These 22 Baby Products Are "Game Changers," According to New Parents

More sleep for baby = more sleep for parents. While it’s definitely a splurge, the Snoo is the ultimate game changer in baby sleep. It uses gentle motion and white noise to help soothe babies back to sleep, and it automatically knows when your baby is fussy, thanks to the cry detection feature. One Babylist parent said in our survey, “I thought it was a silly waste of money and why would anyone care about a tech-enabled bassinet? But we were fortunate enough to borrow one from a friend and then later purchased it from them secondhand for our second baby. It’s a game-changer.”

And if the full cost is a deterrent, you can also rent a Snoo on a monthly basis or, like one Babylist parent suggested, borrow it from a friend.

Unlike traditional swaddles that pin baby’s arms down, the Swaddle Up allows for more natural movement while still feeling snug. The two-way zipper makes nighttime diaper changes easier, too (and it’s much quieter than Velcro swaddles). "We tried all sorts of swaddles," one parent said in our survey, “and all presented their own set of issues. We tried [it] and our girl finally started those long overnight stretches of sleep."

And if your little one is on the verge of transitioning out of swaddles and into sleep sacks, Love to Dream also makes a transitional swaddle with removable sleeves so you get the best of both worlds.

If you’re looking to make baby’s clothing and diaper changes faster, simpler and easier on everyone, it’s time to ditch the snaps and zippers. The magnetic closures on these baby clothes come together in a split second, and parents with upper mobility challenges love that they require almost no effort to open and close. They’re a game changer for middle-of-the-night diaper changes too, as one survey response said. “We also love Magnetic Me outfits and these have quickly become our go-to favorite to wear for easy changing and dressing.”

Parents of babies with medical needs also rave about magnetic baby clothes. “Magnetic Me onesies. Our baby was in the NICU and now has a G tube, so they're amazing for wires/feeding tubes.”

White noise machines in general are game changers for helping your baby sleep (it reminds them of sounds they heard in the womb), but the Hatch Sound Machine is more than just white noise—it lets you customize sound, light and sleep routines, all from an app. One Babylist parent said “we use it every. Single. Day. The variety of sleep noises and the ability to customize all the settings is a game changer.” Other parents said the Hatch not only helped their babies get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer, but it was essential for setting sleep routines and adjusting sleep patterns as their child got older.

Yes, it literally shushes for you. And yes, it actually helps. The Baby Shusher is a small white noise machine that mimics the rhythmic “shhh” sound that can calm fussy babies. Tons of Babylist parents raved about this sound machine in our most loved products survey, one writing verbatim: “BABY SHUSHER!!!! IT IS MAGIC!!!!!!”

It might feel a little silly at first, but lots of Babylist parents swear by it during those overtired, inconsolable moments. “Absolutely the number one MVP for us, we use it at least 10x a day,” one parent told us. It’s especially helpful when your voice is tired or your arms are full (or both). Not every baby responds to shushing, but for the ones who do, this little gadget can buy you a few much-needed moments of calm.

Prepping a bottle of baby formula involves just a few steps, and while it’s certainly doable (parents have been doing it for generations), by the time you’re on your umpteenth middle-of-the-night stumble into the kitchen and attempting to measure out formula powder with bleary eyes, you might be looking for any kind of helping hand.

That’s where formula makers come in. They may be pricey, but like a Keurig for babies, they make a perfectly warm, accurately measured and mixed bottle with just the push of a button. Babylist parents in our survey call it a "game changer for formula" and say it “makes around-the-clock bottle making so much more convenient."

Once your baby makes the move to solid food, they also make the move to big messes. If you’re not looking forward to cleaning your kitchen floor multiple times a day, some Babylist parents recommend bringing the mess higher up (really). The Catchy Food Catcher attaches to your high chair to catch all those inevitable dropped bites in a way that traditional floor mats don’t, and the durable, waterproof, wipe-clean material makes cleanup a breeze. “Shocked how much we love having a tray around baby’s high chair. Truly changed our life when my mom sent it to us on a whim!” one Babylist parent told us. Another reason people love it: it’s compatible with 30+ different high chairs, including popular brands like Stokke, Ikea, Lalo, Graco and more.

How can a bib be a game changer? This isn’t your average bib—it features an innovative magnetic closure that’s somehow easy for parents to put on and take off, but tough for babies to remove. They’re also made of easy-clean silicone and have a wide mouth to catch more spills than the average bib. Another game-changing feature: since it’s magnetic, you can store it right on your fridge, dishwasher or any other metal thing in your kitchen.

A good nursing pillow can make all the difference in your breastfeeding journey, and while the Boppy is generally the most popular, it’s the My Brest Friend nursing pillow that Babylist parents call a “game changer.” Its firm, structured design keeps baby in place for a more comfortable, ergonomic feeding experience, and unlike other nursing pillows, the padded back provides much-needed lumbar support for nursing parents. One Babylist parent said it was their "most used item the first four months."

For many parents, one of the hardest parts of pumping is feeling stuck—physically and mentally. That’s where wearable pumps like the Willow Go can really come in clutch. “Wearable pumps are a game changer! I love my Willow Go pumps,” one Babylist parent raved in our survey.

