“Your life is about to change.” As an expectant parent, how many times have you heard this unsolicited piece of advice? People love to dish up their parental wisdom just as soon as it’s public knowledge that a bundle of joy is on its way. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” … unless you have other kids, then that won’t work. “If your baby isn’t wearing shoes, they’ll catch a cold.” Uh, what? “Stop holding your baby so much, you’ll spoil her.” False. “Don’t burp the baby in a seated position because it will make their spine crooked.” Seriously, where do people come up with this stuff?
I’m not here to give you parenting advice but I will wish you luck. Parenting is simultaneously the best — and hardest — thing you’ll ever do. I’m just here to present some baby items from Amazon that might make things a smidge easier. Whether you need on-the-go options (peep the built-in baby bed at #20) or household essentials (#21 is genius), this list is mom-tested and baby-approved.
Backseat Driver
The newest backseat driver in your family is still too young to talk but if they could, they’d say, “Buy this backseat mirror so you can keep an eye on me.” This mirror features a matte finish, panoramic views, and shatterproof glass and installs in seconds. It comes in three colors, too, in case you’re the type of person who likes for everything to match.
Tip Your Hand
Your baby isn’t likely to flip the television or any furniture for a while but the time to safeguard against it is before they’re mobile. This anti-tip strap kit includes eight straps and all necessary hardware and installation instructions to babyproof your home. Use it to stabilize televisions, dressers, and more. One shopper gave it the best review: “It saved my child’s life.”
Bead Up
I love the shift away from “traditional” baby colors to more natural, neutral, and earth-toned options. This beaded pacifier clip is made from food-grade silicone and works with any pacifier to keep things close and off the floor. The beads themselves are dual-purpose, serving not only as a clip but a built-in teething option for gum relief. Choose from the beige/gray option pictured or go “traditional” — the choice is yours.
Clothes Quarters
You’re going to get a zillion tiny onesies, sleepers, and outfits as soon as you announce, “I’m pregnant!” These closet dividers will help you organize your little one’s wardrobe by size, with dividers from newborn to 24 months. These come in a variety of colors and designs like floral, zoo animals, unicorns, and outer space. This purchase also includes 20 velvet hangers.
Tied Up in a Bow
I love these darling headbands, partly because of the color variety and partly because of the soft, stretchy nylon that won’t leave marks on baby’s head. This purchase includes 12 colors like basic white, pink, and gray and unusual options like pumpkin and mustard. These headbands grow with your baby from newborn to toddler … if they’ll leave them on at that point, that is.
Pack Your Bags
You’ll no doubt have a favorite diaper bag among the several you’ll likely buy and this stroller organizer might just be the one. Streamlined in size and built to sit flush on a stroller’s handles, this bag has a large capacity with integrated conveniences like side storage pockets and a keychain hook. When you’re ready to leave the stroller behind, carry it as a backpack or messenger bag.
Getting Warmer
Just say “no” to the microwave! Whether it’s breast milk or formula, warming a bottle should never be done in the microwave. This multi-use bottle warmer quickly warms bottles and baby food jars and also sanitizes pacifiers in a flash. Prefill the water vial so it’s always ready to go. This warmer is compatible with most baby bottles including the disposable kind.
Too Cool For Drool
There are three things in life that are certainties: Death, taxes, and droolers. These baby bandanas are designed to keep drooling from teething under control and even have attached teething toys connected at the end. Choose from pink, blue, or yellow sets with adjustable nickel-free snaps. Reviewers call them “cute,” “absorbent,” “quality” and a “must-have.” These are ideal for babies 10 months and younger.
A Close Brush
Give cradle cap the brush off, along with dry skin and eczema using this 100 percent silicone brush, which is a perfect replacement for a washcloth in ridding your little ones of scaly patches and itchy skin. The soft bristles and massage beads on these bath brushes are like a massage for a little one. When not in use, these stick to the bathtub for easy drying and quick access.
Take Their Temperature
If the past few years haven’t had you investing in a no-touch forehead thermometer, now’s the time to get on board. This touchless thermometer has an infrared sensor that reads the temperature without physical contact. It features an intuitive single-button design and reads a temperature in just one second from a bright, extra-large LED screen. Quiet vibrations ensure no disturbances.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is important for your little one because it helps them develop strong neck muscles and promotes motor skills. This tummy time water mat will make the time they spend on their bellies more enjoyable by giving them bright colors and shapes to focus on. Fill and refill the mat on your own for easy portability when traveling.
