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31 Helpful Baby Products That'll Make New Parents Feel Like Freakin' Geniuses
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Your little one is gonna be like, “Wow, I’m being raised by parenting virtuosos.” As a BuzzFeed Shopping editor, my goal is to find all the products actually worth buying. After six long months with a bassinet stroller, it's been such a relief to switch to a super lightweight model! This thing turns on a dime, fits into tight spaces, and is super easy to lug up and down stairs. I'm always worried about sun blasting my son in the face, so the canopy has been such a blessing. I can yank it all the way down and then unzip the top section to reveal a mesh window so I can keep an eye on him. I'm not sure why the listing doesn't boast about the OEKO-TEX certification because, honestly, it's hard to find with a lot of strollers! Promising review: "This stroller is a total travel winner! It’s incredibly light (just 11.6 pounds) and super easy to fold with one hand — perfect for quick trips, airports, or everyday errands. The carbon fiber frame feels surprisingly sturdy for how lightweight it is, and my toddler rides comfortably. The compact fold makes storage a breeze, and the stroller maneuvers smoothly on sidewalks and uneven surfaces. Great choice if you want a reliable, travel‑friendly stroller without bulk!" —Nancy Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in two styles and three colors). Promising review: "This book has been wonderful for my 2-month-old! The contrast is great for her little developing eyes and caught her attention right away. It’s perfect for playtime, something her siblings can show her when she is upset on car rides to calm her down, and it’s been really good to keep her wanting to do tummy time." —Cierra Promising review: "This has seriously been the best car seat. The rotating feature makes it so easy to get my child in and out of the car. It’s so easy to adjust and put in the car. It’s been so comfortable for my child, and he has the room and safety he needs. The padding is so nice and comfortable too." —Tylie Get it from Amazon for $399.99 (available in five colors). OK, I loooove my Beast blender. Nothing is more frustrating than a just-OK blender. This thing can turn pretty much anything into a smooth paste. I recently threw in some boiled chicken and green beans, and it pulverized everything into a creamy hummus-like consistency. As someone who's a little nervous to give her 6-month-old solids, I like the option to puree certain foods. The parts are a little annoying to wash by hand (the cup is dishwasher safe), but it comes with a tiny scrubber brush that gets into all the nooks and crannies. Promising review: "I love using it every time. It is quiet for a blender. The single pulse/run button works great without the complication of different speeds and modes. The blending vessels and blades are a cinch to clean up. All edges are nicely rounded and rubberized, so everything feels top quality. Plenty powerful to grind up ice or whatever I've put into it so far. Nothing to complain about at all." —Mack Get it from Amazon for $156.40+ (available in three styles and five colors). Promising review: "This is my favorite sunblock for kiddos! It provides excellent coverage. It’s super easy to apply to wiggly toddlers, and the easy-lock top lets me do it with just one hand. I highly, highly recommend this to parents of toddlers and young kids; it makes sun protection so much easier." —Psaebi These diapers are chlorine free, fragrance free, and made with soft, breathable fibers that almost feel like fabric. I've been using them for a little over a month now, and so far, no blowouts or emergency trips to the bathtub! One problem is that they contain smells, so sometimes I miss a poop until the next routine change. Promising review: "Literally perfect. Oh my goodness — the performance, price, softness, OEKO-TEX certification, no leaks, no blowouts, peace of mind, and confidence that I’m using something [gentle] for my baby — can’t beat that." —Kia Get it from Parasol for $84+/shipment (available in sizes 1–6). I have to admit I actually hated these when I first got them. The parts felt flimsy — and so many of them! I was handwashing 12 parts and then meticulously wiping every water drop off them before reassembling (the suction doesn't work if they're wet). Eight times a day! Finally, I realized I could keep the pumps assembled in the fridge and just wash the parts once a day. Since then, they've really grown on me. It's been six months of constant use, and everything is still going strong. I pre-emptively ordered replacement diaphragms, but haven't needed them yet. I love that I can just pop them into a sturdy nursing bra and go about my day. The motor is loud, but not deafening. They fit fairly comfortably. The suction is powerful, but not painful. I like that they come with a