As I write this, baby Max is nearly seven months old. It’s been such a joy to watch him grow—he’s laughing, babbling, starting solids, and developing a sweet, curious personality every day.
Waking up to his smile and those squeezable cheeks is my favorite part of every morning. Parenthood has given me a new perspective on love, and I feel so grateful to be his mom.
One of my favorite moments lately is sneaking in an afternoon nap cuddled up with Max on the couch or outside in the fresh air. Early on we focused on crib naps to build routine, but these cuddle naps are priceless now.
At around six months we dropped from five bottle feedings to four. He still drinks about 8.5 ounces per feeding. He’s experimenting with solids but isn’t eating large portions yet—watching him explore food has been messy and delightful.
Below are several items we’re loving right now. I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments.
Playing
- Skiphop Activity Center: This is Max’s go-to toy for independent play. We keep it in the kitchen facing a big window; he’s entertained for long stretches while we have breakfast.
- Stroller Arch: We attach this to the car seat and the Baby Bjorn. Max enjoys batting at the toys during stroller walks.
- Mozart Magic Cube: A gift from my mom that gets used many times a day. Max likes sitting between my legs and exploring the different sounds.
- Sophie the Giraffe: A classic teether he adores. It’s simple but effective when those gums get sore.
- Mushroom Teether: Another favorite for teething relief—easy to hold and soothing on sore gums.
- Wonder Wheel: We suction this to the activity center and Max is obsessed with spinning it.
Feeding
We began baby-led weaning at about six and a half months. I’ll write more about our experience in a dedicated post, but I found the Baby-Led Weaning podcast by a registered dietitian very helpful when we started.
- 9oz Avent bottles: These have been perfect as his feeding amounts increased. We used the smaller size earlier and now the 9oz fits his current appetite. The faster flow nipple works well for him.
- EZPZ mats: These placemats stick to the high chair, which reduces spills and makes mealtime cleaner. I keep a few on hand.
- Weighed cup + utensils: Great for practicing self-feeding with yogurt, oatmeal, and applesauce, and for trying an open cup.
- High chair cushion: We use an Ikea high chair, and this cushion made it comfortable when Max was smaller. The cover is easy to wash.
- Smock bibs: These protect his arms and clothing. They’re machine washable and cut down on laundry—plus they’re cute.
- Silicone bibs: Useful when you prefer no sleeves; they catch a lot of the food that misses the mouth.
- Splash mat: Protects our wood floors during mealtimes. Comes with a smock bib and has great coverage and a pretty print.
Sleeping
- Merlin Sleep Suit: When Max started escaping swaddles, we transitioned to this sleep suit. He slept well from the first night and it’s easy to use—perfect for summer with just a diaper underneath. Now that he’s nearing the top size, we’ll switch to a sleep sack next.
- Sound Machine: We keep a compact sound machine in Max’s room and bring it when we travel. It doubles as a night light and makes bedtime consistent no matter where we are.
Other
- Baby joggers: Lightweight joggers in 6–12 months are great for warm days and add a cute, practical layer.
- Stroller fan: A small fan has been invaluable on hot days to keep Max cool and help prevent heat-related rashes.
Now tell me—what are your baby must-haves?