21 Baby Products I Quietly Mocked But Am Now A Huge Fan Of

Go a little extra for the little one in your life.

1. A fancy and famous French giraffe named Sophie who's been chewed on and chewed up by teething babies for over 50 years.

Sophie La Girafe

You've probably seen Sophie la Girafe dangling from the drooling jaws of a young babe that's teething on its 100% natural rubber and BPA-free hide and various other body parts. The price tag for this lil' giraffe might raise an eyebrow, but realize what a challenge it can be to pull off tres chic lewks while constantly being gnawed on. Just keep your eyes peeled for potential knock-offs

Promising Review: "If you're having a baby and this isn't on your registry, just go ahead and add it now. You may tell yourself that you won't need it or you're going to try something else (like I did), and then one night your kid will be teething and screaming at 2 a.m. and you'll finally cave and add this to your cart. You'll hit 'checkout' and then immediately start pacing, watching for your delivery. Because at this point, you'll try anything. And everyone told you that this giraffe is THE ONE THING their kid loved. And you'll get it, and feel the soft rubber, and you'll hand it to your baby. And there will be a moment of peace. And your kid will carry that giraffe everywhere. So don't order just one, order two. Or maybe three. Because you're going to want a backup." —Elissa Spicer

Get it from Amazon for $25.

2. A three-stage swaddle/sleepsack for babies to throw their hands in their air and keep them there like they just don't care (at least until they're ready to roll over).

Love To Dream

You probably never imagined putting your child to bed in a Maggie Simpson-esque snowsuit but, well, here we are with the Love To Dream Swaddle UP 50/50 Transition Bag. That transition from swaddling to rolling is a key component to you (and your baby getting some quality shut-eye). Plus, that baby tank top look!

Promising Review: "I bought two of these when my baby (~4.5 mo at the time) was breaking out of our swaddle blankets and the Miracle Blanket and waking multiple times with cold limbs and freedom of limbs. I wish I'd started with this directly to save our sanity — it's so easy for diaper changes with the two-way zipper and obviously much easier than trying to wrap a cloth around a squirming child." —Stacy

Get it from Amazon for $35 (available in sizes M–XL and two colors).

3. A baby carrier, which will allow you to pull off a completely functional version of the fashion harness look.

Nordstrom

Bet you once thought, "Why would anyone who has a stroller, what with its wheels and storage space, ever want to carry around their child like an opossum?" But sometimes you just need two free hands and your kid strapped to you as if you were their skydiving instructor and the Nuna CUDL Baby Carrier does just that for newborns up to three-year-olds (under 35 lbs).

Promising Review: "This carrier is incredible. I tried several other carriers prior to this one. Both left my back and shoulders killing me. Nuna got it right. I love how easy it is to secure with magnetic hooks. It's easy to adjust for smaller babies. There are three options for carrying. You can carry the baby facing you when they are tired or carry them facing the world for the curious. You also can carry on your back although I have not gotten that far yet." —Avos

Get it from Nordstrom for $170.

4. A time- and life-saving formula dispensing machine for mixing and warming ba-bas in a matter of seconds.

Baby Brezza

Listen, listen, listen. Without hyperbole, the Baby Brezza has been one of my best investments for year one in babyland. Late-night feeds no longer become about fumbling, spilling, mixing, warming, and minutes later delivering a so-so bottle to a crying child. No, in seconds a measured and warm concoction is in hand and then in baby's mouth. Just add water to the tank and formula to the dispenser and serve bottles ranging between 2-10 ounces warmed to three different temperatures. The time, effort, and stress this wonderful machine has saved me from is emotionally immeasurable and worth the price tag. It even forces you to clean it after every four uses because that formula gets gunky and you get lazy.

Get it from Amazon for $183.

5. A lightweight, collapsible stroller sure to turn heads of gobsmacked parents when you fold it right up and toss it right into your backpack or carry-on bag.

gb

There will be times (mostly when traveling) when a second, smaller, and more-lightweight stroller will be called for. (Sigh) Yes, we said a second stroller. But check out the gb Pockit+ Lightweight Baby Stroller. The thing weighs all of 9.5 pounds and folds up in two steps like your very own Transformer (not the Michael Bay movie kind though). Plus it'll fit in your carry-on so you'll always be ready to, in the words of Optimus Prime, "Transform and roll out!"

