25 Must-Have Target Items for Parents with Babies

Buzz Feed

01-08-2025

A bottle warmer — aka the item that you never think you need until it's midnight and your baby is hungry and you're tired and why won't this stuff heat up faster?? This was one of my favorite postpartum purchases when I realized that not all of my baby's meals would come from my body.
Getting a bottle warmer that can warm various bottles — rather than brand-specific — allows for flexibility while figuring out which bottles work for your baby. When I was starting out, I didn't realize just how many bottle brands I'd go through before finding one that my baby would both take and avoid gas from. It's a journey!Promising review: "Best warmer we've used so far!" —BethPrice: $44.99
A sound machine and night-light combo that connects to an app on your phone for optimal control and years of use. Both of my kids have had one of these for five years and are going strong! When you have a baby, it works as a night-light for late-night feeds, the sounds are soothing, and later it can transition into an OK-to-wake light, making this a purchase worth investing in.
Promising review: "The Hatch has been a lifesaver for our nursery! Not only does it create a soothing environment for our baby to sleep in, but it also helps establish a bedtime routine with its customizable features. The variety of sounds is perfect for calming our little one, and the adjustable night light provides just the right amount of gentle illumination for nighttime feedings and diaper changes. The Hatch app is also a great bonus, allowing us to control everything from our phones. Overall, this is a must-have for any nursery!" —Malydi Price: $69.99
An electric nail buffer, because there is nothing more nerve-shattering than trying to trim those tiny paper nails. Not only can you save the drama of actual clippers, but it also includes an LED precision light, has a quiet motor in case you do the job while the baby is sleeping, and it stores easily. Say goodbye to sobbing uncontrollably for pinching baby's finger AND scratch marks all over your chest because you CAN have both.
This buffer grows with your baby, with four different buffer pads for different age ranges. Promising review: "SO EASY and quick! Baby was sleeping and didn't even flinch. 🥰" —MarissaPrice: $34.99
A cradle cap removal system that'll help lift those inevitable flakes off gently and effectively. Cradle cap can't always be avoided, but it can be maintained.
Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children's and the American Academy of Dermatology. Promising review: "I don't usually write reviews, but this thing WORKS. My son had a lot of cradle cap, and this cleared almost all of it up in one treatment (and it hasn't come back — it's been a couple of weeks since first use). I used it as directed, and I think the key is the curved comb. I repeated the steps three times. It works wonders. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to help their baby's cradle cap get better. Worth every penny!" —LeahH88Price: $14.49
A wipeable changing pad cover so cleaning up all of those mid-diapering pee-outs will be quick and easy. Just quickly wipe down the cover and go about your day (or night).
Fun story: when you open up a diaper, the sudden change in temperature can cause newborns to start peeing. I have had newborn changing sessions go through about four diapers until we finally got a clean one. Having a changing pad that can be easily wiped down without soaking is truly a game-changer. I loved them so much that I tossed every other type of cover I had.Promising review: "I absolutely love this changing pad cover; the wipeable feature is a game-changer. As a second-time mom, this item is a must-have. It is so easy to clean, comfortable for baby, and I don't have to change the cover as often as I do with my covers. It's so easy to wipe clean and holds up well in the washing machine as well. You will not regret buying this for your little one." —Sunshine1227Price: $16.99 (also available in an animal print, green floral, solid pink, solid green, and solid gray)
A Tushbaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier that'll give you tons of extra support for all of that hip carrying you'll find yourself doing. Along with evenly distributing baby's weight, it also has storage for diapers, wipes, keys, a wallet, and a phone, AND includes a bottle holder. Give your back a break and enjoy so many more baby snuggles.
This amazing product holds kids from 8–45 pounds, is machine washable, and has four different carrying positions: facing out, facing in, hip carrying and nurse, and breastfeeding and burping. Promising review: "I have four children from 13 years–13 months. I wish I HAD THIS FOR ALL OF THEM WHEN THEY WERE BABIES! This has been a lifesaver and so easy to use and store. My 13-month-old has been sick and teething, and refused to be put down. My arms, hips, and back were killing me until my sister-in-law gifted me this TushBaby! I cannot imagine life without it!!! A must, coming from a mother of four!" —NM momPrice: $84.99 (available in two colors)
A booger extractor to make picking those stubborn boogers quick, easy, and secretly satisfying. You quickly find out that their boogers are small and your fingers are big. And they just sit there — taunting you. With the Oogiebear, you have the upper hand.
