EXHIBIT 99.1

the                                                       THE FIRST YEARS INC.
first                                                     CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
years(R)                                                  One Kiddie Drive
Expert developed Parent preferred                         Avon, MA 02322-1711
                                                          Tel: 508-588-1220
                                                          Fax: 508-583-9067
                                                          www.thefirstyears.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Beals
Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
(508) 588-1220


KAPLAN AND WENZ APPOINTED DIRECTORS OF
THE FIRST YEARS INC.


AVON, MASSACHUSETTS, JANUARY 30, 2002 - The First Years Inc. (Nasdaq:KIDD)
announced today that at its regularly scheduled Board meeting held last week,
Beth J. Kaplan and Richard E. Wenz were appointed to serve as Directors of the
Company, effective February 20, 2002.

"We are thrilled that two such highly qualified persons as Beth Kaplan and Dick
Wenz will become members of our Board," commented Ronald Sidman, the Company's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Each brings a record of extensive
leadership and accomplishments in businesses allied to The First Years'
interests."

Ms. Kaplan is currently a managing partner of Axcel Partners, LLC, a venture
capital firm which focuses on early stage companies developing new technologies
for retail and consumer goods. Ms. Kaplan was, from 2000 to 2001, Managing
Director, Operations, of Internet Capital Group; from 1996 to 1999, Senior
Executive Vice President of Rite Aid Corporation; and from 1981 to 1996,
associated in various capacities with Procter & Gamble, most recently as
President of its Noxell Division, the domestic cosmetics unit of Procter &
Gamble. Ms. Kaplan graduated with a BS and MBA from the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Mr. Wenz is presently a consulting partner of DB Capital Partners, the private
equity arm of Deutsche Bank. Mr. Wenz was, from 1997 to 2000, President and
Chief Operating Officer of Safety 1st, Inc., in which capacity he was the
architect of that juvenile products company's strategic and operational
turnaround. From 1995 to 1997 he was a partner of The Lucas Group, a nationally
recognized strategy consulting firm; from 1992 to 1994, the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Professional Golf Corporation; from 1990 to 1991, Senior
Vice President of Electrolux Corporation; from 1983 to 1989, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Wilson Sporting Goods Company; and
prior thereto, a partner of Arthur Young & Co, a predecessor of Ernst & Young
LLP. Mr. Wenz received a BS in accounting from Northern Illinois University.

"A priority of the Nominating Committee has been to recruit highly qualified,
independent persons to the Board who have knowledge of, and experience in, The
First Years business segments," stated Mr. Sidman. "Beth and Dick

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bring a wealth of strategic experience to the Company's leadership. With their
appointments, independent directors now hold 50% of the Board seats."

Separately, the Company announced that its 2002 Annual Stockholders meeting will
be held on May 16, 2002, commencing at 10:30 a.m. in Stoughton, Massachusetts.


ABOUT THE FIRST YEARS

The First Years Inc. is a leading international marketer of feeding, soothing,
play and care products for infants and toddlers. The Company's distinctive
brands include: "The First Years," licenses from the Walt Disney Company and
"Sesame Street," licensed from the Sesame Workshop.

Included in this release are certain "forward-looking" statements, involving
risks and uncertainty, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding
the Company's financial performance, available cash, and possible allocation of
cash to its stockholders. Such statements are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those
referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results
may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors,
which include, but are not limited to, sales of The First Years(R) brand, trends
in sales of The First Years Brand and licensed products, continued success of
new Disney character refreshed graphics, success of market research identifying
new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued
product innovation, the success of new enhancements to the Company's brand
image, growth in international sales, ability to attract and retain key
personnel, and sales and earnings results. Information with respect to important
factors that should be considered are contained in Exhibit 99 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual
results or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.



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