49 Parent-Tested Products Worth Every Penny

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2 days ago

Helllooooo parents, my name is Heather, and at the time I'm writing this, my son is 3 and my daughter is 1 (so you know I get *it*). I pulled together some of the most beloved parenting products the moms of our team have tried out (less leg work for you newer parents or parents-to-be!). I can (and will) happily tell you *all* about what has worked for our families, but kindly wanted to note that we're aware every kid is different! So, what worked for us and our kids may not work for you and yours. But hey, it's worth a shot. Right?
A Frida Baby fold-and-go potty seat that'll bring you peace of mind, knowing your toddler's tush never has to touch a grime-filled public toilet. It comes with a travel bag that'll fit easily in your diaper bag or regular tote bag if you're just running a quick errand with your toddler.
And Ms. Rachel's Potty Time With Bean book — a must-have for toddler parents who are in the midst of tackling potty training. The book features a sweet, motivational story about a little bear who is learning to use the potty (with Ms. Rachel for support, of course). It has reward stickers in the back and tips/tricks for parents!
A 360-degree spill-proof cup that'll seemingly defy the laws of gravity when your tot drinks from it — the water only comes out of the edges when sipped! Not to mention it'll help your mini-me learn to drink from a standard cup sooner.
A Boon drying rack with a surprisingly chic design that'll provide you with the perfect spot to dry your little one's bottles and accessories without ruining the entire look of your kitchen. You might just find yourself using it to nicely dry your wine glass after a loooooong day of taking care of tiny humans...no judgment here.
A Maxi Cosi Kiskadee high chair starring a 360-degree swivel feature you can use to turn your tyke as needed instead of stretching your self-proclaimed T-Rex arms to the limit in an attempt to spoon some mashed sweet potato into their hangry little gullet.
Or a modern high chair from Stokke that'll transform into a perfectly sized mini chair as your child grows. They'll be able to use it right up against your kitchen table to dine alongside the family, and it'll look great alongside your other furniture. Not to mention, it'll be super easy to clean after your kiddo inevitably coats it in jelly, peanut butter, marinara sauce, and juice.
A Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced parents will be able to rely on to help them make their baby a bottle in a flash — which is *much* appreciated when they're screaming their head off because they've decided they're hungry. I've literally told every single parent or parent-to-be in my life that THIS machine is what's keeping me going — it is the light of my life (next to my kids, of course).
Plus a Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro, because anything that is going to make your life easier during the first year of being a parent is worth every penny. This magical machine washes, sterilizes, AND dries bottles, breast pump parts, and other accessories with natural steam. Take it from someone who genuinely knows — this will save you SO much time so you can do one of the other million things on your to-do list instead of hangin' out with a bottle brush.
A Munchkin bottle warmer you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when your baby is happily chugging down a perfectly temperate bottle of the house white. Gone are the days of microwaving (oops) or soaking a bottle in hot water to get it nice 'n' warm for your babies. It's compatible with most brands, so no need to give up your favorite bottle.
Speaking of bottles, a starter set of Chicco Duo Newborn Hybrid Baby Bottles with glass on the inside but plastic on the outside that'll ensure your baby's milk will only touch pure glass. This means no gross smells, aftertaste, or discolorations over time! Bottoms up, babes.
Or a set of silicone baby bottles from Boon Nursh with a shockingly chic design (yes, I said CHIC in regards to a bottle) that'll make you feel like you're really nailing this whole parenting thing...aesthetically, at least. They're easy for baby to hold on, which will give you some bonus time to do something else with YOUR hands.
A toddler-size table you can fold up easily when your kiddos aren't using it to color, snack, or bang on like a drum. It'll ensure they always have somewhere to hang without it taking up too much space in your already over-flowing playroom.
A playpen to contain your precious and surprisingly VERY fast beast who just learned to crawl and is suddenly everywhere all at once. Plop 'em in here with some of their favorite toys while you grab a cup of already-cold coffee and get to work baby-proofing the rest of the house.
A Nanit monitor and wall mount to help you keep a watchful eye on your babe while they sleep — you can also easily see stats on how long they've been asleep or if they're standing and not-so-patiently waiting for you to come scoop 'em up.
