44 Budget Baby Products For First-Year Parents
Helllooooo parents, my name is Heather, and at the time I'm writing this, my son is 3 and my daughter is almost 1 (so you know I get *it*). So, a lot of these items I've personally tested out! I can happily tell you *all* about what has worked for my family, but kindly wanted to note that I'm aware every kid is different! So, what worked for me may not work for you. But hey, it's worth a shot. Right?
FridaBaby's Baby Basics Kit, complete with all the odds and ends you'll need to unclog your tyke's stuffy nose, trim their nails, help them pass gas, and keep their skin nice 'n' soft. It's an all-encompassing kit to help you tackle all the very gross things that come with having a baby (or, at least, a handful of 'em).
A pacifier-style baby medicine dispenser that'll (hopefully) prevent you and your baby from having a WWE-level fight whenever they need a dose of Tylenol to soothe their teething troubles. There are few things as unpleasant as being covered in sticky medicine after your kid spits it out all over both of you.
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.
Plus, a travel bottle warmer that'll keep your baby's brew hot for HOURS and without having to be plugged in. (Wow!) It'll work with bottles of all sizes and ensure you're ready to roll when your kiddo starts screaming in *~hangry~*.
Starter spoons with a unique textured surface designed to soothe your baby's aching gums *and* keep food in place enough that they might just get some into their mouth instead of all over their shirt/floor/face.
Plus, a set of divided plates with extra suction on the bottom to prevent your headstrong tyke from hurling their waffle across the room. 🫠 They're also delightfully microwave- and dishwasher safe.
And a trio of bowls that also have a suction feature so when you turn your back for a second to grab a paper towel to wipe their hands with they can't swat their sweet potatoes all over the room.
A breast milk storage tower, so all the liquid gold you've worked SO hard to procure will stay nice and safe. It can be popped into the freezer to organize your bags — no need to paw through the frozen peas and nuggets to get to what you need! It also has a flat metal top to ensure the bags freeze flat (and fit nicely into the tower).
A cacti-inspired bottle brush cleaning set you'll certainly agree doesn't *~succ~* in the slightest — it'll look cute on your kitchen counter while also doing a fantastic job in helping you scrub all of the yucky milk residue out of your baby's bottles.
An Oxo Tot Perfect Wipes Dispenser that'll keep the many (many) wipes you'll need moist. I pray you never have the experience of reaching for wipes while cleaning a blowout only to discover they're dry as a bone.
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.
A game-changing diaper rash spray that'll make diaper changes a lot more simple — and you won't have to get any gunky paste under your nails.
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.
Miss Mouth you'll want in your arsenal of cleaning products. Truth be told, babies stain EVERYTHING. Whether they're spitting up all the time on their clothes (and blankets, and your shirt, and their sheets, the list goes on) or learning to chow down on pureed carrots (an orange explosion), you won't regret adding this to your cart.
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 battery-operated stroller fan with a flexible handle so you can adjust it to keep your mini-me at the perfect temperature while heading out on a stroll. Honestly, buy two so you can *also* enjoy some sweet relief — you're the one pushing that stroller uphill, after all!
Plus, a dual cup holder that'll ensure you always have a spot for your emotional support coffee *and* your phone — attaches easily to strollers, bikes, wheelchairs, and scooters (one reviewer even attached it to their lawn mower!). It's so sturdy your drink won't go flying even if you absentmindedly roll over a HUGE bump in the sidewalk.
A car seat buckle release tool to save your nails and your precious time! No one wants to struggle to open those (thankfully) extremely secure buckles while their kiddo is hitting a pitch that could likely break glass.
An Oogiebear tool that's confusingly kinda cute even though its purpose is *a bit* gross — to remove earwax and boogers safely from your little one. Does my daughter fight us like she's starring in Gladiator when we try to use this on her? Yes. But does it get the job done faster and more easily? Also, yes!
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 portable MyBaby white noise sound machine you can attach directly to your baby's car seat or stroller in hopes they'll *fingers crossed* get an excellent nap in while walking around your neighborhood.
Bumkins washable bibs that'll turn mealtime into a fashion show (hehe) while also protecting your little one's clothes from all kinds of gross baby food stains. Pop culture fans, look no further! These come in so many fun styles you won't know which ones to order first.
Or a silicone bib that's waterproof and extremely easy to rinse off (or toss right into the dishwasher) after an especially messy dining sesh — the pocket also serves a food catcher so the debris *hopefully* won't end up all over the floor.
