From high chairs to plush pacifiers, these baby products come highly recommended by moms and dads who know firsthand that they work. (Amazon)
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When you have a baby, you know you're going to need stuff. The problem is there's just so much of it to choose from, and it's tough to tell what you'll actually need and what's just a waste of money.
Other parents are your best resource because they know firsthand what works. That's why we asked real moms and dads to share their must-have baby products. From strollers to sound machines and breast pumps, these 14 items come highly recommended by parents who've been there.
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"The nice thing about this car seat is that you only need one seat and can install the bases in multiple cars, which saves money in the first year," says Rich S., the father of a 16-month-old girl. It can adjust to safely accommodate rear-facing infants from 4 to 30 pounds, and it features an easy-to-read level indicator so you can feel confident it's installed correctly.
This best-selling baby lounger has been designed to offer a snug and soothing environment for babies that mimics the mother's womb. Used as instructed, it's perfect for co-sleeping and suitable for babies up to 8 months old.
Adrianna S., the mom of a 5-month-old boy, can't recommend the DockATot Deluxe enough. "This is so nice for newborns," she says. "You can literally put it anywhere and your baby can just lay in it. It's especially great when they're napping all the time!"
The Babybjörn carrier is a classic for a reason: It's a win for babies and parents! Celeste W., whose daughter and son are now 9 and 13, still remembers how helpful the Babybjörn was when her kids were babies.
"Strollers are massively inconvenient," she says with a laugh. "We hauled our kids everywhere until they could walk, then made them walk."
Jill L., whose daughter is now 4, was a big fan as well. She also recommends the Babybjörn bouncer, saying, "It's a great place for the baby to hang out while you do stuff!"
Multiple moms and dads recommended this easy-to-use sound machine. "It's the best," Adrianna S. says. "There are so many sounds to choose from, lights, and you can control from your phone."
Genna R., the mom of a 19-month-old boy, highly recommends this award-winning steel diaper pail. "It's not plastic, so the smell isn't as bad," she says. "Plus you can lock it, so the kiddos can't accidentally open it."
This lightweight, portable breast pump lets you express milk using the power of natural suction. "The Haakaa is a lifesaver," says Amber I., the mom of a 10-month-old girl. "Instead of wearing breast pads (and losing the let-down), this strange contraption catches it all. I've used it for 10 months now!"
Bea K., the grandmother of a newborn, says she "wishes these plush pacifiers had been around when my kids were babies!" Each WubbaNub pacifier is made of medical-grade silicone and free from latex, BPA, PVC and Phthalates.
"And when the baby spits out the pacifier," Bea says, "you don't have to spend 30 minutes looking for it or sterilizing it!"
These machine-washable baby booties have a snap closure that makes all the difference. Caitlin D., a mom of twins, loves that Zutano booties "don't slip off babies' feet!"
You'll probably stick to socks and booties until you baby starts walking, but once she does, get ready: Those footsies grow fast! Knowing what size shoe to buy can be challenging, which is why mom Jill L. loves this easy-to-use shoe sizer.
"It's very helpful when ordering shoes online instead of going to the store," she says.
Rich S., the father of a 16-month-old, highly recommends this convertible high chair. "It has different modes and can grow with a child," he says. "It has a tray plus a cover, which is a plus when you don't have time to wash the tray... (and) its cover is easy to clean in the washing machine."
Start your little one's love of music early with the toy one mom of two calls "a complete lifesaver!" It's perfectly sized for little ones 3 to 36 months old and has a large, easy-to-press button that allows your baby to toggle through seven high-quality classical melodies at home or on-the-go.
"Both my babies absolutely loved this little toy," Bonna T. says. "It had the magic ability to calm my first one whenever we were in the car — before we discovered this, she screamed on every car ride."
Pretty much every parent we talked to said the same thing: A good folding stroller is a must-have no matter where you live. Jill L. likes this model from Mountain Buggy: It's lightweight, infant-car-seat-ready and suitable for kids up to age 4.
"It also fits in the airplane overhead bin," Jill says, "and it folds up nice and small for easy transport."
These sound-blocking baby earmuffs are perfect for babies up to 24 months. "They're essential if you have to bring your baby on the subway, like I did," Bonna T. says. "You don't want them to lose their hearing in the first few months of their life! I can't guarantee that they will not try to claw them off the whole time, but at least you're trying to protect them."
