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    46 Must-Have Baby Products For Anyone Who Is Winging This Whole Parenting Thing (And Aren’t We All)

    Here's to hoping your kid's next nap is longer than it takes you to read this post.

    1. A cacti-inspired bottle brush cleaning set you'll love because it'll look cute on your kitchen counter while also doing a fantastic job in helping you scrub all of the yucky milk residue out of your baby's bottles.

    a set of bottle brushes that look like cacri
    a set of bottle brushes that look like cacri

    Promising review: "I usually don’t write reviews. But I love, love this. I think it’s so cute. Instead of those normal bottle cleaners that are bright ugly colors. The container that it comes in, it works and does collect the water. Would definitely recommend it, especially as an all-in-one bottle cleaner that looks cute and has a container for the water." —Hinojosas

    Get it from Amazon for $10.39.

    2. A silicone teether to slip over your little one's hand — they won't be able to toss it across the room and will have no choice but to chomp away on it for some sweet relief from those painful teeth.

    a baby using a teether toy shaped like a penguin
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I don’t know why we waited so long to get my baby this. She’s 4 months and only had it for about a week. Not only does it work wonders for her gums, but it’s also teaching her to grip other things harder. For example, ever since she’s been using this, she holds her bottle better. We love it totally recommend." —Cristhian Gutierrez

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

    3. 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
    reviewer's gif of the unbuckle tool in action
    Amazon, Chandni Reddy / Buzzfeed

    This gadget doesn't attach to the car seat, so no need to fret about kiddo's 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 $13.99+ (available in five colors).

    4. 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.

    5. 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).

    6. Outlet covers, 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.

    Eight plastic outlet covers
    A person pushes the outlet cover into a wall outlet
    Amazon, Chandni Reddy / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "I had some outlet protectors already, but my 10-month-old daughter figured those ones out. These ones are nice because they are discreet. They sit flush with the outlet. They aren’t distracting so my daughter doesn’t find interest in them. And they are too thin for her to pry them off. I actually kinda had trouble getting them out of one of my outlets, but I find that a good thing. They are definitely child-proof. Can’t beat the low price either. And they arrived very quickly." —Bazoo Studios

    Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $5.99+ (also available as an 8-pack, 60-pack, and 120-pack).

    7. Stackable counting cups for your tyke to play with on the kitchen floor, which will hopefully buy you enough time to prep their fancy meal of puréed delicacies.

    a stack of rainbow toycups
    a stack of rainbow toycups

    Promising review: "I saw these recommended by some mom influencer on social media and they had good ratings here, so I got them as a small gift for my baby. Didn’t realize these plain cups would become her favorite thing. She’s 7 months and doesn’t even try to stack them. But she likes unstacking them and chewing on them. She likes these more than the more intricate or expensive gifts we got her. So I guess her rating is 5 stars. Mine is 5 stars for the price, durability, and easiness to clean. Also it keeps her quite occupied, which is a feat in itself." —Amber Scott

    Get them from Amazon for $4.99.

    8. 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

    9. A high density foam guard to prevent any unnecessary bumps and bruises your baby might do their best to acquire — soften up your coffee table's sharp edges, the wooden backboard of your changing table your tyke ALWAYS wants to slam their head on, and every other piece of furniture in your home while you're at it.

    A rolled up brown foam bumper with corner protectors
    reviewer's image of the brown tape installed on their brick fireplace

    The set includes 18 feet of edge guard and 8 corner cushions, capable of covering 20.4 feet of surface area. Also, comes with 3M double-sided tape (36 feet of tape for the edge guard), while the corner guards are pre-taped.

    Promising review: "Great product that saved my son a trip to the ER! Funny story, when I installed these to cover my fire place brink corners I did so only to stop the nagging of my wife. BUT not 10 minutes after finishing the install did my son come up to the fire place and trip falling head first into the foam covered brick corner... THANK GOD I finally listened to my wife! Instead of a trip to the emergency room, he just bounced off of the foam and went about his business unharmed!" —Chris Y.

    Get it from Amazon for $21.35 (available in two sizes and three colors).

