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    39 First-Time Parent Must-Haves To Help Make Everything A Little Easier

    Every little bit helps, my friends.

    Helllooooo parents (or soon-to-be parents!) my name is Heather and at the time I'm writing this my son has just turned 1. (Eeep!) So, a lot of these items I've personally tested out! I can happily tell you *all* about what has worked for my family, but kindly wanted to note that I'm aware every baby is different! So, what worked for me may not work for you. But hey, it's worth a shot. Right?

    a photo of editor heather braga and her son in a duck towel

    1. Ezpz silicone spoons, which won't seem as daunting to your little one as they learn how to eat solids. They're soft on the gums, rinse off very easily, and don't stain from even the most intense of puréed foods (looking at you, carrots).

    a silicone ezpz bowl, cup, and two spoons
    Amazon

    We started my son off with these spoons and they were a big hit! There are sensory bumps on the spoon to help decrease gagging as kiddos learn to eat with utensils — a feature you won't realize you need until you're in the thick of it. I've been impressed with ezpz and also really enjoy their cup and suction bowl (which can ALL be thrown into the dishwasher for easy cleaning).

    Promising review: "I’ve tried a couple of different spoons for baby-led weaning and these are by far my favorite! They are easy for my little one to hold, easy to clean, soft on her mouth and actually hold a good bite of food. Great for the two-spoon method while she’s learning how to scoop. They are slightly weighted which helps too. I highly recommend!" —Claire

    Get a set of two spoons from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four colors).

    2. Expandable drawer organizers from Oxo, so when your kiddo ruins yet another outfit (it's inevitable) you'll quickly be able to grab an appropriate one to change them into.

    a drawer with dividers in it separating baby clothing
    OXO

    Once I saw these existed I knew I had to have 'em for my little one's room. We bought him, as I like to call it, an investment dresser that he can use for many years to come — which means they have really big drawers right now! His clothes are super tiny, so I use these to keep them organized in the larger space. Now that we're approaching summertime (and he's in swim classes) it's been great to be able to easily create a separate space for all of his swim gear!

    Get it from Oxo or Amazon for $22.99.

    3. A portable high chair seat to clip onto any table, a must-have for anyone planning to dine out with their baby or, at least, bring them to Grandma's for dinner.

    a baby eating while in the high chair
    buzzfeed editor's baby sitting in the portable high chair
    Amazon, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    This lil' seat can be used with tables up to 3.3" thick. It's collapsible, washable, and has a storage pocket! I have one of these for my little guy and it's been great! We actually attached it to my husband's desk (we both work from home) so our son has somewhere to play where we can easily keep an eye on him. We *also* brought it with us to Easter (now that Noah is eating solids) and attached it to a family member's table so he could join in on the fun. It worked great and was super easy to clean afterewards.

    Promising review: "I absolutely love these chairs! I run a daycare and use them every day! They clean so easily with just a wet towel. The material is thick and sturdy and they screw very snugly on the table! I have seen reviews from people saying the belt is not tight enough but I have never had that problem with all ages of children. My number one choice of high chair! Plus they fold down and can be put in the storage bag attached very quickly and easily. I have used many kind of high chairs but these are the best, space saving and great for travel." —katy

    Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in nine colors). 

    4. A Halo Innovations Bassinet Flex Sleeper that'll slide up closely to your bedside, making it easier than ever to grab your newborn when they inevitably wake up crying hour after hour.

    editor's baby in a halo bassinet
    a model assembling the halo bassinet
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Target

    We tried two other bassinets before moving the Halo Flex Sleeper into our room — it ended up being the winner! Instead of putting it on the side we slotted it in at the end of our bed so my husband and I could both easily see/grab our baby when he woke throughout the night. There was ample room for him to squirm around and the mesh side made it easy (and safe) to check on him without waking him. When we retired the bassinet it easily folded up for storage! Can't beat it.

    Promising review: "I assembled this by myself at nine months pregnant and had no issues at all! The baby is now a month old and sleeps great in the bassinet every night! We have had no problems with it being level and he doesn’t roll at all. For the price, it’s perfect. The sides are breathable and my baby is within eyesight all night long." —Lmoon

    Get it from Target for $99.99.

    5. Boon drying rack with a surprisingly chic design to provide you with the perfect spot to dry your little one's bottles and accessories without ruining the entire look of your kitchen.

