I could just eat you up!

Happy half-birthday! Can you believe it was only six months ago that your baby’s schedule consisted of just sleeping and eating? Now, your happy buddy is probably working on a whole new repertoire of skills.

Although the cake will have to wait, this milestone can be celebrated with your baby’s first bites of solid food. Just be sure to keep the camera ready as your little one gets more mashed avocado on their face than in their mouth.

Now that they’re ready to sit in a high chair, it’s time to envision all of the family meals to come. This makes right now a great time to start thinking about the dinner rituals you hope to create… and upgrade your dining space to match those dreams.

As you round the corner on your little one’s first year, here’s what we suggest adding to the shopping list:

Never fear the messy bites: Cloud Island bibs

It’s a pretty successful meal if approximately half of the food ends up in your 6-month-old’s mouth. Make sure the other half doesn’t end up on their clothes by stocking up on bibs that are easy to wash.

$9.99

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Make room at the table: Graco Floor2Table high chair

Feeding your baby requires your full attention, so it’s generally best to do it before or after your own mealtime. But it’s still nice to include your baby at family dinner with their own seat at the table. It won’t be long before they ask you to pass the mashed potatoes!

$149.99

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For those first bites of “real food”  Beaba training spoons

After a lifetime of only drinking from a bottle and/or breast, eating from a utensil has to feel like a major adjustment. Help your baby warm up to this new way of eating with a supply of baby-sized spoons.

$19.00

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For mastering the art of baby food prep: Baby Brezza food processor

Good news: There are no advanced culinary skills required to make baby food. By steaming and pureeing their first meals, you can take charge of what foods and flavors you introduce.

$99.99

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For last-minute mealtime: Happy Baby pouches

Let’s be honest: It can feel miraculous to get one meal on the table, let alone two separate ones. When you want or need a simpler option, it’s nice to have a stockpile of convenient, healthy baby food pouches.

$6.49

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For the splatter zone: Bumpkins splat mat

As your baby begins eating, prepare to be amazed by all of the places you’ll find traces of pureed sweet potatoes. This makes it a perfect time to swap out your dining room rug for an easy-to-clean option.

$19.39

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For easy family meals: Instant Pot Duo Nova

When there are only so many hours in the day, the less time you can spend cooking and cleaning up afterward the better. There’s a reason this is called an ‘instant’ pot—it’ll free up so much precious time for you to spend with your family.

$119.99

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For greenery without the commitment: Project 62 artificial plant

We love including greenery in our home decor, but when you’re busy enough keeping the people in your house alive, the last thing you need is a houseplant to water. Thankfully, today’s faux plant options look so convincing that no one will know the difference.

$7.99

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For counting all those steps: Fitbit Inspire activity tracker

Between walking and lifting that growing babe, you’ve been exercising this whole time without even realizing it, mama! Give yourself a boost of confidence by realizing how much movement you clock on a daily basis.

$99.95

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For nighttime reading: Threshold table lamp

After months of tip-toeing around your own bedroom so you don’t wake a sleeping baby, it’s slightly thrilling to reclaim the space as your baby transitions to their own bedroom. This is a perfect time to start a new bedtime reading routine—complete with a stylish bedside lamp.

$44.99

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