There’s so much to buy and even more to do when a baby is on the way. A lot of it is fun, right? Frilly skirts, tiny pants, bibs and burp cloths and swaddling blankets in every color of the rainbow. But, there are serious purchases to make, too. Cribs and bassinets for a good night’s sleep, car seats to keep them snug whether you’re heading to the store or grandma’s house, and bottles and pacifiers that won’t upset their tiny tummies or create problems with their teeth.
Yes, keeping your newborn safe is a part of the job — the biggest part, perhaps, so I’m here to help you out with a curated list of Amazon finds that are safest for your little one. I found the usual cabinet locks and foam protectors for tables but I’ve also got mirrors so you can keep your eye on them, guards to keep them away from power cords and the cutest pair of baby sunglasses you’ve ever seen. Who said being safe couldn’t be adorable, too?
Be The Gatekeeper
Baby gates are the OG of babyproofing your house but they’ve certainly been improved over the years. Back in the day, you’d install one and then have to step over it every five seconds or it would require two people to remove. This gate can be pressure mounted, fits extra-wide door openings thanks to the included extension kit, and offers one-handed operation.
Go The Heck To Sleep
If you’ve heard good things about the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit, you might as well go ahead and grab the next step up — the Baby Merlin Magic Dream Sack. Designed for infants 6 to 12 months old, it’s the ideal transition piece for a consistent night’s sleep for your little one. Baby will appreciate the same fabric and there’s plenty of room inside for hip movement.
Mirror, Mirror, In The Car
When they’re little, you just can’t take your eyes off of them, can you? Except, you have to go to the bathroom, do laundry and occasionally drive somewhere. This stylish backseat mirror has been well designed to give you a large, clear image of your baby in a secure, shatterproof, and easy-to-install design. You’ll have greater peace of mind knowing you can sneak a peek whenever you want.
Undercover Baby
They market this as a car seat cover but this versatile piece of fabric can do so much more. Use it for privacy while nursing, put it over a high chair in a restaurant, or use it as a seat cover on those germy shopping carts at the grocery store. These are made from super-soft fabric and come in six different patterns.
Cabinets On Lock
As soon as your baby can pull themselves up, they’re going to start exploring… which usually begins with the contents of your kitchen cabinets. Eliminate pinched fingers and other potential hazards with this magnetic cabinet lock set. You’ll receive a six-pack with two keys but you’re going to want way more than that: Think laundry room and bathroom cabinets, too.
Like Pulling Teeth
Believe it or not, brushing teeth comes with some hazards for rookie brushers. There’s the potential for them to accidentally gag, jab their gums or bite down just the wrong way. This oral care kit teaches proper oral health from a young age with a rounded brush head for more thorough cleaning and fluoride-free tooth gel that helps prevent decay.
Feeding Frenzy
Remember I just said that little ones can hurt themselves unintentionally with the wrong toothbrush? The same applies to utensils when they’re learning to self-feed. This utensil set is designed with ergonomic handles and a built-in protective barrier that helps to eliminate choking or gagging. These come in roughly two dozen colors and include a travel case for meals on the go.
Smile, You’re On Camera
Prices on things continue to go up and up and up but that doesn’t seem to hold true with a bunch of electronics. TVs? Dirt cheap. Video cameras for baby? Even cheaper. This version is loaded with features like a temperature monitor, two-way talk and night vision, with a high-capacity battery to boot — for less than $50. Buy extra cameras for less than $40.
Watch Your Mouth
Babies and toddlers love cords. They’re born attached to one and never quit being enamored with them. This genius safety solution known as “Watch Your Mouth” is a cover for your USB charger, which we all know is prone to breaking anyway. These protect from potential electric shock or burns so well that they’ve won multiple awards from “Good Housekeeping” and others.
Rubber Baby Bumpers
I know, I know, they’re not walking yet but that’s exactly the time you want to think about babyproofing your house. This protector set has 16 pieces of high-density foam shaped to fit any sharp corner. All you have to do is affix the pieces with the attached 3M adhesive to prevent tears, bumps, and boo-boos. Available in black or brown.
Control The Flow
Babies need baths — no matter how much they might protest. Heck, some babies need multiple baths in a day … does poop up the back ring a bell? This bathtime rinse cup is a baby bath helper, mostly because it controls the flow of water which, in turn, protects baby’s ears and eyes. It has a built-in waterfall spout that can be removed and an ergonomic handle for the ‘rents.