    I have this drying rack! We keep it next to our full-sized drying rack and as my son has gotten older we've also started using it to dry reusable food pouches (and all the pieces that go along with that) as well as his sippy cup and any teethers we've washed.

    Promising review: "Newborn twins are a mess. They took over our house within moments of coming through the door. For this type A mama, it was a horrifying side effect of the two most precious things in the world. A friend gave us one lawn at our shower and we promptly hopped on Amazon and bought a second to manage the sheer volume. The lawn and the accessories are a convenient and cute way to keep your bottles and pump parts organized. There is ample space in one for one baby's needs." —Lacey

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).

    6. Reusable puree pouches you can fill with your own homemade baby food or a store-bought one when you and your mini-me are on-the-go. They're super easy to clean, seal really well (they open from the side!) and simple for babies to eat from.

    editor's baby eating out of a reusable baby brezza pouch
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    They're easy to fill, as the side opens like a ziplock bag, and even easier to rinse and reuse. We've been using them regularly in my home and are thrilled with them. You can also fill and freeze them if you want to meal-prep your kiddo's food for the week.

    Promising review: "These reusable pouches are great. They are easy to fill and use. They have been uncomplicated to wash and I have been very glad I purchased." —Kelly

    Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $10.99.

    7. And reusable pouch tops that'll fit any one you've purchased from the store — yes, even that VERY specific brand that's the only one your kiddo will seemingly CONSIDER eating. It has a no spill control valve you'll thank your lucky heavens for when your little one is eating in the car.

    a baby eating from a food pouch
    a reviewer showing the pouch lid on an apple sauce pouch

    In addition to being dishwasher, freezer and boil-safe, these tops are BPA-, PVC-, lead-, and phthalate-free.

    Promising review: "My now 2-year-old has never, ever eaten more than a few sips out of these pouches, of any kind. I got this spill proof lid to put on it.... she's on her second one in a matter of minutes. I think the problem was she didn't like getting messy or having me constantly pull it away. This gave her so much more control and It prevents them from being squeezed all over. Wish I discovered it a year and a half ago!" —Amazonian

    Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color options).

    8. Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine to act as a two-way audio monitor, a night-light, a white noise machine, alarm clock, and a sleep trainer. Fingers crossed you and your kiddo will get some sleep this decade with the help of this gadget!

    a hatch rest next to a mother holding her baby
    Amazon

    The Hatch Rest is ideal for parents as it also has a sound monitor option. For the hour or so Noah (my baby) used to sleep in a bassinet in our room before my husband and I got into bed, I was able to listen in and hear if he was fussing, crying, etc. We were also able to set it to a specific program so the light/sounds turn off on their own in the morning (one less thing for us to think about). You can check out my full review on both the Hatch Rest and Hatch Restore here.

    Promising review: "My favorite feature about this product is that I can control everything through my phone. If I'm in a different room in the house, but I want the nursery to play birds chirping for the baby, I can do that through my phone. The audio baby monitor works very well and the speaker quality through the Hatch is terrific. I also love that it's travel-friendly, so we use this baby monitor whenever we're on the go. Lastly, the night-light is perfect when I'm changing the baby's diaper at 3 a.m. or during a middle-of-the-night feeding." —Chelsea

    Get it from Amazon for $69.99.

    9. A cradle cap comb that'll remove dry skin from baby's scalp so gently they won't even notice — shoutout to the soft rubber bristles on this comb.

    My son had a few areas of cradle cap on his head that was, honestly, pretty gross. I used a gentle shampoo, a wash cloth, and this brush to remove it painlessly while he was in the bath. He didn't even squirm, he just let me repeat the process three times until all the cradle cap was gone. The thin comb was so essential to the process and quickly removed all the flakes.

    Promising review: "The pictures posted here are legit. It makes removal so much easier and gives more consistent removal than my previous method of washcloths or just scratching the cradle cap off with my fingernails. It’s amazing and gross and wonderful. My babe doesn’t even flinch when I spend 10 minutes clearing his scalp of all the goo. It seems to be soothing to him. I just apply baby shampoo, then brush a little with the blue brush. Then I slowly start to comb in sections all in one direction. Then I go back and forth in multiple directions. It’s shocking the amount of dead skin that comes off. I’ve even used it successfully in his eyebrows (he gets some cradle cap there, too). This is a KEEPER!" —ZMomUtah

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

    10. A grape cutter because who on earth wants to spend their precious time cutting grapes??? This lil' gadget will ensure your kiddo's favorite fruit is the perfect size without costing you an entire afternoon.

    reviewer's gif showing the grape cutter in action
    reviewer's photo of the grape cutter

    Watch a mom quartering grapes in a flash with this tool on TikTok.

