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    46 Practical Parenting Products That You Should Just Own Already

    Because they'll solve your problems, or at least make a noticeable difference.

    1. A dry- or wet-hair leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair to help transform their messy-ish 'do into beautiful ringlets with very little effort — or at least as little as *possible*, if your kiddo's a little squirmy. 

    It's paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate free, thank goodness. Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.

    Promising review: "This stuff is fantastic for curly girls! I spray it in my daughter's dry hair in the morning, run my fingers through her ringlets (never ever comb or brush curly hair dry), then clip the top back. It smells amazing, and the price on Amazon is better than other national retailers I've found it at. The price is worth it. Minimizes frizz and keeps curls soft and natural looking. My daughter has soft/fine thick hair." —Carolyn Smith

    Get it from Amazon for $7.59 (also available in a two pack).

    2. And a detangling brush so you can (somewhat) effortlessly rid your munchkin's hair of knots with wayyy less frustration, tears, and pain for both of y'all. Over 50,000 people have rated it 5 stars, so you know it's gotta be good! 

    The ergonomic shaped brush in turquoise
    Reviewer's before photo of their child with knotted hair
    Reviewer's after photo of smooth hair from using the brush

    Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).

    Promising review: "I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." —Nguyen P.

    Promising review: "Best detangling brush I've ever used! My daughter has really curly hair and puts up a fight every time I have to brush it! This brush has made bath time a much more enjoyable experience for both of us! 😅 If you have thick, curly hair this brush is a must-have!" —Tiffany Marie

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

    3. A smart sight word Bingo game because learning them doesn't have to be frustrating — instead, make practicing fun! It features 46 different words, and several different ways to win. 

    Word board with chips, cards, and packaging
    Amazon

    The box comes with 36 playing cards, 264 playing chips, caller's mat and cards, and a storage box. It's similar to the classic game, but the leader calls out words instead of letter/number combos. Then each player searches their card for a match, and when they have one, they mark it with a red chip. Once someone has all the spaces covered on their card (or whichever spaces you decide count as Bingo), they get to yell BINGO!! 

    You can also get Sight Words Level 2 or Bingo for lots of other skills — including Multiplication and DivisionRhymingColors and Shapes — on the company's Amazon store page

    Promising review: "Our first-grader was feeling really discouraged with her sight words and I've been trying to think of ways to encourage her and get her excited to learn things she doesn't already know. She loved this game! We played with the whole family and her 3-year-old sister even enjoyed playing (we show her the cards and have her find the word that matches on her Bingo card). I think this is a great way to make learning/practicing sight words fun! I am very happy with this purchase and I can see how it would be great for teachers in the classroom as well!!" —Jennie

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    4. A Whiskware pancake batter mixer that'll — get this —make pancakes a legit *easy* option for busy mornings. Thanks to the BlenderBall wire whisk inside, you simply add your mix and other ingredients, shake to combine, then pour from the spout. Yum, breakfast!!

    Someone holding the Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer with BlenderBall Wire Whisk
    Someone pouring out batter from the Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer with BlenderBall Wire Whisk
    Amazon

    You could even keep it in the fridge to make more the next day. And just think of how many dishes (huge mixing bowls, measuring cups) you'll save! 

    Promising review: "This is the best breakfast invention after the waffle maker. LOVE IT! As someone who makes pancakes or waffles three to four times a week (my kids are pretty spoiled, but breakfast is key to getting through the first part of the school day), this is the easiest and fastest way to get that done. I just add everything to the bottle, shake, and pour into the waffle maker or griddle. When I am done, just add some water, shake again, empty, and then place everything in the dishwasher." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $14.19.

    5. A machine-washable Tiny Twinkle full-sleeved bib because a regular bib just doesn't cut it for your messy nosher. Rescue your munchkin's clothes (and yours) from getting tossed on Laundry Mountain too early — even if they're eating smear-worthy red pasta sauce.

    The long sleeve bib with rainbows on it
    A child wearing the bib in a high chair
    Amazon

    Tiny Twinkle is a small biz based in Phoenix, Arizona focused on creating high quality, safe products for babies, children, and parents. 

    Promising review: "Whoever designed this bib should win an award! I have a VERY messy eater, normally we would have to undress her down to her diaper to have meals, and cleanup always took forever because she was covered in whatever she was eating. With this bib, we keep her fully dressed (it even covers part of her pants and her tray covers the rest) and clean up is so much easier, we just wipe her hands and face and slip the bib right off. It’s super easy to clean, I usually rinse it under the sink with a bit of dish soap and hang to dry, but once a week I throw it in the washing machine for a deep clean and it’s fared well in the washer and dryer! LOVE this bib!!" —Heidi L Payne

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in up to 33 colors/patterns and in two sizes).

