
Best Baby Products for Parents with Disabilities
Lots of baby gear can be adapted for parents with disabilities. Here’s how to make products work for you.

By Allie Schmidt
Witnessing a much-awaited positive sign on a pregnancy test can be one of the most exciting times in an expecting parent’s life. From deciding how to feed your baby to which pediatrician to choose, soon-to-be new parents have their hands full researching the best options for their little ones.
However, this time can bring extra challenges for prospective parents with disabilities. With a lack of resources and practically no adaptive baby products on the market, parents with disabilities need to create innovative solutions to work with their unique needs. While the availability of adaptive equipment may be limited, check out the list of baby products below that can be adapted to work well for parents with physical disabilities.
In This Article
Using disability benefits to prepare for baby
One thought that keeps many expecting parents awake at night is the cost of raising a child. For disabled parents receiving disability insurance benefits from the U.S., no federal support programs specifically exist to help parents with disabilities. However, not all hope is lost.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits, your child may obtain benefits based on your earnings record. Check out the Social Security Administration’s guide to applying for child benefits, or contact disability-led organizations in your state. Often, they can provide you with resources like a free benefits planner and a list of state-run programs and nonprofits that may be able to help. Raising a child isn’t cheap, but if you plan accordingly, you can make it work!
How to choose baby gear for disabilities
If you’re pregnant with your first child, it’s difficult to imagine all the scenarios in which you’ll need help. A mix of adaptive equipment and creative problem-solving will be essential in confidently caring for your baby.
It’s a good idea to start by contacting occupational therapists and other parents with disabilities to get their advice on what has worked for them. Use social media to help find parents with similar disabilities and ask them questions like: “Can you describe what a typical day looks like when caring for your baby?” Or “ Are there specific things you couldn’t solve and needed someone else’s help?” Understanding what’s involved in raising a child will help you anticipate future obstacles and find the right adaptive gear to help you overcome them.
Baby gear for parents with limited upper body mobility
Squeezing a baby into a traditional swaddle is challenging for parents with limited mobility and dexterity. Instead, parents with limited upper body mobility can try this swaddle that uses a zipper to reduce the strength needed when securing your newborn into place.
Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original 1.0 TOG - Gray, Small
Parents with limited gross motor skills can use this adaptive tool to help latch onto zippers and make them easier to pull up.
Button Hook and Zipper Pull Assist Device
Another way to make zippers easier to pull up is by adding zipper pulls. Adding these to your child’s clothing, diaper bags, lunchboxes, etc., will make things much easier for you (and your child).
Zipper Pulls (Metal Keychain Rings)
Magnetic Me clothing is an excellent option for parents with limited dexterity as the company uses magnets instead of buttons to help get your child dressed more easily.
Magnetic Me Modal Magnetic Footie - Animal Safari, Newborn
Reducing cleanup time is essential for parents with limited mobility, including minimizing laundry. Skip the changing pads that require cloth covers and try this one that wipes clean after each use.
Skip Hop Wipe Clean Changing Pad - Oat
Speaking of reducing clean-up time, you’ll suddenly be inundated with tons of baby laundry once your newborn hits the scene. Try these detergent pods instead of heavy bottles that require pouring.
Dropps Sensitive Skin Detergent Pods, 64-Count
This diaper pail is a great option for parents with limited upper mobility as it uses a foot pedal to open the lid instead of using your hand.
dekor Plus Diaper Pail - White
These bottle handles are great for parents with limited grip strength and attach to any size Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottles. These attachments will not only grow with your little one but also help teach your child how to hold their bottle.
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle Handles, 2-Pack
This product is great to help you feel more comfortable during breastfeeding, but it also conveniently supports your baby while bottle-feeding. Simply secure your baby’s body between the cushion and ensure their head is safely supported, and you’ll have additional help without relying solely on your arms for strength.
Boppy Boppy x Babylist New Nursing Pillow with Organic Cotton Cover - Camel Stitch Stripe
Adequately mixing formula with water is difficult for parents with limited upper arm strength. This automatic formula mixer will save you time, energy, and strength – all with the push of a button.
Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced - White On Black
Safely getting your baby in and out of the crib is challenging for parents with limited upper arm strength. This travel crib has a convenient zippered side opening that will help you easily get your baby in and out without requiring as much strength.
Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard
Changing diapers is challenging for parents with limited dexterity due to the amount of pinch strength needed. Instead, try adding loops to diapers that attach with Velcro, which will help reduce the strength required in your hands.
Bambino Mio Miosolo Classic Cloth Diaper - Little Leaves, One Size (8-35 Lbs)
This well-designed baby carrier adjusts to fit six carrying positions while the lumbar support and waist belt help to distribute your baby’s weight more evenly, providing stability and relieving back pressure. Parents with limited upper mobility may need help to secure their baby in place, but its intuitive design makes it so that someone else can easily help them.
lillebaby Complete Original Baby Carrier - Stone
Those with limited arm strength will find using an electronic breast pump much more accessible than a manual one. This hospital-grade breast pump will help you produce more milk while keeping your hands free.
Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump - S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump
Parents with limited upper arm mobility can try this breastfeeding sling to help conserve arm strength and make breastfeeding more comfortable.
Moby Double Gauze Ring Sling - Pewter
For parents with physical disabilities, this automatic swing is a great option to help soothe fussy babies. It comes with a remote control and is one of the lightest swings on the market. Its harness also seems easier to lock for parents with dexterity issues.
Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Baby Swing
Finding gadgets that help decrease the amount of physical exertion needed is critical for parents with disabilities. This “smart” sound machine is easy to set up and can be controlled through your phone or synced to voice activation devices. It also uses the Safety 1st Connected App, which lets you control and manage every device in the Connected Suite, including the Smart Light and Smart Humidifier.
Safety 1st Connected Nursery Smart Soother
Securing your child into a high chair can be extremely difficult for parents with limited mobility. Instead, try this seat as a modified version of a high chair.
Upseat Baby Floor & Booster Seat with Tray - Grey
These bibs are easy for parents with dexterity issues because they fasten with a hook-and-loop closure instead of a button and feature a catch-all pocket at the bottom to help with cleanup after eating.
Bumkins SuperBib (3-Pack) - Sunshine, Wander, And Grounded
This dishwasher-safe, divided plate features a secure-suction base that sticks firmly to flat surfaces and helps little spoons scoop up food to promote self-feeding. It’s easy for grown-ups to remove but difficult for children to toss or tip.
OXO Tot Stick & Stay Divided Plate - Teal
Montessori floor beds are a great way to encourage autonomy and freedom in the early developmental stages. With this floor bed, children can enter and leave when they feel the need, requiring less dependence on you. It also features an adjustable height, so it will grow with your child as they age.
Montessori Birch Floor Bed
Baby gear for parents with limited lower body mobility
Recommended by parents in wheelchairs, this two-in-one infant car seat and stroller is excellent for parents with limited lower mobility (and it’s one of Babylist’s top rated infant car seats. Its unique design allows enough space between the handlebar and the carriage so that someone in a wheelchair can comfortably push the stroller without hitting it from behind.
Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller - Nitro Black
Unfortunately, finding a changing table with space carved out underneath to fit a wheelchair is practically impossible. Parents can add a changing pad to the top of this table, turning it into an accessible area for changing diapers.
Makeshift Changing Table (CubiCubi Study Computer Desk)
Parents with limited lower mobility may find it challenging to fit a wheelchair beside a bathtub. Instead, you can try this portable bath that allows you to bathe your child comfortably in the most accessible location for you.
Stokke Flexi Bath with Newborn Support - White Aqua
Getting your child in and out of a car seat is difficult for any new parent—especially for parents in wheelchairs with limited reach. This car seat (one of the top rated convertible car seats) solves that obstacle by rotating your child closer to you for easier access.
Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-In-One Convertible Car Seat - Moonstone Gray
This bassinet is an excellent option for parents with limited lower mobility because the side panel closest to the bed unzips, allowing you to comfort your baby without getting out of bed. It adjusts to fit most adult bed heights, so you can easily lean over to comfort, feed and check on your baby during the night.
Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper - Charcoal Tweed
This crib is one of the only adaptive equipment items available on the market for parents in wheelchairs. It features a low-to-the-ground design and sliding access doors that make reaching your baby more accessible. It’s also classified as a Class II Medical Device, so users may receive partial funding through their insurance companies.
