The Baby Must-Haves Parents Swear By

Don't let the name disgust you because the NoseFrida Snotsucker is, hands down, one of my favorite baby must haves! The Snotsucker is a wonderful little aspirator that allows you to easily suck away baby's dried and wet nasal mucus. Everything suctioned up stays in the cylinder, and the disposable filter prevents any transfer of ickiness to the mouth. After use, simply clean with hot water and mild soap and let air dry.

Vanessa M. said:   What a smart product! Parents of wiggly babies and toddlers know that diaper changes can be downright messy. The SnoofyBee Clean Hands Changing Pad fastens with velcro gently around baby's middle to prevent messy hands. The sides have clips to hang small toys to distract baby with! Folds into an easy to carry diaper clutch that comes in a variety of adorably chic patterns.

Vanessa M. said:  If you live in a region that gets cold in the winter, a JJ Cole Bundleme is a baby essential. The innovative design keeps baby snug as a bug in her car seat. The thick, faux shearling blanket material zips up around baby, and the top can be held up to briefly cover baby's face from the cold while transporting in and out of the car. The Bundleme is not just for car seats - it works great with strollers too!

Kristy Pepping said:  Boppy is a nursing essential if you plan on breastfeeding! It comes in several colors and styles. You can bring it with you to the hospital to help with nursing. Plus, when not nursing you can use it for tummy time, to prop your baby up after feedings and even for learning to sit up.

Molly Weber said:  These are the only snack cups I will use now that my little one has figured out how to take the top off of any other cup. The lids for these screw on securely and provide an opening for your toddler to reach in and grab the snacks themselves without spilling. This has been a lifesaver for car rides - no more blueberries all over the back seat!

Kristy Pepping said:  Babies may not be eating solids for some time, but bibs are infant must haves for any stage. These wrap gently around babies' necks and can be used as early as three months old. They are ideal for wiping post burping or as a drool solution for teething.

Kristy Pepping said:  Even though your infant won't need toys for a while, this little giraffe is both practical and cute. It's made of soft natural rubber that is BPA free. So it provides an easy first toy to grasp and a teether when those pesky teeth start appearing.

The Planet Wise Wet Diaper Bag is a convenient way to keep your little one's wet and dirty clothes and diapers together, while keeping other items in little one's diaper bag/backpack dry. The bag is waterproof, easy to wipe, and can go straight in the laundry.

This is the filet mignon of baby motion swings; not only does it come with five different motions and different speeds, it is also bluetooth enabled. Parents and caregivers can control the motion and sound from their smartphones. The toy mobile with the plush, crinkle, rattle, and mirror balls give baby something to look at, too.

Kristy Pepping said:  This changing pad is top-rated, has raised sides to prevent rolling and a strap to secure squirmy babies. Plus, the bottom is skid-proof; ideal if you are using a flat dresser to place it on.

Skip Hop activity gyms come in a couple different styles, featuring soft arches for hanging toys, colorful designs on the mat, and a cute tummy-time pillow - all of which provide lots of sensory and engaging fun for baby. Each hanging toy has its own unique texture or purpose, and the mat includes a mirror that baby will love. Mat can be used alone once baby learns how to sit.

This baby car mirror gives parents and caregivers peace of mind; they can check on their precious little ones in rear-facing car seats without having to look back. Made of shatter-proof mirror surface, it comes fully assembled and takes less than a minute to install. The straps securely keep the mirror in place.

Stephanie W. said:  The Mommy Hook is ESSENTIAL for city mamas! The hook attaches to your stroller and is strong enough to hold several bags- great for groceries, running errands, even holding your purse! It comes in different colors too.

Kristy Pepping said:  Graco's infant car seat gets great reviews and holds babies from four pounds to 35 pounds. This four pound weight is important for those who are preemies or smaller babies coming home from the hospital.

This car seat has a base that stays in your car and then the actual car seat comes out so you can bring it into the hospital once your baby is born. Plus, having this carrier option allows you to easily take the baby on errands and once you are done, it clicks safely in its base.

Stephanie W. said:  I love anything Baby Einstein, but my little girl absolutely adores this piano! It plays different classical pieces, teaches numbers, instruments, animals and their sounds, and will do all of this in English, Spanish and French. A great way for even the littlest of babes to start learning new languages!

The two-in-one pacifier and plush toy combination of the WubbaNub is designed for a baby to grip, making it easier to hold onto and keep track of her pacifier...not to mention the many plush animal options couldn't be any cuter! All WubbaNubs are latex-, BPA-, and Phthalate-free and made with a medical-grade silicone pacifier.

Yoli B said:  I do not exaggerate so please believe me when I say the Zutano booties are the real deal! They are literally the only thing that will stay on your little one's feet. You will not be disappointed at all with this addition to your list. Seriously...add it now!!

Kelly R. said:  This cute baby teether/toothbrush is easy for baby to hold, has silicone bristles that massage sore gums and new teeth, and helps develop good hygiene practices.

Kristy Pepping said:  Swaddle blankets are great for keeping babies warm and cuddled up. Chances are you will get some in the hospital, but once you are home, this brand is great. They are oversized so it makes swaddling super easy and snug for squirmy babies. Plus, it comes with directions if you need some swaddle assistance.

Kristy Pepping said:  I highly recommend a Britax car seat. These can be pricey so it's a great baby shower gift for friends to go in on together. It will last you many years because it converts from rear-facing to forward-facing. Although it states it can be used for infants, I would recommend buying an infant car seat until they are a little older and then start using this car seat once they outgrow the infant one.

Kim Rogers said:  We ended up buying a second one to have in the nursery and mom/dads bedroom. Immediately helped clear up newborn congestion.