Promising review: "Yes! This is a must-have, makes it so easy for those hard-to-reach areas in the nose and ears. Use it ALL the time!" —CrystalPrice: $9.99
A crib rail cover because kids who are aggressive teethers can and will gnaw on the crib — a fact that NO ONE had ever told me. Imagine my horror when I went into my first baby's room and found teeth marks and chipped paint all over the crib. I bought some rail covers and they saved my nerves, my crib, and I'd like to hope my kiddo's teeth. You will have literally no time to deal with sawdust.
Promising review: "I bought these because my baby was starting to bite the rails of the crib, and the paint was starting to chip off into his mouth. These have been a lifesaver! They are easy to put on and take off. I throw them in the wash every once in a while, and they fit back on perfectly. My baby can sometimes untie the knots, but for the most part, he doesn't. My baby chews on these, and they do get pretty wet sometimes, but the crib stays in perfect condition." —TarJPrice: $13.59 for the long rail cover (covers for the sides sold separately)
A set of bibs with pockets to make introducing solids so much less messy. These bibs catch tons of crumbs, wipe easily, and provide a very cute mid-meal snack pouch for curious babes.
When starting solids, don't be fooled by the cute cloth you used for milk spills. You need heavy-duty, something that can be washed easily, and you need a pocket. Take it from me. Promising review: "I love these Cloud Island silicone bibs! The pockets are large enough to catch food, easy to clean, and easy to put on. We use them several times a day and have held up well going through the dishwasher." —Brittany PPrice: $9.99 for a two-pack (also available in pink and blue hues and a green nature theme)
A set of self-feeding "spoons" for teaching utensil use early, without the need for advanced fine motor skills. These spoons are meant to grow with your baby as they get more confident with solids — making them an investment that makes sense.
Price: $8.99+ for two spoons (also available in packs of four and six)
A foldable silicone placemat to help make cleanup after mealtime messes quick and easy. Placemats are also a great item to throw in the diaper bag for when you eat at a restaurant and don't want your kiddo's puffs just chilling on the tabletop.
Promising review: "This is my absolute favorite mealtime item. Easy to clean and folds easily to always have one tucked away in the diaper bag. It's perfect for home and dining out." —NmmPrice: $14.99 (also available in green camper and pink wildflowers)
A handheld vacuum that'll quickly suck up any mess your kid makes as they're discovering the oh-so-fun and oh-so-messy world of solids. Your back is going to thank you when you toss your dustpan and quickly clean up graham cracker dust with a vacuum.
I used a dustpan and broom for the longest time to get my kid's crumbs after meals. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it was annoying. I finally decided to treat myself to a handheld vacuum. It's one of those small things that made one part of parenting so much less work. Now that my baby is a big kid, she happily vacuums up after meals that are still messy years later. Promising review: "The Shark Handheld Vacuum is a game-changer! Compact yet incredibly powerful, it tackles messes effortlessly in any space. The attachments are perfect for reaching every nook and cranny, and cleaning it is a breeze. It's lightweight, easy to handle, and delivers impressive suction power for its size. Highly recommend it for quick cleanups and everyday use!" —Target CustomerPrice: $99.99
A large portable play yard with a safety barrier for when you need a safe place to put your rolling baby while you reheat your coffee again. And once playtime is finished, it folds up easily for storage.
Promising review: "Love this item! Fits perfectly in my playpen and is soft enough so that when my baby is learning to roll over, her head doesn't smack the hard floor. Also easy to clean up and very colorful." —NicholePrice: $24.99
A set of silicone blocks and balls that are the perfect first toys. These blocks are safe if they get thrown, can be gummed when they're teething, and help them learn the basics of stacking. My own kids used these blocks and balls well into toddlerhood — making them a great investment.
This set includes eight textured balls, eight numbered blocks, and four squeezable animals. Promising review: "Favorite new toy for my 5-month-old! He loves to play with these —even just one toy at a time. These toys provide exposure to a variety of textures, are easy to clean, and don't have small parts for me to worry about. Money well spent, IMO. I bought a second set for another baby, too." —LGPrice: $29.99
A bathtub kneeling pad to protect your poor knees while your bath-loving babe splashes around. It also gives you a little extra support as you're learning how to handle a slippery little baby during bath time.