A Shady Character
Protecting their peepers starts at a young age, so snag these ultra-chic shades reminiscent of Ray-Bay’s popular Wayfarer model. These come in sizes from newborn up to 12 years old and beyond with five colored frame options. Best of all, they have 100 percent UVA and UVB protection as well as impact-resistant lenses ideal for, you know, the new Tasmanian devil in your house.
A Whale’s Tale
Bathtubs are like a minefield of danger for little ones. You have to worry about falls, drownings, and even bumps on the head from unlikely culprits like the tub spout. This Moby faucet cover shields those sharp faucet edges, preventing at least one potential bathtime catastrophe. Available in blue or gray, it offers a universal fit for any tub.
Here’s A Tip For You
Some of the scariest videos I’ve ever seen involve large appliances or pieces of furniture tipping over onto an unsuspecting youngster. Eliminate a potentially tragic situation in your house by securing your dressers, cabinets, bookshelves, and televisions with this anti-tip strap set. This eight-piece set comes with all the hardware you need to lock everything down before your kiddo becomes mobile.
Potty Protection
No one really knows why but babies and toddlers see toilets as a potty wonderland. Thankfully this safety toilet lock installs easily (no tools required), fits most toilet seats and allows for one-handed operation for the people in your house who really need it. It can also be completely deactivated when needed, like when you’re having company over.
Juicy Fruit
This feeder pacifier is probably my favorite gadget on this list because it’s a great — and safety-conscious — way to introduce your little one to fresh fruits and vegetables. Safe and secure to prevent choking, this feeder has a pacifier-like nipple with holes that allows juices to flow through the openings easily. When it’s time to clean it, it disassembles easily for washing.
Keep Calm And Bathe On
There are tons of baby shampoos, body washes, and lotions out there so it can be next to impossible to discern which one is the right one for your newborn. This lavender duo from The Honest Company is made without phthalates, parabens, dyes, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde donors, silicones, mineral oil, and all those other things you don’t want touching baby’s delicate skin. They’re also hypoallergenic and dermatologist-approved.
Better Than A Spoon Full Of Sugar
Medicine can only work if you can get it into your newborn, which is sometimes impossible when you have a cranky, wriggly baby on your hands. This medicine dispenser set includes a pacifier-style dispenser that sends any liquids to the side of the cheek to prevent spit-up. Use it for medications, vitamins, gripe water, and more, with accurate dosing every time
Wiped Out
You’ll never pay more attention to ingredients than after you have a baby and WaterWipes passes the ingredient test with flying colors, made of only water and a drop of fruit extract. That’s it. The wipes are billed as “the world’s purest,” and are gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. They’re also compostable, plant-based, and biodegradable, so they’re better for the planet you’re leaving to the next generation.
Baby’s Crash Pad
I know, right now you think you’ll only change your baby’s diaper on that plush, dreamy changing table you bought for the nursery. Six months from now, you’ll have changed them in the backseat of a car and on the floor of a gas station bathroom (okay., that last one might still be too gross). This portable diaper changing pad goes anywhere to provide a safe and sanitary surface for handling their business.
Can’t Take The Heat
You never want your newborn to be sick but unfortunately, that day is going to come. Be prepared with this forehead and ear thermometer that works just as well for the rest of your household as it does for its newest member. With a one-button, one-second design, it has a mute button so you don’t disturb your sleeping baby, a fever warning system and a convenient memory function
No Cap
Cradle cap might look off-putting, but it’s totally normal and affects many newborn babies. This cradle cap brush helps treat infantile cradle cap with a soft foam sponge and gentle bristles that massage baby’s head and encourage a healthy scalp. These are multipurpose, too, so you can use them to scrub nails or apply lotions.
Here Comes The Sun-screen
When was the last time someone asked you about your sunscreen habits? They’re probably not great; I know mine aren’t. But, sunscreen for your baby? Non-negotiable. This clean, SPF50+ sun lotion is vegan, water-resistant, and fast-absorbing for near-instant protection. This clean mineral formula is also reef friendly and is the first sunscreen of its kind to pass Whole Foods’ premium care requirements.
Chip Off The Old Block
Babies will put anything in their mouths from the time they enter the world and find their fingers to well after you’d like them to stop. This soft building block set was made with mouth safety in mind and doubles as a teething tool and an educational toy with letters, numbers, and shapes. These are perfect for babies from six months on and are highly affordable.
No Tummy Troubles
Tummy time is vitally important for babies because it strengthens neck and shoulder muscles and improves motor skills. But, who wants to be put on their stomach with nothing to look at? This tummy time mat has colorful aquatic characters and can have water added to it for an extra squishy experience. When it’s time to travel, simply remove the water and roll it up to easy bag size.