charging travel case, so I don't have to worry about going on vacation. All in all, definitely worth considering if you'd like to multitask! Get it from Amazon for $295.99 or for free with insurance through Babylist. Promising review: "I love everything from this company, but the sleep suits might be my favorite. They stay nice after repeated washes and love that the feet can be unfolded for walking/playing." —Eleni K. Get it from Love to Dream for $49.95 (available in sizes 6M–4Y and six patterns). I was a little skeptical about this chair when I first got it. First of all, cloth? I needed to hose this thing down every night. But it's actually super easy to sponge off, and it dries quickly. Plus, the fabric makes it easy to collapse and take it on the go. Another weird problem: The clamps tighten counterclockwise, so the ol' righty-tighty rule goes out the window. Once you remember that quirk, it's fine, and there are diagrams on the clamps to remind you. Anyway, it's a solid chair, seems comfortable, and has been holding up nicely to my baby's abuses! Even cottage cheese is easy to clean off the fabric. Get it in black from Amazon for $89.99 or Lalo for $89.99 (available in five colors). The light comes with six free months of premium! I've been using the Hatch Baby mainly as a sound machine for the last few months. I like that you can customize the sound, volume, and light color from your phone. I'm currently using the premium version to chat with sleep consultants, but I have to warn you, they rely pretty heavily on canned, pre-written messages. That said, it's still helpful, and the trial is free, so I can't really complain! Once my baby gets older, it'll be a useful night-light that he can control on his own (bopping the top toggles through a "playlist" of pre-saved lights and sounds). Promising reviews: "We have always been Hatch fans with the Hatch Rest, but the Hatch Baby takes it to a new level! We love the new features that have been added to the Hatch Baby, from the shape, the dial on the top to control volume, dimming options on the Hatch, and more. In addition to that, the enhancements in the app are wonderful. They now have it organized by Baby, Toddler, and Kid with custom options for each based on what works best for that age. It’s impressive to say the least. They also have new colors, sounds, and stories, which I love. Lastly, the expert support option is AMAZING. As a new mom, I’ve spent my fair share of time Googling, and this support is a game changer. I’ve been struggling with getting our son on the right nap schedule, so we could get him to go to sleep a little earlier. Having this support is what I need. We love Hatch and love the Hatch Baby! Would recommend to anyone!!" —Ashley O Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in four colors). Promising review: "Works wonders! Highly recommended! My baby was sick with a runny nose and hated the other manual suction methods. He’ll freak out before I'm able to use it. This one was quick, clean, and extremely easy to use! It cleared his stuffy nose without irritating his nose or traumatizing him." —Sonia Ramirez Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in six colors). This was recommended by a friend, and now I'm recommending it to you! It's so, so convenient. To collapse, just pull the tab in the center, and it folds right up. It's fairly light and comes with a carrying case for good measure. My baby sleeps easily on the included mattress, so I assume it's comfortable! I like that it's slightly lifted, so my dog's fur tumbleweeds have less of a chance of getting in. Promising review: "Man, this thing is great. It's SO EASY to set up and take down. It takes seconds. It also looks beautiful in the living room. Our baby naps in the bassinet during the day and will be using the bottom as a playpen once he gets older. The main thing is that it's SO CONVENIENT! We love that it's so portable and it comes with a pretty bag. We've brought this with us when we travel to the grandparents, on road trips, and on holidays. It's pretty space efficient and gives me one less thing to worry about when traveling with a little one. I also like that the bottom is lifted off the ground, so it's cleaner, but the downside is that there are weight limitations. All in all though, we love it. It's comfy for the baby (we use a crib sheet over the mattress that comes with it), convenient, portable, not too heavy, and looks beautiful!