Becoming a parent is scary. Well, at least it was for me. They sent me home after two days in the hospital with a 7 pound baby and instructions to call if we needed anything. I was terrified.
For the first two nights we were home, I didn’t even sleep when she slept. I was afraid something would happen to her.
You’ve heard it before and it’s true – babies don’t come with instruction manuals. Baby’s first year, especially for a first-time parent is exhausting and full of questions. Even though I didn’t know much about what I was doing, I was thankful for the awesome gifts that I had received that made Audrey Grace’s first year easier – a pack and play that doubled as a bassinet for my bedroom, a swing, a high chair, and a play mat for tummy time and stimulation.
My sweet girl, at 3 months old, in her Fisher-Price Rainforest Swing.
I eventually figured out that when I needed to take a shower I would put the swing on the carpet right next to the bathtub and turn it on so that I could rinse off but still have her close by. As she grew older, I would put a few toys in the pack and play and let her sit in there and play while I folded laundry. There were hours of sweet baby giggles during play time on the playmat, and lots of messy moments in her high chair.
When I look back on those early months, there is one thing that was a constant. All of those things – the pack and play, the swing, the high chair, and the play mat – were made by Fisher-Price. So, when they reached out to me about a month ago to ask if I wanted to share my first-year experience and must-have baby items with you, I couldn’t resist because their awesome products have been such an integral part of my life.
7 days old, swaddled and peaceful in her Rainforest Bassinet by Fisher-Price
If you’ve found this post because you’re pregnant – congratulations! You are embarking on an amazing journey. If you’re searching to figure out what you need for your baby’s first year, I can help!
Here are the top 10 items that new moms say were the most crucial during their baby’s first year of life, ranked in order of importance!
#1. Swing. (My personal #1 as well!)
#2. Bouncer.
#3. Sleeper.
#4. Feeding support pillow.
#5. Carrier.
#6. High Chair.
#7. Activity Gym.
#8. Jumperoo.
#9. Breast Pump.
#10. Play Mat.
You can read more about the list, and what moms are saying about each item on the First Year Favorites landing page on Fisher Price.
As a part of this campaign, I was sent the Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym to review. This product is all kinds of awesome – here’s why:
1. It grows with your child. Start them out on their back with the overhead gym and they piano facing their toes. For tummy time the bar adjusts and lays flat. When they are big enough to sit on their own, the piano adjusts up so they can sit and play. One investment, many uses.
2. I love the mirror on the activity bar (babies are so fascinated by their own reflection, and the soft teething bird toy. Lots to look at and play with.
3. The piano makes me happy. I love music, and it gives them something to touch with their toes and get instant gratification when they do. Wait until you see all of the giggles that your baby gets out of this toy.
4. The music lasts for up to 15 minutes – so you don’t have to push the button every 30 seconds when your baby cries for more!
At 5 and 6, both of our kids are too old for this now, but I so wish they had it when they were little. They both would have loved it.
Win it! Are you interested in winning a Kick and Play Piano Gym of your own? We are excited to say that we have another one to give away, courtesy of Fisher-Price! Just use the form below to enter – and good luck!
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fisher-Price, but Fisher-Price is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this post. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Fisher-Price.
I would love to win this for our next baby!!
jessicaahays at hotmail dot com
My daughter\’s best friend is expecting a baby in August and I would love to win this to give to her.
I want to win this for my cousin.
This looks super fun! I\’d love to win!
Because i have a 2 month old daughter who would love this swing!
Because i have a 2 month old daughter who would love this!
My cousin just had a baby and they love music so this would be perfect for their little baby! I love how it grows with the child! Thanks for the giveaway!
i would love to win this for my nephew :)
I want to win this for my granddaughter
my 9m old daughter would love it
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I\’d like to win this either to give to my sister for her baby or my husband and I are getting ready for a baby so might keep it.
I would use this as a gift for my niece\’s baby shower.
A friend of mine just had a baby and I would like to give this to her.
My 2 month old could really use this!
My son and daughter in law are \”working\” on having a baby! Cross your fingers!
My niece is expecting later this month. :)
The kick piano would be great for my son.
i\’d like to win because this would be a wonderful gift for my niece
i\’d like to win this for my cousins
I would like to win this for my grandson. He turned 7 weeks old today and needs some play things.
