

Oh, how wrong I was! Not only is our home now overrun with toys, the gadgets and devices for merely getting through the day are too many to count. And during the first 6 months with a new baby there were just as many things that I begrudgingly put on my registry but found they prevented a lot of headaches. Here are the must-have items that made life infinitely easier with a little one.

Whitney C. Harris is a freelance writer living in Westchester, NY. She had her first child, a daughter named Rowan, last summer. Find her at whitneycharris.com.

Save

A Two-Sided Nursing Pillow
I don't think nursing pillows were all that common just a generation or two ago, but these days, they are considered the best way to feed your baby without breaking your back. My two-sided Boppy pillow has been my constant nursing companion, as I used the soft side for the first 6 months, and have more recently transitioned to using the firmer side. The U-shaped design was also the only way to get my daughter to do tummy time for the first four months.
Foot & Arm Rattles
After months of leaning over my baby to show her toys and books and assorted interesting things, I was relieved to discover foot and arm rattles – something she could engage with all by herself at such a young age. Soon after strapping the colorful trinkets to her wrists and ankles, she would start punching and kicking the air, breaking into a smile whenever she heard the resulting jingle.
Water-Resistant Changing Mat
Diaper duty takes up a big portion of your time for the first 6 months, but you shouldn't have to spend extra time washing a fabric changing mat. A good friend insisted I buy the Keekaroo Peanut Diaper Changer. It cost far more than I ever thought I would spend on such an item, but you clean it with a quick wipe of a cloth and you're done. It's faster and easier than any other diaper pad out there.
Big Window Fan
Any mom worth her salt will tell you that white noise is great for helping baby sleep. It took me two months to accept this simple fact but once we started using a window fan, our daughter slept like a pro. The noise lulls her to dreamland and the air flow is good for keeping the nursery from getting stuffy.
Bathtub Insert
The thought of having to buy an extra device just to bathe my baby was extremely frustrating (can't I just plop her in the sink?), but I don't know how I'd do it without the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bath Center. It essentially cradles your little one in a safe, tub-like chamber, and has three different stages to transition through as your baby develops. I plan on bathing my babe in this device until she'll no longer let me.
Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
I would never in a million years have picked out the Take Along Tunes musical toy for my baby. It looks like a brightly colored iPod for tots. Of course, it's my daughter's absolutely favorite plaything and stops any crying in two seconds flat. I don't know if it's the classical music or colorful lights that soothe her, but it always does the trick, especially when we're in the car and she's throwing a fit.

Trinity School

Come join us for another summer of fun, exploration and discovery. Our campers get to engage with each other in the following activities: Swimming, Golf, Chess, Lego Robotics, Art, Dance, Multisports and Storytelling (subject to change)&hellip;and of course, ice cream or ices every day! We will supply our campers with a daily snack but you will need to provide your own lunch. Come join us for a fantastic summer!!! Camp runs from 8:30am - 3pm. Session #1: Tuesday, June 20th - Friday, June 23rd (closed Monday 6/19th) Session #2: Monday, June 26th - Friday, June 30th&nbsp; Session #3: Tuesday, July 3rd - Friday, July 7th (closed Tuesday, July 4th) Session #4: Monday, July 10th - Friday, July 14th&nbsp; &nbsp;Session #5: Monday, July 17th &ndash; Friday, July 21st&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, please contact: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seth Goldberg, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Director of Afterschool Programs &amp; Summer Coordinator&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ph: (212) 932-6849 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E: seth.goldberg@trinityschoolnyc.org &nbsp; &nbsp;

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch&rsquo;s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions &ndash; and that&rsquo;s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities. <h2>The Camp Day</h2> Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire. -STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week) -STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities) -Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park) -Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities) Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm. <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> Juniors (K+1st Grade) I Wanna Be&hellip; A Marine Biologist! I Wanna Be&hellip; An Archaeologist! I Wanna Be&hellip; A Sports Doctor! I Wanna Be&hellip; A Techie! Kids (2nd-4th Grade) Coding + Animation Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas Rocket Science: Destination Mars Tweens (5th-7th Grade) Coding + Game Development Rockin' + Robotics Chaotic Chemical Reactions Architecture + Engineering <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first. For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!

Camp Huntington

A co-ed, residential program for children and young adults with special learning and developmental needs.&nbsp; Our summer camp and weekend camp programs are designed to maximize a child&rsquo;s potential, locate and develop strengths and hidden abilities. Your child will enjoy the fun-filled days of summer camp while learning practical social and life skills. We offer a unique program approach of adaptive therapeutic recreation, which combines key elements that encourage progress: structured programming, nurturing care, a positive setting, and academic instruction to meet IEP goals. Our campus is located in the beautiful hamlet of High Falls, New York within the Catskill Mountain region.