    Promising review: "Yes. TikTok made me buy it. It’s awesome In my opinion. I use it for my fruit salads and my son's snacks. It’s helpful, and I think it saves a bit of time." —Amanda

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    11. A Tushbaby hip carrier you may have seen across your TikTok travels — parents love how much it saves their backs and that it has a ton of pockets for storage.

    reviewer showing how the carrier wraps around their waist and make it easy to hold a baby
    reviewer showing close up of the carrier and how it has a front pocket

    It's recommended for children between 8 and 45 pounds and can be used in four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face. 

    Tushbaby is a small business run by three California moms — they specialize in products that bring a little more ease to everyday parenting life.

    See it in action on TikTok

    Promising review: "This has been one of MANY items I have purchased thanks to TikTok, and I'm glad I did. Super easy to use, easy to adjust, and most importantly it helps with support tremendously. It comes with pockets and a place to hold bottles/sippy cups, which can be very handy. My 8-month-old weighs around 30–35 lbs, and he's basically attached to me 24/7, carrying all day was killing my back and arms! Thank God for this invention, my arms and back can rest." —Jennifer Calle

    Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in three styles). 

    12. A Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced parents will be able to rely on to help them make their baby a bottle in a flash — which is *much* appreciated when they're screaming their head off because they've decided they're hungry.

    a baby brezza formula advanced pro
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    The number one item I simply could not live without is the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced. Literally I would happily spend my last penny on this product because it has made that much of a difference in my life. 

    It’s essentially a Keurig for baby bottles. It has the capability of mixing formula with the proper amount of water and dispensing it at the *perfect* temperature for baby. It has a button on it so I can easily choose how many ounces I want for my son’s bottle, depending on how recently he’s eaten sometimes we need only need 2 oz instead of 4 oz, etc. The bottle settings will stay in place so while my baby is screaming (he gets hangry!) I just have to place a bottle under the dispenser and hit the “start” button. It’s so easy I can literally do it with one hand while holding him. 

    The spout has to be cleaned every four bottles, which I just do with hot water and a paper towel, and the water needs to be refilled once a day (like a Keurig). Other than that, all I have to do is ensure the formula container is filled. My husband set it up like a baby bar cart in the nursery so we don’t have to stumble down our stairs to the kitchen while bleary-eyed and half asleep in the middle of the night. It really is a godsend and I don’t know what I’d do without it! 

    Get it from Baby Brezza for $184 (available in three colors and with an extra funnel) or Target for $199.99 (in white).

    13. And a Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer, because why not add another gadget into the mix? This one will automatically sterilize bottles, breast pump parts, and other accessories with natural steam.

    the machine while it is on and filled
    the editor's uncovered baby brezza botle sterilizer
    www.amazon.com, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    As a new mom I’m quickly learning what items are a necessity in my day-to-day, one of them absolutely being the Baby Brezza Sterilizer. 

    As an infant my baby boy was going through about 12 bottles throughout the day/night, as he was eating about every 2–3 hours, which means I always needed to have the bottles and nipples clean and ready to go. “Back in the day,” as my parents and my in-laws have told me, you’d need to boil every part of the bottle in water on the stove. Who has time for that??? Certainly not me in 2023. Thanks to this sterilizer I don’t have to bother with any of that!

    Promising review: "You guys...if you are expecting (or trying to get a gift for someone who is)...GET THIS PUPPY NOW. I ended up getting this after a few sleepless nights and not feeling like my bottles were staying clean while drying on the grass counter mat. This has been a lifesaver. It is so easy to use and works in a hurry. The best part = it dries your bottles too. No more waiting around for them to dry. Every evening I load em' in and they are sterilized and dried within 45 to 60 minutes. What could be better?! Definitely a game changer everyone should have on their list." —MorganS

    Get it from Amazon for $109.99.

    14. An enzyme-based spot cleaner that'll have your little one's clothes looking like you just pulled them off the rack in a store. Baby food stains be damned.

    You can also use it on carpets, bedding, cloth diapers, etc.

