Best Picks editor and mum on the seven best products every new parent needs
From self-soothing bassinets to high-tech feeding chairs and travel prams that pop up and down with just one hand, in 2025 there really is a gadget for everything — and some are more worth parting with your hard-earned cash than others.
After spending the best part of the last 10 months off with my new daughter, Isabel, I have tried and tested dozens, nay hundreds of baby-related items.
And there are some that I find myself instinctively recommending over others.
Below, I reveal my top seven buys for new parents or expecting mums and dads. You can thank me later.
1. Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper, currently $1496.25
Let's just start with the most expensive item and get it out of the way.
If you have a baby that likes to be rocked to sleep (doesn't everyone?), this cult gadget is going to be a gamechanger in your household.
After using one with my first daughter, Florence, I couldn't wait to get this baby bassinet out for Issy — and boy, did it deliver.
Promising to add one to two hours of sleep per night with constant calming womb-like motion and sound, my daughter loved the soothing, cocooning nature of the Snoo when she was going down for naps and bedtime.
The device was arguably even more of a gamechanger second time round, when I had less time to settle Issy down for a sleep while a rampant toddler wreaked havoc downstairs.
I know it's expensive, but the fantastic thing about Snoos is they genuinely work — and you can't put a price on eight hours sleep.
10/10 recommend. For more information and a limited time deal on Happiest Baby, head here now.
2. Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light, $479, The Memo
While the Snoo was a gamechanger in those early days of sleep, sadly it's not always feasible to lug it around with you when you're on the move.
Enter the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light in Black, currently $479 at The Memo — which came with us on any number of trips during Issy's first year: to the UK at Christmas, the Swiss Alps in January and Noosa just last month.
Next level easy to put up and down, we loved the convenience and lightness of this travel cot.
The cot also comes with a super-comfy mattress and travel bag included for your little one, so all you need to worry about is remembering their sleep sack and a cot sheet in order to get a good night's kip on holiday.
If you're a frequent flyer, you'll be delighted to hear that the travel cot weighs just 6kg and is quickly and easily checked in as oversize on most airlines.
It will also last up until they are about three years old, so plenty of time to get some bang for your buck.
3. Tripp Trapp Feeding Chair by Stokke, $399, The Memo
Okay, this one is worth its weight in absolute GOLD.
It's honestly that good that I am contemplating buying a second one for my toddler.
For a long time with my first daughter, people had told me how much I needed a Tripp Trapp Feeding Chair, a high chair that promises to 'grow with your family and child', and can be used from six months old well into childhood.
But I hadn't realised just how good they are until I got my hands on one for Isabel.
Aside from looking amazing (and going perfectly with my black dining chairs at home), Tripp Trapp's functional, versatile design allows your child to sit, eat and interact with the rest of the family at mealtime, creating important bonds and routines while developing language and social skills.
It's easy to clean, easy to work and can ergonomically be shifted and moved up and down as your child grows.
Right now, we have Isabel in the newborn weaning version of this chair, but I am genuinely considering adding a second into our lives for three-year-old Florence.
You will not regret investing in one of these game-changing chairs.
4. Lovevery Looker Play Kit, $130, Lovevery
I have long been a fan of the Montessori-inspired American play brand, Lovevery, and have owned several of their 'Play Kits' for my daughter, Florence.
And so I couldn't wait to snap up the 0-12 Weeks Play Kit for Issy, which is stuffed full of developmentally-appropriate toys that help to build new brain connections and process their surroundings.
This particular kit includes an adorable mobile, a play gym or pram accessory, black and white card set, standing card holder, mittens, a wooden book, rattle and more.
The great thing about these kits is you don't have to think too much about the best possible toys for your child, but can rather let Lovevery do the hard work for you.
Devotees can sign up for a subscription to the play kits, meaning one will land for your little one every three months.
Or you can just dip in and out when you need some inspiration.
5. Dreamegg White Noise Machine, currently $59.99, Amazon Australia
A good white noise machine is a must in a busy household with kids.
And I can't go past the excellent Dreamegg White Noise Machine, currently $59.99, from Amazon Australia..
The clever little machine is stylish enough that it will look good in your child or baby's nursery, but efficient enough to ensure that they have surround sound white noise pumping all night.
The white noise machine has seven different white noise sounds that you can choose for your child, as well as seven fan sounds and 10 relaxing natural sounds such as bird, sea wave, brook, lullaby, crickets, rain and fetal tones.
It also has an in-built optional night light which emits enough brightness for baby night feeding, or for when your toddler suddenly decides they are afraid of the dark.