PediaLift
This crib is not only accessible for parents in wheelchairs but is also an excellent option for parents with dwarfism or aging grandparents. The patented crib-with-doors can be set at various heights, making it easier for parents with disabilities to care for their baby.
Gertie Crib
This comfortable seating aid secures baby on your lap, freeing both hands while keeping natural contact with baby. It includes an easy-to-clean detachable drop cloth that helps prevent spills and messes from landing on your lap during mealtime
Primo LapBaby
Children will leave tons of small items lying around your house. Parents with limited lower mobility can save themselves from back pain and use these grabbers to help clean up.
Grabbing and Reaching Tool
For parents with limited lower mobility who want to get around quicker and easier, consider trying a rolling chair in your house. A rolling chair or stool can help you move around your kitchen more efficiently without needing a mobility aid.
Rolling Chair
Baby gear for parents with visual impairment
No, it’s not a mistake that you’re seeing this product twice! Across all disabilities, this two-in-one infant car seat and stroller is a clear fan favorite. It’s great for parents with visual impairments because it eliminates lugging a heavy infant car seat all day after taking an Uber or public transportation. Users also commented that the stroller’s lightweight, compact design is easy to maneuver when using guide dogs.
Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller - Nitro Black
This lightweight, easily-foldable stroller is an excellent option for parents with vision impairments who need to navigate public transportation and city living. Parents rave about how easy it is to fold and its compact design. It even features a handy elastic strap for comfortable carrying.
Joolz Aer + Lightweight Stroller - Sage Green
In the early stages, new parents lose a lot of sleep worrying about their newborn’s safety. Parents with vision impairments can help alleviate this stress by using this monitor that senses their baby’s movements while sleeping and signals alarms when motion has been undetected for 15–20 seconds.
Angelcare Baby Movement Monitor
After the newborn phase, parents with vision impairments can move on to this portable car seat that is lightweight and foldable. You don’t need to sacrifice comfort for safety, as this car seat meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety and Federal Aviation Administration standards for cars and planes. Users can also purchase the car seat travel bag (sold separately).
WAYB Pico Portable Car Seat
Parents who are blind also love this baby carrier because of its long-wearing comfort and extra-cushioned, crossable shoulder straps that create a custom fit. It also features reflective accents for safety and visibility, side pockets for small storage, and a detachable pouch that fits your phone, keys, and cards.
Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier - Onyx Black
This toddler travel vest is another excellent option for parents with vision impairments who need a lightweight, portable and easy-to-install way to get their toddler to and from places using rideshare or taxi.
Ride Safer Travel Vest
This winner of “Mom’s Best Award 2021” and the “Parent Tested Parent Approved” award is another take-anywhere travel booster seat perfect for kids four to eleven years old and designed with a patented inflation system.
Bubble Bum Inflatable Booster Seat
There’s nothing like bonding with your child through a great book. Add children’s books printed in Braille to your registry and create the ultimate accessible home library.
Braille Children's Books from the National Braille Press
With all the rideshares, taxis and public transportation costs to get children to and from places, activities can start adding up quickly. Create a cash fund to help with these extra expenses.
Babylist Cash Fund
Baby gear for parents with hearing impairment
An excellent option for parents who are hard of hearing is this baby monitoring system with a vibrating function that directly shakes the bed. Although there’s no screen, some parents may prefer the powerful vibration, especially those who are deep sleepers.
Sonic Bomb Baby Cry Signaler
The SereneLife is one of the best baby monitors for Deaf parents, thanks to its rechargeable smartwatch. Even if parents with hearing impairments can’t hear the audible alarm, the watch will vibrate, so they’ll feel at ease knowing they can check on their baby from anywhere.
SereneLife Baby Monitor w/ Smart Watch
Check out this video monitor that conveniently features a breathing band to monitor your baby’s breathing motion. Since the monitor connects to your phone through WI-FI, all notifications can vibrate your device, which is excellent for Deaf parents.
Nanit Nanit x Babylist Ultimate Bundle
This monitor is jam-packed with features incorporating Artificial Intelligence to detect dangerous situations for your baby. Parents rave about the quality of this monitor, citing how trustworthy it is.