    Promising review: "I just purchased this. It took stains out of baby clothes and I used it on the fabric on a toddler chair and it looks brand-new. I wish I would have taken before and after photos! Love it already! I had read some reviews about it leaking during shipping but I received it with a tight lid in a bag with a spray too lid separate so no leaking!" —Brianne

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    15. A battery-operated stroller fan with a flexible handle so you can adjust it as needed to keep your mini-me the perfect temperature while heading out on a summer stroll.

    a reviewer's black fan attached to their stroller
    a pink tripod fan

    Reviewers have also attached it to their little one's cribs and car seats for extra air flow. I personally used this in my stroller during my son's first summer (he was about three months old at the time) and will definitely be using it during our walks this year as well.

    Promising review: "As summers get hot I knew I needed a fan for my newborn. This was perfect for his crib side, stroller and in the car. Its quiet, and I love the three settings. I don't use the light but it's nice to have. I can leave it on all night on low on a hot night so my son has some air movement in his crib and a breeze on our walks when his stroller gets stuffy. I fully charged it before I used it so the battery life isn't bad but will only last maybe two hours on highest setting before dying. Battery life is short but not bad if you use it on the low setting. I charge it every few days and its held up nicely. Not too bad for the price." —Queen Sweetnez

    Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).

    16. A universal cup holder that can be easily attached to your stroller or diaper bag to ensure that you keep yourself hydrated as well as your little one. It comes in an array of fun colors and has drainage holes in the bottom. 👏

    a pink silicone cup holder on a stroller
    a stanley cup in a silicone cup holder attached to a stroller

    Ryan & Rose is a family-owned small business that creates stylish accessories parents will love. Reviewers also love adding this cup holder to other objects like their spin bikes, beach chairs, shopping carts, and more.

    Promising review: "I am obsessed with these holders! I have a huge stroller that a conventional cupholder won't work on, the Ryan And Rose Cutie Holder is perfect! I am actually order a second one that I can use to hold to hold my cell phone! The uses are endless! Stock up when you can!" —ShopTillYouDrop

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 11 colors).

    17. rubber ducky thermometer that actually will make bath time lots of fun! Your tyke will love playing with it, and you'll love knowing the water is *just right* at all times. Win-win.

    a rubber duck thermometer in a tub
    Amazon

    I have this lil' gadget, and it's great! I discovered, upon having a baby, that I actually had no idea how hot my bath water was. This helped me keep the water temperature in check to make sure it was safe for my little one. And — it's super cute!

    Promising review: "This duck simultaneously makes me and my kid happy. She loves playing with it in the bath and I love being able to get an up-to-second read of her water temperature. It's great, set it and forget it." —Michel

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in three styles).

    18. sling diaper bag for when you're just heading out on a quick errand and don't need to lug around a massive bag of items — this smaller option will do the trick!

    jade tolbert with a pink disney princess patterned sling bag
    Petunia Picklebottom

    I have this bag in the Disney Princess print of this sling bag and gifted the Beauty and the Beast one to my best friend — we both love them! It's the perfect size to hold a bottle, some diapers, wipes, and a burp cloth (just the essentials) which is great when I'm taking my baby along for a short outing. I typically put my own things (wallet, keys, mints) in the zippered front pocket, so I only need to take one bag out of the house! I also, as a big Disney fan, love the design. I've gotten tons of compliments from other parents which is always an added bonus!

    Get it from Amazon for $59+ or Petunia Picklebottom for $79 (available in six styles).

    19. Mission MightyMe Peanut Puffs you might find yourself snacking on alongside your kiddo — they're great for snack time and for exposing little ones to peanuts early on.

    Mission MightyMe
    Amazon

    Mission MightyMe is a small business based in Atlanta, Georgia. These puffs are so tasty I definitely have been eating them alongside my 1-year-old. They're one of his favorite snacks and a great way to introduce him to peanuts. They're plant-based, gluten-free, and (most importantly) delicious! He loves them! They also come in other varieties that include other types of tree nuts.

    Promising review: "We are doing baby-led leaning and were looking for a good, and simple way to introduce nuts. A Instagram account I follow raved about these repeatedly so I figured I would give them a try. My baby loves them, both flavors. Glad we got the combo pack! Will definitely buy again!" —Lisa Marie

    Get them from Amazon for $24.95 (available in four packs).