    6. The Pink Stuff, because it will be your new secret weapon against all kinds of kiddo-created scuffs and stains, from Sharpie(!!) and lipstick on walls to sticker residue on tile floors (gotta love the way a 3-year-old decorates). 

    Reviewer removing lipstick from the walls using the pink paste
    The Pink Stuff

    According to one review, it also works on makeup that ends up not where it should be!

    Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and had to try it. Being a mom and a babysitter, we have the occasional crayon or marker on surfaces it is not supposed to be. This takes it right off without a ton of elbow grease. I also used it on my converse today. They were covered in dirt and grass stains from doing yard work and now they look brand-new. This stuff is a lifesaver!" —TammyC117

    Get it from Amazon for $9.40.

    7. And a reviewer-favorite stain remover because sometimes it seems like kids can magically conjure messes with their bare hands. This ~secret potion~ can make even their most powerful hexes (er, stains), like grass, oil, or blood vanish! 

    Reviewer's photo showing a stained swimsuit
    Reviewer's after photo showing a clean swimsuit without stains

    Promising review: "This is the best stain remover I have ever used! I wish I would have found it years ago! My daughter is 6, and I can't think of how many stains this product hasn't gotten out for us, even old set-in stains that I thought were hopeless. A friend turned me on to this stuff, and now I will never go without it! A must-have for anyone with kids." —Lauren Ruffin

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.30.

    8. An adorable and HIGHLY functional Smily Mia Penguin pacifier if you're over picking up pacis from the floor like, bajillions of times. It's created to actually *stay* on your wee one's hand and feel similar to a boob. Genius! 

    The purple penguin pacifier
    A baby sucking on the blue pacifier on their hand
    Amazon

    Promising review: "At 3-months-old my baby was constantly chewing on her hands. I would have to hold teethers in her mouth for her since she was not advanced enough to pick items and hold them herself. This teether gave her the ability to hold it herself! She loves it SO much! Now my baby is 6 months old and still loves this thing. I have recommended it to all of my friends with babies and will probably buy more as a gift." —Woodlee

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 9 colors).

    9. stroller fan with bendy legs for easily attaching it to a stroller, car seat, jumper chair, or wherever else. Now your kiddo will be one ~cool~ cat, even if it's a scorcher! 

    reviewer's photo of the stroller fan attached to a car seat
    reviewer's photo of the black fan attached to a stroller

    Promising review: "We live in Florida and realized how badly we needed a fan for our newborn. We use it pretty much on a daily basis. We put it on her car seat and on her stroller when we go on walks. I’ve even propped it up on our desk when I’m working and holding our daughter. The three speeds are great: low usually offers just enough of a cool down and high is very impressive because it’s fast and quiet. The lights we didn’t really need but has been a nice feature to have. Our daughter hates going in her car seat and this helps to distract her sometimes. Plus, since we live in Florida we have to wait to go on walks until later in the day and the light lets us be seen easier. Overall, it’s a great and I’d definitely recommend!" —EmLe

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

    10. A pack of sink extenders that'll be a win-win: no more back straining for you when you lift them over the sink, and they'll get to independently wash their hands without help! 

    A child washing hands in the sink using a sink extender on the faucet
    A faucet extender attached to a faucet
    Amazon, Amazon / Via www.amazon.com

    Well, you will still be watching them but like, they'll be proud to show you that they can do it! 

    Promising review: "Must have for toddlers and small children! LOVE this! My 1- and 3-year-old love washing their hands now, and my back gets a nice break. Adding the faucet extenders and a stepstool to our bedtime/morning routine has been a godsend. Great bargain for the price." —TeaBea21

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.49.

    11. And a pack of brilliant glow-in-the-dark light switch extenders — the moon-shaped handle's easy for small hands to grasp so they can flip the switch all by themselves! 

    A child reaching for the light switch extender
    Reviewer's photo of a child reaching for the light switch extender

    These install in just a few minutes on standard light switches.

    Promising review: "My 4-year-old uses this everyday in his bathroom and his bedroom. It makes life easier and he feels like a big boy!" —Danielle W.

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.98.

    12. High-quality, flexible Welly Waterproof Bandages — called Bravery Badges! — ideal for little ones who are afraid of regular bandages or just will NOT leave one on. They come in a bunch of adorable designs to help take the scary out of boo-boos! 

    reviewer's photo of the bandage tin
    reviewer's photo of their child wearing the monster print bandage

    Promising review: "Bandages for the bandage-fearing toddler. Adhesive bandages are scary things for a toddler, so you're willing to try any number of tricks to get your little guy to put on one when they get a scraped knee or elbow. My 3-year-old son rightfully was afraid of bandages for good long while, but the fact that these are colorful and fun-looking means that he no longer hates getting a scrape because he can run inside and get a bandage from the box. They're not panaceas but they make the process a little easier. 

