Expecting a Bundle of Joy? These 11 Baby Items Are Total Game-Changers

Having been a mom for almost two years, I can tell you that the first two years of parenting are no joke. There’s a lot of crying (from both baby and parents) and very little sleep, and you will literally buy just about any product on the market that will lessen that crying and up that sleep.

But how do you know which products to get and what will work best? Let me tell you firsthand that random, middle-of-the-night Google searches for miracle products just won’t work. That’s why we’ve rounded up the latest and greatest in baby gear technology that will make the first few years a little less painful.

Imagine having the confidence that your baby is okay at night... Owlet gives new parents that exact feeling every night. By tracking heart rate and oxygen while the baby sleeps, the device alerts parents in real-time if something appears wrong. It slips on like a sock, so baby won’t even notice it, but mom and dad will sleep peacefully knowing that it’s there.

We love this product so much we recommended it as a must-have item for your registry. Kepi takes swaddling to the next level with a built-in board in the back of the swaddle that fully supports baby’s head and neck. It’s also recognized by the Hip Dysplasia Institute as a “healthy hip” product, making it a win-win swaddle.

Want a comfy lounger or portable sleeper for your newborn? Dockatot literally does what the name suggests: keeps your little one in one place safe and sound. It offers a safe and comfy spot that lets baby rest, lounge, play, cuddle, do tummy time, and get diaper changes, making it the perfect “docking” station.  

This isn’t your ordinary baby monitor, this is a smart baby monitor. Nanit learns how your baby moves and is able to tell you if your baby is fussy, awake, or sleeping like, well, a baby. It tracks baby’s night and finds patterns to help you identify sleep issues. Plus, Nanit sends you a highlight reel of the night in the morning, so you’ll know immediately if baby’s sleep is improving. Nanit stands 5.5’ tall, giving you the optimal view of your little one.

No batteries, no cord, and no noise is what makes this baby seat so special. With a gentle push, the Nuna stays in gentle motion for over two minutes. Perfect for playtime or lulling baby to sleep.

Ever tried to go grocery shopping with a baby? Nearly impossible. You can’t push a stroller and a cart at the same time and the thought of putting your kid in the cart seat–gross! Enter Binxy. A shopping cart hammock for your little one, Binxy safely holds your baby while you fill your cart hands-free. Can we get one in adult-size, too?

Cool rugs in fun patterns that are machine washable? Where have you been all our lives? These stylish rugs are perfect for any mess your child can throw at it because all you have to do is throw it in the washing machine.

Little one having trouble sleeping? The Lulla Doll will be your new best friend. Imitating the closeness of a real caregiver, the doll is soft to the touch and plays soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat from a yogi in meditation. These comforting sounds can improve sleep and offer a sense of security– exactly what baby needs.

Alexa for babies? While she can’t change diapers, she can play lullabies, order formula, answer new parent questions, call Grandma on command, and more — all hands-free.

Changing pad meets smart scale. Not only is this changing pad soft and wipeable, it also tracks baby’s weight gain, feeding amounts, and diaper changes — a lifesaver in those early days.

Shhhhh: seems like that’s all parents say. Let the Baby Shusher do the work for you by quickly soothing the baby with rhythmic shushing sounds that are proven to engage his or her natural calming reflex.

BUY FROM: Amazon, $31.49