The machine can be set to play the white noise continuously, or on a 30, 60 or 90 minute auto-timer.
It will remember the last setting of light, sound, volume and timer - so you don't need to keep pressing all the buttons again when you take your child for another nap or sleep.
I have used this white noise machine religiously with both my children, and it has been an absolute life-changer.
Not only does it keep my kids peacefully asleep at night, but it means we can pad around the rest of the house, playing music and watching TV, without living in fear of waking them.
6. Stokke YoYo3 Travel Pram, $720, Stokke Australia
When I gave birth to my first daughter, Florence, three years ago, I had a firm idea of what kind of pram I would push her around in each and every day.
Something big, something supremely comfortable and something with massive wheels and great suspension – the Range Rover of prams, you might say.
And while I do still use my beloved UppaBaby Vista 2 pram on any given week, it wasn't long after giving birth that I realised that in actual fact what I needed was something zippy.
Enter the Stokke YoYo 3, which I have been using religiously during my maternity leave.
Combining a super lightweight feel (it's 6.2 kilograms) with thoughtful features (a one-handed fold is a godsend, while the shoulder strap is fantastic for carrying the buggy when it's folded up), it's everything I could ever want in a pram and more.
Not only this, but unlike many other lightweight, cabin-approved prams, the basket can carry 10 kilos worth of shopping – double what the previous model the YoYo2 held.
I now can't imagine life without it, and urge anyone looking to invest in a pram to buy this one ASAP.
7. Kitchenaid 13-Cup Food Processor, $361, Appliances Online
If there is one item a newly-weaning parent needs more than any others, it's a blender.
The past few months have seen me pureeing, blending and mashing all number of fruits, veggies and proteins for my little girl.
This 13-cup Food Processor by Kitchenaid, currently on sale for $361 at Appliances Online, is the bees knees in cooking.
You can chop, shred, precision slice, knead, mix and puree everything from fresh veggies to cheeses, doughs, sauces, salsa and more, all by way of a stylish 13-cup bowl that looks good on your benchtop.
You can also store all of the parts handily inside the bowl, so there's no faffing around looking for a part when you're next cooking.
It's worth noting just how good Appliances Online are in terms of service and delivery, with the store turning out my blender within 24 hours after I ordered it on the brand's easy-to-use website.
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Best Picks editor and mum on the seven best products every new parent needs
Speak to any new parent and alongside talk about sleep deprivation, a sudden love of caffeine and baby poo (yes, really), there will also be a hefty amount of time dedicated to chat about various gadgets and products. From self-soothing bassinets to high-tech feeding chairs and travel prams that pop up and down with just one hand, in 2025 there really is a gadget for everything — and some are more worth parting with your hard-earned cash than others. After spending the best part of the last 10 months off with my new daughter, Isabel, I have tried and tested dozens, nay hundreds of baby-related items. And there are some that I find myself instinctively recommending over others. Below, I reveal my top seven buys for new parents or expecting mums and dads. You can thank me later. 1. Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper, currently $1496.25 Let's just start with the most expensive item and get it out of the way. If you have a baby that likes to be rocked to sleep (doesn't everyone?), this cult gadget is going to be a gamechanger in your household. After using one with my first daughter, Florence, I couldn't wait to get this baby bassinet out for Issy — and boy, did it deliver. Promising to add one to two hours of sleep per night with constant calming womb-like motion and sound, my daughter loved the soothing, cocooning nature of the Snoo when she was going down for naps and bedtime. The device was arguably even more of a gamechanger second time round, when I had less time to settle Issy down for a sleep while a rampant toddler wreaked havoc downstairs. I know it's expensive, but the fantastic thing about Snoos is they genuinely work — and you can't put a price on eight hours sleep. 10/10 recommend. For more information and a limited time deal on Happiest Baby, head here now. 2. Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light, $479, The Memo While the Snoo was a gamechanger in those early days of sleep, sadly it's not always feasible to lug it around with you when you're on the move. Enter the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light in Black, currently $479 at The Memo — which came with us on any number of trips during Issy's first year: to the UK at Christmas, the Swiss Alps in January and Noosa just last month. Next level easy to put up and down, we loved the convenience and lightness of this travel cot. The cot also comes with a super-comfy mattress and travel bag included for your little one, so all you need to worry about is remembering their sleep sack and a cot sheet in order to get a good night's kip on holiday. If you're a frequent flyer, you'll be delighted to hear that the travel cot weighs just 6kg and is quickly and easily checked in as oversize on most airlines. It will also last up until they are about three years