    The monsters are particularly nice, and there's a few different sizes, patterns, and bright colors for your child to choose from. In terms of how they hold up as bandages, I've had no issues with adhesion. They even last quite well through hand-washings and even sitting in the bathtub without falling off. Can't recommend enough!" —The Huntington Book Depository

    Get a pack of 48 from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 12 patterns).

    13. Melissa & Doug magnetic calendar for an interactive, direct way for preschoolers to learn their days of the week, months, and the weather. Bonus: they'll genuinely delight in updating it! 

    The magnetic daily calendar
    Reviewer's child using the magnetic calendar

    Promising review: "My 4-year-old loves loves loves this! He gets excited to change the magnets every morning. I had some magnet strips and made additional magnets for activities (preschool, zoo, library, Grandma's house). I am really happy I bought this, and it has helped teach him months, and days of the week. Determining the weather is fun too. One day we came home after school and he couldn't wait to change the weather from sunny to raining. I highly recommend this for preschoolers, it's a lot of fun." —Hammyg3

    Get it from Amazon for $21.24.

    14. And a Melissa & Doug activity book — it comes with a pair of child-safe scissors to filter their disruptive 2 p.m. energy burst into a busy-but-fun activity that also can help exercise their fine motor skills.

    A pair of yellow scissors and an activity pad
    Reviewer's child practicing cutting a watermelon graphic from the activity pad using the yellow scissors

    Promising review: "Scissors skills are important both in and of themselves and because it strengthens the hand muscles to be used for learning to write. My 4-year-old LOVES this book. We received it this week and she has used it for a couple of hours each day. Many of the pages are cutting things out and putting them together (four-scoop ice cream cone, pizza with pepperonis, the components to build a house or a car, puzzles). We've used tape or glue to put the components together. This book is interesting enough to have caught the attention of my older children as well, although I make them let her do the cutting. :D Would make a great gift as it is so unique." —Mom of 7

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    15. A no-scrub Wet & Forget cleaner spray because it only requires a few spritzes in bathtub/shower situations to help block that annoying buildup on your glass-enclosed shower from reappearing. Like, TBH it's a great cleaning prod if you DETEST cleaning — because it's so effective. 

    The cleaner being sprayed on a shower door
    A reviewer's sparkling clean shower with glass doors

    Promising review: "This stuff is a lifesaver. Life is tremendously busy with kids and cleaning the shower is at the bottom of the list. I bought this due to pure frustration and disgust of my shower and it has turned it around in a weekend. You literally spray it and forget it and just with that little effort, I have a clean shower!! Also great for glass doors. It cleaned everything! Love it!" —Amanda Nichols

    Get it from Amazon for $19.74.

    16. And pack of eight fizzy toilet-cleaning bombs you can start dropping in toilets on a weekly-ish basis so you can skip the scrubbing (even if you have hard water). Extra credit if you can ...somehow... convince your teen to do it themselves!

    A bag and pile of soap bombs
    Juniper Seed Mercantile / Etsy

    Just swish once or twice, let it fizz for about five minutes, then scrub for a minute or so with a toilet brush. They contain citric acid, which can help dissolve calcium and other hard water buildup! 

    Juniperseed Mercantile is a small biz based in Littleton, Colorado, owned by a mother-daughter team, with a passion for great skincare, simple living, and the earth.

    Promising review: "My teen boys are actually awakening to the idea of toilet cleaning with these!!" —Amy Jankovich 

    Get it from Juniperseed Mercantile on Etsy for $13 (available in larger quantities).

    17. A canvas growth chart because it'll track your little one's height — how are they already 2 inches taller?? — and if/when you move, you'll be able to bring the whole thing with you.

    Reviewer's photo showing the canvas growth chart in their kid's play space
    Reviewer's photo showing the canvas growth chart in their kid's play space

    Reviewers like to store it away after the kids are done growing as a cute keepsake. It measures up to 79 inches — about 6 1/2 feet — so you can use it all the way up until they're their full height! 

    Promising reviews: "This is a very cute addition to our playroom! Looks nice and she loves measuring herself (daily)." —Truth

    "The design is both colorful and cute, making it perfect for a child's room. It will last for many years as my child continues to grow. I appreciate that the chart is removable and can be easily rolled up for storage or moved to a different location. The quality of the canvas material is high, and it feels durable and long-lasting. The measurement markings are clear and easy to read, and the chart is accurate. " —Jonathan Miller

    Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in plain or two designs).

    18. A pack of fun and colorful laminated flash cards designed to help your little scholar get a head start on all kinds of learning — from ABCs and 123s to colors, shapes, and animals! Why not start showing them now how fun learning can be?