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $170.99+ (available in seven colors). Promising review: "This diaper rash spray is amazing! My toddler tends to get diaper rashes pretty quickly, and this spray has been the only spray that clears them up almost immediately! What I love most is that my toddler doesn't throw a fit like she does when I try to apply thick creams — the spray is gentle, quick, and mess-free. It makes diaper changes so much easier for both of us. Plus, it is super affordable and lasts a long time. Highly recommend to any parent!" —Emma Kate Promising review: "First-time moms or anytime moms get this! Such a great kit, and I love the NoseFrida. It’s actually of good value too, so you get what you pay for. These make awesome gifts as well for baby showers. The pacifier, as well, is such an awesome thing to have. My son suffers from tummy aches due to gas, and he hates receiving meds, but whenever we administer medicine via the pacifier, he doesn’t seem to care or mind anymore. He even took his Tylenol this way when he had a fever and no problems!" —Shawnee Brent Promising review: "My 1-year-old has taco meat stains ALL over the sleeves of his shirt. The stains were 2–3 days old, too. I sprayed the shirt, let it sit for about 15 mins, and then washed the shirt with regular laundry soap. Almost every bit of the stains came out. Definitely buying bulk in this product!" —Sloan Avery Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in three sizes and multipacks). The first time my husband and I left the house with our newborn, we brought a tote bag with wipes and a single diaper. We thought, what more could we need? Slowly, we amassed a small dragon hoard's worth of stuff that's 100% necesary for every outing. Extra pacifiers, diaper cream, rattles, binky wipes, baby sunscreen, etc. It's been nice having everything in its own pocket, ready to be found. This bag is definitely heavy, but I always just shove it under the stroller so it's no biggie. I love that I didn't have to buy a changing pad or wet bag — very nice that they were included! It's easy to wipe down and fairly attractive compared to most diaper bags. Def a good splurge option for your registry! Promising review: "Literally the perfect bag for me. I seriously love this Dagne Dover diaper bag. It fits my specific needs/wants; the storage and layout of this bag is absolutely perfect. I love that it's lightweight, so I can pack a bit more without it being way too heavy, and the pocket sizes are absolutely ideal. The front pocket fits my essentials perfectly, love the side wipes zip pocket, and the water bottle holder inside. I use it as a diaper/parent bag/everyday bag, and it's absolutely amazing. Quality is top notch and I just love it." —Stephanie S. Get it from Dagne Dover for $200 (available in four colors). Promising review: "I ordered this book and stuffy set for my daughter’s Forever Day, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. She absolutely loves it — even months later, she still cuddles the stuffed toy and enjoys reading the book. It made the day even more special and remains a meaningful part of her routine. Highly recommend for a heartfelt gift!" —Heather Get it from Amazon for $54 (available in seven creatures). Sure, it's easy to keep a disposable swim diaper in your bag for emergencies, but they often get beaten up and gross over time. This polyester version can sit in a bag indefinitely until it's go-time. It's nice that it doesn't swell up like disposable ones and that it seems more comfortable. I haven't had to clean any poop off one yet, but there's a tutorial for that. Get it from Healthy Baby for $30 (available in three sizes and three colors). Ezpz is a mom-owned brand that aims to make mealtime easier for everyone. Promising review: "Does your child 'feed the dog' during meal time? While this dish won't guarantee they won't continue that fun habit, it sure helps. Instead of 'wiping all the food' off his high chair tray, now my grandson's food sits in this sturdy dish that can't move. And I mean, can't! It stays put, and the cut pieces are easy to pick up. Easy to clean too!" —Reeve Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two styles and four colors). This wasn't on my registry, so I'm glad some family friends sent it to me anyway! It's where my baby spends most of his time at home, practicing sitting, doing tummy time, or playing with toys. The mat has flaps that open up to reveal lil' activity areas. Our favorite is the "How Things Feel Zone," which has different-textured tabs for caressing. The arches have holes so you can tie anything you'd like above your LO's head. It comes with a flashcard pack with guidance on how to play with the mat/toys, which is crucial when you're like, "What the heck do I do with this kid all day?" I have the Senser kit and love how simple yet well-made the toys are! Promising review: "I purchased this play gym for my grandson, and he loves it! When he gets the wiggles, I put him on the mat that comes with it, and he plays and plays with all the hanging toys and loves to shake the stuffed rattles on the mat. It is a great item and one that will be enjoyed by my other grandbaby on the way!" —Janet Z. Get it from Lewis for $24 (available in sizes 0M–24M). The fan has a USB charger, so pick up a power bank for long outings. Promising review: "This fan was so perfect for our trip to Disney World! Powerful little fan! The heat was pretty much unbearable but this fan kept our littlest one cooled off. The LED light was perfect at night for seeing where we were walking. Make sure you bring a power bank, though, for extended use. It really saved us."