An Angelcare Baby Bath Support, great for littles who want the freedom of splashing their tiny toes directly in the big tub. You'll likely only use this for a few months before your tot can safely sit directly in the tub, so the low price point is certainly appreciated.
A bath spout cover with a surprisingly aesthetic look — your tyke can splish and splash without accidentally hitting their head on the ever-interesting-to-them spout. You're welcome.
An elephant sprayer you'll adore because it'll keep your kiddo entertained for the duration of bath time and provide you with an easier way to wash soap off of them/ out of their hair — however, consider yourself warned, when they get older they will most certainly turn this adorable hose on you and leave you soaked.
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.
An easily attachable back seat mirror, so when you glance in your rearview, you'll be able to see your little one despite their rear-facing car seat (aka checking while at a stop sign to see if they've finally fallen asleep because you've been driving them around for over AN HOUR in hopes they'll take a freakin' nap).
Or a fancy car baby monitor to help you keep tabs on your tyke without pulling over, turning around, or playing with your rearview mirror. It boasts an impressive 14,700+ 5-star reviews, so it's safe to say this gadget is parent-approved.
A Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy that'll entertain your fussy babe with catchy melodies by the likes of Mozart, Vivaldi, and others, as well as exciting and twinkling lights. Maybe they'll absorb so much of the music they'll grow up to be a world-renowned composer — you never know!
A humidifier tank–cleaning fish you'll cherish as much as Ariel (the Little Mermaid) does her BFF Flounder — it'll kill up to 99% of odor causing bacteria in the tank you're planning to put in your baby's nursery to keep their lil' nostrils moist during nap time (amazing).
Some reusable pouch tops that'll fit any you've purchased from the store — yes, even that VERY specific brand that's the only one your kiddo will seemingly CONSIDER eating. It has a no-spill control valve, so when your tyke eats one in the car, they won't be able to squeeze it with all their might and create an apple sauce volcano in your back seat.
Plus reusable puree pouches you can fill with your own homemade baby food or a store-bought one when you and your mini-me are on-the-go. They're super easy to clean, seal really well (they open from the side!), and simple for babies to eat from.
A 10-pack of muslin burp cloths, a must-have for anyone with an infant who is spitting up constantly who will then turn into a toddler who is forever suffering from a runny nose. These are undoubtedly a key item for any parent with a kiddo under the age of two — you might as well go ahead and order two sets.
Bandana Muslin drool bibs that'll become part of your little one's daily wardrobe — they'll protect their clothing from getting sopping wet from spit up/drool and *hopefully* spare some of your clothes from the same fate as well.
A set of receiving blankets for anyone who truly didn't know the full-sized swaddles you'll receive a stack of as gifts will likely be too big to properly wrap your baby in — a lesson I personally learned the hard way.
And larger swaddle blankets, which can be used in a surprising number of ways! They can keep your baby cozy and shade them in their car seat, cover you while you're nursing, or you can use them as a background for photos (just to name a few).
Basic long-sleeve bodysuits in ALL the sizes (I'm talking newborn through at least 9 months) because your kiddo is going to absolutely live in them (and also destroy quite a few of them with bodily liquids. 😅
And short sleeved body suits for the warmer months when the longer-sleeved options just won't cut it — these are also great for layering under jackets, cardigans, and sweatshirts.
Some blank closet dividers because you'll likely find yourself with an entire range of sizing in your baby's clothes that'll be a headache to organize. You can add these into their closet and stop trying to recall where the 3- to 6-month outfits begin and end.
A Munchkin changing pad to plop atop your kiddo's dresser to ensure they always have a safe space for you to dress them and change their diapers — this one is contoured for comfort, features a safety strap, and is water-proof (a must). It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the more high-tech options that are available these days (with lights, sounds, a built-in scale, etc), but it most certainly gets the job done.
A Baby Shusher because even though it may seem silly to buy a gadget that literally makes a sound you can make on your own for free, you'll be happy to have it come 2 a.m. when you're exhausted and *really* not in the mood to continue 'shhh'ing repeatedly.
And a Fisher-Price kick and play piano you may have seen on TikTok or heard about from other parents (or John Legend) — it'll keep your kiddo entertained for MONTHS, which is a lot more than other toys can boast about. Honestly, "Maybe" (the purple monkey song) is a bop you'll find yourself singing even after your kids have gone to bed.
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