    10. A suction toy that'll keep your tiny monster, I mean, child, entertained while you shovel your dinner down your throat (yum!). They'll be able to chew away on it, fight to try and remove it, and play with the rings happily.

    editor's baby playing with an orange suction toy
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    I picked this toy up on a whim at a local toy store and am so glad that I did! My son is a busy, busy guy and finding ways to keep him entertained while my husband and I (quickly) eat dinner has been a challenge. This toy, from Fat Brain Toys, has been such a help. We bring it everywhere with us! It has a very strong suction so he can't immediately fling it across the room. It's definitely one of our diaper bag must-haves,10 and I'll certainly get it for other new parents in my life.

    Promising review: "Bought this as a high chair toy to buy me time in the kitchen. Sticks well to both Stokke tray and Inglesina tray. My 6-month-old loves to rattle it, shake it, bend it, chew it. We also throw it in the diaper bag for the car since it’s small enough. Worth the money." —kc9

    Get it from Target for $9.99 (available in two colors).

    11. A pack of corner guards to ensure your wild child doesn't accidentally hurt that adorable little head of theirs while trying to cruise along any surface they can pull themselves up on.

    reviewer's photo of a clear guard placed on a glass table corner
    The same guard being pulled off, stretching until it releases

    Promising review: "Must-have. I love these. We just moved in with family, and they had a coffee table with super-sharp corners and I have a little one who pulls up on everything and is trying to walk. To say I was on edge is an understatement. My sister-in-law didn’t want an obnoxious baby proof item around her house, but these were so discreet she didn’t even notice that I had installed them. They are so soft that my little one started gumming on them to soothe his gums, LOL. They were super easy to install, stuck on very well and with not much effort, and came with plenty so if I need them I’ll have them handy. Super satisfied! If you’re thinking about getting, them please do!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three quantities).

    12. Bumkins washable bibs that'll turn mealtime into a fashion show (hehe) while also protecting your little one's clothes from all kinds of gross baby food stains.

    a baby wearing a mario themed bib that says 'feed me
    a baby wearing a minnie mouse bib
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    My son has these bibs in a variety of styles: Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Mickey Mouse. They're super cute and make for silly photos, but best of all, they can be easily rinsed off or thrown into the washing machine. I've put the bibs in with his regular laundry and then dried them on cool — they come out nice 'n' clean. We also have a Bumkins Nintendo-themed splat mat I simply could not live without, as it catches all the food debris my son tosses over the edge of his high chair.

    Promising review: "This is easy to put on and easy to clean. We just rinse, wipe and dry. I can see our son may be able to take it off one day but that's part of the process. I like how light it is compared to the silicone bibs we have." —hmfan24

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $6.59+ (available in 34 styles and sets).

    13. A stretchy Boba Wrap you can wrap around your body so you and your baby can snuggle wile you're on-the-go. Cuddling and being productive at the same time? Sounds like a parenting dream come true!

    A model wearing a baby in the grey wrap
    reviewer's photo carrying their baby in the grey wrap

    Promising review: "I have tried three carriers. This carrier is fantastic. It is stretchy, breathable, and lightweight. My 3-month-old wants to be held and carried around when she's awake. This carrier makes that so much easier. I have two older children and having my hands free to do things for them makes everything easier. " —MomBoss

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 15 colors).

    14. 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 (available in two colors).

    15. An iconic Sophie the Giraffe teether your little one will, for unexplained reasons, likely cherish and love chomping away on as their pearly whites start to (painfully) poke through.

    editor's child chewing on sophia the giraffe
    editor's child chewing on sophia the giraffe
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    Sophie the Giraffe has become a valued member of our family. I ran out to buy it when my son started teething (badly) as he simply refused every other type of teether we already had (of course). I was skeptical as to why a toy giraffe would cost nearly $30, but I soon learned it clearly had magical powers. Sophie has apparently been around for over 55 years (who knew!) and is made entirely of natural rubber. She has various chewable parts (ears, horns, and legs) that Noah was able to grasp onto himself way easier than any other teether. She's becoming my go-to baby shower gift, and we simply don't leave the house without her!