A Hatch Restore 3 to act as a night-light, a white noise machine, an alarm clock, and a sleep trainer with a design that seamlessly blends into the nursery's decor. Fingers crossed, you and your kiddo will get some sleep this decade with the help of this gadget!
An iconic Sophie the Giraffe teether your little one will, for unexplained reasons, likely cherish and love chomping away on as their pearly whites start to (painfully) poke through.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment — it'll be one of the most unexpected parenting holy grail items you'll use daily on your little one. It's unscented, preservative-free, and fantastic for healing sensitive skin. You know how in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Gus was always saying, "Put some Windex on it!" to fix all things? Well, that's about to be you with Aquaphor.
And a baby butt spatula you'll either laugh or cringe at but will thank your lucky stars that you thought to purchase it when you see how much nicer it is to apply diaper cream to your baby's booty with it instead of your finger. It has incredible suction on the bottom, so you can keep it right next to your changing pad without fear of it being kicked over by your unruly tot.
A Frida Baby The 3-Step Cradle Cap System that'll remove dry skin from baby's scalp so gently they won't even notice — it comes with a sponge, a brush, and a comb that'll all work together to get your kiddo's scalp looking good.
A bottle of The Honest Company detangling spray to help post-shower hair brushing sessions go a bit more, for lack of a better term, smoothly! It's hypoallergenic, all-natural, gentle and boasts a delectable scent.
A Little Big Playroom ball pit if your kiddo's nickname is The Energizer Bunny — it'll keep them contained and entertained! The edges are so soft that they can also chew on it and fall into it without harming themselves (a big parenting win).
Frida Baby Natural Vapor Bath Bombs filled with eucalyptus and lavender, so when your little one inevitably does get sick, you'll be ready to go with a soothing bathtime edition that'll help clear their sinuses and relax their little body.
A bottle of Tubby Todd's new micellar water for when your tyke had a blowout in the morning, resulting in an unplanned bath, but then covers themselves in marinara sauce during dinner. Sigh. No parent wants to do bathtime twice; give that kiddo a quick (but satisfying!) clean with this instead.
A Newton Essential Crib Mattress that'll help provide you with some peace of mind once your tyke starts actually sleeping on top of it — it's made with a unique woven material that babies can completely breathe through (an absolute game changer) and is also fully washable.
A Momcozy wearable breast pump you can count on to give you your independence back (kind of) or at the very least free up your hands so you can do other things like read a book, meal prep, clean the toilet, whatever(!!!) instead of being chained to a stationery pump.
A bath toy thermometer that'll become your most reliable bathtime companion — it'll alert you to precisely what temperature the water is and if it's an appropriate one for your baby to soak in. You've got enough on your plate, let this seal take the reins on this one.
An inexpensive baby gate featuring a pressure mount you'll adore because you won't have to drill holes into your walls (a big win). It's easy to install and easy for adults to open with one hand, which you'll definitely be thankful for when you're trying to carry your baby and open it simultaneously.
A 3-in-1 Frida Baby Infrared thermometer with a built-in sensor that'll make taking your tyke's temperature a breeze. You can also remove the tip and use it as an inner-ear thermometer and use it to take your own as well! Perfect for any parents who err on the side of caution and find themselves checking their kiddo's temp anytime they look a bit flushed (ahem, me).
A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so your kiddo can take their fave snack with them while venturing to different areas of the playground or enjoy a lil' nibble of something while en route to a playdate.
Or a snack spinner with five compartments for kids who like to diversify their palate when on the go, and by "diversify," I mean they want Goldfish, graham crackers, cereal, yogurt bites, *and* fruit all at once. Why is it so hard to satiate a toddler?!
Plus a pack of hair bow ties in any color you might possibly need to transform your toddler from a terror into a tiny treasure (or, at least, their hair). It'll be a major upgrade from trying to twist minuscule rubber bands around their locks *and then* fastening a hairbow while their already-slim patience is wearing thin.
A BabyBjörn Harmony Carrier, so you can do all kinds of things hands-free, like take your baby on a Target shopping trip, do chores around the house, make a salad, brush your hair, whatever! They'll likely get a nice, snuggly nap in while you get stuff done. It'll be a win for everyone!