Promising Review: "This little fella survived a three week, high-impact adventure through bumpy, crowded streets of Istanbul and semi-paved, beachy world of Paros Greece. It performed like a champ! It flexes more than conventional strollers which felt weird at first, but we quickly got used to that. It took a few tries to learn the break-down procedure ... wish we'd practiced at home before needing to do it in a crowded, cranky, pre-dawn security scanning queue. When necessary, we carried it around in a medium-sized messenger bag which was just big enough to contain it." —Michael & Laura

Get it from Amazon starting a $160 (available in seven colors).

6. A magic sleep suit that will make your baby look like the Michelin Man but will help them sleep like Bedtime Bear.

Amazon

Oh, the outfits you will put your baby into in order for them to get a good night's sleep. Bedtime will start to feel like an Apollo space mission every time you load your little back-sleeper transitioning from a swaddle into their Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit. Somehow it manages to make them even cuddlier!

Promising Review: "I don't leave reviews, ever, but I have to this time. My 13-week-old has severe reflux and has not been able to sleep flat even on an incline. We have resorted to holding her upright while she sleeps and basically sleeping in shifts ... Usually all the products I buy that promise to be miracles never work out but this has saved us. My baby slept from 10 pm to 5 am last night, flat (on an incline due to reflux) in her bassinet! A miracle. I kept checking on her because I couldn't believe it. The night before she did it too. She loves it. Amazing suit. It really works! It's worth every penny." —Claudy Eagle

Get it from Amazon for $40 (available in two sizes and three colors).

7. An Interactive Activity Center packed with, well, activities which will grow with your child.

Amazon

We refer to this contraption as "the office" because it not only keeps our little guy busy (there are 25+ developmental activities crammed into this thing) but he looks like a boss as he swivels around in his 360-degree rotating seat. It's sturdy and boy does it taking a beating (especially that bouncy sheep). The beats from the piano aren't bad either. The best part about the Skip Hop 3-Stage Interactive Activity Center might be it's bright but not loud color palette that won't completely clash with the rest of your furniture.

Get it from Amazon for $98.

8. A sterilizer and dryer for winning the war against the staggering amount of funky-smelling baby bottles currently amassing in your kitchen in a desperate attempt to overthrow the ever-changing status quo.

Amazon

Bottle cleaning is the KP duty on your tour of babyhood (don't forget that you enlisted). A splash of water, a turn of the crank, and in around 30 minutes all of those rancid-smelling baby bottles are sterile and dry. Our Papablic gets a workout multiple times a day, which is why this is a more economical and environmentally-friendly option than constantly running the dishwasher (especially if the dishwasher is you and not an actual appliance). The first time I traveled without it I realized how much easier (and better smelling) it made our life. Cleans easily with a little vinegar left in overnight.

Get it from Amazon for $70.

9. A nasal aspirator for (we're not going to mince words here) sucking the snot straight from your baby's nose.

Watolt

This might blow your mind but babies don't know how to blow their noses. They can get rather clogged up and those nose nuggets have to get cleared out somehow. This battery-powered Watolt Nose Aspirator sure beats the classic method of sucking snot out through a tube. Don't forget the saline first though!

Promising Review: "The music and flashing lights had my 9m old's attention as soon as I turned it on. I actually got to suction his nose without squirming and tears. I had purchased another brand before and returned it as I could hold it to my hand and not feel suction. The three ways to increase suction is what really attracted me to this product and I could tell right away it was working." —Catherine S.

Get it from Amazon for $40.

10. A backpack that doesn't necessarily look like a "baby bag" but does everything you want a baby bag to do (in many different colors).

Amazon

When you're a new parent spending all your money on baby-gear you start to look for places to cut corners. You think things like, "A bag is a bag, right? Any backpack can be a baby bag. Why do we gotta be all fancy?" Here's why. The HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack is waterproof (so clutch) and has so many pockets designed for all the things you very much need including aluminum foil for keeping bottles warm.

Promising Review: "I LOVE this bag! Currently on baby number three and this by far is my favorite bag. I get so many compliments on it. Lots of space! It’s big enough to carry everything I need for a two-year-old and two-month-old as well as things I would normally throw on my purse. Large opening. Great color. Lots of pockets. Trendy. Can either be carried as a backpack or with handles. This bag is so lightweight." —Kristin

Get it from Amazon for $28+ (available in 15 colors).

11. A do-it-all baby monitor for next-level, 24/7 information gathering (aka spying) on your child from any location via your smartphone.