    PSA: Do not wash Sophie with water or if you do, do not get water into the squeaker hole! I've seen a number of TikTok videos noting that if you do this the inside can potentially get moldy.

    Promising review: "I was super hesitant to spend $25 on a teething toy. It’s honestly just a regular squeaky toy, but the other reviews were spot on, and my child absolutely LOVES his Sophie. Something about that rubbery smiley giraffe is just so darn appealing to babies. She is without a doubt one of his very favorite toys, especially once he started teething." —Courtnee Thompson

    Get it from Amazon for $25.37.

    16. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy that'll entertain your fussy babe with catchy melodies by the likes of Mozart, Vivaldi, and others as well as exciting and twinkling lights.

    reviewer's photo of the toy lit up
    reviewer's photo of their baby holding the toy

    My son received this as a gift around the holidays and it's, surprisingly, fantastic! It's really a simple toy, but he enjoys playing with it *all* the time. He loves the sounds and the lights while I personally like that it's not HUGE (so many musical toys are very bulky). It's been a great toy option for the car thanks to its size.

    Promising review: "The best baby distractor EVER! Every person with a child must have this toy! I had about five tucked in various places in case one got lost. My son loved them from basically birth, and sometimes it would distract him for hours of not crying! (Heaven for a new mother.) Of course, in the beginning you have to keep pushing the button for them, but compared to swinging him in his car seat that was easy! Then when he got older, he would spend entire car rides just playing with this one toy. I give it to everyone I know who has a baby." —NH-Mommy

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    17. A too-cute baby bathtub you'll have a *whale-y* good time using. Added bonus? It can be used in a tub instead of a sink (which grosses me out for reasons I can't quite explain).

    a baby in a gray whale-shaped tub
    Amazon

    My baby used this tub for about four months, and it was fantastic. I liked that it was a secure place for him to sit inside our bathtub instead of in the sink. It was very easy to clean (a must) and has adjustable seating options that were simple to swap as he grew longer.

    Promising review: "We have a newborn and absolutely love this tub for her. The sling supports her perfectly. The size of this tub is perfect, big enough that my 3-year-old fit in it (when he insisted on trying it out) but small/compact enough that its not obnoxious to store. If you have a standard size bathtub, there is plenty of room to hang this on a suction hook inside the tub to store (and this Skip Hop tub has its own storage hook to make this simple to do). This is the fourth baby bath that we have owned/tried, and it is hands down our favorite. I have no complaints, absolutely love it!!" —E

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

    18. Or an Angelcare Baby Bath Support, great for littles who want the freedom of splashing their tiny toes directly in the big tub.

    a baby in a grey and white bath seat
    Amazon

    My son is admittedly a bit wild (ahem, he has been from Day 1 when he tried to escape his swaddle). So, while I loved the Skip Hop whale tub, I had to retire it once my son tried to slide his little booty off the edge of the seat to lay completely vertical in it (someone, plz, send me prayers). I ordered the Angelcare seat on a whim and it's been a great solution! He gets to splash and kick to his heart's content and doesn't actively give me a heart attack during bath time! It also hangs nicely on a suction hook, taking up way less space in my bathroom.

    Promising review: "I’ve had two of these, and I love gifting them! This is the best baby bath! I bought one for my son four years ago (I’ve handed it down since), and one for my newest baby. I cannot recommend this bath enough! It’s easy to clean, the babies loved lying down in it, and it’s convenient!" —Jocelyn Turner

    Get it from Amazon for $19.78 (available in three styles).

    19. And a coordinating whale-shaped kneeling pad you can plop next to the tub and save your knees from the inevitable pain you'd likely feel after squatting for an hour during your baby's bathtime. 

    a blue whale-shaped kneeling pad
    a woman kneeling on the whale-shaped kneeling pad while giving a baby a bath
    Amazon

    Naturally, I have this to go with the whale tub. Even though my son has grown out of this tub, I'm still using the mat! It's squishy, doesn't take up space in the bathroom (since it can be hung up when not in use) and, honestly, does save my knees from discomfort.