    20. Closet dividers, because you'll likely find yourself with an entire range of sizing in your baby's clothes that'll be a headache to organize. You can add these into their closet and stop trying to recall where the 3- to 6-month outfits begin and end.

    round plastic closet dividers that says different sizes on them
    CarrieDee / Etsy

    I got these for my baby's closet after realizing I had stocked up on a variety of sizes. It's super easy to clip them over the bar in the closet and then easily see which clothes are newborn-sized versus which are 0–3 months (and all of the other sizes as they grow, of course). I went with a neutral theme so they can be passed down to someone else or used with my next kiddo, but there are *tons* to choose from! Carrie Dee is a small business based in Syracuse, NY that sells nursery closet dividers.

    Get them from CarrieDee on Etsy for $7.95+ (available four sets and two display size options).

    21. A BabyBjörn bouncer, so your eager-to-sit little one can comfortably survey the room, indulge in a little Miss. Rachel on YouTube, or bounce to their heart's content (honestly, whatever works).

    a baby in a dark grey bouncer
    a baby in a pink bouncer
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    The BabyBjörn bouncer was an item I bought for myself when my son was DYING to be able to sit up but wasn't there just quite yet. We'd plop him into this bouncer and he'd be THRILLED to sit for a bit and watch my husband make his morning espresso (haha) or happily watch Encanto for the trillionth time (don't judge my parenting screentime). Honestly, he was just so happy to be upright! It easily folds down so it's a breeze to throw in the car and bring to someone else's house. He loves this thing and I'd definitely recommend it to any parent to have on-hand.

    Promising review: "My son is what is referred to as a Velcro baby. He will not let me put him down for even a moment without crying horribly. I spent two months unable to make myself food, comb my hair or even shower without him crying his little eyes out. I was exhausted but then...my mother suggested this little bouncer and everything changed! From the moment I put him in the chair, he was calm and happy. It's very well made, easy to move from room to room and the cover is machine washable. The design is simple and brilliant. The straps can be put on with only one hand. Super easy to get him in and out. He is four months old now and starting to figure out that he can make it bounce. The cover is solid canvas and soft. The seams are very strong. It make zero sound while he bounces. I now have a moment here and there to do things around the house while my little man plays in a safe comfy little seat. Highly recommend!" —Zuya

    Get it in beige from Amazon for $209.99.

    22. Coterie diaper subscription, so you'll never have to think twice about whether you have enough diapers in your stash. These are *so* soft you'll have a hard time believing they're not actually made of cotton.

    a baby model in  white coterie diapers
    Coterie

    I've *also* sampled Coterie diapers and, let me tell you, they are the real deal. They're definitely a more "luxurious" diaper that are made from apparel grade materials (they really do feel like a soft, cloth material) and have 3D advanced webbing that make then feel super plush. They are also fragrance-free, do not contain any lotion, added dyes, parabens, chlorine, or latex. Most importantly — my son has never leaked out of a Coterie diaper. They really are worth the money and are just a fantastic product. I also adore their wipes, so feel free to gives those a whirl as well!

    Promising review: "We absolutely love them! We went on vacation and didn’t have to change him as much as the warehouse brand. Longer nights sleep and practically no rashes. I’m super happy just hoping they make for bigger boys like mine who is about to outgrow size 6 at age 1 1/2." —Tania C.

    Get them from Coterie starting at $90/month (available in sizes newborn–06).

    23. And Huggies Little Swimmers diapers you'll pat yourself on the back for purchasing when the opportunity to take your baby for their first dip in the pool or ocean arrives. These easily open at the sides, so they're a breeze to take on and off.

    finding nemo swim diapers
    Amazon

    I bought a pack of these for my son's first summer (when he was only a few months old), during which he really only went in a pool twice. Cut to a few months later, when we signed him up for swim classes, the diapers still fit! The smallest size fits babies from 16 lbs–26 lbs (huge range) so one pack will definitely last a while. I also really enjoy the cute Finding Nemo patterns on them — who wouldn't? A fun fact I didn't know about swim diapers is that they are only really designed to hold in poop — so don't plan to keep your kiddo in them all day long an expect not to get peed on. Lesson learned.

    Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $9.68+ (available in sizes 3–6).

    24. A pack of child-safe charger covers, so when you're not trying to revive your forever-dead phone you won't have to worry about your baby gnawing away on the rogue wire.

    Geddy's Mom is a small business that develops gadgets to keep baby safe and clear of things that could hurt them.  

