5 Things We Couldn't Go Without In The First Year Of Our Baby
By Lucy Darling’s CEO, founder, and a mom of four, Haily.
“Do you remember those early moments with your baby?”
Seems like a distant memory, right?
As a mom of four, I often find myself reminiscing about those precious first years with each of my children. Reflecting on our first year with our sweet bundle of joy brings back a flood of sweet, chaotic, and unforgettable moments. That first year is filled with so many "firsts" – first smiles, first steps, first sleepless nights, and countless precious memories.
And let me tell you, there are a few things that became absolute essentials for us.
Today, I want to share the top five things we couldn't go without during our baby's first year.
Whether you're a new mom or looking for the perfect gift, these are the game-changers that made our journey smoother and sweeter.
1. One of the absolute must-haves for our family was a Memory Book.
Capturing all those little milestones and moments is so important because, let’s be real, the first year flies by in the blink of an eye. This beautifully designed book helped us document everything from our baby's first smile to their first steps, and now, it's a cherished keepsake that we’ll look back on for years to come. Plus, it’s so fun to fill out – kind of like scrapbooking but without all the mess!
2. Soothing Teething Troubles with Baby-Safe Teethers
Teething was a rough phase for us, and I quickly realized that a good teether is worth its weight in gold. Teethers are a go-to! Choose safe, non-toxic materials that are designed to soothe sore gums. Pop them in the fridge for a cooling effect—they work wonders when those little gums are sore. A super cute teether is a nice bonus!
3. Monthly Photos with Milestone Pennants
Each month, we’d have a little photoshoot to capture our baby’s growth. The pennants made it so easy to mark each month and added a charming touch to our photos. Now, we have a beautiful collection of pictures that show just how much our baby grew and changed over their 1st year. It’s amazing to see the transformation, and these photos are some of my most treasured possessions. Plus, they're a fun way to see how fast your little one is growing!
4. Snuggling Up with Buttery Soft Blankets
Baby blankets were lifesavers during those early months. They helped our baby feel secure and sleep better (which meant we slept better too!). It’s a bonus to have baby blankets that are not only adorable with lovely prints, but are also super soft and breathable.
5. Storytime with Lift-the-flap Children's Books
Lastly, reading to our little ones became one of our favorite bedtime routines. That’s why we choose baby story books that are beautifully illustrated, interactive, and filled with engaging stories that our baby would love. Not only did these books help soothe our baby to sleep, but they also nurtured a love for reading from an early age. The bonding time spent reading together is something we look forward to every day.
The first year of motherhood is a beautiful, challenging, and transformative time. Having these things made our journey a bit easier and even more special.
If you're a new mom, I hope this list helps you navigate that first year with a little more ease and a lot more joy. And if you're looking for a thoughtful gift for a new mom in your life, you can’t go wrong with any of these!
Here’s to all the darling moments and memories we create with our little ones.
When graphic designer Haily Meyers was pregnant with her first child, Lucy, she began creating sticker sets to capture the joy and precious moments of pregnancy and motherhood.
This inspired Haily and her husband Kevin to launch Lucy Darling in 2012 with just three sticker sets manifesting their love and excitement as new parents. Today, Lucy Darling has blossomed with over 300 unique products helping families make lasting memories together.
“This baby book is absolutely wonderful - the design is both beautiful and precious, and the book itself is high-quality. The size and prompts aren't so extensive to be overwhelming, and there's lots of room to be creative and add your own special moments other than the prompts as well."
Alyssa ✅ Verified Customer
All things Lucy Darling are adorable and the rainbow teether is no exception. My 12 month old not only loves to chew on the teethers but they are also a fun sensory toy! Wish I had found LD sooner!
-Caitlin C.
Love!!
Perfect small size, the felt can somewhat attach to different surfaces/materials due to its texture. The colors are the cutest! Looking forward to styling each photo with these milestone pennants
-Clarissa J.
Worth Every Penny!
Absolutely beautiful book! The pages are incredibly thick and printed so colorfully. I am in love with how this book is designed and set up. I know it will be something my son will share with his little ones when he gets older.
-Adriana L.
Adorable
So precious and well made! Really fantastic quality. I went and had it monogrammed with her name in pink and it couldn't be more perfect.
-Shauna G.
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