New Parent Products
Gilligham-Ryan's guide to what you need (and don't) for baby's first year.
- Low-cost Crib
"IKEA's Gulliver is the pinnacle of all modern cribs," says Gillingham-Ryan of the sleek, affordable slatted model. "The company's design sensibility is always amazing."
$100, Ikea.
- Makeshift Toys
"You don't need many toys," he declares. "Kids like spoons and wallets and phones and keys. When they get to be about a year old, the first two are still good, but they'll be bored with the second two."
- Simple Seat
With its decor-friendly looks and soothing quality, "the Oeuf bouncer is an amazingly great nesting spot for a newborn when you're working in the kitchen," Gillingham-Ryan says.
$98, Oeuf.
- Multitaskers
One of the few toys he does swear by is IKEA's super-functional Ekorre wagon: "It started out as a walker for Ursula, and now she uses it for storing her blocks."
$25, Ikea.
- Compact Carriers
Parents can hold off on buying a stroller. "For months, we just carried Ursula on our bodies with the Ergo," he says. "We did get a stroller when she got heavier, though."
$92, Ergo Baby Carriers.
