I’m a First-Time Mom, and *This* Is the Wellness-Boosting Gift I’m Begging You To Get Every New Parent

One of the first things everyone tells you the moment you get pregnant is how much unsolicited advice you’ll receive from friends and strangers alike. This, fortuitously, was not my experience at all (everyone was really respectful!), which has made me all the more focused on not being that person who starts blabbing pointers the moment someone confirms an impending arrival. But there’s one exception to this rule. And that exception is my recommendation for baby’s first bath products.

Bath products, you ask? Yes, and here’s why: Between all the big-ticket items (baby monitor! crib! stroller the size of a small SUV!) and the cute ones (onesies! blankets! mobiles!), many new parents simply forget about the everyday essentials. And when it comes to bath time with your baby, that’s about as everyday and essential as you can get.

Consider it prime time for bonding. “As babies develop, skin to skin contact is so important not just for physical comfort but also emotional development in building the bond between baby and parent,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Baby skin is much more sensitive than adult skin…and more likely to develop dryness, irritation, and rashes, so it is important to choose the right bath products.”

That’s where my number-one gift recommendation comes in: Natura’s Mamãe e Bebê Mom & Baby collection. All of the products are safe to use from baby’s first bath, and the vegan formulas are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dyes, and all the other things you’d rather avoid. Plus, they’ve got an expert-backed triple threat: Dermatologically tested (your baby’s already ridiculously soft skin is in good hands), ophthalmologically tested (no tears), and pediatrician approved. And yes, they come in multiple adorable gift sets.

One other plus? The Brazilian brand is rooted in sustainability, so you can pamper your babe and the planet at the same time. The cruelty-free products are formulated with fair-trade ingredients sourced from communities in the Amazon, and prioritize recyclable packaging and product refills to lower the environmental impact.

Now that I’m a first-time mom about to be a second-time one (my 17-month-old son is about to become a big brother in T-minus 10 weeks), I gave the full, fresh-smelling line a spin to see how it held up on my now-busy toddler. Here are my faves—for him and for me.