old, so plenty of time to get some bang for your buck. 3. Tripp Trapp Feeding Chair by Stokke, $399, The Memo Okay, this one is worth its weight in absolute GOLD. It's honestly that good that I am contemplating buying a second one for my toddler. For a long time with my first daughter, people had told me how much I needed a Tripp Trapp Feeding Chair, a high chair that promises to 'grow with your family and child', and can be used from six months old well into childhood. But I hadn't realised just how good they are until I got my hands on one for Isabel. Aside from looking amazing (and going perfectly with my black dining chairs at home), Tripp Trapp's functional, versatile design allows your child to sit, eat and interact with the rest of the family at mealtime, creating important bonds and routines while developing language and social skills. It's easy to clean, easy to work and can ergonomically be shifted and moved up and down as your child grows. Right now, we have Isabel in the newborn weaning version of this chair, but I am genuinely considering adding a second into our lives for three-year-old Florence. You will not regret investing in one of these game-changing chairs. 4. Lovevery Looker Play Kit, $130, Lovevery I have long been a fan of the Montessori-inspired American play brand, Lovevery, and have owned several of their 'Play Kits' for my daughter, Florence. And so I couldn't wait to snap up the 0-12 Weeks Play Kit for Issy, which is stuffed full of developmentally-appropriate toys that help to build new brain connections and process their surroundings. This particular kit includes an adorable mobile, a play gym or pram accessory, black and white card set, standing card holder, mittens, a wooden book, rattle and more. The great thing about these kits is you don't have to think too much about the best possible toys for your child, but can rather let Lovevery do the hard work for you. Devotees can sign up for a subscription to the play kits, meaning one will land for your little one every three months. Or you can just dip in and out when you need some inspiration. 5. Dreamegg White Noise Machine, currently $59.99, Amazon Australia A good white noise machine is a must in a busy household with kids. And I can't go past the excellent Dreamegg White Noise Machine, currently $59.99, from Amazon Australia.. The clever little machine is stylish enough that it will look good in your child or baby's nursery, but efficient enough to ensure that they have surround sound white noise pumping all night. The white noise machine has seven different white noise sounds that you can choose for your child, as well as seven fan sounds and 10 relaxing natural sounds such as bird, sea wave, brook, lullaby, crickets, rain and fetal tones. It also has an in-built optional night light which emits enough brightness for baby night feeding, or for when your toddler suddenly decides they are afraid of the dark. The machine can be set to play the white noise continuously, or on a 30, 60 or 90 minute auto-timer. It will remember the last setting of light, sound, volume and timer - so you don't need to keep pressing all the buttons again when you take your child for another nap or sleep. I have used this white noise machine religiously with both my children, and it has been an absolute life-changer. Not only does it keep my kids peacefully asleep at night, but it means we can pad around the rest of the house, playing music and watching TV, without living in fear of waking them. 6. Stokke YoYo3 Travel Pram, $720, Stokke Australia When I gave birth to my first daughter, Florence, three years ago, I had a firm idea of what kind of pram I would push her around in each and every day. Something big, something supremely comfortable and something with massive wheels and great suspension – the Range Rover of prams, you might say. And while I do still use my beloved UppaBaby Vista 2 pram on any given week, it wasn't long after giving birth that I realised that in actual fact what I needed was something zippy. Enter the Stokke YoYo 3, which I have been using religiously during my maternity leave. Combining a super lightweight feel (it's 6.2 kilograms) with thoughtful features (a one-handed fold is a godsend, while the shoulder strap is fantastic for carrying the buggy when it's folded up), it's everything I could ever want in a pram and more. Not only this, but unlike many other lightweight, cabin-approved prams, the basket can carry 10 kilos worth of shopping – double what the previous model the YoYo2 held. I now can't imagine life without it, and urge anyone looking to invest in a pram to buy this one ASAP. 7. Kitchenaid 13-Cup Food Processor, $361, Appliances Online If there is one item a newly-weaning parent needs more than any others, it's a blender. The past few months have seen me pureeing, blending and mashing all number of fruits, veggies and proteins for my little girl. This 13-cup Food Processor by Kitchenaid, currently on sale for $361 at Appliances Online, is the bees knees in cooking. You can chop, shred, precision slice, knead, mix and puree everything from fresh veggies to cheeses, doughs, sauces, salsa and more, all by way of a stylish 13-cup bowl that looks good on your benchtop. You can also store all of the parts handily inside the bowl, so there's no faffing around looking for a part when you're next cooking. It's worth noting just how good Appliances Online are in terms of service and delivery, with the store turning out my blender within 24 hours after I ordered it on the brand's easy-to-use website.