    Promising review: "I love this whale mat. I have back problems and it makes kneeling down easier on my knees and back. Another very cool feature is the hook and loop yellow tab at the end. Right after bathtime, I just hang it up on the shower curtain rod to dry. So simple. I also have the matching whale 'cup' that is designed for pouring water over kids/toddlers/babies in baths. It's adorable and functional as well. It just makes bathtime less of a chore and more ergonomic. Did I mention how cute this is?" —Spoonie32

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two colors).

    20. A whale-shaped bath spout cover, so your tyke can splish and splash without accidentally hitting their head on the ever-interesting-to-them spout. You're welcome.

    reviewer's photo showing the blue whale covering bath faucet
    The spout cover in gray

    Promising review: "My 1-year-old was always getting close to the faucet to play with the water and would end up crying all the time because he would end up bumping his head. But this saved him from that. Now he gets to enjoy the water without bumping his head, and if he does, it won't hurt him since the whale is made of rubber. It's a plus that I can hang the spray tub lower and not have to stretch in my tippie toes every night. It's adjustable, so it fits pretty much all the faucets. This is a must-have if you have little ones." —Sam

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two colors).

    21. A shopping cart cover to create a barrier between your kiddo and all of the unseen germs lurking around — certainly can't hurt and will also prevent them from, literally, sucking on the cart itself (babies are wild).

    a baby sitting in a grey shopping cart cover with white stars
    a baby sitting in a grey shopping cart cover with white stars
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

    I have this for my son (pictured above) and am *very* glad that I do. As you can see from his first time in a shopping cart at Target, all he immediately wanted to do was chew on it — which is disgusting and germy! The cover protected him from sucking on unknown grossness...thankfully.

    Promising review: "Love! I was in the market for a nice shopping cart cover. My newest baby definitely is one that puts everything possible into his mouth, so a shopping cart cover was a must this time around. It's easy to unfold and fold up. A little tricky to put on the first time, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It seems to be fairly padded. Covers a standard Walmart cart thus far. I believe it will work for high chairs as well. I do wish it came with its own toys. I would definitely recommend for children who are comfortable sitting up on their own." —Alicia

    Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in three styles).

    22. 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 bringing 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 30–35lbs, 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 two styles). 

    23. 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 $19.99.

    24. A BabyBjörn bouncer, so your eager-to-sit little one can comfortably survey the room, indulge in a little Ms. 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 from Amazon for $189.99+ (available in three styles).

    25. 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.

    26. A starter set of Chicco Duo Newborn Hybrid Baby Bottles with glass on the inside but plastic on the outside that'll ensure your baby's milk will only touch pure glass. This means no gross smells, aftertaste, or discolorations over time!

    a gif of editor's baby drinking out of a chicco duo bottle
    two tall bottles two small botles and two pacifiers
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    Before my son Noah was born we were hoping he’d like the Chicco Duo bottles (since, at the end of the day we knew we’d end up using whatever brand he preferred). These were our first choice because they have such unique features that other bottles don’t — so we were absolutely thrilled when he took to them right away!

    On the inside of each bottle is a super thin layer of unbreakable glass that prevents babies from drinking directly from plastic. I know what you’re thinking… glass = heavy… but you’d never even know there was glass in these bottles! They’re so light weight my baby has no problem already trying to hold them up on his own. Their other great feature are the nipples they come with. They have a slow release design to help prevent your little one from chugging their bottle and developing gas bubbles in their bellies. Additionally, they’re shaped for intuitive latching which I can only assume would be helpful for parents who are both bottle feeding and breastfeeding their babies.

    We’ve purchased three sets so we always have a bottle at-the-ready, but you can easily clean these by hand or in the dish washer and use them in a sterilizer or bottle warmer without concern. Big win for babies and parents !

    They're also dishwasher safe, can be used in a bottle warmer or sterilizer, and are free of BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates.

    Get the 8-piece set from Amazon for $49.99+ (also available in five styles and in pink).