    The flash cards with numbers, colors, letters, and animals
    reviewer holding the pack of flash cards

    Promising review: "My 2-year-old mastered the her numbers, alphabet, colors, shapes, and identifies all animals and objects on the cards. When I first received the cards I thought they may be a little too advanced for her age (18mo old at the time), but I was dead wrong! After about a month and a half of using the flash cards she mastered them! We usually 'play' with the flash cards for only about 10 minutes before her bedtime. This is a great tool in the early developmental stages for any toddler. I’m excited to get her the next card set. Material = durable, same as a normal deck of cards. Size = a little bigger than your typical deck of cards. Fits nicely in pocket or purse, great for keeping toddlers busy while traveling. Overall = A+." —M. Abdallah

    Get a pack of 58 cards from Amazon for $12.99 (also available for babies).

    19. A value pack of reusable 500+ puffy stickers with a brilliant perk: they're reusable and easy for kids to peel off and restick without your help! Hand your  munchkin a pack when you need to keep them busy, and watch them (miraculously!) play for hours.

    20 sheets of stickers
    Amazon

    The stickers feature letters, numbers, vehicles, butterflies, deep-sea life, animals, fish, dinosaurs, and more. Even if you find stickers on your shoes, walls, coffee table, and laptop later, you'll be able to easily peel 'em off — phew!

    Promising review: "I love that they are removable. They don’t leave marks on your window. You can even place them back on the plastic sheet and use them again. I have a busy box for my toddler and these stickers are in there. She peels them off and puts them on the lid of the box and then peels them off again and puts them back. She creates scenes with them. She puts them on windows at home. I peel them off and put them back. They really are fantastic stickers." —Elizabeth A. Zapf

    Get a pack of 20 sheets from Amazon for $7.99.

    20. A pack of absorbent, waterproof changing pad liners so if there's an accident in the middle of a diaper change, you don't have to deal with pulling off the entire changing pad cover. It's cushy, soft, and quilted too, so it'll be comfy for your baby. 

    A baby lying on a changing pad with the white liner on it
    reviewer's photo of the the liner on the changing pad

    Promising review: "Extremely versatile, use them all the time. I got these last minute before the baby came because I thought they may be useful (doing elimination communication too), and for the last two months I've been using them all of the time. Silicone changing mat is cold and makes baby upset? Bam, throw this sucker on there. Wanna put baby on the floor but don't want her getting spitup or pee on the rug because she's so good at lifting up her butt during tummy time and pees all over herself? Bam, throw her on here. Wanna put baby on top of the washer and dryer to watch you fold laundry? Bam, done. It's just my go-to to protect other surfaces and create a soft place for my girl to rub her face on during tummy time. Zero issues washing and drying frequently, still soft, still absorbent (haven't pushed it to its limit there, but it's been great for the small stuff)." —Amazon Customer

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $15.95.

    21. The gentle, fragrance- and paraben-free CeraVe moisturizing cream which will help intensely moisturize your munchkin's dry, peeling skin (which can be worse in the winter but happens year-round). It can also help calm down eczema flare-ups! 

    the moisturizing cream
    reviewer's before photo showing their child's eczema and after photo showing  eczema healed after seven days of applying the cream

    It has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance!

    Promising review: "We tried so many creams marketed for eczema (most containing oatmeal) and they all made my baby's eczema worse. We were desperate to find a cream that would help and stumbled upon this cream. It did wonders clearing up his eczema and as long as we use it daily it keeps it from flaring up again, this is glycerin-based and doesn't contain oatmeal." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in two sizes).

    22. A Shark Tank-hyped, mom-invented bug bite suction tool that helps you gently extract the some of pesky venom that makes the bite itch, meaning it can help prevent that annoying irritation (and incessant scratching). Some reviewers say the key is to catch the bite right away, because that's when it's most effective! 

    A BuzzFeed editor's arm with a bite on it, the editor holding the suction tool and an after photo of the swelling reduced on the editor's arm.
    Rebecca O'Connell / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "This is a MUST-HAVE in our household. I was a huge skeptic but decided to try it out of desperation. My youngest daughter is highly allergic to mosquito bites and gets huge welts that itch horribly after being bit. This product drastically reduces her swelling and itching. All of my girls (and myself) immediately ask for it after being bit. It takes away, or at least drastically reduces, the itching immediately. We also used it on fire ant bites, and my daughter said they felt better almost immediately!" —Reyka Smith

    Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in three colors).

    23. A sleek touchless forehead thermometer which works in mere seconds to tell you anyone's temperature. So go ahead, let your baby keep sleeping — you can check their temp without waking them up. 

    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. And a pack of cooling stick-on gel pads for up to eight hours of soothing relief anytime they have a fever. Reviewers say they help with discomfort during cold and flu season... and anything that can do that's a must in my book. 

    The gel sheets in a box
    reviewer's photo of their child in bed wearing the gel sheet on their forehead

    Each pack contains four sheets.