    Promising review: "Every parent of young kids needs this! This is a really cool little gadget that gives me the peace of mind that one of my little ones won't decide to put a charger in their mouths while I have my back turned. It is definitely my new go-to for baby shower gifts. The design is super cute and easy to use. Just snap it over your charger when you are done charging to protect your family!" —AV

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in four colors).

    25. Outlet covers with a hidden pull handle, so when your mini-me becomes mobile seemingly overnight and is suddenly interested in doing nothing but sticking their tiny fingers into any exposed electrical sockets, you'll be prepared.

    outlet covers with a hidden pull handle
    Amazon

    We have these in our home and they've been fantastic — honestly they're so efficient I felt like I struggled to figure out how to take them out as an adult. My son literally still tries to pull on them (he's a wild little thing) but they don't budge! One pack (which comes with 45 plug covers) was more than enough to baby proof our home.

    Promising review: "I purchased these specifically because I've had the regular type and get tired of breaking my nails trying to get them out. Plus, a toddler is watching how you do it, so these are a bit more stealth if you cover your hand while flipping out the handle." —Fair Comprehensive Reviews

    Get a pack of 45 from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in packs of 32, 42, and 55).

    26. A pop-up beach tent complete with a splash pool and UV protection that'll keep your baby cool — can't promise they'll be calm and collected, but it's a start.

    This item is noted for children under the age of 3.

    Promising review: "Found this after our first experience with our 9-month-old at the beach. He wanted to crawl straight in the beach so I wanted to find something that would keep him busy but yet be able to play with sand and water! This was perfect!!!! He loved it and it kept him occupied all day, on and off. We didn’t use the shade since we had a canopy up already for shade so not sure how strong the shade part of it is." —Brittany

    Get it from Amazon for $32.95.

    27. Stretchy Posh Peanut footie pajamas featuring an oh-so-soft bamboo material your little one might actually like the feeling of against their skin. (Imagine!)

    a baby in a pink ruffled little mermaid themed one piece pajama
    two babies in pink ruffled little mermaid themed one piece pajamas
    Posh Peanut

    My son has a few different styles of Posh Peanut pajamas (this Hot Wheels two-piece set and this Star Spangled one-piece, for example) and he really seems to enjoy them! Even I own a pair of their Barbie pajamas (which have already sold out) and can attest to how nice the fabric feels against my skin. They've all washed beautifully (no shrinking!) and I just love how many fun prints they're offered in.

    Promising review: "I absolutely love this romper, I swear my baby sleeps better when she wears it. It fits well and feels very soft and luxurious, like a second skin. I’ve already ordered more. Just remember to size up! at 2 months of age and in both the 75th percentile for height and weight, the 3–6-month size is getting small." —Heather

    Get them from Posh Peanut for $48 (available in sizes newborn–2T).

    28. Or soft two-way zip pajamas from Dreamland Baby Co. that'll fit your mini-me for about three months at a time even if they have a massive growth spurt thanks to their open-footed design.

    a baby in white pajamas with blue hearts on them
    white baby pajamas with peter rabbit on them
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Dreamland Baby Co.

    My son has these (pictured above) in the sweet blue heart print and wore them for Valentine's Day (so cute). They are truly super soft, fit him nicely, and held up great in the wash. He has the Peter Rabbit print as well that he wore for Easter and is still wearing now! If you're worried about your kiddo's feet being cold at night, throw on a pair of socks to keep 'em toasty.

    Promising review: "I wanted a comfy soft alternative for my baby that is not as thin as bamboo pajamas but is made out of natural ingredients unlike fleece pajamas. My search landed on this pair and it was exactly what I wanted. They are made out of thick cotton and are very soft. Also the blue color really brought my baby’s eyes out, she looks so beautiful in it." —Yauheniya T.

    Get them from Dreamland Baby Co. for $26 (available in sizes 0/3M–3T and eight styles).

    29. An ingenious cup catcher you can count on to save you from endlessly bending down to grab the cup your surprisingly strong tyke has thrown with the strength of The Hulk across the room (which never fails to be quite impressive, TBH).

    a reviewer photo of the cup catcher holding onto a cup about to fall
    the cup catcher on a cup

    Promising review: "These are fantastic for keeping my child from dropping her sippy cup over and over during meals. I'd recommend to any parent who just wants one thing to be easier. But isn't that all of us?"Leigh Powers

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 13 styles). 