That’s A Wrap
Part of newborn safety is keeping the baby close and this stretchy infant sling will do just that for kiddos up to 35 pounds. Available in more than a dozen colors and patterns (but only one size), this wrap has simple, no-guess tying instructions, is machine washable, and is ergonomically designed to keep baby safe. It’s a much simpler option than toting a car seat or stroller along, too.
Nailed It
If you’ve never experienced baby nails, I’d compare them to tiny razor blades that’ll bring even the burliest of parents to their knees. Keep nails tidy and trim with this electric nail trimmer set that comes with six cushioned file attachments and even an extra four you can use on adults. Pack it all in the handy case and enjoy the whisper-quiet design and handy LED lighting
Hitting The Bottle
These may be the ultimate baby bottles thanks to their soft feel that’s reminiscent of skin-to-skin contact, a stable base that prevents tipping and the triple-vented nipple design that ensures a perfect latch for zero colic or gas. These bottles are leak-free and easy to clean, and hold up to nine ounces of liquid to grow with your newborn as needed.
Feather Their Nest
I see DockATots all over my social media feeds and while they’re no doubt great, they’re also pricey. This DockATot dupe is an affordable alternative on Amazon and does exactly the same thing — giving the baby a place to rest that’s both comfortable and made with safety in mind. Perfect for co-sleeping, these are machine washable in case of blowouts and can double as a bassinet insert or floor cushion.
Blow Off Some Steam
Cleaning baby bottles is a thankless chore. They’re hard to get completely clean and probably aren’t as sanitized as you’d prefer. This microwave steam sterilizer uses natural steam to kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria without chemicals in just two minutes. Lightweight and compact for traveling, this sterilizer works just as well for cups and pacifiers as it does for bottles making it an ideal newborn safety choice.
Stop Your Griping
Sometimes newborn babies are cranky and we just can’t figure out why… you know, a lot like some adults you may know. This gripe belt for colic relief is a baby-sized heated tummy wrap that offers natural relief for gas and upset stomachs. Doctor-designed, it provides both warmth and gentle compression and stimulates brain development thanks to the attached crinkly toys and colorful tags.
A Bathing Beauty
It doesn’t necessarily get easier to bathe a wriggly newborn baby but you do grow more comfortable doing it. This baby bath support can be placed right in the bathtub to secure and cradle your infant while only partially submerging them in water. Ergonomic with a soft-touch mesh that’s gentle on delicate skin, it rinses and dries easily and has a built-in hook for convenient storage.
Blanket Statement
You might not think of swaddling your newborn as a safety measure but — surprise! — it definitely is. Keeping them safely swaddled protects them from their own natural startle reflex, which will definitely wake them — and you — up. These swaddle blankets are pretty enough to be repurposed when the baby has outgrown them. Choose from more colors than I had time to count.
I’m All Ears
Who knew noise could be so damaging or unsettling? I’ll be honest, it never really occurred to me but these baby ear muffs are genius. Alpine Muffy Baby has a uniquely designed soft headband that doesn’t put pressure on a newborn baby’s soft spot while providing ear protection for added safety during loud events like festivals, sporting events and fireworks displays. Adjustable with noise-reducing foam and soft padding, these are proven to reach noise reduction at 23 decibels.
Catch These Mitts
Remember those dagger-like baby nails we discussed a few products earlier? They’re just as problematic for little ones as they are for you. Sometimes, the best solution for safety is just to cover them up. These no-scratch mittens come in a pack of three with super-soft rib jersey material and gently encased elastic wrists. Save them from themselves and you from tiny scratches everywhere at an affordable price.
Put A Little Boogie In It
This newborn baby looks so calm but he or she has no idea what’s about to go down. The oogiebear is a “better way to clean your baby,” according to its manufacturer, and does double, ahem, dirty duty by cleaning both noses and ears. I love this parental review: “It’s so satisfying after trying (unsuccessfully) to get it out with that turkey baster suction thing they give you when you deliver said child in the hospital. Throw that thing away, it doesn’t work! But this … this gets the job done!”
SpongeBaby SweetBath
You’re extra careful with what products you put on or near your newborn baby’s skin. That same safety-consciousness should extend to the materials you put near them, too. This natural, soft sea sponge is gentle to the touch with natural fibers that keep their skin soft, clear, and healthy. It also just looks cool, right? I mean, who wants a tiny baby washcloth when you can have one of these?