    Promising reviews: "I can't rave enough about these gel sheets! They really help cool the temperature down and in my case, my daughter sometimes shows immediate (5–10 minutes) relief after I apply the sheet on her forehead. Each box contains four gel sheets contained in two separate packs. You can easily tear the packaging without using scissors, so that is a good thing about it. A gel sheet will last up to eight hours. I never had any issues of the unused ones getting dry or hard inside the original packaging. The gel sheet adheres pretty well to the skin of a child. It does not slide or come off even when the child sleeps sideways. It does not hurt to peel it off. My daughter is three and she likes when I put one on her. Mommies, stock up on them. They are good!"Gracie's Choice

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.19.

    25. A pack of toilet seat covers you'll be relieved to have when take your toddler to a public restroom, because it'll keep their hands from DIRECTLY. TOUCHING. (*shivers*) nasty public bathroom seats.

    Promising review: "If you're a germaphobe like myself, this is a must have in your diaper bag. The thought of placing my son or daughter on a public toilet with only a seat liner is disturbing especially since they're both little and still hold onto the toilet seat for support when peeing/pooping. These cover the toilet completely and even cover the lower part of the toilet where dangling legs and pants/skirts touch. My only complaint about these is that they are not flushable. It's difficult trying to gather the liner up (they are rather large) without touching the toilet or the possibly wet liner (because it partially fell in the water) and then scrunching it up to fit into a sanitary napkin bin. Other than that, these are great. Also, I don't use the adhesive strips at all since I have two little ones that usually need to go right away so we don't have the time to remove the adhesive backing. I usually just place the liner on the toilet and then carefully plop my kid on top and all's well." —Ting

    Get a pack of 24 covers from Amazon for $9.99.

    26. A waterproof potty-training watch with flashing lights and music exclusively made to remind toddlers to go to the bathroom. In no time they'll be excitedly jumping up to head to the potty whenever it goes off — what a concept! 

    The blue watch with a dinosaur print wrist band and green timer
    Reviewer's child wearing the watch with the time flashing on the screen

    You choose between preset intervals of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours, and 3 hours. Oh and you don't have to turn it off at night either — it can tell when someone's wearing it, and only alarms when it's on. So smart!

    Promising review: "Love this watch! My 3-year-old was giving me a run for my money. He was by far my most stubborn child to potty train. This watch has made a night and day difference. He puts it on when he wakes up and leaves it on all day. He gets super excited when the the countdown timer starts to okay music and lights up. He now will yell 'potty' and run to the bathroom. This watch is a must-have if you have a stubborn little one!" —MamaBear3

    Get it from Amazon for $24.45.

    27. A pack of two sturdy toy hammocks to both display and corral their ever-expanding stuffed animal collection. Cute? Check. Functional? Check! 

    Promising review: "Easy to install and stores a TON of stuffed animals! Not to mention, it’s cute playroom wall decor! Lol"—PrattKingBall Family

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.97 (available in six colors).

    28. And a bath toy organizer with an impressive 18,000 5-star ratings that's exactly what you need — it's made of breathable mesh so everything drip dries, will keep your tub nice and neat, *and* comes with two effective hanging options, either adhesive hooks or heavy-duty suction cups. 

    Promising review: "For the price, this thing is unbeatable! The suction cups have held tight to the shower wall since I installed this stuff. It holds all my kid's toys and allows the water to run off of them to prevent mold. I think this is a must-have for bath-time organization!"—internalburn

    Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two sizes and pre-stocked with toys or by itself).

    29. A USDA-certified organic baby lotion that reviewers say helps relieve dry skin, cradle cap, and even some rashes. With soothing ingredients like chamomile, cocoa butter, coconut oil, calendula, and avocado oil, it's no wonder thousands of people love it. 

    Reviewer's before photo showing eczema on their baby's face and after photo showing the eczema cleared up
    Reviewer's before photo showing cradle cap on their baby's head and after photo showing the cradle cap cleared up

    If you want to use a lotion for cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — you'd do that 15 minutes before shampooing, according to Seattle Children's. Read more about cradle cap there and at the American Academy of Dermatology.

    Promising review: "I absolutely love this stuff. I use it for my ds rashes. I was so afraid to use anything but coconut oil but I needed something that would soothe the rash as well. My ds also ended up getting eczema and hives from a laundry detergent we had switched to. This completely soothed it away. It was gone by the next day. Needless to say, this is my go-to soothing-everything solution. It stays in the diaper bag and medicine cabinet. A must-have!" —Andrea

    Get it from Amazon for $13.78.

    30. A HORRIBLE-tasting but essential anti-nail-biting pen which will like, immediately make your kid feel like 🤮 🤮 🤮 if they even consider bringing their fingers (or thumb!) to their mouth...and that's exactly what makes it effective. 