    30. baby nail trimmer that'll gently file down their surprisingly sharp lil' claws without you having to worry about cutting them too short — a truly frightening task for new parents.

    a reviewer filing their baby's nails
    the nail file tool set

    For the first few months of my son's life I used this tool regularly (before I moved onto actual nail clippers). It's fantastic, very gentle, easy to use, and didn't wake my little one as I filed down his nails while he napped in my lap. I even changed the head to one of the more rigid ones and used it on my own nails! It's a great product any parent will be happy to have in their line-up. 

    Promising review: "My 2-month-old baby girl smiled throughout her 'manicure' with this nail file — no tears! Much easier than clipping her nails. There are different files and speeds so you can choose what’s right for your child. It is easy to use and change the files on and off. This is a must-have for new moms! Will be recommending this to all my friends and family for their children." —Steve Benson

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven colors).

    31. A baby butt spatula you'll either laugh or cringe at but will thank your lucky stars that you thought to purchase it when you see how much nicer it is to apply diaper cream to your baby's booty with it instead of your finger.

    Both my mom and my mother-in-law poked fun at me for getting this lil' spatula but I have ZERO regrets. I love my son more than life itself, but I am more than pleased to not have to put my finger in his butt after he's recently pooped and I think that is OKAY! I'd like to think he's happier to have a lil' spatula do the job ANYWAYS! That being said, this lil' tool is fantastic as it's super easy to clean, doesn't waste any product, and suctions onto my changing table with ease.

    Promising review: "If I could give this little tool 10 out of 5 stars I would!!! It makes the whole process of applying diaper rash ointment SOOOOO much easier. And this thing cuts down on how much diaper rash ointment is wasted because your fingers are not getting covered in ointment. I HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone with a baby!!!" —Hazel-91

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

    32. touchless forehead thermometer with a built-in sensor that'll make taking your tyke's temperature a breeze. Perfect for any parents that err on the side of caution and find themselves checking their kiddo's temp anytime they look a bit flushed (ahem, me).

    The forehead thermometer in white
    Reviewer taking temperature of their child

    Promising review: "This is a great thermometer — accurate, looks great, a must have! If you have kids, forget about sticking a thermometer in their ears. I have four kids now, and a thermometer is a must have. Hold this thing close to the forehead, push the button in, and you get a reading in about one second. This thing looks good, feels good, and is accurate. We’ve used multiple thermometers in the past. The head scanner that you run across the forehead...no good. In-ear thermometers...accurate, but expect a battle. Rectal thermometers...very accurate, but expect a war. This is the easiest one out of all of them. We find it especially useful when we need the quick 'I don’t feel that great' check...i.e., man cold. Overall, highly recommend!."—BearDownChi1

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

    33. A Baby Brezza baby food maker, a must-have for when your tyke starts eating solids. Jars and pouches of baby food can get a bit pricey day after day, so save yourself some dollars and blend some meals up yourself!

    a mother and child making baby food in a baby brezza baby food maker
    a baby brezza one step baby food maker

    This gadget cooks/steams and then blends baby foods all-in-one!

    Promising review: "Purchased this product for my 6-month-old who is now eating solids for the first time and I was surprised that it worked so well in the first try. I made sweet potato and it turned out great, the puree was smooth and the perfect consistency. I cleaned, peeled and diced the potato. Then added the chopped veggie to the glass container added water to the water reservoir and set the timer. Once the timer was completed it automatically blended the potato to puree consistency. Overall I am very very happy with this purchase and the first meal. Btw my son loved the sweet potato." —DC

    Get it from Amazon for $129.99.

    34. car seat buckle release tool that'll save both your nails and your precious time! No one wants to struggle to open those (thankfully) extremely secure buckles while their kiddo is hitting a pitch that could likely break glass.

    The red tool
    a reviewer using the car seat buckle release tool

    This gadget doesn't attach to the car seat, so no need to fret about kiddos unbuckling themselves while you're driving.

    Promising review: "Love that my kindergartner can unbuckle himself. It makes morning school drop-off SO MUCH EASIER! And he likes the independence of being able to do it himself!" —Lauren

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five colors).

    35. A FridaBaby medicine dispenser syringe you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when you discover your tyke actually despises medicine. This beauty doubles as a pacifier and will make giving them their recommended dosage with ease.