—Kimmy Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in six colors). Promising review: "It’s my ottoman; it’s my daughter’s gymnastics platform; it’s the kids' fort. It’s almost everything, and it looks really chic in my apartment." —Priscilla P. "We ordered the Chunk, thinking maybe our 8-month-old daughter was too young to enjoy it yet, but she loves it! It's the perfect ball pit and height for her to practice pulling up and standing safely in the ring! We love it and are already planning our next Nugget purchase." —Emily L. Get it from Nugget for $199+ (available in three fabrics and 18 colors). Promising review: "My 7-month-old HATES her car seat but LOVES to play with this! It distracts her and keeps us sane while driving. She's learned to pull it down to the side of the handle and tries gnawing on it, but its still intact and looks brand new!" —aanderson19 Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four colors). I've tried around five baby carriers at this point, and this is my favorite! It's less glamorous (no $420 swan pattern), but the color options are nice and neutral. It's super intuitive to put on and take off, plus super comfortable. My one qualm is that it's front facing only, so you might not get as much use out of it as other carriers. But! Ergobaby has a quiz you can take to find the best match for you. Get it from Ergobaby for $139 (available in four colors). Promising review: "This product was lightweight, super soft, easy to use, and made my flight so much easier! My toddler was comfortable and loved being able to stretch out his little legs and lie down. He even napped on the flight! The install was quick and easy — very user-friendly. It fit the space in the airplane seat perfectly. The side pocket was useful to store extra toys and a pacifier. I would definitely recommend this product to families traveling with small children." —Bruna Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in three colors). Dr. Squatch also makes soap for the young at heart — Simpsons soap, anyone? Get a pack of nine from Dr. Squatch for $34.20. Promising review: "This product was a lifesaver at a cabin destination wedding. I absolutely love the Suds2Go company. They made sure I had it in time for the wedding. Several people asked me where I got it, and they went on and ordered some for themselves!!! It would make a great gift. I keep mine in the car everywhere we go! We have used it several times already." —Candace SImons Get a pack of two from Amazon for $28.99 (available in three colors). Promising review: "These are amazing. They have helped so much with the toy clutter. I have one in each child's room and one in our loft/living space. The kids can easily clean up and the toys end up in the right location. I love this!" —DeborahB Get it from Amazon for $45.11+ (available in nine styles). Check out this TikTok from one happy customer. Promising review: "I purchased this to use at night for feedings for our newborn baby. I brought it with us to the hospital, and it was a lifesaver. I dropped it on the hard floor many times, and it didn’t even make a scratch. We’ve used this every night since our baby was born. It helps during nighttime feeding to not wake up the parent who’s sleeping, and also isn’t a harsh light for the baby during the night. The battery life seems great. I only charge it once every few days. I love how easy it is to dim/brighten; you just put your hand on it and hold until it gets to the level of brightness that you want. You double-tap it with your hand to turn it on and off. It’s very easy to use. Would highly recommend!" —Lana Get it from Amazon for $25.29+ (available in two base colors). The waterproof, stain-, and odor-resistant shirt comes with a belly bib and is machine washable. Promising review: "This is the thickest and most waterproof bib I have come across, and I have bought many! I also love that this one has snaps and not Velcro at the neck closure so it doesn't get caught on our other laundry. Great fit for our tall 18-month-old and he's happy in it. I do think it will be too heavy in the summer, but hopefully we'll be less messy then!" —DeeWhy Get it from Loulou Lollipop for $21.95 (available in six patterns). * If You Want To Encourage Your Kids' Independence, You’ll Want These 30 Products * I’m Sorry It Took Me So Long To Tell You About These 27 Parenting Products * Just 30 Essential Products For Road Trips With Kids * These 27 Products Will Help Turn Your Yard Into Your Kid’s Favorite Place * Things For Parents Who Want To Get Their Kids Excited For Back-To-School Plus, kids' rugs and chairs, and finds from Uncommon Goods, Target, and Walmart. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.