    A reviewer's hand holding the pen. It says
    Reviewer's before photo showing their child's bitten fingernails and after photo showing the improvement in their nails after a week of using the pen

    Promising reviews: "I love this stuff!! It’s taste horrible, which was great to help stop my 4-year-old from biting her nails. In about three days she completely stopped now and her nails have grown.." —Denise Batista

    "Our son has sucked his thumb since birth and it’s such a hard habit to break, even though he’s old enough to want to stop. When we initially received it, I opened the cap and got a little on my finger so I licked it to see what I was getting him into — it is GROSS! (In this case, a very GOOD THING!) So bitter. Lasts quite a while in your mouth. We’ve tried lots of things to help him stop and nothing has worked until THIS!!!" —Kaitlyn

    Get it from Amazon for $18.95.

    31. An Oogiebear nose and ear cleaner that makes it (...relatively) easy and painless for you to clear your baby's boogers and earwax without going too far in, thanks to the cute little bear head shape.

    reviewer's photo showing the booger cleaning tool in a packaging
    A closeup of the bear booger cleaner tool
    www.amazon.com, Chandni Reddy / Buzzfeed

    Promising review: "Must have! This thing is amazing, it works very well for us. Good length and it's soft/firm. I was able to gently scoop my 4-month-old's ear wax and pick out her sticky, crusty boogers. She enjoys being clean so she sat/laid down very still for us. I would definitely buy this for a baby shower gift and definitely recommend to anyone." —P. T.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (available in pack with aspirator, two colors).

    32. A pack of spillproof Munchkin snack catchers designed specifically to be effortless to eat from while also stopping spills in their tracks. No more Goldfish cascading across the backseat or trails of Cheerios — yes, really! 

    Two snack containers in blue and green
    A child model's hand pulling a cracker out of the blue snack cup
    Reviewer's video demonstrating how the container prevent snacks from falling out

    Promising review: "What a lifesaver! I mean really! My daughter loves her snacks, she also loves to make a mess, give them to the dog, or fill her car seat up with them. Then cry when she has nothing to eat. My wife picked one up and man... we used it so much, we couldn't clean it fast enough. SOOOO we bought a few more. and for less than $5 for two.... this is a no-brainer!" —jeffgrantMEDIA

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.95 (available in two color combos and pack of four).

    33. And a Contigo spill-proof tumbler dubbed by reviewers as a "toddler must have" and the "absolute best" because it really and truly Does! 👏 Not! 👏 Leak!! 👏 Even if your tot flings it across your brand new rug, nary a drop will escape. 

    reviewer holding the cup in nautical blue print
    reviewer demonstrating that the cup is leak proof

    Promising review: "The holy grail of sippy cups!! This cup is THE BOMB! No leaking, easy to clean, my 18- month-old, who wants to do and have everything like his 6-year-old brother, loves this cup! Both boys use them. Not too babyish for my older one and easy enough that my little guy can use them, we now have four of them! I’m sure a couple more are in our future! And the price is great." —shoelover

    Promising review: "I was skeptical that these were ACTUALLY leak proof. After all I have a toddler, they can make literally anything leak or spill. I have been through sooooo many cups trying to find ones that will not leave a puddle of water behind when it's left in its near permanent horizontal resting place on the floor or break or pour when my son inevitably bashes it onto the hardwood floor. The only liquid that comes out is what is left behind in the top of the straw after he drinks from it, which there is nothing you can do to even fix that. These are magnificent! They are easy to clean but then again I only use these for water so thicker liquid or drinks that tend to spoil may be more difficult to clean out. Overall this is the BEST cup I've come across when it comes to capacity, functionality, and most importantly ACTUALLY NOT LEAKING!"Ashley

    Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 9 prints and two sizes).

    34. An Itzy Ritzy adjustable stroller organizer that'll fit what you need at your fingertips (coffee mug, water bottle, phone, keys, etc.), no need to somehow balance all that in a bag on your shoulder while juggling a baby too.

    The stroller organizer in coffee and cream
    reviewer's photo of the stroller organizer in blush

    Itzy Ritzy is a small biz owned by parents of three babes that specializes in creating safe, stylish parenting gear.

    Promising review: "Can’t say enough wonderful about this caddy. I absolutely love this stroller caddy. I was very close to sending my stroller back because I had my hands full while pushing it. NOT ANY MORE! This caddy was a true blessing and saved my sanity. It has two areas that can serve as cup holders — GOOD cup holders that will accommodate larger cups. Then it has a nice zipped compartment that I can secure my cell phone or even wallet in. In addition to the zipper compartment and two side areas that can be cup holders is a center area that catches all for me. I keep hand sanitizer, a burp cloth, Neosporin, a bandaid, and spare sunglasses in there! You could even put a diaper and a package of wipes in there. You could honestly take this thing for a quick mall trip and not need a diaper bag. I like it a whole lot. It was a good investment. It’s also super stylish. Love it."Mama of 6

    Get it from Amazon for $18.75+ (available in seven styles).