Promising review: "It really does save your elbows and knees! I also love that it has a pocket." —sneel326Price: $38.49
And a shampoo rinser that contours to your child's head to help avoid water in their eyes. It's made out of a soft material, cleans easily, and has a handle that makes it easy to pour and hold for even the smallest of babies. It's also great for toddlers and big kids, so it'll stay with you for years.
Promising review: "We have had ours for about four years and still use it daily! Our grandson plays with it in the tub, and I love that it has no sharp edges. A must-have for bath time." —OAnanaPrice: $5.79
AND a bath spout cover that'll keep those little noggins safe — because balance is HARD. Save both them and you from tears if they wobble into the spout. It's also dishwasher safe, so you don't have to worry about mildew.
Promising review: "This is a must-have for parents and caregivers of little ones! Not only is it so cute and fun for kids to look at, but it also covers your hard and often sharp-edged spout in case of slips in the tub! An adorable way to have some extra peace of mind during bath time. This easily fits over our standard-sized spout with no problems." —CourtneyPrice: $9.89+ (available in two colors)
AND! A bath toy drying bin to keep even the toys at the bottom of the bin dry and mildew-free. I recently switched to this storage system and I love it! Just scoop them out of the water, let them drain, and put them in the holder to dry. You can also pour out the water that catches later — so simple!
Promising review: "Awesome value. One of the cheapest toy bins, and it does a fantastic job. Toys have no problem drying out, and ours is densely filled up." —pinknbluePrice: $14.99 (available in two colors)
A light-up tongue depressor that connects to your smartphone to share pictures with your pediatrician because you have reached the stage when they're both out of the stroller and ready to put their mouths on anything and everything.
Price: $19.99
A shaded playpen to help keep your baby comfortable outdoors. It's easy as a new parent to feel trapped inside until baby starts crawling, but this playpen will allow you to get outdoors without having to worry about whatever they put into their mouth. No need to miss summer because your crawling baby can't be trusted not to put grass in their mouth!
Promising review: "Love how big and light it is! My son has a lot of room to play in! Easy to pack up and take with. We use it inside and outside! Best investment ever!!" —Davids momPrice: $179.99
A car-seat buckle release tool that'll protect your nails *and* your patience from how surprisingly difficult unbuckling is — especially when you're attempting the very tricky car nap to crib transfer (*insert The Hunger Games salute here, friends*).
Promising review: "Liked the colors. Bought one for each car. My daughter can now unbuckle herself with this, which helps speed up the drop-off line at school." —EricaPrice: $28.99 for a two-pack (available in two color combinations)
A Baby Einstein light bar tummy time toy that'll grow with your little one through sitting independently, to pulling to stand, to cruising. Not only will it get tons of use, it helps develop some pretty valuable gross motor skills.
Promising review: "My son absolutely loves this toy. It's so colorful and has so many operations that it does. This toy keeps my baby entertained for hours, and it's great for helping him sit up. You can also use it for tummy time, but he loves using it while sitting up. I recommend getting this for your kid." —AbbadabbadoooPrice: $24.99
A set of reusable pouches because the markup on baby food is astronomical — ESPECIALLY pouches. Filling your own pouches allows you to control the ingredients, save some money, and feel like the super parent you are.
Promising review: "Absolutely love these! Will be ordering another set. Perfect for all four of my kids. So far, we have done purees for our baby and applesauce for the older three. Easy to fill, easy to clean, and excellent price." —KayPrice: $14.99 for a set of 10 (available in Pixar or Disney Princess designs)
A crawling crab toy that's so cute, it just might help your baby learn to crawl as they chase after their crustacean companion. You're going to have a graveyard of toys your kid was just never into, so it's helpful to have some slam-dunk toys ready to go.
Promising review: "Both my baby and toddler love this toy. Entertains them for a long time." —SmPrice: $14.99
An umbrella stroller because you're not always going to want to pull out your Buick-size jogger. Sometimes you just want a low-profile stroller you can throw into the trunk with reckless abandon.
Promising review: "I love using this stroller for my 1-year-old grandson. It is very light and has the compartments I need to hold my water bottle, cellphone, keys, and any other things for a nice walk!!" —Stroller for my GrandsonPrice: $69.99 (available in two colors)