How to Prep for Baby’s First Year—As Told by Real Parents

Becoming a parent is one of the most exhilarating, challenging and downright confusing experiences you’ll ever have. There’s no shortage of advice out there, but sometimes what you really need is the unfiltered, been-there, done-that wisdom from the moms and dads who have walked the path before you. We’ve gathered the best tips real parents say they wish they’d heard—this way, you can skip the guesswork and focus on what really matters.

A baby carrier can be an MVP at home.

“We had registered for a baby carrier, but I thought we would mainly use it outside. Turns out, it was a lifesaver at home. My daughter was a Velcro baby who always needed contact with me, so when she was in the baby carrier, I could do things around the house while she dozed on my chest. I miss those days!”

Rachel, New York City

Consider getting an extra set of gear.

“Our daughter spent a lot of time with her grandparents, so we got an extra stroller, bathtub, play yard and some other things that would all live there. It wasn’t expensive because we were able to get secondhand options from our network of friends. Not having to think about having that stuff made it so easy for spontaneous drop-offs.”

Dave, Jersey City, NJ

Say yes to hand-me-downs.

“I was skeptical when my coworker handed me a huge box of baby toys and books her daughter had outgrown. But honestly, they were amazing. And that made me realize that I didn’t need to buy any of that brand-new. I found there were always neighbors cleaning out, I loved the surprise of opening a new box or bag, and not buying new really helped me cut down on clutter—and expense.”

Amanda, Littleton, CO

A registry isn’t just for stuff.

“Absolutely, use your registry for the things you need. But don’t feel you have to keep filling it with outfits and blankets. Instead, use a registry that allows for a cash fund, or for you to itemize other items, like housecleaning, food delivery cards or a postpartum doula. You’ll need extra hands, and it will make the first few days so much easier.”

Yvonne, Hoboken, NJ

Find an ointment that can do more.

“Get some diaper ointment and start using it before baby gets a diaper rash, not after. A good barrier product can go a long way toward preventing problems ahead of time, and serve a dual purpose for any chafed or irritated skin.”

Kate, Massapequa, NY

Our pick: A+D Original Ointment

Enriched with Vitamins A and D and free of dyes, phthalates and parabens, A+D Original Ointment can be used as a protective barrier after each diaper change. It helps to seal out wetness and relieve the discomfort of irritated skin.

A+D Original Ointment, $5.47; Amazon.com

You don’t need all the top-of-the-line gear…at least not at first.

“The mom groups were always recommending must-haves that would cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. We ended up bypassing those options in favor of affordability. Guess what: No matter which strollers or cribs anyone had, everyone’s baby sometimes had meltdowns, or couldn’t sleep through the night. What I would tell parents is that you’ll figure out where it makes sense to splurge when the baby gets here.”

Billie, New York City

Go to the baby classes, even if it’s out of your comfort zone.

“I never thought of myself as a ‘joiner,’ but I ended up randomly walking by a baby yoga class just as it was starting and decided to go in. I am so glad I did. This ended up being the highlight of my maternity leave. I made some amazing friends, it gave me and my 6-week-old a ‘schedule,’ and it was just such a delightful place.”

Sarah, Los Angeles

Date nights will look different. Have them anyway.

“When our first child was born, we spent a lot of time on the couch, watching whatever was on TV and looking at our phones. We were together a lot, but it didn’t feel fulfilling. We knew we wanted to do something different with our second, so we would plan a Thursday ‘date night.’ After bedtime, we would wear something a little nicer than sweats, and we would have a plan, whether it was making a nice meal or ordering a nice dinner. We would also try to talk about something beyond the kids. It didn’t always work, but it was great to spend time together in this way.”

Laura, Chatham, NJ

Don’t join the social media groups if they don’t serve you.

“I got added to a ton of local new mom chats when I was pregnant. There were so many messages flying around, and all of the questions and info made me feel insecure, like, should I be doing that? I ended up muting everything and felt a lot more free. You don’t need all the information. It’s okay to not connect, or to only connect with a few people. I had a friend whose son was a few months older than my daughter, and that one-on-one text about baby stuff was about all I could handle.”

Shafflyn, Wilmington, DE

Find an easy way to make memories.

“Before our son was born, I made an Instagram account with his name, as well as a website and email address. I also started sending emails to him, starting before he was even born and shared the address with our family. My wife did as well, and we’ve even seen some emails in the account from his grandparents and some family friends. We check the account to make sure he doesn’t lose access, but we haven’t read anything. It will be fun to go through everything when he’s old enough, which won’t be for a while because he’s only 2.”

Matt, Alexandria, VA

Start saving early.

“Warning: Everything about a baby is expensive. I had thought we would hold off on setting up a 529 plan until our daughter had gotten past the newborn phase, but my wife really spearheaded the research and set it up. Even though we’re not contributing a lot to it right now, it’s great to offer that as an option when people ask what to get our daughter for her birthday. And it’s already growing!”

Franci, Norwalk, CT

Have your childcare strategy ready.

“Even if you’re not planning on daycare right away, tour local ones as soon as possible. I didn’t realize that waiting lists are no joke, and touring way before we needed any childcare helped us understand what to look for.”

Matt, Basking Ridge, NJ

You don’t need to be in your “forever home” yet.

“Right around the time our son was born, we felt so much pressure to buy a house. The market was crazy, and we ended up staying in our rental, and I’m so glad we did. It was tight because it was a one-bedroom, but our son didn’t need a lot of stuff, he didn’t care that he didn’t have his own room and it was nice to still be surrounded by our favorite cafés and stores. I don’t think I would have done well having a move and a baby in the same year. If it works, great, but if it doesn’t, it’s totally fine.”

Jen, Johns Creek, GA

With over 80 years of experience soothing and protecting delicate skin, A+D Original Ointment is the ultimate parenting partner, enriched with Vitamins A and D. This pediatrician-recommended salve is great for everything from chapped or cracked skin to diaper rash. Learn more at A+D.com.