    35. A pack of inconspicuous corner guards so you don't have to frantically lunge to put your hand between your newbie walker's head and the sharp corner. Or you still might lunge, but these provide some nice backup protection! 

    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 a pack of 12 from Amazon for $9.98 (also available in 18-pack and 24-pack).

    36. And a whale-shaped bath spout cover to help save your kiddo's head from accidental bumps and bonks on that annoyingly placed faucet. Oh, and it's adjustable to fit tightly on basically any faucet. 

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

    Promising review: "I have a toddler who tends to be more mobile in the bathtub than I care for. This thing has saved his noggin so many times. Great padding — it doesn’t hurt when he bonks his head, stays in place (my son could not remove it at 15 months and has since given up), and cute. Can’t imagine not having this." —MM

    Get it from Amazon for $10.59 (available in two colors).

    37. A waterproof trash can because having to pick up all the trash that somehow finds its way to your car floor after driving kids around gives you a headache, ugh.

    lunch box-sized black car trash can with liner bags
    Amazon

    Promising review: "By far, this is the best trash can for a car I’ve had in my life! And yes, I have tried others! I have a small SUV, and this is large enough to collect the trash from receipts, napkins, and apple sauce pouches from my kid, and straps to the back of my console so it’s in easy reach! The snaps on the side keep a trash bag in place, but if there is a spill it’s very easy to clean! And the lid keeps everything inside if it happens to get kicked! I definitely recommend!" —Kristi

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three sizes).

    38. A brilliant sandwich cutter and sealer set because they make do-it-yourself Smuckers Uncrustables quick, simple, and cheaper than the typical $10 for a box. You can customize ingredients for variety and it comes with three different shapes!

    The sandwich cutter and sealer
    Reviewer's photo showing homemade uncrustables

    Promising review: "These have been a GAME CHANGER in this house!! My son has always begged me for Uncrustables but my wallet didn’t agree with them. I LOVE being able to make them at home and customize them to exactly what they would like them filled with! I make two weeks' worth of sandwiches at a time and store them in sandwich bags in the freezer so in the morning during the school year we can just grab and go! Love them!" —Katherine Smaczniak

    Get it from Amazon for $15.96.

    39. A Fridababy three-step cradle cap system that has over 22,000 5-star ratings, aka a LOT of parents and babies who this worked for. Start with the foam sponge for shampooing baby, ease up the flakes with the gentle bristled brush, then coax flakes ever so gently off with the comb. 

    Reviewer's before photo of a baby's head with dry scales and after photo of the same baby's head looking smoother and flake-free
    Reviewer's photo of the comb with the flakes it lifted

    Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children’s and the American Academy of Dermatology

    Promising review: "My 6-week-old had bad cradle cap all of a sudden and this brush worked miracles. I wish I had it from birth. We have continued to use this brush even though the cradle cap has gone and it does wonders on the scalp and keeping the hair looking healthy. Highly highly recommend. Plus, my baby enjoys the gentle scalp massage from the soft bristles.." —LM01

    Get it from Amazon for $14.88.

    40. A TikTok-famous toothbrush holder and dispenser that literally squeezes paste on their brush it for them, both wasting less (saving you $) and leaving your counters free of globbed bubblegum-flavor paste.

    the white wall mounted toothbrush holder
    Reviewer's photo showing the toothpaste dispensed on the toothbrush

    It features two different toothpaste dispensers (so they have options!) designed to squeeze out every bit of paste, six toothbrush slots, and two cups that sit on top.  

    Promising review: "To All MAMAS: A TRUE MUST-HAVE from a mama who KNOWS!!! Every household with kids should have this thing, actually EVERY HOUSEHOLD, REGARDLESS! No more finding toothpaste everywhere but down the sink drain, no more throwing half a tube away because of lost caps. Insert your favorite brand in the dispenser and voilà! Simply press your brush against lever and a perfectly portioned dollop every time. When it’s time to rinse, grab one of the four cups that are hidden in the top and bottom of this little masterpiece. Rinse your brush, open the storage compartment, hang brush, and shut lid! Bristles are covered and protected from the wide array of germs that like to inhabit bathrooms." —Jen

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

    41. A smart faucet splash catcher — it'll help absorb excess water, so you'll never  walk into your kitchen again only to confront a small flood someone else in your family left all over the counter. 

    reviewer's photo of the faucet splash catcher in gray around a faucet
    Hustle Sew Shop / Etsy

    Hustle Sew Shop is a small biz based in Saint Helens, Oregon that makes a bunch of different useful, handmade goods, and everything can be personalized. 