I am due June 5 and need some more baby toys! ;)
I would love to win this for my friend who had her 1st baby last night.
I\’d love to win this to gift a friend for her baby shower.
My 9 month old daughter would love this!
I would love to win this for my 10 month old.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
i want to win…because my grandbaby would love it
my grandbaby would love it
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I would love this for my daughter! She would have so much fun with it!
I love fisher price and my grandson is the right age for this
I would like to win because I would like to give this to my nieces new baby
I would love to win his for my newborn son.
I would love to win this for my little gradaughter
Id love to win this because my grandson would really love it!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
A family friend just had a new baby. My kids are too old for it, but the new baby isn\’t. Plus, the friends wife is a great cook. Maybe I can barter this for some fudge.
My neighbor is about to have her first boy so this would be perfect
I\’d like to win it so I can give it to my sister who is expecting in October.
Because my son doesnt have any thing like this, i think he would love it!
I\’d like to win because I know exactly how important these things are to a new parent and even though my son is now approaching 3yo, my younger brother\’s wife is expecting his first next month.
We need something like this for the new baby!
My best friend is having a baby and this would make a nice surprise for her!
I would like to win this for my little girl on the way.
[email protected]
i would love to gift this to my neighbor. i think her son would have a blast with this
We just had a newborn and I\’d love to save this for Christmas for him
I\’d like to win for my grand son!
my child is 11 yrs old, so there aren\’t any hand me downs
I want to win this for my little boy.
I\’d like to win this or my SIL who just had their first baby
It\’s a great product and a great idea!
We have a baby on the way
I have an upcoming niece!!
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
We’re expecting our first…so we don’t have any baby things yet!! This would be a great start!
I would Love to win this for my daughter who is Pregnant!
Pregnant now with twin girls ! This would be perfect =)
I would love this so I can have it at my house when my baby niece comes over
I would love this for my 3 month old!
my son loves musical toys
I’d love for my son to be able to kick & play with this!
I would love to win this for my lil girl she would love!
I’m 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant so I could totally use this!!!
Thanks for the giveaway. :)
i have a 5 month old, she would love this!
I would love this for my niece
Bc my daughter loves hearing music!
I would love to win this for my son that will be born tomorrow :)))
I would love to win this for my little one
I think this looks like tons of fun for baby, I would love to win!
I would like to win this for my best friend’s new baby.
My niece is expecting her first baby in June. I would love to win this for her.
I would like to win this for my niece.
I have a little one on the way and this looks adorable!
I’d like to win because my daughter is expecting her first baby in sept & needs everything. I’d love to surprise her with this!
My sister is having a baby and this would be something she could really use.
I’d love to win for my friend that’s having a baby soon!
Swing is my favorite
This would come just in time for my little bundle of joy!!
id like to donate this to a local charity
I would like to win this for my niece
I WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS EXPECTING HER FIRST IN JULY
I’d love to win one for my baby grandson.
My niece is expecting and this would be perfect for her.
I want to win this for my little nephew:)
I am expecting a baby soon and I don’t have a sufficient income. Any little bit will help me out.
My daughter in law will be having a baby in October and this would be perfect for them.
We have a grandbaby on the way!
I would love to win this for my grandson!
My cousin and his wife just had a baby and they’d love it!
A close friend is having an inexpected pregnancy so would love to gift her with this
I want to win because it would be entertaining for the kid
I would love to win because it would be helpful and entertaining!
Oh what a wonderful post! Your daughter is beautiful, and this makes me think to when I 1st brought my son home! He is 6 months now, and this would be perfect for him!
Thank you for this super helpful list!! Being pregnant with my first baby is definitely scary and exciting at the same time. There are so many things out there for baby that really aren’t worth it. Fisher Price is such a well-known, good quality product and I will definitely be taking this list with me when I go to register!! :)
I would love to win because this would be a great activity toy for the new baby!!
I’d love to win because this would be perfect for me i take care on my niece and one more that its on the way in August:) Love fisher price toys!!!Thanks for the chance!!!!:)
I’d love to win because we don’t have anything like this for the baby yet. I love Fisher Price, Brooklin’s favorite toys were the singing microphone and mailbox. I love how Fisher Price toys and gear grows with baby, its a brand I know a trust!
This too could grow with the new baby!