Nanit

A $250 camera? Am I crazy? Yes, I'm crazy about this camera. The Nanit is a big-time investment in everyone getting a good night's sleep. The camera mounts above the crib and streams live HD and night vision to iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, or Echo Show devices. That essentially means your phone becomes a monitor (via the app) that you're less apt to lose and won't forget to charge. The night vision allowed us to hang back whenever we heard a noise so we could make better decisions about whether the baby's "got this" or we needed to handle the situation. We get weekly reports on our baby's sleep patterns as well as updates and tips sent directly to the app. Not sure how we lived without this, would recommend to every parent.

Get it from Amazon for $240.

12. A set of foam play mat tiles you can arrange in multiple design patterns that thankfully won't clash with the rest of the room (because gray and cream go with everything).

Amazon

Because carpet is not enough. The Skip Hop Playspot Interlocking Foam Play Mat is part puzzle, part playground with 40 foam interlocking pieces for designing your child's play area with different shapes. The tiles are waterproof which makes them easy to clean after all that crawling and tummy time.

Promising Review: "Goes great with my living room decor/color scheme, and so much more attractive than any other playmat I've seen. I get many compliments! Sufficiently thick with enough protection for inevitable head bumps. Really helps prevent my living room from being overtaken by baby stuff — the playmat defines and confines the play space — and helps me maintain my sophisticated living room as an adult-friendly space." —LBM202

Get it from Amazon for $80.

13. An electric nail trimmer for giving your baby's Wolverine-like claws a supersafe mani/pedi without the need for unwieldy clippers.

Little Martin

Your baby's nails grow fast and can scratch (them and you) like they're made out of Adamantium and trimming them is a difficult task even when they're sitting still (which they never are). Skip the baby clippers and spring for Little Martin's Drawer Baby Nail Trimmer File with Light. No fear, no tears, smooth nails, won't fail.

Promising Review: "After my husband and I both nicked our preemie newborn’s delicate fingertips with traditional baby clippers, we were terrified to try again. (I cried 10 times more than our daughter when I saw the blood.) But she is very prone to scratch her face and finds mittens uncomfortable, so we had to find a solution. Our pediatric dermatologist recommended an electric file, and our world began anew. This product is truly a lifesaver. I tested it on myself before trying on our daughter, and it’s a feather-soft touch." —Siena

Get it from Amazon for $30.

14. A non-greasy body lotion that will make baby-soft skin baby-softer (which is a thing that is possible).

Amazon

You might think babies have naturally soft and amazing-smelling skin, but even they need a little help maintaining that standard and, truth be told, the good stuff costs some money. The Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion is a non-greasy baby lotion made with natural Avocado Perseose that goes on smooth and will surely make you second guess your own skincare routine.

Promising Review: "Smells so good, like a nice refreshing clean scent; not your typical baby lotion smell. Didn’t irritate my daughter's skin, and I will be using it on my son as well since he has eczema. Also will be using on myself, as it instantly made my dry winter hands very nice and soft. I will definitely purchase again!" —Astrogeeks

Get it from Amazon for $16.

15. A plush pachyderm named Flappy that sings and plays peak-a-boo with its animatronic ears.

Amazon

"When you go shopping in preparation for the impending birth of your first child, it's easy to get sidetracked, especially by supercute stuffed things. One squeeze on Flappy nearly (actually) had my wife and me in tears thinking of all the fun our baby would have with this softie. We immediately decided that he'd be coming home with us. He's been an invaluable member of the stuffed-animal pack since."

Get it from Amazon for $26.

16. An expertly-designed stroller which will make you feel like a high roller (Parent Swag!) despite the fact that your baby is filling it with a non-stop flow of crumbs and saliva and saliva-coated crumbs.

Nordstrom

There are strollers and then there are UPPAbaby strollers, and yes, feel free to put your eye-roll on repeat at that statement. I'll back it up. Yes, this stroller is fancy AF but it's a marvel of modern engineering. The shock-absorbing, all-wheel suspension means that rough terrain, from broken and uneven sidewalks to a graveled trails, won't slow you down or wake up a sleeping baby. It's that smooth ride that makes strolling a pleasure, especially at this price point. There's a ton of storage space in the basket which you will use for grocery shopping, laundry, and just about anything else you can fit in there, which is a lot. One little nice touch is that when folded, this UPPAbaby will stand up, which is solid for at-home storage or stopping off to grab a bite to eat.

Get it from Nordstrom starting at $650+ (available in 9 colors).