    Promising review: "This product is awesome! I have four kids who take care of the dishes after dinner each night and to say they are messy would be an understatement! This little water catcher has solved the puddle that used to surround my faucet at the end of each night. Thank you!!" —cadencewilliams2 

    Get it from Hustle Sew Shop on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in six colors and four sizes).

    42. A pack of positive reinforcement reward punch cards to get some human psychology on your side. Every time they unload the dishwasher or clean their room, they'll get a punch toward a prize! Is it bribery? Eh... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    A parent smiling at their child who is holding the punch card
    A puncher making a hole in the card that has a name and reward written on it
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Bought these for my kids. Instead of giving them money for each chore, they get hole punches for each chore. After filling up their card they get money. This is a must-have for our family! MommaBee

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    43. A pack of 12 laminated math posters designed for elementary through middle school to help make homework both more engaging and a little less of a pain (phew). 

    Reviewer's photo of the charts hanging in their kids' room
    Reviewer's photo of their child homeschooling with the charts hanging on the wall

    Promising review: "As a homeschool mom, when I found these charts, I loved them. They cover a lot of material that my first-grader is learning, as well as many things to come. Seeing the visuals the way they have them set up helped him understand several concepts (place numbers, fractions, some things about reading time) much quicker than the ways we had been covering it. Even if my son returns to the school system next year, we will keep these around for homework aids and to help the younger siblings as they approach learning these concepts. The boards are of nice quality. Bright colors, thick poster board that can be written on with dry-erase and wiped off. Homeschool must-have." —Marvel

    Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $14.99.

    44. A set of clever starter spoons that can help encourage your tot learn to feed themselves. The little grooves in each spoon grip onto purees and mashed foods, so your lil one can independently try lots of different and exciting flavors! 

    reviewer's video showing their child self feeding with the spoon
    An infographic showing the Stage 1 spoon with a textured surface to soothe baby's sore gums and a Stage 2 spoon with channels to capture and hold food
    reviewer's photo showing their child using the spoon to eat oatmeal from a bowl with the words

    The set comes with two spoons: the stage one spoon is meant to be used as a teether as well as an introduction to holding utensils and trying purées. The stage two spoon holds more food and can also work with solids as they grow into them!

    Note: Because these spoons don't have a stopper, you need to supervise your baby to make sure the spoon doesn't get stuck too far into their mouth. Recommended for ages 6 months+.

    Promising review: "Great skill-building utensil. My baby loves gnawing on these for teething just as much as he loves eating with them! I love that you can load the spoon and hand it to baby to feed themselves. My little one just turned 6 months and uses these spoons with wild success. A must have for BLW or feeding, in general." —Christopher

    Get a set from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors and packs of two, four, or six spoons).

    45. A box of Avarelle hydrocolloid patches because they can suck out the gross gunk lurking in your teen's (or your) pus-filled pimples overnight, so by morning they'll be at least somewhat smaller if not gone. They can help y'all resist picking at your zits, too! 

    Reviewer before and after using patches
    reviewer photo of used pimple patches

    Promising review: "I was skeptical when I saw these in a BuzzFeed article but for so little a price, took the chance, and I'm SO glad I did! I had a cystic acne pop up and it hurt. I stuck one of the three different sizes over the spot in the evening, did my thing, and then went to bed. Got up the next morning and WHAT?! It was gone?! There was gunk all inside the patch. It was gross, scary...satisfying? I don't know what type of witchcraft this is, but I LOVE IT!! My teenage kids use them, and we've never been happier to see our acne disappear. And I'm a 49-year-old woman...didn't think anything could surprise me anymore, but this did! It's a wonderful product, a must-have for anyone who needs a way to get rid of a zit in less than a day. (I've ordered this product twice and will again.)" —Heather W

    Get 40 patches from Amazon for $8.49.

    46. The snug Ollie Swaddle so bedtime goes a little more smoothly. It Velcros together to gently secure baby's arms and legs so they can't escape, but has an easy opening at the bottom for quick diaper changes. The cherry on top = moisture-wicking fabric to keep your baby cool. 

    A model holding a baby in the sky blue swaddle
    The Ollie World

    The Ollie World is a small biz based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, founded by a foster mom, who set out to make her own swaddle that could meet all of her foster son's needs.

    Promising review: "The Ollie Swaddle is amazing! Wow. I was given two as a gift and honestly I could throw all my other swaddles away. Great material and quality product, I’m so happy with it. This is baby number 5 so I’ve had plenty of experience with different types/brands of swaddles and none of them compare to the Ollie. If you are an expecting mom or looking for a useful gift for a mom to be, this is a must have. Highly recommend." —Jessica P.

    Get it from The Ollie World for $52 (available in five colors), from Amazon for $69 (available in three colors), or from Target for $65.99.