Food Baby
These fruit feeders and teethers are maybe one of the most ingenious baby inventions I’ve seen over the past 15 to 20 years because it allows you to introduce a little one to solid food without fear of choking. It’s also an ideal teether, relieving discomfort through chewing. This feeder can be fully dismantled to make it easier to clean.
Fan Out
I’m pretty intolerant of heat, which is kind of funny considering I live in Florida. But, these babies have the right idea with these mini stroller fans that help them keep their cool. Featuring an octopus mount that can be set up in a variety of ways, these also have three wind levels and can work for up to nine hours before requiring a charge. A brushless motor helps keep excess noise to a minimum.
Knock Their Socks Off
One of the most fun stages of your baby’s development is when they realize they have feet … and that they’re attached to their bodies. These rattle socks are not only a lot of fun for babies but also key in helping them develop hand, foot, and eye coordination. These socks are “one size fits most” and the purchase also includes two wrist rattles as well.
At One’s Door
What do you do when you need more space but don’t have any? You transform an area that doesn’t get used into a handy storage area. This over-the-door organizer slides neatly over a door and has four large and three small pockets to stash everything from diapers to lotion. Once baby has outgrown the need for it, use it for toiletries.
Lounge Around
I know enough people who’ve had babies in the past couple of years that I’m pretty up on baby lingo — despite being of an age where babies are the last thing on my mind. So, I’ve heard tales of the DockATot and I know it’s expensive. This baby lounger is a nest-like snoozing option that’s half the cost of the DockATot with all of the same benefits.
Sweet Tooth
Good oral hygiene actually starts before baby’s first tooth ever makes an appearance. This four-pack of baby toothbrushes is designed for infants from birth through toddler stage. The short neck and its brush design make it virtually impossible for a little one to injure themselves. The ergonomic shape is easy for small hands to hold and the colored bristles show just how much toothpaste to use.
Food For Thought
I’ve always admired parents who had the time — and the patience — to make their own baby food. This baby food processor performs 10 different tasks from steaming and cooking to defrosting and bottle warming to blending, chopping, and pureeing. The two-layer basket also lets you cook different food at the same time. This processor features intelligent automatic operation, is easy to clean, and comes with recipes to get you started.
Keep Track
Milestone blankets are all the rage, aren’t they? It seems like everyone on social media with a new baby has one of these blankets they whip out to document every monthly milestone, This blanket is super soft and has markings for days, weeks, months, or years, meaning you could use this until your child is 12 years old … but they’ll probably hate you for it. This purchase comes with two milestone markers and a bandana bib for good measure.
Stack The Deck
Packing to take baby out in public is a lot like trying to pack for a locale you’ve never been to so you just take everything and hope for the best. This baby formula container is the perfect pack-and-go companion with interchangeable, twist-and-lock lids and separate compartments that can be stacked for convenience. An easy-grab top handle and transparent containers you can see through add to the convenience.
Swag Bag
The diaper bag backpack has the most ingenious addition to a diaper bag that I’ve ever seen — a built-in baby bed. I know! Mind=blown, right? Apart from this portable nap spot, the bag itself is great with a large capacity and multiple pockets. Waterproof with durable fabric, you can carry this bag with the top handle or sling it on your back, backpack-style.
Bathing Beauty Cutie
All baby baths have the same general appearance, don’t they? Slanted back and hard, uncomfortable plastic. This blooming bath lotus is both beautiful and functional, giving baby four contoured petals for a soft, stress-free bathtime. The entire thing can be washed and dried in your home washing machine and dryer. This lotus design is perfect for babies up to six months old and helps with the transition to a grown-up tub.
Wipe Out
Imagine being barely awake from a glorious nap and someone immediately drops an ice-cold washcloth on your bum. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? This wipe warmer and dispenser takes that cold shock away with a silicone seal that locks in wipe moisture and a built-in changing light for those middle-of-the-night diaper changes. (It shuts off in 10 minutes.) This warmer holds all wipe brands.
Funny Business
One of the best parts of having an infant is being able to dress them in anything you see fit. (Enjoy it, because it doesn’t last long.) This baby sock gift set has four pairs of socks for boys or girls up to 12 months old with clever sayings like, “If you can read this … bring me some milk” and “Of course I’m cute … just look at my mom.”