17. A pair of stroller hand warmers which will make a lot more sense than a pair of gloves when you're cruising for diapers and formula out in the soul-crushing cold.

Amazon

The first time you see these in the wilds of the winter, your initial thoughts are, "But shouldn't you just wear gloves, you silly sleep-deprived new parent?" Rookie mistake. You'll have to futz with your baby countless times in that stroller and you'll need the dexterity of a gloveless hand. But you gotta keep those hands warm, hence these totally practical Stroller Hand Warmers.

Promising Review: "The Velcro allows you to pull them tightly around the stroller handle - and I would re-Velcro them tighter if I felt like the wind was getting through. Worked really well. And so much better than having separate mittens and gloves that you'd need to stop and take off and stuff in your jacket pockets or wedge under your arm or between your knees every time to attend to your baby's pacifier, etc." —NYCmama

Get it from Amazon starting at $40 (available in 21 styles and colors).

18. A brush built specifically for cleaning baby bottles and nipples, so don't even think about using it on those dirty dishes clogging up the sink.

Amazon

Fact: You're going to need a separate brush to clean all of those baby bottles. They get really gross and you need to give them a thorough cleaning, more so than you already do with your own dishes. That's where Dr. Brown's Bottle Brush comes in to save the day.

Promising Review: "All bottle brushes are NOT created equally. This one is better than the others. Go ahead and spend the extra, because it's totally worth it. Here's why ... I spent the first couple of months using a less expensive brush. I figured it would be fine. But, I noticed a white haze really starting to build up at the bottom of the bottle. (Breast milk is notorious for being hard to clean!) The bristles on a regular brush can't touch it (especially the corners), no matter how you work it. Sure, the sides of the bottle were getting clean, but not the bottom. I sucked it up and got this brush and now because of the sponge on the end, I can get that pesky residue out of the whole bottle. Nice to know it's actually clean before giving it to my baby." —JessiM

Get it from Amazon for $4.

19. A plush hooded bath robe for transforming your infant into a cuddly creature of your choice after any harrowing bathtime adventures.

Amazon

There's a really good chance that you yourself don't own or wear a robe but for little babies getting out of the bathtub, it's a super quick way to dry them off and keep them warm. And while you're doing that, why not ramp up the cuteness with a Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Plush Animal Face Robe that comes in enough options to start a zoo.

Promising Review: "I sent many baby gifts to my expectant daughter and son-in-law for Christmas, and they arrived on different days of the week with this one arriving on the last day; so when they got it my daughter said, "You saved the best for last!!!" She really loved it, she was so thrilled, and couldn't believe how soft it is." —Tove

Get it from Amazon starting at $10 (available in 30+ styles and colors).

20. A rattle and sensory teether toy for newborns to listen, touch, and taste (or for the Avengers to keep out of the hands of some intergalactic super villain).

Amazon

Bet you didn't know that your baby needed a tesseract? The Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy looks like a MacGuffin device from any CGI-heavy movie, but it's power truly lies in the fact that even newborns can play with it (potential first toy) while learning how to clutch and grasp and listen to its quiet rattle all while teething and gumming.

Promising Review: "This toy is awesome, I highly recommend. It was the first toy my daughter was interested in (at about 2 and a half months). It seemed to really help develop her grasping ability. She could always get a hold of it and if she accidentally hit herself in the face with it, it didn’t hurt her like some of the other little rattles and things she has. She is now almost 5 months and still loves to manipulate and chew on it." —Shelly Owe Noo

Get it from Amazon for $12.

21. A box of fragrance-free baby wipes made of 99.9% water for baby bums and sensitive skin which can also double as a makeup remover.

Amazon

Yes, these wipes are pricier than your usual brand but doesn't your baby's bum deserve better, especially if diaper rash is an issue? WaterWipes are hypoallergenic, don't contain sulphates or parabens, and only use two ingredients: water (99.9%) and a drop of fruit extract. That's it!

Promising Review: "I am so happy that I have found these! My daughter no longer gets the painful red rashes that I once believed were "normal" diaper rashes. I feel much better knowing that my daughter is more comfortable now than she has ever been. Also, unlike most "Natural" wipes they don't have that chemical-like smell or heaviness. These are so refreshing and wet that I also use them for makeup removal and facial cleansing. I highly recommend these and will order for as long as I am wearing make-up and changing diapers!" —Jacquelyne Perez

Get it from Amazon starting at $12 for a 240 count.