    27. modern highchair from Stokke that'll transform into a perfectly sized mini chair as your child grows. They'll be able to use it right up against your kitchen table to dine alongside the family, and it'll look great alongside your other furniture.

    a trip trap high chair in walnut wood
    a reviewer's white trip trap high chair
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

    This high chair can really do it all. It holds up to 300 pounds (!!!) and it has an adjustable seat and footplate positions for the utmost comfort. Additionally, when your tyke outgrows the need for a highchair, you can remove the pieces to turn it into an actual chair for their playroom! We've tried a few high chairs out (as is a perk of my job, obviously) and this one is my crowned winner. My son fits the mostly comfortably in it, it's the easiest to clean (BY FAR!), and the legs don't stick out very far (so no one is tripping over them). I love that it comes in an array of stylish colors (we have walnut to match our wood floors and furniture) and that it can be used into toddlerhood. 

    Promising review: "I have tried several other high chairs and they are so difficult to clean and bulky. I wish I would have started with this one! You can pull it right up to the table, it's not bulky at all, and it's so incredibly easy to clean. Don't let the price scare you... Spend the money... Out of everything baby/toddler related, a high chair is the thing you use the most on a daily basis and for the longest amount of time so making sure you love it is crucial!" —Kelli Novak

    Get it from Amazon for $219 (available in 17 colors).

    28. 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 $8.99 (available in six colors). 

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

    Bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups drying on the plastic grass rack
    Chandni Reddy / Buzzfeed

    BuzzFeed editor and mother of two Chandni Reddy is a big fan of this drying rack:

    "Is it possible for a drying rack to be life changing? Why yes, it is. I caved and bought this grassy patch after my kitchen started to look an episode of Hoarders. This thing instantly organized my kitchen by creating a dedicated spot for baby stuff. Bottles, pump parts, sippy cups...this bad boy can hold a LOT (at least six bottles and four cups at once) and dries everything quickly. Did I mention it's a heck of a lot more cheerful and stylish than your regular drying rack?"

    I *also* 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 $21.24 (available in two colors).

    30. 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.

    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 highchair! Plus, they fold down and can be put in the storage bag attached very quickly and easily. I have used many kinds of highchairs but these are the best, space saving and great for travel." —katy

    Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in nine colors). 

    31. An easily attachable back seat mirror, so when you glance in your rearview you'll be able to see your little one despite their rear-facing car seat.

    the mirror attached to a headrest with a baby looking into it
    Amazon

    I have this mirror in my car and it has definitely given me some peace of mind while driving around with my baby. It only takes a split second to glance back while at a red light and see if he's asleep or happily (hopefully) chewing on a toy — super helpful.

    Disclaimer: only look in the mirror when your car isn't in motion!

    Promising review: "These are high quality. We were given one as a gift originally, and ended up ordering three more, one for each car for both of our kids. We've also ordered these as gifts for other moms. They're sturdy and large enough to get a full view of a rear-faced baby/toddler. They're on a swivel, which makes changing direction easy to do. Once the toddler is curious enough to touch, though, it can be problematic as we found ourselves needing to reset it after she played with it." —Rachel Lakose

    Get it from Amazon for $33.99.

    32. FridaBaby's Baby Basics Kit, complete with all the odds and ends you'll need to unclog your tyke's stuffy nose, trim their nails, help them pass gas, and keep their skin nice 'n' soft. 

    the baby basics kit
    the various items that come in the kit
    Target

    I'm going to be honest and let you know that, despite going through pregnancy and birth, I absolutely cannot handle the snot sucking tool. I gag and have to leave the room every time my husband uses it on our son. That being said, it does *exactly* what it's supposed to do — as does every item in this set! I would be nothing without the SnipperClipper! This kit definitely a must-have for all parents.

    Promising review: "I’ve bought this kit twice for baby showers and love it! I wish these products were bundled like this when I had my kiddos — it’s so convenient and I’ve used all the parts of the kit many times over. Worth it!" —Tess

    Get it from Target for $39.99.

    33. 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 six colors).

    34. 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

    I have both a Hatch Rest and a Hatch Restore, and they’ve both been essential to my baby’s nighttime routine. We keep the Hatch Rest in our bedroom and the Hatch Restore in my son’s room. 