Sarah Calamita said:  This is the most amazing, lightweight stroller. It is sleek and handles all terrains. There is a UPF 50+ shield on the top. Both the single and double are great. You can also attach a car seat to it with an adapter if your child isn't ready to be jogged.

Kristy Pepping said:  Chances are you have a large tub, shower or even a sink that could work to fit this tiny tub. You will need to give your baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord comes off and this tub allows just enough water for these baths. Plus, it comes with a sling for added support. And once the baby is older, this tub works well to support their head or even to sit up.

Vanessa M. said:  Having a wipeable changing pad cover like this one by Cloud Island makes baby changing a wee bit easier (pun intended!). Especially with baby boys, the second the diaper comes off, you can bet they will sprinkle a bit now and then. Easy cleanup, fewer loads of laundry, and cute patterns! Register for at least two, so you will always have a clean cover at the ready.

Amy S. said:  For a few years, this was the most important material item in our house! This seat allows baby to sit, recline, or sleep in a soft but supported position, and you can gently bounce baby to sleep with your foot. We appreciated its sleek Scandinavian design and the fact that it was easy to store (it flattens out so you can slide it underneath a couch), but mostly felt grateful for the comfort and rest it brought to both of our babies. This is truly the ONE thing I’d recommend to any new parent!

Kim Rogers said:  It’s the perfect height for diaper changes, deep enough to comfortably fit a changing pad, and ample storage to keep all of baby’s clothes, bath products, extra sheets, etc. Plus, it is very affordable.

Kim Rogers said:  Diaper changes can be messy and this changing pad wipes clean. No laundry necessary, just wipe down the changing pad afterwards and it is good to go for the next change.

Alexandra F. said:  I wish I'd discovered these corner guards years ago when my first was toddling around! They do their job of protecting little heads from sharp corners, stay on better than many of the other brands I've tried (looking at you, Safety 1st!), and are clear so they don't clash too badly with your furniture. I was surprised by how small they are in comparison to other corner guards (about an inch in diameter and little less than that in height), but it seems to make them stay on better since there is not a lot of extra material for little hands to pull on or bump into. Plus, they are very well-priced!

Stephanie W. said:  In the early days, having your baby by your side at night is super helpful, especially when they require multiple nightly feedings. What's great about the Arm's Reach bassinet is that one of the sides is low enough to be set up so that it is flush with the side of your bed. No need to reach over anything to get to your babe! Plus, it can be converted to a pack n play when your child is old enough!

This diaper pail is a baby must have because it's completely hands free, good for disposable or cloth diapers, holds up to 60 newborn diapers, and and has a child-proof safety lock. The pail liners do a great job of holding in all odors. Once the diaper years are over, it can convert from a diaper pail to trash can.

Stephanie W. said:  This baby carrier is a lifesaver, and can be used on babies of any size. The 360 can be used with newborns without an insert, and once babies are tall enough they can be turned around to face outward so they can see the world! They have been deemed "hip healthy" by the international Hip Dysplasia Institute.

The MyBaby SoundSpa On-the-Go is a great compact, portable device to have during car rides and travel with baby; it comes with a clip so you can attach it to baby's stroller, diaper bag, car seat and more. Includes four sounds: heartbeat, ocean, white noise, and lullaby. The volume can be adjusted, and it's loud enough for baby to hear, but quiet enough not to be distracting for parents.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you were to ask me what was my single most used registry item was? I would tell you hands down, the Fisher-Price bouncer. This chair sits a baby at an angle so great for post feedings or colicky babies. Plus, it plays music or vibrates. There is a strap to secure the baby and a removable mobile.

Molly Weber said:  For days when you're on the go and your little one needs to spend some extra time in the stroller or infant carrier, having a toy attached to look at and play with can help keep them entertained and content for longer. This one can be easily attached to any car seat or stroller. It's soft and has a variety of attachments for your baby to reach for or look at while out and about.

Kristy Pepping said:  Burp cloths are baby must haves! You will be feeding your baby frequently and burping is an important post feeding step. Having several on hand will make your feedings easier and less messy. Green Sprouts is made from organic cotton muslin. Plus, they are oversized which is great for protecting your clothes and your guests' while holding your baby.

LizzieInMD said:  Topper for food pouches that allow toddler to eat by herself without making a mess!!

Sarah Calamita said:  The fabric is soft and organic and the patterns are adorable. The store is a haven for new moms with virtual & in person music and all things baby/pregnancy classes.

Sarah Calamita said:  Every baby has their own specific way they like to sleep. My son would only sleep if I was holding him. I was too afraid to sleep myself while holding him that I became sooo sleep deprived. At week 2 we tried the DockATot which is supposed to replicate in mom's arms and low and behold he loved it!

Sarah Calamita said:  I love this because it comes in a variety of sizes. The baby one just zips right up (who can really swaddle with a blanket in the middle of the night!!??) We used up to age 2.

Kelly R. said:  This versatile Graco high chair will grow with your child, functioning in a variety of different ways from a reclining infant high chair for bottle feeding through a youth chair. You can also use the pieces separately to seat two kids when one of your children is in the booster phase.

Kristy Pepping said:  This is great to keep baby in the proper position in the carrier, especially for those newborn days where head control is not formed. Plus, it's adjustable for growing babies.

Stephanie W. said:  The sit-me-up is perfect for little ones who can hold up their heads but aren't quite stable enough to sit on their own! It has a high back for plenty of support, and it comes with toys and hooks to add your own. There are a few different cute patterns. Easily folded up for storage as well.

Sarah Calamita said:  If you are a city girl this is your stroller! It's cute, comfy, folds quick, seats 2 kids, easy to lift and has a ginormous basket (I could fit all my groceries under it)!