25 Essential Baby Products for New Parents

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Just a few things to make that first year with a baby as easy as can be — no experience required.

BuzzFeed Staff

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Heather Braga says: "The number one item I simply could not live without is the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced. Literally, I would happily spend my last penny on this product because it has made that much of a difference in my life.

It’s essentially a Keurig for baby bottles. It has the capability of mixing formula with the proper amount of water and dispensing it at the *perfect* temperature for baby. It has a button on it so I can easily choose how many ounces I want for my son’s bottle, depending on how recently he’s eaten sometimes we needed only need 2 ounces instead of 4 ounces, etc. The bottle settings stayedin place so when my baby was screaming (he used to get very hangry!) I just had to place a bottle under the dispenser and hit the “start” button. It was so easy I was literally able to do it with one hand while holding him.

The spout has to be cleaned every four bottles, which I used to do with hot water and a paper towel, and the water needed to be refilled once a day (like a Keurig). Other than that, all I had to do was ensure the formula container is filled. My husband set it up like a baby bar cart in the nursery so we didn't have to stumble down our stairs to the kitchen while bleary-eyed and half asleep in the middle of the night. It really is a godsend and I don’t know what I would have done without it!"

Get it from Amazon for $198.99+ (also available in blue and charcoal).

Promising review: "I did not order this myself, but had it on my registry and someone got it for me. I don't know how many times I was told, 'Bottle warmers are a waste, and you won't use them.' Lies. ALL LIES! This thing has been amazing for us to warm bottles up in the bedroom instead of having to go downstairs, boil water, and sit the bottle in the water... When little one is starting to stir I normally pop a bottle in the warmer, get her a fresh diaper change in, and the bottle is all ready for her! It's perfect.

Yes, sometimes it feels like ages that the bottle is taking to warm when little one is screaming but, again, the other option takes just as long. I would suggest this to every new parent!" —Emily

Get it from Amazon for $49.95.

I have one of these, and I absolutely adore it. When my niece was born, her nails were quite long for a newborn so I was ecstatic to see my brother had packed one of these in his hospital bag. It was so incredibly simple for me to use that this was the absolute first thing I packed when it was time for me to pack my own labor bag.

Promising review: "This is the easiest trimmer ever. DON'T BOTHER WITH REGULAR CLIPPERS. I love how it has sanders for all ages, very easy to use, has a light on it which helps distract baby as well as help see, I recommend this to everyone." —Whitney

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in eight colors).

Just step on the foot pedal, drop the diaper, and lock it in for that odor to disappear! It had double air-tight clamps to prevent and smell from escaping, so you don't have to worry about airing out your cute little nursery every time baby needs a diaper change.

Promising review: "Thank goodness for the diaper genie and keeping the diaper smells contained. With two under 3, we use a lot of diapers every day; my house doesn't need to smell like it. It's tall and thin, so it fits in the corners and out of the way. The gift that keeps on giving." —Maggie Thompson

Get it from Amazon for $45.10+ (available in four colors).

This gadget cooks/steams and then blends baby foods all-in-one!

Promising review: "Purchased this product for my 6-month-old who is now eating solids for the first time and I was surprised that it worked so well in the first try. I made sweet potato and it turned out great, the puree was smooth and the perfect consistency. I cleaned, peeled and diced the potato. Then added the chopped veggie to the glass container added water to the water reservoir and set the timer. Once the timer was completed it automatically blended the potato to puree consistency. Overall I am very very happy with this purchase and the first meal. Btw my son loved the sweet potato." —DC

Get it from Amazon for $129.99.

Promising review: "I literally use this 4–5 times a day! We’ve had it for almost three months now. I primarily use it to dry my wearable pumps after each use and to sterilize them once a day. For reference, I use MomCozy M5s and I can fit them in here perfectly with room to spare. I like that it gives me a sanitary place to store my pumps in between uses instead of just letting them air dry on the kitchen counter. It also works great for drying bottles at the end of the day when they come out of the dishwasher. Couldn’t exclusively pump without this machine! I have only positive things to say about it. It takes up little counter space and comes apart easily if you need to pack it up for traveling, too." —Wendi

Get it from Amazon for $89.95.

This comes as a bundle with the dispenser and 24 disposable bags.

Check out the diaper bag pictured above.

Promising review: "These bags and their dispenser are a total lifesaver when you’re on the go and have to change your baby. The dispenser is so small and compact but the bags are generously sized so that you don’t have to try to squeeze a used diaper inside. The bags are easy to open and you can’t smell any offensive odors once you tie them shut. In my opinion, everyone should buy this for their baby’s diaper bag!" —Stumbleine

Get it from Amazon for $4.39.