    I love that I can control both the lighting and sound of the devices on my phone with Hatch’s easy-to-use app. My husband typically gives the baby a bottle before bedtime in his room, while he’s doing that I turn on the “rain sounds” that we’ve been using as white noise for our little one. However, the most helpful feature on both devices is the ability to adjust how bright the light is. We’re still getting up for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes so it’s been invaluable to be able to raise the light a bit when doing so but then be able to quickly lower it once the baby has settled back into sleep. It’s also not a harsh light and has a bunch of different color options so it’s been easy enough to find a brightness that suits our needs.

    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). 

    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.

    35. 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.

    36. Fisher-Price kick and play piano you may have seen on TikTok or heard about from other parents — it'll keep your kiddo entertained for MONTHS, which is a lot more than other toys can boast about.

    a gif of a baby kicking the fisher price piano
    the fisher-price kick and play piano in pink
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    Check it out on TikTok!

    I have this toy and even have a backup of it for my parents' house — it's that good. My son is a very energetic little guy and has been fond of this toy since he was about two months old! He loved aggressively kicking the piano (of course), pulling at the toys on the bar, and (once he learned how) would often flip onto his stomach and hit the keys of the piano with his hands. Now that's he's mobile, we've detached the piano and he plays with it separately.

    The attached mat can also easily be tossed into the washing machine and the dryer, which was essential for my kiddo as he spits up on everyyyyything. Overall, this toy gets a 10/10 from me, even if the songs do get a bit annoying (just part of the territory these days!).

    Get it from Amazon for $33.99 (available in two colors).

    37. 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!

    a model holding a sling bag with a disney princess pattern on it
    a model holding a sling bag with a snow white princess pattern on it
    Amazon

    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 $41.30+ (available in seven styles).

    38. 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).

    39. 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 2022. Thanks to this sterilizer I don’t have to bother with any of that!

    After washing the bottles and nipples (I use Dapple’s lavender bottle soap and a Dr. Browns cleaning brush), I place each piece on the rack inside the sterilizer. Once it’s filled with six bottles, I remove the rack, pour filtered water into the bottom section of the sterilizer, replace the rack, pop its dome back on, and set it to sterilizer and dry for 30 minutes. It’s honestly fantastic and super easy to use. TBH, I’d say this is a must-have for anyone who formula feeds and breastfeeding mamas who also pump/use bottles. Added bonus? You can also use it to sterilize pacifiers and any breast pump parts. It’s a fantastic item for any parent, trust me.

    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.

    40. 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

    My son is going through a phase where he's refusing to eat anything that *isn't* in a pouch. One of my mom friends suggested trying these out, so I promptly added these into my cart. They arrived swiftly and have been a great solution to our dining problem! 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 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.

    41. An ice cream truck bouncer that is as hilarious for you to watch your kiddo jump in as it is fun for them to play in. Transform your tyke into an entrepreneur and cheer them on as they "sell" ice cream all day long — someone's gotta pay for the mortgage, right?

    a gif of the editor's baby jumping in an ice cream truck themed jumper
    a baby sitting next to an ice cream truck themed toy
    Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Walmart

    My son has been loving this Fisher-Price ice cream jumper for as long as he's been able to hold his head up. He's always been an adventurous baby who has longed for mobility (send prayers my way, please) so this has been one of his favorite toys. It's been great for helping him burn up some energy (he has SO much of it), entertaining him for a bit, and knowing he's safely contained so I can go pee (seriously). The height is adjustable so as he grows taller we're able to give him more jumping room. It has three different play settings with various sounds my son absolutely adores — and he loves holding onto the steering wheel and "driving" along to the tunes. I also love that once he's past the bouncing phase we can remove the jumper entirely and turn it into a shape-sorting toy!

    Promising review: "It is perfect! Fairly easy to put together and great that it can be used for infants and toddlers. My granddaughter loves it!" —Nala

    Get it from Walmart for $139.99.