    A syringe with a pacifier medicine dispenser
    Another view of the pacifier-style medicine dispenser
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This thing is worth its weight in gold! A must have in my opinion because it makes life so much easier. We use it with gripe water or Tylenol around her immunizations. We bought it because she would cough and sputter because she wouldn't swallow well when given it in the cheek even in tiny amounts. It makes it a much faster process because all she has to do it suck like using a normal bottle or paci, and she has never turned away because of taste either. It also happens to soothe like a regular paci afterward. Great buy." —Sullivan

    Get it from Amazon for $12.84.

    36. An Oogiebear tool that's confusingly kinda cute even though its purpose is *a bit* gross — to remove earwax and boogers safely from your little one. 

    a tiny blue tool with a hook on each end attached to a bear shape
    Amazon

    I use this little tool to remove boogers from my son's nose (which he absolutely hates). It's not an easy task because he's VERY squirmy, but the Oogiebear definitely helps make the process go a bit more seamlessly. Absolutely recommend.

    Promising review: "I mean does my child love it? No. But does it take less than a second to use and get the boogers I'd expect Shrek to possess and not my 3-month-old baby? Yes it does! He's happy as soon as it leaves his nostrils, which again only takes a second. And it's easy to clean!" —Kaitlyn Spires

    Get it from Amazon for $12.95

    37. Bugaboo Butterfly stroller designed for traveling families — it's sleek, suuuuper compact, and has a spacious storage compartment despite its smaller size.

    the black Bugaboo Butterfly stroller unfolded on a hardwood floor
    the same stroller all folded up in a compact, backpack-like shape
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    I own this Bugaboo stroller and so far I can say it’s definitely worth the splurge. Honestly, the brand just continues to impress me and makes my life as a new mom easier and easier.

    It’s super lightweight (16 pounds total) and actually does pop up/close without hassle. You truly only press in two buttons and it unfolds like magic. My husband and I couldn’t believe how simple it was to put together and how compact it is when closed. I’d also say the Butterfly is a great stroller option for anyone who lives in a city or has a smaller living space.  

    It has a strap so you can literally throw it over your shoulder and carry it — perfect whether you’re traveling or just bringing it back and forth from your car. I took my son to visit my parents in North Carolina and it fit in an overhead compartment without a problem. The wheels handles bumps and debris with ease. We've been using it anytime we're on-the-go or running a quick errands instead of our bigger stroller option. Overall, I’ve found it to be a great stroller option and will totally recommend it to any new parents going forward!

    Get it from Bugaboo for $429 (available in three colors and ships within three weeks) or from Amazon for $449 (available in two colors).

    38. caddy starring Mickey Mouse you'll easily be able to attach onto your stroller and fill with all the many things you'll need for an adventure outdoors with your little one.

    disney diaper bag attached to a stroller handle
    Amazon

    I have one of these on each of my strollers and honestly don't know what I'd do without them! They provide an easy place to stash a burp cloth, my keys, sunglasses, a hat, and my iced coffee. Anything that makes my life as a mom easier is truly worthwhile. I even got a second one (in the cute Winnie the Pooh floral print) to add onto my travel stroller.

    Promising review: "Love this system, it’s been so useful. My daughter was already a toddler by the time I got this bag but it’s been amazing. We use the little bags for important items we don’t need all the time like hearing aid accessories, inhaler, and first aid kits. And the biggest bag for snacks." —Jessica Thorton

    Get it from Amazon for $69+ (available in seven styles).

    39. And a Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor, which uses patented sensor fusion technology to track baby's vitals and nursery conditions. We really are living in the future.

    all the pieces of monitor kit
    the miku camera over a crib
    Amazon, Amazon

    It also tracks your baby's breathing and sleeping patterns, plays sleep sounds and lullabies, and allows you to talk to them through a two-way microphone. This is the monitor I use in my son's room, and I have been nothing but impressed with it. I love that I can pull it up on my phone at anytime in the night, that it shows his breathing in real time, and that it isn't an eyesore in his room. It also has a fun feature that lets you snap a screenshot of your baby when they're on camera — trust me, you'll find them in many silly poses you just might want to capture.

    Promising review: "This monitor is great! I'm so happy that I got it! The monitor was highly recommended by a number of friends I was hesitant with the price, but it is 100% worth it. After ordering, it came very quickly, and was packaged nicely. I was so excited to unbox it. It was very easy to set up, and I had no issues connecting it to my internet. I was nervous about this, as many reviews mention it being challenging. The picture quality is very strong, even in night mode. I look forward to using it more, and the peace of mind that it will give me while my baby sleeps." —Stephanie Lawley

    Get it from Amazon for $399.

    Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.