Low-Tech Baby Essentials for Parents Who Want to Unplug

Smart bassinets can be helpful for baby’s sleep, but not all babies (or parents) love them. The Newton Baby Bassinet has a breathable, washable mattress and mesh sides for airflow, and the height allows for bedside reach, making it easy for nighttime feeding and bonding. Without apps or built-in tech, it focuses on comfort and simplicity. This bassinet is a great option for parents looking to create a peaceful, distraction-free sleep space for baby.

The Love to Dream Swaddle Up simplifies sleep without the use of technology. The swaddle focuses on baby’s natural comfort by allowing their arms to rest in a natural “hands-up” position, encouraging self-soothing, which helps to reduce the startle reflex for better sleep. Made from soft, breathable cotton, it keeps baby comfortable and is a straightforward solution to swaddling.

While not entirely tech-free (it does require a plug), the Dohm sound machine is a unique option that uses a real fan to generate non-looping white noise, offering soothing natural sound. With two mechanical fan speeds, the Dohm lets you finely tune the tonal quality by twisting the outer shell, with no digital loops or screens. Parents love the fan-like sound (though occasional rattling can occur).

The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor is a straightforward, no-frills choice for parents who want reliable sound monitoring without screens or Wi-Fi. It has clear, interference-free audio, features a quiet vibrating sound alert to catch your attention, and has up to 1,000 feet of range and two-way talk capability. The simple, dedicated parent unit means no smartphone apps, no internet connection, and no privacy concerns. Lightweight and easy to use, it’s an ideal low-tech baby monitor for families seeking peace of mind without extra gadgets.

This pad keeps diaper changes simple and low-maintenance. The changing pad is firm and supportive, with a soft quilted top for comfort, and it's easy to wipe down, with raised sides to keep baby secure. It also comes with an absorbent, machine-washable liner that catches messes so you’re not cleaning the whole pad every time. There are no extra gadgets or features here; just what you need.

The Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger provides a soft, secure place for babies from 0-9 months to be set down during supervised downtime—no batteries, no vibrations, just a cozy place to rest. The lounger’s removable cover is machine washable, making cleanup easy, and its lightweight design makes it convenient to move from room to room. (Just be sure to always take baby out of the lounger before relocating.) Made with soft organic cotton, it’s a natural and breathable choice for parents who want a simple, soothing place for their baby to rest.

This lightweight bouncer offers a natural rocking motion powered by baby’s own movements. Its ergonomic design provides support for your little one’s back, neck and head, and with a machine-washable fabric seat that’s soft and breathable, this is a comfy spot to safely put baby down.

This diaper pail is a sleek, odor-locking essential made of powder-coated steel. It uses regular kitchen trash bags instead of pricey refills. A sliding lid and an optional child lock contain stinky diaper smells and keep little hands out. The matte finish, simple design and six modern color options means it blends in seamlessly blend to your space.

This sweet swing gently rocks side to side to soothe baby with just a simple push. It adapts as your child grows, supporting up to 130 lbs with a removable infant insert and an adjustable recline. The included toy bar provides entertainment, and the seat locks in place for feeding or play.

The Bumbleride Indie All-Terrain Stroller handles different types of terrain thanks to air-filled tires and all-wheel suspension. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and works with bassinets and infant car seats so you can use it from newborn to toddler. The large cargo basket offers plenty of space for diapers, snacks and other essentials and it folds up easily for storage or travel.

This simple, non-electric breast pump is ideal for occasional use and has a soft, flexible breast shield for comfort, an ergonomic handle for one-hand pumping, and its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to take anywhere. With no wires or cumbersome tubing, this tech-free option is surprisingly effective.

This handheld food mill (it works via the hand crank) lets parents transform fruits or veggies into smooth purées—rare for baby food makers, which typically need to be plugged in. With a stainless steel blade and grinding plate, it delivers consistent purée textures quickly. Its non-skid base makes it easy to stay in place on countertops, and the wide, durable container allows for direct scooping and serving without disassembly. BPA-, PVC-, phthalate-free and dishwasher-safe, this mill is great for parents who want low-tech feeding tools.

If you’re using formula, this pitcher saves you from having to mix one bottle at a time (and from clumps you can’t shake out). Just add formula and water, turn the handle, and you’ve got enough to feed baby for multiple bottles, without introducing extra air. It’s especially helpful for night feeds and daycare prep. There are no plugs, buttons or batteries—just a simple, reliable tool that gets the job done.

This set includes four brushes, each designed for a specific task, so you can clean every crevice of baby’s bottles, sippy cups, and pump accessories. Made with durable nylon bristles and a compact holder to keep everything organized and dry, it’s an effective, tech-free way to keep baby’s bottles clean.

Forget noisy, battery-powered aspirators—the NoseFrida is a manual, no-battery tool to clear baby’s nose—and it's as effective as it is simple. This cult-favorite tool uses gentle suction provided by you (don't worry, there’s a hygienic filter system). It clears baby’s stuffy nose with basic airflow physics rather than motors.

While many baby bathtubs keep things simple, some newer models add extras, such as temperature sensors and digital displays. The Angelcare Baby Bath Support skips all of that in favor of clean design and practical comfort. It’s a simple, well-designed essential that makes bath time safer and easier—no batteries, sensors, or fuss required. Its soft mesh seat cradles baby comfortably while allowing water to easily drain, and the ergonomic shape keeps baby supported in a slightly reclined position.

Lalo play boxes are carefully curated sets of age-appropriate toys (boxes are available from 0-12 weeks to 22-24 months), delivered in three or six-month subscription bundles. Each is filled with entirely non-digital, sensory-rich items that grow with your baby, and they’re made from materials like sustainably sourced wood, non-toxic silicone, stainless steel and 100% cotton. Each kit includes a Play Guide to help parents foster imaginative screen-free exploration.

The LouLou LOLLIPOP Alphabet Flashcards offer a sweet, screen-free way to introduce baby to letters and early language. Each card features an upper and lowercase letter with a corresponding animal on the opposite side. These 100% food-grade silicone, BPA-free flash cards are printed with water-based food-grade dye, making them teething-friendly and attached to a removable ring, perfect for little hands to grasp. The flexible, wipe-clean (or top-rack dishwasher safe) design makes them ideal for messy hands and pack up easily for on-the-go play.

Books don’t get much more baby-proof than this. Indestructibles are made from a non-toxic, rip-proof, chew-proof, and washable material that feels like paper but withstands teething and rough handling. With no sounds, lights, or screens, Hello, Farm! offers simple, high-contrast illustrations and farm animal fun to introduce baby to early words and concepts.

This classic stacking tower keeps things simple with seven smooth wooden rings in soothing, modern colors. It encourages fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and early problem solving, without lights, sounds or screens. Made from FSC-certified wood and painted with non-toxic, child-safe finishes, it’s a safe and sustainable addition to any low-tech toy collection. Designed for open-ended play, this toy offers quiet, hands-on engagement as baby learns to grasp, stack and balance the pieces.

This vibrant wooden activity cube packs multiple sides of unplugged fun into one sturdy, beautifully made toy. With shape sorters, a bead maze and a xylophone, it encourages hands-on exploration and helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and problem-solving.

The BRIO My First Railway Beginner Pack is perfect for toddlers 18+ months, and it’s a screen-free classic that’s designed for little hands. Magnetic trains and chunky track pieces make a satisfying sensory experience. It’s simple, sturdy and open-ended which is ideal for encouraging imagination—no batteries required. BRIO’s Beginner Pack is a thoughtful pick for families looking to stay unplugged as play becomes more active.