Because they’re cordless and discreet, wearable pumps give you the freedom to move around, multitask or just not feel tethered to an outlet. Whether you're back at work, making a snack or finally sitting down to rest, a wearable pump makes it easier to pump on your own terms.

It’s no secret that breastfeeding can be tough on nipples. To help soothe and protect your sensitive skin between feedings, some parents recommend using silver nursing cups like these. One Babylist parent said she almost didn’t add these to her registry, "but they have been a game changer for our breastfeeding journey."

Taking breast milk on the go can be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping the temperature under control. This all-in-one milk storage solution keeps up to 24 ounces of breast milk at a safe temperature for 20+ hours without needing ice packs or a fridge. "Game changer for a working pumping mom!" one Babylist parent said, also pointing out that it has “many uses when breastfeeding is done!”

Bottles need to be cleaned after every use, but what new parent actually has the energy to wash half a dozen bottles and a million tiny parts every day? A bottle washer does the work for you, including sterilizing and drying, so you can get (a little) time and energy back. One pumping parent said in our survey, "this thing was a game changer, especially after I went back to work. We used it at minimum three times a day!"

If there’s one baby product that surprises people, it’s the diaper pail. While some families skip it, plenty of Babylist parents said their Diaper Genie was a game-changer for keeping the stink in check. “My Diaper Genie!! Everyone said they were a waste. I couldn't imagine life without it!” one parent told us in a survey. Not everyone’s into the idea of a designated diaper bin, but for some, it makes all the difference, especially in those early days when you’re changing a lot of diapers.

A wipe warmer might seem like a “nice-to-have”—until you're fumbling for wipes in the dark at 3 a.m. “It was a game changer with late-night diaper changes,” one Babylist parent told us in our survey. The built-in light means no overhead glare, and warmed wipes can help keep sleepy babies (and grown-ups) from getting too startled during changes.

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that change the game. Take this bum spatula—it’s a diaper cream applicator that keeps your hands (mostly) mess-free and makes applying thick creams way easier. “[The] butt spatula was a game changer! I put it on the registry not thinking much of it but it has truly made diaper changes so much easier and cleaner,” one Babylist parent told us. “Also, it’s hilarious.” It may look like a novelty, but for a lot of parents, it ends up being a daily MVP.

A car seat and stroller in one, the Doona eliminates the need for two separate pieces of gear. No more waking a sleeping baby for a transfer or trying to click a car seat into a travel system—just pop the Doona’s wheels down and you’re ready to roll (literally). Parents especially love it for travel, saying it was "awesome" for international trips and that even though babies don’t use it for long (the weight max is 35 pounds), "it is so worth it, especially in those early months."

No car seat base? No problem. This travel system’s baseless install makes it easy to switch between cars (and rideshares and airplanes), making it a great choice for families on the go. “It’s made traveling solo with our babe so easy and handing him off to grandparents seamless,” one survey response said, also noting that “it’s a game changer for errands!” Parents also love the magnetic features, like the car seat strap holders and stroller buckle, which make getting baby in and out much smoother and easier.

A rotating car seat makes getting your little one in and out of the car way easier—especially for parents with back pain or compact cars. Instead of having to bend and twist your way toward your child’s car seat, rotating car seats turn to you. One Babylist parent raved in our survey, “Rotates!!!!!!!!!!! Rotating is [a] game changer.” Some rotate 180 degrees, while others (like the Evenflo above) turn a full 360 degrees, so you can place it on either side of your car and use it both rear-facing and forward-facing.

Parents also love that the Revolve360 features a one-handed turn, so it’s easy to operate while holding your baby in your other arm.

One thing tons of Babylist parents agree on? “Babywearing is a game changer!” While wraps can seem intimidating to most parents at first, Babylist parents told us they end up loving them: “I didn’t think I’d want a wrap style carrier but it’s my favorite of the three I have.”

Another favorite option for a safe baby hangout spot, parents say this bouncer is a game changer because it’s lightweight, portable and easy to clean. Not to mention, babies really do seem to love it (whether or not you have the toy bar attachment). Before using it, one parent said in our survey that they thought this bouncer was overrated at first, “But it’s such a game changer!”

And if you live in a multi-story home, some parents recommend getting two of these. This bouncer is super easy to move from room to room, and it folds up nearly flat for storage (making it a great product for city parents, too), but having one for each frequently-occupied floor of your house means even less carrying you have to do. Another hidden perk? Many parents rave about its magic ability to help constipated babies get things moving. One Babylist parent wrote, “The ultimate in all things baby. It’s also a poop machine!’

One product that quietly changed the game? A simple foam playmat. “Memory foam playmat for the floor, which was a game-changer for my little one when learning to roll over, crawl and walk,” one Babylist parent said. Sure, you’ll be snuggling your baby a lot in those early days, but before you know it, they’ll want some space to explore. A soft floor mat gives them a comfy, safe spot to stretch out, practice those big moves and play with a few toys.