Make sure you're always keeping your eyes on the road while driving and only using this device when the car is stopped because safety always comes first!

Promising review: "The image quality is exactly what it needs to be. I am in Florida, and it gets HOT in the car. I was worried the screen would be affected by the heat, but it turns out my worry was for nothing. This is a great product. It was easy to set up, instructions were straightforward, and it gives me a crystal clear look of my baby in the rear-facing car seat. At night, the image is in black and white; during the day, the image is in color. The lighting is just right so it doesn’t become a distraction while driving or ‘too bright’ while driving at night. The red button at the charging base is illuminated, making it easy to see at night in a dark car. The wires make it a closed circuit screen and give you a wide view of the backseat. Item can be moved from one seat to another, and the camera can turn to see two kids sitting next to one another (left or right)." —HCastillo

Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (also available in dark blue).

Only look in the mirror when your car isn't in motion!

Promising review: "These are high quality. We were given one as a gift originally, and ended up ordering three more, one for each car for both of our kids. We've also ordered these as gifts for other moms. They're sturdy and large enough to get a full view of a rear-faced baby/toddler. They're on a swivel, which makes changing direction easy to do. Once the toddler is curious enough to touch, though, it can be problematic as we found ourselves needing to reset it after she played with it." —Rachel Lakose

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

This is also absolutely amazing for anyone with limited hand strength, such as arthritis. This gadget doesn't attach to the car seat, so no need to fret about kiddos unbuckling themselves while you're driving.

Promising review: "This is so useful. After having kids, I stopped getting my nails done to save money and make it easier to get them in and out of the car. Now that my youngest is a toddler, I've started doing press on nails (momma is balling on a budget). This makes it quick and painless to get my son out of his car seat with my nails on. I will say it's SO easy to use, I'm nervous to leave it on the buckle while he's in it. I'm pretty sure he could unbuckle himself if he tried hard enough, so I keep it in the door next to him." —Tanner

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).

BTW, it comes with a night-light so that you can see what you're doing without turning on those bright lights.

Promising review: "So many people will tell you this isn't necessary.. just get it! My son would scream during diaper changes, especially at night. After getting this, they go much smoother! It's quick and easy to open while changing and fits right on top of the changing table! Not all wipes are super warm but definitely better than when sitting out." —H.Clark

Get it from Amazon for $30.75.

Promising review: "We did a lot of research and I really wanted to love this car seat. And I do. We knew by day 3 after coming home that it was worth every penny we spent on it. It makes it so much easier to get around. It is sturdy and safe, but sleek and beautiful. It’s incredibly easy to use and adjusts from one position to another with ease. Baby rides comfortably and loves rides in the car as well as strolling. It is slightly bigger than a standard car seat but fits well in both of our vehicles. 10/10 recommend." —Mandee Mabe

Get it from Amazon for $550+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "This easily adapts to any size/shape of carrier. I bought this because the rain brings in some Texas-sized skeeters and my little girl loves to go for walks in her stroller. It has an elastic edge that allows for you to cover just about anything. We have a large stroller and it covers her perfectly. It protects her from the skeeters, and I feel safe knowing she won't get any irritating bites. Super easy to carry around and use. I recommend this purchase." —xman22

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $6.95+ (available in seven colors).

Launched in 2007, Itzy Ritzy is a family-run small business in Illinois that specializes in creating safe, stylish parenting gear.

Promising review: "Love this stroller caddy! I use it in a Nuna mixx stroller. It helps me stay organized on the go. I place my water bottle, keys, and phone in here when I am out and about. It has three compartments making it super easy to separate items. It also has an extra compartment with a zipper, I use this to have cash and/or credit card handy. Now, lets talk about how aesthetically pleasing it is! I love how it makes my stroller look so well put together. Saves me from digging in my diaper bag so much." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $18.79+ (available in eight styles).

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga has to say about this: I have this for my son (pictured above) and am *very* glad that I do. As you can see from his first time in a shopping cart at Target, all he immediately wanted to do was chew on it — which is disgusting and germy! The cover protected him from sucking on unknown grossness...thankfully.

Promising review: "Love! I was in the market for a nice shopping cart cover. My newest baby definitely is one who puts everything possible into his mouth, so a shopping cart cover was a must this time around. It's easy to unfold and fold up. A little tricky to put on the first time but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It seems to be fairly padded. Covers a standard Walmart cart thus far. I believe it will work for high chairs as well. I do wish it came with its own toys. I would definitely recommend for children who are comfortable sitting up on their own." —Alicia

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six styles).

Plus, it has Bluetooth speakers so that you can play their favorite nursery rhyme to (hopefully) lull them into sleep as you finish up your chores without having to stop every other minute to soothe your kiddo.