And a hip seat sling that'll be a must-buy for your back if you've got a Stage 5 clinger for a toddler (siiiiigh) but don't want to let that stop you from getting outdoors.
Or a 3-in-1 baby carrier with a hip seat to combine the magic of a carrier *and* a hip seat so you can tote your tot around in a variety of ways from the infant days to the toddler years.
Plus a 10-pack of colorful unisex HonestBaby tees that'll refresh your kiddo's closet with their latest size and without any extra stress for Mom or Dad. Apologies, though, I can't offer any advice on how to get them from rolling around like a feral creature when you try to get the shirt on 'em...
Sink extenders so you won't need to muster up Herculean strength every time your surprisingly dense toddler wants to wash their sticky little paws.
And a pack of brilliant light switch extenders that'll let tykes turn them on all on their own! Don't be surprised if you catch them humming Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent" soon.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment — aka parents' saving grace for any skincare issues their tyke throws their way. It's formulated with plant-based materials like Jojoba Esters and Camellia Leaf Extract that naturally moisturize skin but *without* any heavy fragrances. It's a thick, reliable cream that soaks in quickly and works wonders on everyone and everything.
A Doona all-in-one travel system — a magical car seat and stroller combo that'll make getting your baby out of the house way less daunting. No need to break a sweat while trying to insert your infant's heavy car seat into a separate stroller contraption without waking them; simply lift this one out of the car, and the wheels will click into place underneath. The only explanation for this invention is an exhausted parent must've used one of their three wishes and asked a Genie to craft this.
A Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 for anyone who is currently in the baby/toddler trenches and starting to sweat thinking about trekking around the playground with both kiddos. Parenting several littles is not for the weak, but if you're in the same boat as me, you'll want a reliable double-stroller option!
Or the Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo bassinet and seat stroller set, so even if you're adding another little one to the mix, your toddler won't have to sacrifice their sweet ride. Once your baby outgrows the bassinet seat, you can swap in the regular seat so they can hang with their toddler sibling on outdoor adventures.
A splurge-worthy new Nuna Lumn Car Seat with incredible features that'll make you want to add it to your registry — it can support kids weighing anywhere from 30 to 110 lbs, has nine different reclining options (OK, fancy), can be converted from a harness seat to a booster as your child gets bigger, *AND* is so slim it can actually fit alongside two other car seats in most mid-sized vehicles (which any parent of many will know is a big freakin' deal).
Or a Babyark Smart Carseat if you're a self-proclaimed techy who is HERE for a cool gadget and the added bonus that it'll keep your kiddo super duper safe. It's made of carbon fiber and steel (okkkkkk!), has military-grade absorption (cooool!) features a machine-washable and fire-retardant material (yesss, tell me more!), and adjusts for newborns up to 6-year-olds (WOW!).
A lightweight Veer All-Terrain Cruiser stroller/wagon with a ton of practical accessories and configurations that'll make it an integral part of all your family's outdoor excursions from now through the fall! Dad can load it up and hit the playground like he would have the *~clurb~* back in the 2010s.
A Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set, which is essentially a tiny stereo toddlers can control all on their own just by swapping out which character magnetically sits on top of it. Each individual figure tells different stories and sings different songs — it's a great way to keep kids entertained without a screen.
A Boon folding toddler tower you can stow away when your tyke isn't begging you to use it. (So, never?) It's sturdy, has grippy nonslip feet, an adjustable height, and is exactly what your dying-to-always-be-hands-on kid needs to partake in nightly cooking or daily crafting.
A BabyBjörn bouncer, so your eager-to-sit little one can comfortably survey the room, indulge in a little Ms. Rachel on YouTube, or bounce to their heart's content (honestly, whatever works).
An interactive routine board from Charmspring you'll squeal over how darn cute it is! It'll provide a lovely little visual of your family's day-to-day and help your kiddo learn about planning, scheduling, and overall routines.
And an electric swivel nursery chair you will likely spend more time sleeping in than your actual bed (unless you have an angel baby, and in that case, I am extremely envious). This S-tier chair reclines slowly and, more importantly, quietly with the push of a button! It also has USB charging ports built in, so when you desperately need to pee at 3 a.m. and need to contact your partner to swap places with you, you won't discover a dead phone.