Colic Calmer
You should start praying right now — to whatever higher power you believe in — that your baby is colic-free. And, if they aren’t, run and snag this colic and fever rescue kit that includes two ultra-soft contoured burp cloths and two hot/cold gel packs. Used in conjunction, these pieces can soothe a variety of infant ailments, most notably colic and fever. (Pro tip: It’s also great for easing breastfeeding ailments, too.)
Cover Your Bases
Sometimes you just need your privacy and it’s never more true than after you have kids. This multi-use five-in-one cover transitions from a nursing canopy to a car seat cover to a shopping cart and high chair cover. You can also choose to wear it as an infinity scarf. This cover is made for all seasons, folds compactly for storage, and is easy to put on and take off no matter where you are.
Wrap Star
I’ve always wondered how moms figured out these wrap contraptions and this reviewer confirmed my fear: “There is a bit of a learning curve with this. Once you get the hang of getting it wrapped snugly and tucking a baby in by yourself, this thing rocks!” This “thing” is a boba wrap baby carrier for children up to 35 pounds. It’s available in 15 colors and patterns.
Burp Buddy
Life’s too short to carry boring burp cloths, which is why you need to check out these organic burp cloths that come in interesting colors and patterns. This five-pack is made from ultra-absorbent material and the shape, a figure eight, is wide enough to cover your shoulder and prevent spit-up from soiling your clothes. I’m partial to the Adventurer and Monos sets.
Nailed It
Baby nails are adorable and also pretty similar to tiny razor blades. Yowch! This adorable baby nail kit has baby nail clippers, non-slip handled baby scissors, soft-tipped tweezers, and a glass nail file that won’t shred nails or hurt the skin around the nails. All of it is housed in the cutest owl packaging, available in pink, blue or green.
Tag Along
Babies learn by touching and tasting and this tagged security blanket offers a variety of textures to stimulate their sensory experience. The velvety blanket is soft on its own and the satin ribbon tags around its border add visual interest. Cleaning it is as easy as tossing the double-sided security blanket in the laundry basket with the rest of baby’s gear.
Sounds Good
I love sleeping with a little bit of white noise and I suspect I’ve always been that way. This SoundSpa features both sounds and lights to help baby soothe herself. Choose from six sounds and lullabies: Heartbeat, Gentle Rain, Ocean Waves, Twinkle, Twinkle, Rock-A-Bye Baby, and Cradle Song, with adjustable volume and a picture projector that doubles as a night light. The projector has multiple auto-off timers.
Paci Perfection
For a lot of new parents, pacifiers are a must. But, even if you don’t plan to introduce a pacifier, you have to admit that these colors are pretty cool. Shaped and sized for newborns including a heart-shaped shield that fits perfectly under baby’s nose, it’s made with a breast-like nipple that naturally fits baby’s palate and promotes healthy oral development. The set pictured is called Timeless.
Cut Your Teeth
I first thought these were the baby version of brass knuckles and I’m both relieved and intrigued by its real intent — a wearable, never-drop teether. A stem inside the hollow penguin body is designed for easy grasping and nipples on both sides make it simple for baby to locate something to chew on. It’s the perfect replacement for babies who are prone to sucking their own fingers.
The Whole Kit and Caboodle
Are you planning to breastfeed? Maybe you know, maybe you don’t, but a good place to start is with this breastfeeding starter kit that includes lanolin nipple cream, disposable nursing pads, Therapearl therapy packs you can use hot or cold, and a LatchAssist nipple corrector, which helps baby latch on more easily. This is the best way to start and continue successful nursing.
Boogie Woogie
Let’s talk about an uncomfortable, but necessary topic of parenting: Boogers. You’re already underestimating how many times you’re going to think about, talk about and be about boogers — in their first year of life alone. This nose and ear gadget, affectionately dubbed “the better booger tool,” helps clean noses and ears with its dual-ended design. Created by a registered pharmacist and mother, this tool helps infants breathe and sleep easier.
Get The Freeze
We’ve already talked about making homemade baby food, but where are you going to put it? Nobody wants to wash a zillion tiny glass jars. This silicone baby food freezer tray allows you to create 1-oz. portions of pureed food you can pop out with ease. These trays are also dishwasher-safe, boil-proof for quick cleanup, and can be stacked for tidiness.