    42. An infant toothbrush shaped like a banana that'll help train them on dental hygiene while helping them soothe this sore gums when they're teething. Win-win!

    a baby chewing on a banana-shaped teether
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My baby LOVES this teether!! I bought it for him when he was 3 months old (he started teething around 2 1/2 months) but it was hard for him to hold things since he was just starting to grab. This banana teether was very easy for him to grasp and put in his own mouth. The grip is great, it's very ergonomic for a baby and I love the feel of the silicone. Other teethers he would only use for a minute or so and get fussy or frustrated, but this teether can keep him occupied for a while! Also sometimes if he's getting fussy while biting it, I'll take it and just gently brush his gums with the end and he loves it, sometimes he laughs haha. I've also gotten so many comments and compliments on how cute he looks chewing on his little banana. I now recommend this to all moms who have a teething baby." —Melissa

    Get it from Amazon for $6.98.

    43. Too-cute teethers shaped like fruits you'll adore because they're BPA-free and can be frozen to truly help soothe your tyke's gums. Run them through the dishwasher to freshen them up after they've been covered in drool.

    Promising review: "These are the best teethers!! My baby loves how easy they are to hold. The stick really helps her have a good grip so she can bite down even more! Plus, the different fruits have different textures! Also love how you get several different teethers. AND, love that they are made of food grade silicone because they are easy to clean/sanitize! Such a great deal for the price! We loved them so much that we got a set for her younger cousin because teething isn't fun! Added tip: stick them in the fridge for a cooling sensation for baby!!" —Rebecca

    Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99.

    44. An interactive play center from Skip Hop featuring a 360-degree rotating seat and a variety of toys to keep your kiddo entertained while you try to catch up on the latest season of The Real Housewives.

    a baby in a skip hop play center
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This is amazing for all of the reasons included in the product description. Want to know what isn't written there? In addition to serving as a great source of entertainment, and let's be honest, giving mama a much needed hands-free break, this unit is basically a MAGIC POOP PRODUCER. My eight-month-old has struggled with constipation ever since she started on solids but a few minutes in this bad boy and, without fail, we have a special delivery. We literally call it the poop machine and we send her for a ride anytime she's gone a day or so without a deposit. Best feature ever!

    So yes, the design is very clean and sophisticated compared to most bouncers, the toys are easy to move around for a 'different' play experience, and it's awesome that it grows with the child. But it's the poop factor that makes this item one of the best baby purchases ever. Yes, EVER! Everyone should have one of these." —Robyn Tucker

    Get it from Amazon for $141.99.

    45. A portable play mat that'll double as storage for your tot's favorite toys — a must-have for any parents who are constantly on-the-go with their baby in tow.

    a mat with toys on it that can be bunched up for clean up
    a whale print bag storing a play mat
    Amazon

    Promising review: "LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. This mat is a great buy and must have for new parents. We were going over to my in-laws almost every weekend for a while and I wanted something I could put down on the floor and fold all of our babe’s toys up in. This play mat bag seemed almost to good to be true. The material is sturdy and great. It’s breathable too so it works wonders for tummy time. The fabric is durable, but comfortable for our baby. The design is adorable too, I have received so many compliments. I just hang this on the door handle of her closet and we grab it and go anytime we are going to be somewhere for a day. I imagine it will be great for traveling too. Now I don’t have to stuff a small lightweight blanket in the baby bag for floor play, this mat bag does it all!! We love it. It would also be a great gift for new moms." —MRS

    Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in four styles).

    46. And a baby seat cover you can use as a a car seat canopy, to cover shopping cart seats, as a nursing cover, and more. It's stylish and will quickly become one of your go-to parenting products.

    a striped baby seat cover over a car seat
    a reviewer showing how stretchy the car seat cover is

    Promising review: "This car seat cover is exactly what I was looking for. I was skeptical at first because of the price, but it turned out perfect. The material is a lightweight, stretchy fabric. I have washed it several times (hung it up to dry) and the material is still in tact. I appreciate the handle hole in the top, that also give me a place to be able to peek in on my little one while we are out and about. This will definitely go on my list of baby shower gifts." —Ashley W.

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two styles).

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