Promising review: "My daughter loves it. The music, the different levels of speed and the different types of movements make this item very enjoyable. It’s super easy to assemble and it is very safe. Seems quite sturdy and the performances are great." —Carlo

Get it from Amazon for $267.29+ (available in three colors).

BTW: It comes with a carrying pouch, which I love since I can stick it in my diaper bag in case I need to use it. PLUS, it has a color-coded screen and temperature memory that stores up to 40 previous temperature readings!

Promising review: "I have bought six thermometers within the first year and a half of my son’s life. Save yourself and just buy this one first! I love that you can take the temperature in different ways so you have an accurate reading. Another benefit is how fast this thermometer works. My other thermometer takes much longer to read, which is frustrating for my son when he's already uncomfortable from being sick." —James H

Get it from Amazon for $39.88.

This is a 24-piece kit that comes with a wrapping clutch case with two easy-view compartments, an easy-grip brush with soft bristles, a gentle care comb with comfort handle, a nasal aspirator with a small tip, some steady-grip nail clippers for easy trimming, a digital thermometer, and five disposable thermometer probe covers.

Promising review: "Bought this set with all my grandbabies and love it! The pacifier medicine dispenser that comes with it is WELL worth the purchase alone!! I’ve used them countless times for medicines and vitamins for the babies, it’s amazing and SOOOOOOO easy to give medicine with!! You won’t be disappointed with your purchase I promise you 🥰." —Mellisa C

Get it from Amazon for $22.98 (available in arctic blue).

The set contains two feeders, two large silicone teats, two medium silicone teats, and two small silicone teats.

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga has to say about this: My kiddo enjoys this — we treat it like a lil' snack. He likes chewing on the rubbery end and sucking yummy fruits out of it. It keeps him busy for a bit without creating a total mess.

Promising review: "This is amazing!! I am such a germ freak, so the mesh ones were not going to fly with me. The fact that this entire thing comes apart to sterilize is wonderful. Then add the different-size heads for it; great for those just starting foods. My little one has two teeth and absolutely loves this thing. We use frozen cut-up fruit and veggies and he goes nuts. Keeps him occupied for hours!! Definitely recommend. 😀" —Danielle Fox

Get a set of two from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two styles).

Promising review: "We actually own two of them one for his car seat and one for just about anything else. We love all the different sounds it makes but his two favorite are the lullaby and sush sounds it makes. Calms him down/puts him to sleep. Love they are small and easy to throw in diaper bag and go. They last a long time I would say roughly eight hours full charge. My little man is 3-months-old and I would definitely buy again." —Bailey Jones

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "Keeps your milk cold and flat! This was slim and didn't take up too much room. Helped immensely in neatly storing my milk." —Alyssa Lane

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

This pacifier-style medicine dispenser directs liquids right to the side of the baby's cheek, which can help prevent spit-ups and messes.

Promising review: "This thing is worth its weight in gold! A must have in my opinion because it makes life so much easier. We use it with gripe water or Tylenol around her immunizations. We bought it because she would cough and sputter because she wouldn't swallow well when given it in the cheek even in tiny amounts. It makes it a much faster process because all she has to do it suck like using a normal bottle or paci, and she has never turned away because of taste either. It also happens to soothe like a regular paci afterward. Great buy." —Sullivan

Get it from Amazon for $12.84.

This set includes a bottle brush, straw brush, nipple brush, and a detail brush.

Promising review: "I usually don’t write reviews. But I love, love this. I think it’s so cute. Instead of those normal bottle cleaners that are bright ugly colors. The container that it comes in, it works and does collect the water. Would definitely recommend it, especially as an all-in-one bottle cleaner that looks cute and has a container for the water." —Hinojosas

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

This set includes an electric bottle brush, nipple brush, straw cleaner brush, milk frother, drainage rack, and storage box.

Promising review: "This is a great product. I really like the fact that it has different heads for cleaning the bottles and also for the nipples for the bottles. They make my bottles look like new. I really like the fact that this is rechargeable. I’ve definitely told a few expecting mom friends about this product and will definitely be telling more. It makes the chore of cleaning bottles so much easier, faster, and better! Highly recommend!" —Sarah

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in blue and pink).

Promising review: "Must-have. I love these. We just moved in with family, and they had a coffee table with super-sharp corners and I have a little one who pulls up on everything and is trying to walk. To say I was on edge is an understatement. My sister-in-law didn’t want an obnoxious baby proof item around her house, but these were so discreet she didn’t even notice that I had installed them. They are so soft that my little one started gumming on them to soothe his gums, LOL. They were super easy to install, stuck on very well and with not much effort, and came with plenty so if I need them I’ll have them handy. Super satisfied! If you’re thinking about getting, them please do!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in three quantities).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.