As I write this, baby Max is nearly seven months old — can you believe it? He’s growing fast, laughing and babbling, starting on solids, and bringing so much joy to our days.
There’s nothing like waking up to his melt-worthy smile and chubby cheeks. Parenthood has given love a whole new meaning, and I’m so grateful to be this little guy’s mama.
My favorite recent ritual is sneaking in an afternoon nap with Max, curled up on the couch or outside. Early on we were strict about crib naps to establish a routine, but I truly treasure our cuddle time now.
At around six months we dropped from five feedings (I’m still pumping) to four. He drinks about 8.5 oz each session. He’s sampling solids but not eating a lot yet — watching him explore food is messy and hilarious in the best way.
Below are the items we’re loving during this phase. Share your favorites in the comments.
Playing
- Skiphop Activity Center: This is Max’s favorite play spot. It keeps him entertained for a long time. We put it in the kitchen facing a big window so he can play while we have breakfast.
- Stroller Arch: We attach this to the car seat and Baby Bjorn. Max loves interacting with it during stroller walks.
- Mozart Magic Cube: My mom gave this to us and it’s a constant favorite. Max likes sitting between my legs and exploring the different sounds.
- Sophie the Giraffe: A classic teether that Max chews on nonstop.
- Mushroom teether: Another great option for sore gums.
- Wonder Wheel: We suction this to the activity center and Max is obsessed with it.
Feeding
We began baby-led weaning around six and a half months, which has been an interesting journey. I’ll write a separate post about it, but the Baby Led Weaning podcast by a dietitian and mom is a great resource if you want to learn more.
- 9oz Avent bottles: These are our go-to bottles now that he drinks more per feeding. We used the smaller size earlier, but the larger bottles and faster flow nipple work well for him.
- EZPZ mats: The mats stick to the high chair and make mealtime less messy. I have three and recommend them for solids.
- Weighted cup + utensils: Great for practicing self-feeding with yogurt, oatmeal, applesauce, and working on an open cup.
- High chair cushion: We use an Ikea high chair and the cushion helped when Max was too small for the seat. The cover is easy to wash.
- Smock bibs: These cover his arms, are machine washable, and significantly reduce mess. They’re also very cute.
- Silicone bibs: If you prefer no sleeves, these catch a lot of food that misses his mouth.
- Splash mat: Protects our wood floors, has a nice print, and often comes with a smock bib.
Sleeping
- Merlin Sleep Suit: When Max started breaking free of his swaddle, we switched to this suit. He slept well from night one, and it’s simple to use. In summer we dress him in just a diaper and the suit. As he grows out of the largest size, we’ll transition to a sleep sack.
- Sound machine: We have several from this brand, and the one in Max’s room doubles as a night light. It’s easy to take when we travel.
Other
- Baby joggers: We recently bought lightweight joggers in 6-12 months. They’re comfortable and easy for active days.
- Stroller fan: This has been invaluable during hot days to keep Max cool and reduce skin irritation from sweating.
Now tell me — what are your baby must-haves?