3-6 MONTH MUSTS!

The things that got us through months three to six — better late than never, and maybe that's the point.

If finishing the writeup of my 3-6 month favorites just before my daughter turns 9 months old is any indication of my bandwidth these days, then let me tell you. I had the list jotted down months ago, the skeleton was all there, but actually filling it out and sharing it here fell by the wayside. It didn’t help that shortly after we rounded that 6-month corner, life really took off: a trip to Japan, two weeks in the Adirondacks, and a little girl suddenly on the move. Full in the best way, but full nonetheless. So without further ado, here’s what got us through this stretch. And stay tuned for 6-9 month musts, which I’ll hopefully manage to string together a little sooner.

DOONA This remains our most highly recommended product. I’ve genuinely never had to carry a car seat. For that I am endlessly grateful. I actually cannot imagine what it would be like to lug that thing on my wrist, whacking my hip. Whether we’re traveling internationally or just running around town, popping the wheels down and turning the car seat into a stroller is effortless. It may not be the smoothest ride, but our girl slept straight through the subways of Tokyo in the Doona, which made toting her around the city an absolute breeze. We have the version that comes with the essentials bag, too — it hooks right onto the handle, comes with a changing pad, and saves you from lugging a bag over your shoulder on top of everything else. Something to consider!

THE STROLLER FLEET Speaking of strollers — we kind of sent it in this department on our registry. I remain forever grateful to the family and friends who contributed and I want you to know we use all three regularly and equally. Besides the Doona, we have the Thule Urban Glide and the Thule Chariot. In my 0-3 month writeup, I raved about the Urban Glide’s bassinet attachment, but once our girl started sitting up on her own, she took to the upright seat instead. The Chariot has been our adventure mobile — it’s made countless ski and bike trips possible, especially paired with the infant sling we still use for extra safety and comfort. Getting outside and moving is a core value for us, so this whole setup has been worth every penny and every bit of trunk space it takes up. Could it be pared down? Sure. Do we get real use out of all three? Absolutely.

THE PURPLE MONKEY PLAY MAT As we moved into more tummy time, the Fisher-Price purple monkey play mat became our MVP. It doesn’t have the soft, natural aesthetic of the Lovevery play gym. I’ll admit I initially side-eyed at its vibrance, but she is obsessed with the bright colors and the little keyboard. Since her actually engaging with it was the whole point, who cares what it looks like. A friend gifted it to us after admitting she’d wrestled with the exact same aesthetics-versus-engagement conundrum herself. Get the thing your baby actually loves, not the one that photographs best — for now. I may change my tune on that later.

THE MAGIC MERLIN SLEEP SUIT Unswaddling was, hands down, one of the hardest transitions we’ve navigated yet. I think we waited too long. Our girl was so cozy in her little cocoon that even easing out one arm at a time — during naps first, then overnight — did nothing, but leave her inconsolable. In a bit of a Hail Mary, we ordered the Magic Merlin Sleep Suit and it worked like actual magic. I’m sure there’s real sleep science behind why it works, but honestly, all I cared about was that it did. She felt safe and secure while she learned to sleep with her arms free and started experimenting with rolling. We only needed it for a week or two before she’d perfected her roll, but it got us over a hurdle that had genuinely started to feel insurmountable. Phew!

WOOLINO SLEEP SACK Once she’d graduated fully out of the swaddle, we moved her into the Woolino sleep sack my mom gifted us. Our whole family swears by merino wool — warm, breathable, and so good at regulating body temperature. We tuck her in with either footie pajamas or just a diaper underneath, depending on the season. We have a few other Woolino pieces already and I have a feeling our collection is only going to grow as she does. Can’t recommend their sleep sacks enough.

THE IKEA PLAY MAT As she started rolling, shimmying, and eventually pulling up to sit, we grabbed this mat from IKEA. It’s wonderful to bring outside and lay down on the driveway, softening any rogue rolls. I have a feeling it’ll keep earning its keep as she grows — forts, somersaults, all of it. There’s something so simple and reassuring about giving her a soft place to land, literally and otherwise.

NOSE FRIDA And finally, the least glamorous item on this list: the Nose Frida, which travels with us everywhere. Surprisingly, the whole concept of suctioning snot out of my daughter’s nose doesn’t gross me out at all — though I know there’s an electric version if that appeals to you more. Between traveling and socializing, we’re bound to pick up bugs along the way to building her immune system and being able to clear her congestion on the go has been a small mercy. Short-term pains, long-term gain. If that ain’t parenthood!

Even writing this, I feel how heightened my awareness of my own bandwidth has become. Some days it’s like I can’t get anything done, like my efforts are never quite enough. That thought sits on one shoulder. But on the other, there’s a steadier voice reminding me that perfection was never the goal — showing up is. So here I am, pressing send anyway, hoping some of this resonates with you. And if this took me three months longer than planned, well — extend yourself, and me, a little grace. Whatever your relationship to a 3-6 month old looks like, thank you so much for being here and reading along.